Attaching Fenix to Helmet

[alexdrozd]

What is the best method to attach a Fenix or other flashlight to a helmet? I am using Velcro right now. Anything work better?

[varuscelli]

No one discusses that around here. In some places, such a topic is considered . . um . . . verboten.

:p

[Sir Bikesalot]

I find the simplest way is to use those thick rubber bands that are used to tie together broccoli bunches together. You loop the band around one end of the flashlight, then pass it through a vent to the inside of the helmet and then pass it back up through another vent and loop it around the other end of the light. Bit hard to understand I know; maybe I should post a pic.

Edit: I recall someone doing this with a livestrong band in a post a while back.

[alexdrozd]

Any other suggestions?

[varuscelli]

Any other suggestions?

Velcro, rubber bands, TwoFish Lockblocks, and TwoFish Bikeblocks are a few suggestions.

Here's a link from the CandlePower Forums (lots of good discussion goes on there for bike riders in their Bicycling forum):

Bike helmet mounts: ideas, pics, etc.? (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=97113)

Also take a look at the page linked in my signature. Among other things shown there are a bunch of photos of the Lockblocks and Bikeblocks and some helmet attachment photos and text for Fenix flashlights.

My Fenix L2D Premium 100 Flashlights as Bicycle Headlights Page (http://www.ruscelli.com/biking_fenix.htm)

You might also glance through a few of the recent threads here in this forum (Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets). Seems this has been a pretty frequent topic of discussion in quite a few threads even over the last couple of weeks or so.

Also in this forum, if you use the search term "helmet" you'll end up finding a lot of info on mounting lights to helmets.

[JeffB502]

Here's a quick video I made of how I mount my Fenix P3D CE to my helmet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx2Vx4_QmBU

[alexdrozd]

It's so dark I can't see anything.

[varuscelli]

It's so dark I can't see anything.

Turn on your Fenix while chanting "Let there be light..."

;)

[Pepper Grinder]

The outside of your helmet must be smooth for optimal impact protection. Mounting stuff on the outside with anything more solid than velcro is not a terribly great idea.

[EXCALIBUR]

I took socalrider's advice and use a Zefal Doodad Plus to mount my Fenix L1D to my Bell Helmet. The rubber molded doodad protects the helmet and grips the flashlight perfectly.

http://www.xxcycle.com/doodad-plus-109,,en.php

[varuscelli]

The outside of your helmet must be smooth for optimal impact protection. Mounting stuff on the outside with anything more solid than velcro is not a terribly great idea.

Looks like the suggestions so far are for Velcro-based or rubberband-based attachments.

But, to be even more fully on the side of safety, shouldn't we suggest not riding a bike at all? :p (And truly, I'm not being sarcastic about that. Bike riding is dangerous stuff no matter what levels of protection anyone chooses to use.)

Don't get me wrong, I think you are making a valid point. At the same time, if someone is already wearing a helmet and happens to attach a light to it, they're probably statistically much more safe by virtue of the helmet than they in danger by virtue of the method of light attachment (at least, with most of the light attachments that seem to be suggested here). Anyone who is safety conscious enough to be wearing a helmet should be applauded. ;)

[Grun]

I don't know...velcro ties plus a quickcam mount:
(3 THREE Velcro Ties)
http://www.hookandloop.com/extra/images/Velcro_One_Wrap_Strap.jpg

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620475&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1190597173587
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4012258_v1_m56577569830617600.jpg

[socalrider]

I found that the zefal doodad plus or the twofish bikeblock, both work great.. The doodad gives more flexibility to aim the light a little higher. Both are super secure, thee doodad plus is a little more minimalist.. I found a good source for the doodad +, from genuine innovations, the co2 people..

http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bikeprods.aspx?subcat=5&prodid=1044

[icedmocha]

If you are attaching something to your helmet, there is little saftey left. I am surprised that some light manufacterers who sell light mounts haven't been sued.

[Maxximum]

If you are attaching something to your helmet, there is little saftey left. I am surprised that some light manufacterers who sell light mounts haven't been sued.

Can you elaborate more on this?

[flipped4bikes]

Can you elaborate more on this?

I second that!

[varuscelli]

If you are attaching something to your helmet, there is little saftey left.

It means, "The world is a dangerous place -- unless we refrain from attaching things to our helmets. Then everything is hunky-dory."

:p

But I was an English major, so I have a slight edge when it comes to obscure statements. On second though, I don't know what it means. ;)

[Zero_Enigma]

Can you elaborate more on this?

I think what s/he means is that when you're in a crash the helmet light can be a hard object pushed through the foam that is used to protect the head and can embed, crack, penetrate, etc into the skull.

[varuscelli]

I think what s/he means is that when you're in a crash the helmet light can be a hard object pushed through the foam that is used to protect the head and can embed, crack, penetrate, etc into the skull.

Yeah, and I'm just giving icedmocha a little bit of a hard time for not stating his case as clearly as he might have, so forgive me icedmocha. I'm just messin' with you a bit. ;)

It's pretty evident that he means that when you start adding things to a helmet, it might not react optimally to a crash or "land on your head" situation -- that the helmet's ability to protect the person in a crash might well be compromised by adding random elements like lights and clamps and bikebocks or whatever.

[Zero_Enigma]

Yeah, and I'm just giving icedmocha a little bit of a hard time for not stating his case as clearly as he might have, so forgive me icedmocha. I'm just messin' with you a bit. ;)

It's pretty evident that he means that when you start adding things to a helmet, it might not react optimally to a crash or "land on your head" situation -- that the helmet's ability to protect the person in a crash might well be compromised by adding random elements like lights and clamps and bikebocks or whatever.

I'd hate to have a flashlight embedded in the head. The pain will be half the pain. The other is after recovery the 'light' jokes. 'Looks like he's got a bright idea again'. :rolleyes::o

[icedmocha]

But I was an English major, so I have a slight edge when it comes to obscure statements. On second though, I don't know what it means. ;)
:D
Adding anything to a helmet greatly decreases it's crash protection. If you hit on the light part the impact is focused there rather than spread out. This is a huge no-no with motocyclers.