Nate,
Completely valid point that we are building for the Salt and not F1 here.
But I do worry about the "alternative" head restraint solutions. I'm not saying they won't work, but I've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with one of the guys who invented HANS and know the full story of the development process: not only the cash, but the time and the evolutions of the idea plus the experts who helped them: top medics from top race series plus top surgeons in the spinal field. Not to mention that because it was being put into F1, they got a large manufacturer who ran a series of (extremely expensive) crash tests for them. I really don't see this sort of depth of investment having been put into the other solutions so I would always choose the HANS personally, not for me, but because I have 3 little kids.
Clearly I should disclose here that my father-in-law is one of the approved manufacturers for HANS, but I have no financial interest, it is purely that I've been lucky enough to see the testing process, hear the stories and meet the people first hand. I could happily not care what people choose to screw their heads to their shoulders with, but I would like people to be informed in the choice they make.
Over and out!
Rick