Thoughts on 5-pt harnesses.....

[Injuneer]

It's that time again.... my Simpson Camlock 5-pt harness has "expired" again. Time to replace it. But spending $190 every two years for new belts gets expensive after a while.... not sure if I want to spend that much on the Simpson.

RCI has a new "Platinum" series camlock style harness for $140, and they will receritify it once for free, making it a "4-year" harness, rather than 2-year. Sounded like a good idea when I saw it in the new Summit catalog, but then I saw a full size picture of the harness in National Dragster and it was ugly as sin.... looks like it is intended for Hondas or something.

RCI Platinum harness

Then I saw an add for Bill Simpson's new company - Impact Racing - not sure that's a good choice for his line of products. Apparently he "lost" the original Simpson company after the Earnhardt incident. Anyway, Impact is offering their $200 5-point cam style harness for $116 with trade-in of your old belt. Another deal that sounds good, but again the harness is super-fugly with a lightning bolt on it and contrasting stitching.... again looks like they are aiming for the "sport compact" crowd.



Am I making too much out of this? I just can't stand ugly stuff in my car.... and I'm leaning toward simply parting with another $190 and getting another Simpson.....

[Joe 1320]

I agree with ya Fred. Some of this new stuff is directly aimed at the import crowd. Then again, $190 for recertified seat belts every two years is a pain. You could always get those wrap around covers for the seat bealts if you want to look even more ricey.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Is there a way to fit the Simpson pads over the other mfgr belts?

[Joe 1320]

What about Deist?

[WICKED LT1]

Hmmmm....

Call me devil's advocate here, but $190 every 2 to make sure that I am still bolted to where I belong in the car when things go wrong doesn't sound like a bad deal. I would hate to look back and think about that 40 bucks or so savings on something that may or may not work when the car becomes a ballistic object. I'm not saying that any of these products are better or worse than another, just if you've got one that you trust, that's worth something.

/end .02


-Paul

[fastTa]

I would have to agree with you Fred that those RCI's are fugly.
But then I was thinking the same thing Kevin - Blown 95 TA was and would try to fit your simpson pads over whatever you buy.

I would also have to strongly agree with WICKEDLT1.
$190 every 2 years for quite possibly the most critical part of a drag racers safety system is pocket change. I would pay double for my safety!

I like Simpson and Sparco 5 point harnesses.

[Injuneer]

Trust me... I'm not trying to cut corners on safety.... I'm trying to get the correct level of protection for the least $$$$.

A quick check with Simpson online shows that they will sell the Camlock for $140 (red or blue) $150 (black) $170 (polyester, platinum) with trade-in of 3 16.1 SFI date tags and the brand tag off an old set of belts. Now I'm thinking that's a good compromise. Free shipping, direct from the factory.... should be the "freshest" expiration date.

[fastTa]

I REALLY like the platinum color. Goes good with green T/A 's.

[WICKED LT1]

Nice....

Those look much better than your first pic... Provided you have teh required 47 green stamps and the UPC code from the box...