The helmet itself is on the market for a while and I´m sure some of you guys already heard about it or saw person who used one. So we decided to go over this brain bucket in the categories :
- MATERIALS USED
- WORKMANSHIP & USABILITY
- ACCESSORIES
- QUALITY IN GENERAL
FMA is a well known name in the airsoft scene and they made lots of products for airsoft consumption. not merely helmets. But if we take a closer expect on their helmet collection, I would say they specialized in making replica from opscore. Those are available in all four typs like the real ones and FMA do offer a wide roll of colors & camo-dipped models you wouldn´t get from opscore. Most of them are made about 100 % out of ABS Plastic, what makes them truly low-cost for airsoft players. But in this review, we focus on their newfangled leading product regarding authenticity – the Aramid Fiber Helmet.
MATERIALS USED
FMA came up with this helmet after they received a fortune of request from their customers to provide a most autentic helmet regarding to the material of the shell and the overall expect itself. Perfectionism is a must for lots of players ! So they decided to produce a shell made out of aramid fiber. What is aramid roughage ? Long story short : It´s a class of heat-resistant and solid man-made fibers. They are used in aerospace and military applications, for ballistic rated body armor framework and ballistic composites ( Source Wikipedia ) more information > here <
I know some of you guys are now asking theirselves “ is this helmet fastball validation ” ? Well we didn´t have the fourth dimension to shoot on our examination model with real guns and the workshop who provided it would be besides dysphoric about it, but we can clearly say : NO it´s not bullet proof ! The guys from Spartanat Gearmag did a very concern trial on one of their models. They shoot with a 9mm pistol and .223 and all bullets went straight through – you find a video about it > here <
The outer-shell has a very good “ Urban Tan ” ending and farinaceous airfoil, which is in truth close to the real helmet from opscore. good job at that luff, FMA .
Beside the Aramid Fiber, FMA uses several other materials for the internals, the NVG shroud, Picatinny Adapter, Wing-Loc Adapter, Goggle Swivel Clips & the slope rails which all come with the helmet. For these parts ABS plastic, styrofoam, fleece fabric on the parts who sit adjacent to the skin, hook and loop points/strip inside the shell which hold the side & back pads in put as well velcro at the outer-shell are used. So you can add all your fondness patches, strobes, lights etc. on it .
The velcro didn´t adhere a 100 % as you can see. Some belittled areas seem to be a bite loosen. This possibly becomes a problem when you often change your patches or whatever is atteched. During our test, the velcro stayed in invest and didn´t get much looser while we added some stuff on it and removed it late .
Inside the blast you find a pronounce which shows the size of the helmet. here it´s M/L which fits a head circumference of 53-59cm – L/XL is about 57-61cm. These are the two available models FMA produces. The substantial sword helmet comes in three ( four ) versions : S/M – M/L – L/XL and depending on the model besides in XXL .
SIDE NOTE: You have to know that the sizes of FMA are not US standard ! For case : I normally use a M/L opscore helmet which fits perfect for me. For the helmet of FMA I have to use the L/XL interpretation. This one has about the lapp circumference as the M/L of opscore. Just to let you know .
WORKMANSHIP & USABILITY
IN-LINER SYSTEM
The in-liner system as seen is based on the lapp organization as the real steel version. Most of it is made from ABS formative covered with fleece fabric at the areas where it sits future to the clamber like the hale brow, nape and the temples, to provide the best comfort to the end-user. It besides includes a so call “ Occ-Dial ” fitband, which allows you to adjust the fitband to the size of your head in truth promptly .
You turn the adjust clitoris clockwise to tighten the fitband a hard as you prefer it. once this is set, the helmet will stay in position even without the use of the chinstrap. I found out during the test that the fitband gets a morsel loosen after ~40min when you adjust it very tight to your forefront. The tolerance is not adult and the helmet will stay in locate anyhow, but you can feel it. Why does this happen ? Well, I think the material gets claimed strongly when it ‘ randomness adjusted very close and it´s a replica adaptation indeed it´s normal that the locking mechanisim opens a spot because of less quality .
THE CHINSTRAP
Compared to the chinstrap and the Head-Loc organization used by opscore, FMA ‘ s version seems to be the same webbing corporeal as the one from opscore. It doesn´t scratch your skin even if it gets wet while your´re sweating. Except from the buckles which are made of cheaper ABS formative because this holds the loot low, I guess. To be honest, I´m not saying this in a bad way ! The fabric is all right and comfortable and the replica Head-Loc system works the way it ’ s supposed to. Adjustment while wearing gloves is besides not a trouble .
The part of the chinstrap where the chin goes in is coverd with buckskin on the inside to provide a utmost of comfort to your hide while using it. Overalll sew is o as you can see but it can be done a small bite better ( if we go into the microlevel of production ) from my orient of view. The stitching dosen´t scratch your skin a well .
NVG SHROUD
A standard on advanced military helmets in the twentyfirst hundred are NVG shroud. Like on the real helmet, FMA ‘ second replica comes with an opscore style VAS Shroud. In contrast to the real translation, which is manufactured of stainless steel steel, this one is made of ABS plastic. It´s their standard shroud they use on all their helmets from this product tune .
It´s a three hole shroud and you´re able to fit all kind of pall who are based on the same wax system to the helmet.
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NOTE: only the top screw is removeable ! The two penetrate screws are hiding behind the styrofoam. If you want to get them out for whatever argue, you “ might ” damage the in-liner system and it won´t fit in again ! But normally, there´s no cause to remove the screws. If you want to replace the shroud with a metallic version for model, the standard screws will fit this one a well .
The sheet feels a small spot cheap when you touch it first and you potentially think “ it´s crap ” ! Well, that´s because it is ABS formative they use and not metallic element. This should be improved ! There´s besides a little morsel space between the sheet and the helmet on the sides as you can see on the pics .
Another problem, a real NVG arm like the rhinoceros arm for PVS7 and PVS14 or a bite more especial the backing for ANIVS NVGs wouldn´t fit into it ! I tried it respective times because I wanted to use my NVGs with it and it didn´t ferment out. The part of the shroud on lead, where the upper-lock mechanism from the weapon goes into, is to small. possibly this only happens with our testmodel due to a “ manufacture mistake ” of the shroud. We didn´t have an excess plate to check if they are similar .
even the replica arms FMA produces vitamin a well don´t match straight out of the corner. We tested this with their “ LG NVG Mount ”. The baseplate of the mountain is besides wide. We had to remove a fiddling snatch of the material on one side and at the top of the upper-lock mechanism. After that, everything fit together and the shroud got the occupation done .
The bungee cord which includes metal bait that go into the two modest holes every NVG has in its ride are installed. Those are assembled under the english rails ( one at each side ) and the hooks are secured at the bottom of the shroud itself. Why do you need them ? They´re made to eliminate night vision mount- device rattle or vibration for a more lull ( when it´s necessity ) and comfortable consumption. The cord is potent and well secured under the side-rails. The pilfer seem to be solid therefore there´s nothing what needs to be improved .
SIDERAILS
Nothing big to say about them. Made from ABS formative, overall finish is well done and they´re mounted with two alloy screws to provied a solid fit on the carapace. The Goggle Swivel Clips version “ 19mm band ” ( removeable ) are already pre-installed. You can add any typ of attachments whether veridical or replica made for this typ of rails like lights, cameras, headset arranger etc. on it. For the test, I tried a Princeton Tec Charge MPLS light which fits arrant on it a well the Wing-Loc Adapter and the Picatinny Adapter both very and replica translation. They besides fit nicely and provide a well serviceability .
At the bottom you can see there´s some space between the helmet and the rail. That´s not a big issue from my steer of view. The shape of the rails are a small bite larger than the form of the helmet itself in that area. possibly this varies from model to model a little moment due to some “ fabrication permissiveness ” .
ACCESSORIES
You can´t have em all, but you can try is a saying every “ gearwhore ” knows well. But is it very true ? Well, regarding to this helmet, I personally think : You can have em all ! Here´s a promptly number of the “ replica accessories ” you can get from FMA including surrogate parts as well :
- Goggle Swivel Clips 36mm
- PT Headset And Helmet Rail Adapter Set
- Helmet Balancing Bags
- Helmet Middle Rail
- Helmet Hanging Lengthening Belt
- Helmet VAS Shroud
- FMA L3 Series NVG MOUNT-A
- FMA L4 Series Hybrid Shroud
- Maritime Helmet Velcro MH Model
- NVG Lanyard For Ops Core VAS Three Hole Shroud
- OPS FAST Helmet Guide
- Side Cover For Helmet Rail
- QD Cover For NVG Mount
- The Generation Of VAS Shroud
- FMA Wilcox 3 Hole Shroud
- FMA Wilcox 4 Hole Shroud
- Helmet VAS Shroud L4g19 Aid
- Plastic Mount Set For OPS Helmet Rail
- OPS-CORE ACH Occ-Dial Liner Kit
- Velcro Sticker FOR Ballistic Helmet
- Helmet Cuttlefish Dried
…but are they very needed ? I leave this question open to you. The preference of what is needed or not depends on the end-user itself and his personal indicate of view .
But if you want to see all the accessories available for this typ of helmet, I suggest you to visit the FMA web site. They have everything > hera <
USABILITY
Yeah ! I know that some guys say : Helmets are not necessary for airsoft function because thery´re build up for ballistic head security and thus there´s no cause to use them, even not the replica ones without ballistic protection. I say : They´re wrong ! Why ? In airsoft the most significant protection is eye protection, we all know that – tied the military understood this. But what´s next… ? In my public opinion helmets are very necessity ! Most of the game areas we play in are old military bases or small ghost villages if we talk about CQB. Most of the buildings there are ruins with lots of holes and debris around and the find that you hurt yourself in a bet on is high. indeed, head auspices in areas like these is f*ucking crucial ! You only have one brain… If you quite play on greenside spots, it´s not a defect to wear one a well .
QUALITY IN GENERAL
overall, the FMA Aramid Fiber Helmet is a identical dependable replica. The fact that they use real aramid fiber for the shell makes this helmet “ deoxyadenosine monophosphate real number as it gets ” to the real interpretation from opscore. The outer-shell ending regarding to color and surface is identical well done and the best out there on the market indeed far. You wouldn´t get an other helmet straight out of the box like this one. The formative VAS shroud needs to be replaced with a metal one, which is more solid and provides a longer animation clock time. The Occ-Dial lock mechanisim works fine but needs a minor update from my point of view. You´re besides able to use Comm-Tacs like Peltor or Sordin under the helmet. There´s adequate space for them and you don´t get imperativeness marks on your head .
After testing this helmet for more then two months I can clearly say it´s comfortable to wear and you will be felicitous with it. Re-enactors, batteldisplay and MilSim players decidedly should grab one to complete an authentic loadout. retail price is about ~220€, which is a sting high for a replica without any ballistic protection .
WHERE TO BUY?
The FMA Aramid Fiber Helmet is available from GUNFIRE SHOP in Poland who provide us the testmodel. A big thank you to the team.
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We besides want to thank FMA Professional Airsoft LTD who supported us during the test with information .