Echo Quick Release Helmet Buckle System
If you’re like me, fumbling with the double D-ring set-up on your helmet retention strap is a pet peeve. It often requires taking your gloves off, and depending on the sizing of the strap and D-rings, can be an aggravating chore for what should be something you shouldn’t have to even think about.
A number of years ago, tired of having to thread those nylon helmet chin straps through the D-rings, I started equipping my helmets with the Echo Quick Release Buckle system.
I now have had the Echo system in regular use on some helmets for over five years and have yet to have any failures or major problems with the system.
The Echo product consists of two tempered steel locking components and a nylon body that houses the steel part of the buckle when they are engaged and has twin buttons that, when squeezed together, release the buckles inside.
Installation is simple, taking about five minutes and operation is similar to a car seat belt. No modification, cutting, sewing or other alteration to the original helmet straps themselves is necessary for installation.
Once installed, all that is necessary for operation is to slide the short metal tabs into the nylon buckle that has the longer metal tab section installed in it until it clicks, locking into place.
The lock is accomplished by metal-to-metal hooks engaged within the nylon body of the buckle.
The manufacturer states the system exceeds helmet retention system testing requirements under DOT (FMVSS 218) and Snell M 2005 standards.
Should you ever want to do so, removing the system from the helmet strap is easily done and is illustrated step-by-step on the manufacturer’s website.
The only source of problems I’ve had with the system is if the long tabs are not inserted into the buckle straight and square. If they go in at an angle, they can be difficult to engage properly and hard to open.
Pushing the long tabs into the buckle until the seat squarely and are straight in the buckle solves the problem. Once you use the system for a while and get the hang of it, it works easily and reliably.
Adjustment of the helmet retention strap fit is done by positioning the short tabbed metal part of the buckle on the strap. Release of the buckle when properly engaged is immediate, by squeezing the buttons on each side of the buckle.
The MSRP is under $10; for additional information, visit Echo.
