I am reluctantly starting to look for a replaced for my trusty CS Protex helmet.

How do people rate the Petzl Vertex?

Will the rather weird lamp clip thingy cope with an Oldham headshell?

Will horrid things start happening if I start drilling holes into it?

Is there anything better out there?

Is the CS Protex not based on an Edelrid Ultralight? They seem to be a good bit cheaper than Petzl Vertexes.

The old vertex is truly horrid (I have one with the duo on it). However I recently got the chance to try on the new one- the vertex best, and I was impressed. It's very comfortable and well fitted and didn't float around on your head like the old one because of the updated cradle. My boyfriend was so impressed he's just ordered one after months of me trying to persuade him to get rid of his trusty old one.

For personal use I use the Ederid work one with a bracket for a oldham, which I believe is the same as the ultralight but without the holes in it. I have used it for years and its very comfortable even if it does look a bit like a egg stuck on your head. Like Cuban Bloodhound says they are cheaper too!

I have a Vertex Best and can't say I like it much. It's fine when walking upright, but I struggle to keep it comfortable anywhere low. It seems to sit too high so is always trying to pull sideways. It's easy to adjust but doesn't hold its settings very well. And this is with a fairly lightweight caplamp - I'd hate to wear it with anything heavier.
So I'd strongly suggest trying one before buying.

---

I would look out for an Ecrin Roc on fleabay or whatever.

I recently bought a new Elios because I sweat a lot and wanted the vents. Its OK once I get used to it, but by the time I get used to it its time to come out to day.
That design has some head contact inside so is lower fit and you get less head bangs.
My old Ecrin is more comfy but sits higher, ouch that bloody stemple again
:lol:

No win really

---

I would look out for an Ecrin Roc on fleabay or whatever.

I recently bought a new Elios because I sweat a lot and wanted the vents. Its OK once I get used to it, but by the time I get used to it its time to come out to day.
That design has some head contact inside so is lower fit and you get less head bangs.
My old Ecrin is more comfy but sits higher, ouch that bloody stemple again
:lol:

I know a couple of people who have the Elios - the consensus is that the fit is appalling.

No win really

I'm using an 'old style' Vertex for underground work, with a Stenlight attached to a normal blade mount riveted on (it's AR's old helmet!), and haven't had any problems at all with it losing its settings. I do have a little concern about the lack of forehead protection, as the cradle is right against the shell. Although I did once drop a rock on AR's head in a mine and he was OK afterwards. So it's been tested.

Sensibly, I use the new style Vertex Best for rope-access, and it is very comfy, and far better balanced in terms of the cradle/shell placement. Again, no slippage. As I had to work in an explosive environment recently, I got the lamp designed for the slot, the Pixa 3, but it's pants. Front-heavy, due to the integrated battery, weak as **** compared to the Sten, occasionally falls out of the slot (!) and the settings on that change constantly too! But that's another story...[i]

Still got my white Texolex, never had a sell by date on it, so still safe :confused:

---

I have a vertex best but I dont like it much
Its comfortable if you just put it on and walk around but the settings wander and it slops about on my head as soon as I do anything else.
My other half uses one and finds it ok, but he's got a bigger head than me.....
I don't like that integral lamp clip much either it means I have to bend the clip on my lamp or have it fall off everytime I look up. Much rather have a metal clip and abuse that rather than my lamp.

---

I would look out for an Ecrin Roc on fleabay or whatever.

You'll be lucky to get one for under £50 these days.
Some people have paid over £200 for green ones.....

Fish 'em out from under the bed if you have one and buy 4 red ones .

I'm using an 'old style' Vertex for underground work, with a Stenlight attached to a normal blade mount riveted on (it's AR's old helmet!), and haven't had any problems at all with it losing its settings. I do have a little concern about the lack of forehead protection, as the cradle is right against the shell. Although I did once drop a rock on AR's head in a mine and he was OK afterwards. So it's been tested.

To clarify, my behaviour wasn't any different after the rock impact but that's not saying much! I passed that Vertex on to Phil as I'd picked up a black Vertex best off Fleabay; the new one had no blade mount so I drilled and riveted one in, the helmet's still fine, it's just it's considered compromised as far as PPE certification is concerned.

---

I would look out for an Ecrin Roc on fleabay or whatever.

You'll be lucky to get one for under £50 these days.
Some people have paid over £200 for green ones.....

Fish 'em out from under the bed if you have one and buy 4 red ones .

I must admit I was surprised by this, does anyone know why green helmets are fetching a premium.

(If my helmet was green ........... add your own cheap innuendo).

Found this comment in a climbing forum.

have to wear green at work to signify i'm H&S.

You might be able to get a government grant for a green one
:lol:

---

Hmm.. maybe I should put my old lime-green CS Protex up for sale!
Edit - see avatar photo....

---

I have an old Edelrid 'Fluolight', which is luminous. Can't find much about them online at all, but it certainly does glow in the dark. And it's the shape of an Ecrin Roc, pretty much. Bizarre and wonderful.

I would look out for an Ecrin Roc on fleabay or whatever.

You'll be lucky to get one for under £50 these days.
Some people have paid over £200 for green ones.....

Fish 'em out from under the bed if you have one and buy 4 red ones .

Green one on e bay now at £185 + postage :o

Or a used one at only £135 :lol:

---

Hmm, time to get the spray paint out, how much would a green Centurion make? :lol: :lol:

---

.... about fifty drachmas a week ( FX ba dum-tish! )

---

I've bitten the bullet and ordered an Edelrid Ultralight as it uses the same headshell as the CS Protex which seems to be bombproof. The downside as I see it is that the Ederid has vent holes in it (unlike the Protex) rendering it useless for bailing out digs!

I wonder how the Edelrid cradle will compare with the Caving Supplies one?......... watch this space.