new Schroth SHR Flex HNRS
 

Hello folks, I thought many of you here would be interested in this.
As you may know, Schroth released their own HNRS to compete with HANS. I just received mine today, as part of the first batch that reached the US.

Special thanks to the team at SpeedFreaks USA for helping me order. I was able to preorder with a discount through their site with free shipping and they even included the posts :D

I feel like I got some serious white-glove service from them and would highly recommend them to anyone in the market for safety equipment.

Full album of pictures here.

The Flex came with a bag, instructions, and the anchors. They run large, so I ordered a medium even though I usually use a HANS in large.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

Each of the chest mounts is made from a dense flexible rubber and is articulated.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

The bottom of the chest mounts is a rubber webbing with no padding. The profile has a relief for your collar bone.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

It has these "bump stops" at the end of travel of the articulation of the chest mounts.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

I was surprised by how flexible the chest mounts were (I guess thats where the name comes from). More on this later.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

The Flex has the fixed lower tether/sliding upper tether design like the NecksGen. I read in some NecksGen literature that this style supposedly offers better resistance to injury in side-impact situations.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

It weighs the same as my HANS Sport II, 2lbs.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458620432

My new helmet hasn't arrived yet (also ordered from Speed Freaks), so I havent installed the anchors, but my initial impressions from strapping in are extremely positive.
One of my major concerns with the HANS was that the thick shoulder pads were required for the shape to fit my profile properly, but the pads also resulted in a "floaty" feeling where I felt that the HANS was never quite seated properly.
The Flex does away with the foam pads of the HANS, and the rubber webbing and flexible chest mounts form to the profile of your collar and chest, resulting in an extremely secure and planted feel. As the harness tightens, it doesnt press into my collarbone the way the HANS did. The lower collar also allows a more natural fit in my racing seats.

For an MSRP of $575, I think this is the new HNRS to go for. It's by far more comfortable than the HANS, and slots in between the Sport II at $550 and the Sport III at $600.
If the fixed lower tether design makes it safer, thats just another added bonus.

Overall I'm very satisfied with this product so far and can't wait to try it out on the track.

Oh boy. Mine should be here any day then. I ordered from Winding Road.

I've been looking at getting one of these ever since Schroth started advertsing them. I've never used a HNRS before and am using 3" Schroth harnesses. I'm curious as to how well this will work with the 3" harness. Can you measure the distance between the wings?

:likecat: for posting the review! I'm in the market for a hans style device and this was helpful.

Once you get some on track time with the schroth can you please post up a review and compare it to the HANS. Thanks

Sure. The instruction booklet that came with the Flex said that it had been tested with 3" shoulder belts and showed how to orient the belts in the winglet. I'll snap a picture and put it up this evening.

FWIW from Schroth's product description:

See bottom left illustration:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1458702104

Perfect, just what I was looking for. Thanks!

Any updates on the SHR Flex? I'll be ordering a head and neck restraint soon and really like the looks of this one.

Still waiting for my new SA2015 helmet to arrive, so I havent used this on the track yet. What's the appeal of a HANS over this unit, out of curiosity?

Looks like a good design. To be fair though any of the modern suspended frame HNRS like the necksgen or impact are also far more comfortable than a HANS.

I don't know what has happened in this industry but it is clear that Hans has lost control and everybody has figured ways around their patents. Or maybe HANS can't afford to sue everybody. It's great to see the market opening up and competitive, more affordable designs entering.

I spent all weekend in my SHR Flex.

And while I don't have any experience in other HNRS systems, I can say that after 9 15-20 minutes sessions and 2 35 minute races over two days, I have zero sore spots on my shoulders/neck. I played around with placement most of the day Saturday and ended up barely noticing it on me on Sunday.

Super comfy. Still passed my escape in under 10 seconds. Didn't die.

I just ordered one of these and should have it tomorrow. I'm still waiting on sa2015 helmets to come into stock before I can try it with a helmet on.

Still waiting on a new helmet to test this out but the articulating design is super cool. Fits nicely sitting in my office chair and in my 30 degree layback tillett seat. No adjustment needed.

has anyone put track miles on one of these yet? I'm looking to order one soon and was hoping for some feedback. It's between this and the necksgen right now

.....

my bad, forgot about that post. I was wondering if the few others that mentioned they ordered it had tried it out yet.

Still waiting on my new helmet :(

I really want to try one of these on. Pretty sure I'm going to sell my original Necksgen and make the switch.

Found a nice review for those interested...

https://www.discoveryparts.com/blog/...epth-review-n2

^ thanks for that link... I'll be using that discount code.

How do I know what size flex to get? I looked on shroth and discovery parts for sizing information.

I just got an sa2015 helmet and am able to test this in the car with the harness on. So far, it doesn't seem to limit head motion at all? Schroth says its normal but its a little disconcerting to not be able to see how it works when sitting in the car. Is this normal for a HNR?

There is several inches of free hanging slack at the back belt loop. I am having a hard time seeing how this will restrain my head unless my neck stretches several inches.

Also, the review posted above has the anchors installed at the wrong orientation according to the instructions.

I noticed on hmsmotorsport.com over the weekend that the medium SHR Flex fits up to a 16.5" neck. They must have just updated the description because I don't remember seeing any specific sizing information anywhere else. It looks like Schroth added it to their website also. I'll be ordering a large one in a couple weeks.

If its like a Hans, you should just about take up all the slack when you touch your chin to your chest. One guy who's really knowledgeable about safety gear, including the Schroth Flex, is Eric at Team Driving Impressions (teamdi.com). May be worth giving him a call.

I ordered and received my Schroth SHR. However, one piece of the anchor assembly was missing and Schroth is sending a replacement. When I harnessed into my car the Schroth SHR felt more comfortable than my friend's Hans which put pressure on my collar bone area. His Hans large fit me well. I ordered the Medium schroth and it fits okay but is a little narrow for my neck. I'm probably at the crossover point for the medium and large sizing for the Schroth.

I'm hoping to put track miles on it this weekend if they get me the replacement part in time.

I did two days at buttonwillow this past weekend. This is my first experience with a Hans style device and overall I'm pleased with the purchase. I hardly noticed it while I was on the track and it was much more comfortable than my friend's Hans 2. I did get some light bruising on my collar bone from tightening the harness as much as I could. I might try to come up with a little padding for the arms for the next track day. But I'd take some light bruising over a broken neck if I ever had to put the device to the test.