ARCH Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet

Should you get a non-armored (bump) helmet or an armored (ballistic) helmet? It is a fixed supply of debate within the firearms group, and there are arguments to be made for either side. Ballistic helmets can defend your head from incoming bullets, shrapnel from explosives, and flying fragments of particles from the encircling surroundings; that is important in a battlefield setting, as a result of even a minor head damage can take a combatant out of the struggle and result in a lifetime of medical issues.

Naturally, this safety comes with some compromises — most significantly, ballistic helmets are heavier than bump helmets and usually way more costly. The load side is unavoidable, since layered Kevlar is heavier than skinny polymer, however a brand new product from Evening Imaginative and prescient Community (NVN) has proven that the fee hole might not be as substantial as you suppose.

The ARCH Gen 3

Evening Imaginative and prescient Community provides a ballistic helmet referred to as the PGD ARCH Gen 3 at an inexpensive value level of $549. For context, that’s solely $187 greater than the Crew Wendy bump helmet talked about earlier on this article, however with the additional benefit of ballistic safety. And at just below 3 kilos full, it’s solely 6 ounces heavier than a comparable Crew Wendy ballistic helmet (which prices greater than $1,300).

Not like lots of its affordably priced opponents, the ARCH Gen 3 is not sourced from or manufactured in China. This high-cut helmet makes use of real DuPont Kevlar Aramid materials that’s pressed into form in Bulgaria and assembled in Denmark (each allies of the US). NVN imports these helmets from the producer, Safety Group Denmark (PGD), to the U.S. These helmets are examined to NIJ requirements in an internationally acknowledged facility that’s licensed by the U.S. Division of Protection.

The specifics of armor efficiency and testing are a really deep rabbit gap, so we’ll provide the high-level particulars. The ARCH Gen 3 is authorised for NIJ 0106.01 Degree IIIA requirements and is rated to cease rounds as much as .44 Magnum. Moreover, it has been examined for and proven to resist 17-grain fragments of shrapnel touring at 700 meters per second, based on the STANAG2920 take a look at process (NATO’s commonplace for testing ballistic safety). Deformation depth has additionally been fastidiously studied; common deformation in opposition to a 9mm bullet affect was 11.2mm.

The ARCH Gen 3 is at present obtainable in two sizes (M/L and L/XL) in addition to three colours (black, FDE, and OD inexperienced). Every features a entrance shroud that’s appropriate with the Wilcox G24 night time imaginative and prescient mount, in addition to facet rails that settle for all of the widespread aftermarket parts — Peltor and Ops-Core AMP ear professional mounts, Picatinny rail sections, lights, and so forth.

Different Options

No helmet could be full with out pads and a chin strap, so NVN features a bundle of tremendous comfortable reminiscence foam pads and a finely adjustable BOA suspension system. Each of these parts are widespread aftermarket upgrades for different helmets available on the market, so it’s nice to see they’re included right here. Stick-on Velcro sections are included to permit attachment of infrared strobes, helmet cameras, and different equipment.

We initially obtained our arms on the ARCH helmet throughout RECOIL’s CANCON Arizona vary occasion. Evening Imaginative and prescient Community arrange a particular after-dark shoot for VIP ticket holders and outfitted every attendee with an ARCH helmet geared up with night time imaginative and prescient to check out on the vary. Underneath steering from instructors, attendees strapped on their helmets, flipped down their NVN night time imaginative and prescient tubes, and stepped as much as the firing line.

They practiced energetic aiming with infrared lasers, in addition to passive aiming via quite a lot of weapon optics. This was an impactful and enjoyable expertise since lots of them had by no means worn a ballistic helmet or used night time imaginative and prescient earlier than. Quite a lot of walked away grinning and saying, “I’ve obtained to get a setup like that!”

Last Ideas

When you want ballistic safety and are on the lookout for a top quality helmet that gained’t break the financial institution (or your scale), the ARCH Gen 3 is value trying out. And as a number one provider of night time imaginative and prescient programs, NVN also can get you arrange with NODs, mounts, ear professional, and different helmet equipment.

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Written by Tom Marshall