Emerson "FAST" Tactical Airsoft Helmet

[Tank]

Does anyone have any experience with this helmet? www.evike.com/product_info.php?products_id=37348

I purchased a MICH 2000 style helmet a couple of years ago that I've never worn to a game because it just fit awful. It seemed to sit way too high on my head and when I tried to squeeze it down on my head to make it fit lower, I just got a headache because of how squeezed my head was. I took out the top pad and it helped quite a bit, but still wasn't too comfortable. The other thing I hated about the helmet was how much it weighed. I know that many members here want the helmet to be heavy for the realism, but I am looking for light weight and protection. Realistically the worst that it has to protect me from is bumping my head into something hanging down. Since this failed helmet purchase I've been wearing Boonie hats to all the games.

I am planning on attending OP Northern Light this year and feel that I should revisit my quest to find a helmet that I like. I was planning on purchasing a MICH 2001 style clone but while searching through the forum today, I ran across a style of helmet that I didn't know about previously, the Ops-core FAST style. I did some searching and found what I believe is a clone of this on Evike, the link I posted above.

What I would like to know is the following.
1. Is this helmet fairly light, in comparison to the other two mentioned styles of helmets?
2. Does this FAST retention system work well to hold the helmet in place? I did notice that my friend's helmet kept shifting sideways on him when he had his helmet cam mounted to the side. I plan on mounting a GoPro to the front mount and would hate for it to be shifting forward all day.
3. Since it looks as if your tightening a band around your head to stabilize it, is the helmet comfortable to wear or am I just going to feel squeezed again?
4. Is the quality decent enough? I know it won't be as good as the real thing, but will it provide basic helmet functionality without falling apart on me right away?

[Crapshoot]

Well real Ops Core FAST BUMP helmets weigh only 1.5 pounds, and the Occ-Dial retention system is said to be the best on the market. Take this with a grain of salt, however, as I have zero experience with helmets of any sort.

[Foxhound]

I've personally worn the real Ops-Core helmet and I can say that it is extremely light. The repro will work perfect for a light weight helmet that will protect your dome from anything at a lower level. The Occ-Dial is very comfortable and can set it however you like, tight squeezing your head, loose, or the in between sweet spot of comfort and support. Also since the suspension system is a replica of the Ops-Core it is very good at keeping the helmet on the top of your head and not sliding off to one side. For mounting a Go Pro on the front, you may just need to re-adjust the suspension in order to compensate for the added weight purely in the front.

[samfisher]

If you do purchase that Emerson FAST PJ and wear it to Operation Northern Light can you do a review on it? Thanks.

[Tank]

I will, without a doubt, do a review on it if I get it before that OP. I was kind of disappointed to not see any mention of it on here. Especially because I think I've finally narrowed my focus down to this one particular helmet. I've been torn between many MICH 2001 style helmets but after hearing about this type of helmet I watched a bit of promising youtube videos on it. I of course don't trust their opinion like I trust the opinion of our community.

[cqbr]

Pads on the replicas are shitty. Get ready to either buy genuine OpsCore ones, or replace them with MICH style (Team Wendy/Skydex/etc.) pads.

The replicas I've extensively finger banged (Haven't owned one as I have the OpsCore brand ones) have an Occ-Dial that does actually function well though. Just make sure you order the correct size as azn heads are like shrunken heads compared to us 'muricans.

There's also several reviews on Arnies if you want more in depth info before you buy.

[eagledriver]

I have both the real base jump and the base jump (called the "PJ" version) from KHMountain/Ebaybanned/Bejingshop. The real one is the tan one. This is NOT the carbon/ballistic copy like the Evike one you posted. That one weighs about the same as the MICH 2000 replica one you have (if it is the fiberglass replica).

The Base Jump copy is sized the same as the OpsCore L/XL, which means 7 1/2 to 7 5/8 max. The carbon and ballistic helmets are medium sized.

The Base Jump or "bump" style has the molded in NVG shroud. The replica is the same weight and feel as the real one - which feels like thin plastic since it is just meant to keep you from bumping your head. The replica has the usual un-polished features, like the velcro glue on the patch areas isn't that great (see the black helmet in the last pic, the velcro on the top is slightly off of the helmet). Overall for a replica (and especially the price) it is a good value. The copy of the ops-core head lock system works great in the replicas.

Note that I bought mine from KHMountain and it took about 8 days to ship to me. I ordered another from Ebaybanned as a gift but they usually take 3 to 5 weeks to ship.

[Tank]

Have you ever mounted anything to the replica nvg shroud? I would like to know if the plastic can hold up to real use. I was reading some other review where a guy tried mounting a nvg bracket to it in his replica and the top part cracked. That is why I was looking at the other version, since I figured I could mount an aluminum shroud to it.

By the way, thank you for your input.

[Casper]

I was wondering if the renetention strap setup can be transfer to Mich 2000 style setup???

[Thor]

www.ops-core.com/ACH_Occ-Dial_Liner_Kit_P9C20.cfm

The real one, yes. So the replica should work, of course though the biggest thing is your chinstrap mounting holes. But usually those are pretty close to the real deal on clone MICH's.

[eagledriver]

www.ebairsoft.com/helmet-system-mich-p-5000.html

You can get the replica occ-dial system and it works fine in a replica MICH.

I have not used anything with either my real or knock-off FAST helmet's shroud. But both seem to be of similar quality. In either case I would use the bungies just in case.

[Combat Junkies Airsoft]

I own the Emerson BUMP clone which I purchased from Evike. I've finger banged and worn the real Bump. The latest version is VERY close compared to the first version. From what I can tell from pictures the first version from Emerson has the "fast" logo while the new one doesn't. Also the first has very large mold and seem lines, while they're almost completely gone from the second version. I've had no issues with the Velcro coming loose on mine. To clarify for you. You can mount a real steal rhino arm on it. I've posted pictures of mine in the helmet gallery if you're interested.

[Tank]

Thank you for your feedback about the mount being functional. I intend on mounting a GoPro camera to it, so I obviously don't want to see it come crashing to the ground. So it sounds like if I switched to getting the bump style instead of the carbon replica it should hold up to mounting the camera and I won't have to also purchase the aluminum shroud.

I'm kind of nervous not getting the carbon replica with an aluminum shroud but it also sounds like the carbon one is heavier than the bump style. Which I'm not a big fan of the heavier helmets, especially when the game I'm buying this for is a three day, all day event.

I think I will get the bump style, and cross my fingers. I'll be ordering this in the next couple of weeks.

If anyone else has more information, especially about the carbon style replica, I would appreciate it. I still have time to change my mind.

[Combat Junkies Airsoft]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with either one. Here Is a good review of the bump.

[alexbuechel]

Hey, I know I'm late on this thread and I apologize.

I have a Fast Helmet (Ballistic Style) helmet that I picked up at the end of the year. I have taken it out 4-5 times and cant speak enough about it. It fits great and I love the look. its pretty lightweight but definitely not like the real ones. I can't speak much for mounts and such as I have not tried adding to it. However I can say that the pads seam to work just fine for me. I wore it for 3/4 hour blocks and had no issues.

The rails however were a small flaw. I had to buy actual ops-core brackets as the ones that came with the replica were crap. Once I got the reals clips and goggle mounts I realized that the rails were flawed as well. I had to almost hammer the clips in.

With that said, I would knowingly buy it again. I love this helmet. If you live in Macomb or close I can offer you to come take a look at it.

Alex