Wore my ISAAC Device for the first time... (review)

Wore my new ISAAC Device for the first time this past weekend at Mid-O (NASA race), here's a short partial review of how I found it. I consider this to be a partial review, since I had no impacts, and I don't look forward to the idea of being able to write that second half of the review! http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

(Not that I wasn't given plenty of opportunity to test it, some real rusty drivers in that crowd!)

Anyway... It was certainly comfortable enough, no complaints, once I was in and installed. Sure, it took some time to hook up, but I was able to accomplish this even by myself without help. Having freezing cold hands didn't help! 35 deg is great for power, but kinda hard on the driver! LOL

Once I plugged in, as previously noted, there was the feeling of restriction, and I could hear the mechanical noises. OTOH, once we got moving, I couldn't hear a darn thing but my brain rattling (gonna have to put a quieter pipe on for my sake). I still noticed the restriction when driving; didn't realize that I turned my head that much while on course! Still I was able to look into corners without much issue; it certainly didn't slow me down, got my best times to date (obviously still learning the track).

Removing it was stupid quick, it really is no problem. No worries. The only thing that might hang you up is completely forgetting it's there, and so not unplugging it. I can see that happening; I once tried to get out of my car without removing the steering wheel, and I can see that part!

I was pleasntly surprised to find that I didn't have any issues finding my way around paddock with it on (I suited up in my paddock spot) - I was quite able to turn my head well enough to see beside me. Again, it's easy enough to pop anyway, once you get off track. I'm sure plugging it in will get easier too, with practice, just like getting used to a latch-type belt buckle (which I also use).

Overall, I'm happy I have it; while I hope to never find out how effective it may be, I feel reassured when I do feel it tugging on my helmet out there (rough corners/rumble strips), and am certainly glad that I have something now!

I also feel pretty good about purchasing a product from a company that is so responsive to us, the IT community, and that in general is so supportive after the sale. Thanks guys!

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Vaughan Scott
'79 924 #77 ITA
Plymouth, MI
www.vaughanscott.com

While I'm still debating Hans vs. Isaac and I'm leaning towards the Isaac right now, my concern involves is how would the corner workers know to unhook the Isaac without me telling them. Not that I ever want to be caught in a situation I can't but it is very realistic of being in the car and not being able to communicate with the people trying to help you. Is there someway that the corner workers would know?

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
Racecar Sponsor: LAMIN-X Protective Films

Well, first is corner worker education. I'm sure if you showed up to the corner worker meeting with the device and showed them how it works, they would be more than happy to listen.

Second, you could probably put something on your helmet pointing to the pins and describing them as the release point.

Just my thoughts. Gregg may have more input since he has been at more events with one.


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Bill
92 Saturn SL2 (SCCA ITA)
93 Saturn SL2 (Daily driver/backup car)
Planet 6 Racing
[email protected]

Richy,

There is a good selection of decals that come with the device that work well on the car to notify cornerworkers.

A number of owners have already taken systems to various meetings and seminars to share information with cornerworkers. By the time you get to the track, and with the number of people wearing the device, you souldn't have to worry about cornerworkers being aware.

db

I was unable to make it to the workers' meeting myself; however I did pass along a nice page from ISAAC they'd included just for that purpose. As mentioned, there were also stickers included for display on both the car and the helmet.

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Vaughan Scott
'79 924 #77 ITA
Plymouth, MI
www.vaughanscott.com

Richy, I had the same concern. What I am planning to do this year as a minimum is; when I send in any entry forms, I will include a copy of the sheet Isaac ships with their product and asked that it be forwarded to the corner workers.

Thanks for the input. Some good points were made. It’s been a busy Isaac weekend, so let’s see if I can shed some light on a couple of topics that have come up, specifically head movement and corner worker awareness. I received first-hand input on both at the Daytona school this weekend -– I needed to knock off a little rust and do some R&D.

I wanted to get in a car on a track because we were very confused about reports we have been getting from drivers saying that Isaac supports the head in high-G cornering. They thought that was a great feature. The problem is that I never noticed this when I last used the Isaac in a Spec Racer Ford. We were especially curious about this because we have recently completed computer simulations of 50G lateral crash impacts, just another form of a lateral load. The suggestion was made that I didn’t notice any lateral support in high-G corners because I don’t go around corners fast enough to generate high Gs, but that’s another subject. http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif

I think I found the answer, which should have been obvious: the head rest is separate from the seat in a Spec Racer Ford, and most formula cars, allowing a large length of belt behind the shoulders. This provides more head motion (rollers have more room to move) but less lateral support. I confirmed this this morning in the office by equipping my office chair with a Kirkey racing seat, harness system, helmet and Isaac system. (Yes, it looked outrageously funny. Of course, this was about the time the phone rang and, although the helmet was wired for radio, I couldn’t figure out how to plug it into the phone before voice mail kicked in.) Long story short, if your seat has an integral headrest you will get a little less head mobility, but more lateral support, than you would in a formula-style car having a separate headrest. So far no one has complained about head mobility during normal racing conditions. Keep us updated on this, please.

Vaughn, I’m glad to hear that things went reasonably well for you at Mid Ohio, in spite of the temperatures. I’ve been in and out of the system many times now and allow myself 15-30 second to hook up both sides blind. Most folks who have used it half a dozen times or so have the same reaction.

On the issue of worker awareness, someone trashed a motor in the group ahead of us, so between the clean-up time and the following 10 minute worker break, I ended up in a casual conversation with one of the workers. She said, "Hey, is that one of those shock absorber things? I haven’t had a chance to see one up close." I asked her about how corner workers would respond to having to get an unconscious driver out of the car. She said, "Honey [you gotta appreciate older women], this looks pretty simple, but if I couldn’t figure it out in a couple of seconds, I’m going to slice every piece of nylon in that car and drag you out." Comforting to know that there is a backup to the stickers/instructions/video. The GCR should require that all drivers buy the workers’ beer after every event.

A good example of the use of the stickers can be seen in Andy Fox’s car here:

http://www.isaacdirect.com/images/andy2.jpg

Andy was also quoted in a catchfence.com article posted yesterday. The author was able to get a quote from Dr. James R. Lloyd, an avid race fan who has done some serious lapping at Road Atlanta. It’s here:

http://www.catchfence.com/html/2003/mt040703.html


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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

Gregg,

I've been in the market (researching) for a helmet restraint system of some sort and a driving suit. I'll be purchasing both in the next 1-3 months.

Saw the new issue of PRI. Cover story: "2003 Driver Safety Apparel..." They mentioned several restraint systems, some of which I haven't heard of. No mention of one of the best "ISAAC", what gives?

Give them a call and demand some print!!! http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by Quickshoe (edited April 07, 2003).]

Great article Gregg! (We've always suspected you were the grand poobah at Issac! When you say, "I checked with the boss..." do you say that after you've taken a trip to the bathroom, looked in the mirror and said, "What'dya think...drop the price up until Dec 31st?", then replied to yourself, "Sure...let's see what happens"?? )
No matter, your company is one of the best in our field.
http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

Why is it that NASCAR hasn't authorized the use of the Isaac? If I were to tkae part in a NASCAR event, would I have to NOT wear my Isaac and choose one of the other (inferior, IMHO!) options?

Bleaa, as Kirk would react/say when the words "Competition adjustements" are heard anywhere!

Also, what is PRI???

I can't wait til I get to report on MY Isaac! But with 3" of fresh snow on my daffodils and steps, that might not happen any time soon!

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

Quote:

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Originally posted by Quickshoe:
Gregg,

I've been in the market (researching) for a helmet restraint system of some sort and a driving suit. I'll be purchasing both in the next 1-3 months.

Saw the new issue of PRI. Cover story: "2003 Driver Safety Apparel..." They mentioned several restraint systems, some of which I haven't heard of. No mention of one of the best "ISAAC", what gives?

Give them a call and demand some print!!! http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by Quickshoe (edited April 07, 2003).]

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Quickshoe,

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Yeah, we noticed that. There is one thing you need to keep in mind with publications: They make most of their money selling ads. We have had more than one conversation with publishers who implied that they would be interested in doing a feature article on Isaac, and then ask us, "How much do you have in your ad budget?" I would never be so cynical as to suggest that a manufacturer has to "buy" an article, but one does notice that ads frequently appear along side articles about the same product.

We've tried ads, but were not satisfied with the results.

If we called to complain, it wouldn't have much impact. But if you shot them an e-mail, noting that their reporting was incomplete, they would take notice.

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

Quote:

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Originally posted by lateapex911:


Great article Gregg! (We've always suspected you were the grand poobah at Issac! When you say, "I checked with the boss..." do you say that after you've taken a trip to the bathroom, looked in the mirror and said, "What'dya think...drop the price up until Dec 31st?", then replied to yourself, "Sure...let's see what happens"?? )
No matter, your company is one of the best in our field.
http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

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Jake,

LOL!! And thanks.

Close, but no cigar. I may have mentioned this in some posts last fall, when racers were trying to figure out where Isaac came from, but I'll repeat here to bring any newbies up to speed:

I spent five years in the aerospace industry in LA and then went with a medical start up about 15 years ago. We knew biomechanics well and began noticing racers getting killed from basilar skull fractures. As a lifelong racing fan I became curious, did some research and, with the help of some consultants, concluded that the Isaac product was doable. The decision was made to develop the product, but not within the medical company since the businesses were so different. Da Boss said, "Okay Baker, you're so high on this idea, you run Newco [generic name for new company]." A business plan was put together and we pulled the trigger on Isaac, LLC.

I have a lot of latitude so long as everything is going to plan. Major changes require that I get permission. http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif I hate that part.

As long as I'm in the confessional, I should also lay to rest the rumor that I am a racer. Yes, I have been on a race track in a race car more than once (and not often enough), and friends who don't race think I'm a racer. But I've been around you guys (and pros) long enough to know that if you see me in your mirrors, you've probably just lapped me again. It has been suggested that the GCR should require any car I'm driving to be equipped with a horn, so I can warn the corner workers of my approach. http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

Quote:

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<font face=\"Verdana, Arial\" size=\"2\">Also, what is PRI???</font>

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A publication called "Performance Racing Industry," the same folks who put on the PRI show at Indy every year.

Gregg Baker
Grand Poobah http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif
Isaac, LLC

[This message has been edited by gsbaker (edited April 08, 2003).]

I think you will find that the companies mentioned in the PRI magazine article about racing safety apparel are members of the organization. Since the publication is for the members it kind of makes sense for them to use those manufacturers. If you didn't pony up the bucks to join you probably aren't going to get any editorial.

There are publications on the shelves that use products from companies in their articles that do not advertise with them. Speedway Illustrated for example. And of the magazines that do have the ads running next to an article using a companies product...of course this is going to happen. Read an article in GRM and they have a listing of the companies that supplied product for the article and the latest RACER reads like a Toyota ad. Magazines are absolutely going to take care of the companies that advertise or supply product to them. To think otherwise is naive. By the same token,we've advertised in magazines and they didn't use our products in their editorial, but we still generate sales from the ads.

As far as NASCAR approval for helmet restraint devices they aren't in any kind of a hurry to approve any more devices. The device may be great, but right now that is not going to hurry the decision process along. The G-FORCE SRS-1 has been tested by NASCAR and is maybe a tiny bit closer to approval than it was six months ago.

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Bob Pinkowski
Atlanta Region SCCA
OPM Motorsports
ITS Honda Prelude

Everyone and Gregg, thanks for all the input on my concern. It was nice to hear "...I couldn’t figure it out in a couple of seconds, I’m going to slice every piece of nylon in that car and drag you out."

...I'm that much closer into buying the Isaac http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
Racecar Sponsor: LAMIN-X Protective Films

Quote:

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Originally posted by Richy Gonzalez:
Everyone and Gregg, thanks for all the input on my concern. It was nice to hear "...I couldn’t figure it out in a couple of seconds, I’m going to slice every piece of nylon in that car and drag you out."

...I'm that much closer into buying the Isaac http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

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http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif



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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

Hey,

Yeah, Isaac is cool. Everyone should get one, I am when I start racing SCCA.

Simon T.
www.simontibbett.evaluand.com

Quote:

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Originally posted by bobpink:
I think you will find that the companies mentioned in the PRI magazine article about racing safety apparel are members of the organization. Since the publication is for the members it kind of makes sense for them to use those manufacturers. If you didn't pony up the bucks to join you probably aren't going to get any editorial…

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Bob,

The problem occurs when something of interest to the members, especially something involving safety, is not reported because a manufacturer didn't pay the dues. In such instances, publications are acting in their own best interest, not the best interest of the members.

It's like members of the Kerosene Lamp Association not being made aware of the electric light bulb by "Kerosene Lamp Quarterly" because Thomas Edison wouldn't buy an ad.

Or, to be more current, "Iraqi Ground Combat Hardware Monthly" failing to inform its readers that attacking an Abrams M1A1 tank with a Toyota pickup truck is a bad idea, just because the Pentagon didn't pony up for the membership dues.

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

Quote:

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Originally posted by Simon:
Hey,

Yeah, Isaac is cool. Everyone should get one, I am when I start racing SCCA.

Simon T.
www.simontibbett.evaluand.com

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And when you do, Simon, we'll send you even more stickers!

Just don't get Jake involved in the purchase. He'll have you beating on us for a discount. http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

Gregg,

I agree with you for the most part, but publications will always act in their own best interest because it is what pays the bills. Admittedly, this isn't always in the best interest of the racer. Pretty much what you said.
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Bob Pinkowski
Atlanta Region SCCA
OPM Motorsports
ITS Honda Prelude

[This message has been edited by bobpink (edited April 09, 2003).]

Quote:

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Originally posted by gsbaker:
If we called to complain, it wouldn't have much impact. But if you shot them an e-mail, noting that their reporting was incomplete, they would take notice.

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Gregg,

Sent off an e-mail to the Editor, Managing Editor and article author today.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Quickshoe:
Gregg,

Sent off an e-mail to the Editor, Managing Editor and article author today.

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Shoe,

It's a bit late for today, and tomorrow doesn't look much better. We will follow up per your recommendation.

I suspect you have been up to something, but then, so have I. See a new "General Discussions" topic.

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

Might that be the same person I encountered at PRI?

db

Quote:

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Originally posted by Dave Burchfield:
Might that be the same person I encountered at PRI?

db

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Dave,

If memory serves, yes.



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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

So, if I like wearing a neck collar (for the head support it provides...my neck is less sore with one on), how will I feel with an Isaac?

Or (yes, I know this will be a silly question), can I wear a neck collar at the same time?

Dan (of the stupid questions)

Quote:

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Originally posted by m3ltw:
So, if I like wearing a neck collar (for the head support it provides...my neck is less sore with one on), how will I feel with an Isaac?

Or (yes, I know this will be a silly question), can I wear a neck collar at the same time?

Dan (of the stupid questions)

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Dan,

If you are in a seat with an integral head rest you will get some lateral support. See comments from other racers at:

http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/OtherPages...rsComments.html

I suppose you could wear the collar also if it is thin enough, but it may be redundant.

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC

[This message has been edited by gsbaker (edited April 15, 2003).]

I'm no expert on saftey systems, but since ive delayed my first year of competition due to a host of small (but expensive) problems with my race car, im interested in getting a helmet restraint system. The ISAAC seems to be the one you all like... But the HANS device is the one thats approved by NASCAR, the FIA, BTCC and others, whats the difference between them? only on price? Just a thought...

Jc

Quote:

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Originally posted by EscortGT:
I'm no expert on safety systems, but since ive delayed my first year of competition due to a host of small (but expensive) problems with my race car, im interested in getting a helmet restraint system. The ISAAC seems to be the one you all like... But the HANS device is the one thats approved by NASCAR, the FIA, BTCC and others, whats the difference between them? only on price? Just a thought...

Jc

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Jc,

The ISAAC and HANS are virtually identical in protecting against basilar skull fractures, assuming the HANS straps aren't too loose. They both remove over 80% of the head loads in lab crash tests.

The approval process takes time, and since our test results weren't published until December of 2002 most sanctioning bodies did not have time to approve it for the 2003 season. It is, however, approved for SCCA Pro Racing.

The ISAAC system is less expensive because of overhead issues. It probably costs as much (if not more) to manufacture an ISAAC as it does a HANS, but HANS has different sizes and seat angles, so the cost of maintaining and managing that inventory is higher.

The two products are different when it comes to day-to-day use. It's probably best to check http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/OtherPages...rsComments.html for ISAAC users' comments. I don't believe HANS has a similar page on its Web site.

Or get Vaughn, who started this thread, to comment. He crashed after he posted here.

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC
[email protected]

[Edit, because I can't spell]

[This message has been edited by gsbaker (edited October 22, 2003).]

I've got an Isaac device for several reasons, not the least of which is Gregg's willingness to come into an open forum and share ideas, as well as listen to user feedback. IMO, he has never tried to deceive us and has always been honest about results (whether good or bad).

From an engineering standpoint, having examined the data and everything else, I believe the Isaac is every bit as good as the HANS in a forward impact. However, in a side impact, I believe the Isaac is superior, but I hope never to have to test either of these.

If your ever in the Milwaukee area or at any event I go to, I'd be more than happy to show you my system and let you try it out, provided you fit in my helmet.


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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com