Other types of Airbag jackets like Point Two

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Thistle

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I've been doing some research today and have a few questions.

I have found the Helite which appears identical to the Point Two proAir jacket, even down to the logo, same sort of price too. But french http://gilet-airbag-cavalier.helite.com/catalogue-gilet.html

Also the Hit Air japanese jackets, these appear to be the original airbag jacket, been around for motorbikes since 1985 and seem to be popular for equestrian use in Australia and some other countries, retail around £250. http://www.hit-air.com/horse/english/top/index.html

On first glance they don't seem to have the same neck and lower back protection but on closer inspection it's all there just cleverly tucked away.

The full inflation time is .25 second which is fractionally slower than the point two, how much of a diference does .1 second make? has anyone seen a Hit Air jacket in action, either inflated of just being worn? I've watched the videos on You Tube.

Hit Air make a variety of styles, on some US sites I've found a super lightweight equestrial vest, but can only find the standard JV vest on UK sites.

Can anyone recommend a stockist?

I would love to have a look at one
 
There is a very interesting article in this months Eventing mag on air jackets. Apparently there are more jackets coming onto the market, Lee Middleton of P2 says that" some are just back pads; others have slow inflation speeds. We need them all to reach a certain standard of technical specification." BETA is looking to develop a standard in time. It appears that there will be an effort made to try to bring about some standards for air jackets made by various companies to show that they work and that they are safe.
 
The other advantage with the Hit air is that carbon fibre inserts are available to increase protection in various areas.I promise you I have seen the hit air inflate and it is just as quick as the point two( I think they measure the inflation times differently ) also they outsell them in the motorbike market .All the Japanese mounted police wear one and that is one of the most rigorously tested markets in the world .I am afraid the point2 was aimed and marketed at the equestrian market when they were not selling in the motorbike market .
 
you wont be able to see the difference in inflation times with your own eyes....
you cant distinguish between something that inflates at 0.1 secs, with something that inflates at 0.25 secs....surely...

ETA: not saying p2 is better than hit air! I have no opinion really on this stuff!
 
jumptoit said:
Interestingly Hit Air has been around for a much longer amount of time too :).
Click to expand...

Yes and look how similar another product looks.
Getting back to the speed issue the reaction time is only comparable if you know were each company are measuring it from.This came from somebody within the motorbike industry who assured me that they both work at the same speed.
 
I am sure Hit-Air have reduced the inflation time on their equestrian models to 0.1 second, but the last time I looked the UK importer was only listing motorcycle jackets on their web site. The Dutch distributor has a very good web site, and being in Europe you still have the same consumer protection.
 
This post is 3 years old, but interesting to re read it. I did quite a bit of research and tried to source a helite jacket at the time but was out of stock.

Bought a point 2 (think it's a helite one) which I'm now selling as horse really can't cope with it detonating. She is a silly flighty little mare though. Daughter now uses a kanteq body protector
 
Don't know weather any of you are aware but it is actually the BETA (they are effectively the trade standards people for this type of stuff) trade fair this weekend...... I've looked and Helite and Hitair are showing. Helite is showing from the treehouse stand though. point two are not......I think this says a lot.
 
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