Tonfly 3X Skydiving Camera Helmet Review. Checking out some of the hottest new skydiving camera gear on the market. The TonFly line brings a fresh fit in production helmets.
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to drop by the Ranch and visit old friends Donna and Sonic Bayrasli of The Ranch PRO Shop. As the only USA Tonfly Dealers, I had the opportunity to check out some of Tonfly products hands on. I was actually quite blown away. I was able to look at all the helmets, even some jumpsuits. The helmets are top of the line. I have never seen jumpsuits put together or sewn like this before. Pure art. I ended getting one of those cool camera condoms that fits like an absolute glove, a flash bracket and other goodies. In the end they were nice enough to lend me a 3X Skydiving Camera Helmet to try and review. Here is that review. Video Review and Photos I got using the helmet below.
Warning, I do have some critiques here. If I didn’t I would surely be a poser. So, if being a little critical offends you, call your mom, she cares.
As many of you know shooting skydiving photography is my passion, while breaking my neck is not. Gone for me are the days of shooting an SLR for tandems. Why would anyone with all the lightweight bomber gear out there? Especially after taking the first cover of parachutist with a GOPRO, I will be the first to tell you, the best camera is the one you have on your helmet. (I will reveal how I did this in an upcoming post, check out my new Skydiving Newsletter for tricks and tips on photography and skydiving)
Here comes the super lightweight helmets of the day made for little sony video cams and GOPROs. Heaven on my head I say. And today’s skydiving marketplace is booming with high grade production gear. Gone are the days of the custom molded helmets and complete customization of EVERYTHING. Today you can get a skydiving camera helmet completely set up, just put your camera on and jump! Reminds me when gear started coming in colors with padding.
As someone who likes to be versatile, I found the 3x to be a very powerful option for one’s gear line up. Do more with less. My gear set up consists of two camera helmets. One flat top to hold my heaviest of SLRs, flash, video and even a second camera. This is a must have if you find yourself the opportunity to jump with the likes of Craig OB, Tom Sanders, David Major and other high profile cameramen of our day. I used to jump this all the time.
The second one is my work baby, a small lightweight, tight fitting helmet made for a little Sony Cam and a GOPRO. This allows me much freedom in shooting anything, anytime, having more fun with a lot less hassle. It’s a tandem money making machine. It will do coach jumps, wingsuit, freefly, sit, BASE and anything else you can think and of you will barely know it’s there. The advent of some super cool digital wizardry now allows one to manipulate the images to be blown up SUPER size with little loss. (Again, more on that in an upcoming post, sign up for newsletter)
Will this replace my big old Flat Top? No way. When it comes down to quality photography, rock solid stability and a platform with the ability to carry heavy equipment, nothing beats the flat top full face camera helmet. For everyday shooting though, I am finding my big flat top more and more unnecessary.
PROS:
Into the 3x. This bad boy production helmet has some great features:
- The converter mount quick connection system. This system allows you to quickly release the camera, change the angle left to right about 10 degrees and full reverse the viewing angle. Great for wingsuiting, BASE, rodeos, etc.
- A sliding cover base that allows up to 15 degrees of angle change. Totally awesome concept
- One Piece Chin Cup with tunnel for rachet straps. Very sleek.
- Cut-A-Way system right on the chin cup for extra safety and peace of mind
- Pre-made baseplates for SLR. GOPRO & SLR combo, or Video Cam and GoPRO for stills combo.
- The fit is un-paralled. A tight secure fit is ESSENTIAL for consistent and good photography.
- Pre Installed HypEye looks, feels and acts like it grew there!
- Custom molds for different alti’s and the ability to carry two of your fav alti’s
- Linings that are premolded to deal with wiring for bite switches, audible and HypEye wires. Brilliant!
- Light weight Carbon Fiber construction – no pain
- Many, many sizes to get the near perfect fit.
- Available in colors that come in gloss and matt
- Many Accessories, parts, pieces and cool stuff
Suggestions:
No matter how good it is, it can always be better. I have to say, I simply LOVE this helmet. But, I have some issues.
The Sliding Mount: WIRING: The sliding mount is pretty shallow for the wiring. I highly suggest taking it apart and reviwing the inside wiring of the camera controls and HypEye setup. You will want to make sure it’s all adequately secured, re-gluded, whatever you have to do. You will also get familiar on how to best stow, un-stow and re-stow your wires as you use them. When you move the mount forward or backward you will want all the wires pulled fully out. This will help keep you sane, the move efficient and wires managed.
HypEYE: I know from asking around the HypEye installation on the sliding mount was an issue but think they have that worked out. The one I have, easily got pushed in, the HypEye really could use a backplate of some kind to give the installation more durability and overall strength. Regardless, once you poke around and learn the system, it will make more sense with none of it being a deal breaker. Not once have I broke anything. I am just rough on my equipment to say the least and need to understand it fully. It’s gotta work right the first time.
CONS:
Sliding: Now the sliding mount is brilliant. It really makes this baby versatile. Anyone who has a camera set up for tandems and then off to wing-suiting trying to get a top shot down and back will know. Only issue is, its a mission to move the plate. I was on a 15 minute call and almost gave up cussing and spitting trying to use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the little, teeny, tiny screws enough to the let the whole piece slide only to loose a screw in the process and just get frustrated. Who uses flat head screws? That’s insane. The mount I have had some sticky foam tape on the edge to keep it from sliding. Perfect. So I literally had to take every screw out to move it. Not my idea of speed. It was obvious that whoever made it and shipped it, doesn’t jump it, or at least doesn’t fully use the movable plate on a regular basis. I would also love to see it have more range. That thing could slide another inch or two easy.
Again, not a deal breaker. I really would like to see thumbscrews. Something I can get ahold of with my fingertips, even a bolt head would be better and faster with a socket driver. Would also strip the tape from the base of the sliding mount to make it slide better. The screws should keep it from sliding. If not, I will tape it, I don’t care. The ability to move that thing at will is gold.
GOPRO Plate: The GoPro Plate. Here is a good one. The base plate is bomber, it rocks. But again, who ever made this doesn’t fully use it. I got on a quick turnaround load, put my wingsuit on for a group coaching jump and turned the base plate 180 degrees in the plane to get back shots of the people following me. Sweet. Love this thing. Opps. Whoever made it didn’t put a hole in it. So, I can’t use the HypEye button. Again, not a deal breaker but frustrating. I can drill a hole.
Air Bag System:And, the last thing, The “Air System Airbag” It’s just a lot of hot air for another $50. Don’t bother. The bladder is way to small to do anything and the pump is a chore. Great idea though and I bet they make it better over time. But, for now, don’t waste the extra money. Pad it right the first time. Now, in their defense, it just might be my head isn’t right for it, ether way it didn’t do anything for me and was really a chore to deal with. Like tinsel on a christmas tree. Keep it simple.
PRICE: With a base price of $560 and add ons ranging in the $50 price point, be ready for a commitment. Bottom line though, if this is your business or your passion you will want a piece of equipment you can count on that is well made, durable with a good fit. Getting that usually means paying for it.
Conclusion: 8 out of 10
Love this helmet. I now have to send it back and feel like I am breaking up with a summer girlfriend or something. Honestly I don’t know how I got along with out it. Back to pots, pans, duck tape, rubber bands and pullup cords, I guess.
I give this helmet 8 out of 10 based on some of the forced attention and mods I would have to make. I believe you will find any of their helmets to fit the bill but the 3x gives a lot of versatility not found in most helmets.
Everything I saw at Sonic’s shop in the Tonfly line was by far some of the most quality production products for skydiving I have ever seen in a long time. Seriously, the sewing and construction on the suits made my mouth drop. Drop by the Pro Shop, say hi to Donna and Sonic and tell em The Harry Parker sent ya for a special New York Present. Oh, and buy a helmet, maybe, just maybe, I can get this one back. I do hope they will lend me a Shark to review in the near future. So tell them to send me one of those too.
You can Email Sonic Here, Or Call his personal cell number anytime day or night, don’t worry about international time lines, at 845-255-2252. Make a post on the Ranch PRO Shop Fan Page so they know someone read this post. Seriously, call. Anything. Heavy breathing sounds then say my name. They told me straight up people need to say my name.
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I highly recommend and suggest:
- The camera condom. This one piece of equipment has saved my camera so many times, including unexpected weather or weather your job made you jump into. You will have to call Sonic, I couldn’t find it on the webpage.
- SLR Bracket, so you have that option, get the extra converter link.
- Get the HypEye. It’s installed! And everyone knows that Hypoxic makes the best.
- Ring Sight. The ability to move everything around really demands a ring sight for best results.
- Cutaway system. A real peace of mind add-on.
- Try your helmet on! Go for the tightest fit you can get, then go one bigger, customize the fit with little bits of extra padding for a totally custom fit and next to nothing in cost.
Do hope you enjoyed this, if you have a question or comment, leave one below.
Thank you for your time HP
