FMA Hel-Star 6 Group Review
Dec 12, 2020 23:39:14 GMT -5
Post by triggs (SABR) on Dec 12, 2020 23:39:14 GMT -5
Full Album Review – FMA Hel-Star 6
FMA Hel-Star 6
- Real Steel History
- Overview
- Accessories
- Externals review
- Performance
- Final Thoughts and Upgradeability
Real Steel History
[The] HEL-STAR 6® is a multi-function helmet mounted LED light designed for airborne/MFF, tactical and other military operations. (taken from coresurvival.com/)
Overview
For a long time I have avoided getting any sort of helmet safety light. I honestly have very little use for one and it really would only serve a decorative function for me. However, I finally broke down and bought the full set when I had some spare cash.
So here we are with a complete set of FMA HELSTAR6 helmet safety lights in Blue/Tan, Red/Tan, and Green/Tan
Accessories
For some reason only the Red/Tan unit came in a nice protective case, the other two lights came in plain cardboard boxes. However, all three have no additional accessories included in their respective packages. I can only assume the Red unit is from a newer (or older) run.
Externals Review
Each Helstar is virtually identical on the outside. I purchased the tan/FDE bodies with a smoked colored cover. They all feature a selection switch that locks very securely into position at the base of the light. At the top is a quick on/off sliding switch that also locks securely into either position.
The top of the lights are made from a nice smoked colored, semi-transparent plastic, and the LED’s can clearly be seen with them on or off. The bottom contains the battery compartment that is covered by a rubber plug and held in place with two screws, and the mounting velcro. Strangely the tan plugs are not all the same color from run to run. I’m not sure which is a more recent production, but there is a minor difference.
Performance
Each Helstar 6 is powered by one (1) CR123A battery. Each unit has 4 modes; Off, Color On, Color Strobe, Color + White On, and Color + White Strobe. All modes worked perfectly and were extremely bright.
Final Thoughts and Upgradeability
For the cost, are these a necessary item? I don’t know. Some games do require a safety light in addition to, or in place of a kill rag, so having one of these Helstars is a good thing. The same event may also require a certain color, not just red, to identify team as well as status, so you may also end up needing the full set. Unfortunately, no one makes a RGB safety light yet, so you will end up with the complete set just to cover your bases.
Do I like having them though? Absolutely, they help me finish off the look of my helmet and may serve a purpose at some point.
Externals Score: 10/10
Externally they look the part and are well built. While they come at a hefty price for what equates to a colored flash light, you pay for the look of an authentic military accessory.
Internals Score: 10/10
There’s always the potential that the cheaply made components will die an early death, but at least for the moment they all worked out of the box and were more than bright enough to do the job.
Overall score: 8/10
The only reason I take away points over all, is the price tag ($40-$50 each), usefulness at a particular game that requires only one of the three available colors, and the lack of a RGB option. I realize that the real Hel-star does not have a RGB option, but for an airsoft replica, the simplification and affordability of a combination unit would be nice.
© Copyright triggs 2020
FMA Hel-Star 6
- Real Steel History
- Overview
- Accessories
- Externals review
- Performance
- Final Thoughts and Upgradeability
Real Steel History
[The] HEL-STAR 6® is a multi-function helmet mounted LED light designed for airborne/MFF, tactical and other military operations. (taken from coresurvival.com/)
Overview
For a long time I have avoided getting any sort of helmet safety light. I honestly have very little use for one and it really would only serve a decorative function for me. However, I finally broke down and bought the full set when I had some spare cash.
So here we are with a complete set of FMA HELSTAR6 helmet safety lights in Blue/Tan, Red/Tan, and Green/Tan
Accessories
For some reason only the Red/Tan unit came in a nice protective case, the other two lights came in plain cardboard boxes. However, all three have no additional accessories included in their respective packages. I can only assume the Red unit is from a newer (or older) run.
Externals Review
Each Helstar is virtually identical on the outside. I purchased the tan/FDE bodies with a smoked colored cover. They all feature a selection switch that locks very securely into position at the base of the light. At the top is a quick on/off sliding switch that also locks securely into either position.
The top of the lights are made from a nice smoked colored, semi-transparent plastic, and the LED’s can clearly be seen with them on or off. The bottom contains the battery compartment that is covered by a rubber plug and held in place with two screws, and the mounting velcro. Strangely the tan plugs are not all the same color from run to run. I’m not sure which is a more recent production, but there is a minor difference.
Performance
Each Helstar 6 is powered by one (1) CR123A battery. Each unit has 4 modes; Off, Color On, Color Strobe, Color + White On, and Color + White Strobe. All modes worked perfectly and were extremely bright.
Final Thoughts and Upgradeability
For the cost, are these a necessary item? I don’t know. Some games do require a safety light in addition to, or in place of a kill rag, so having one of these Helstars is a good thing. The same event may also require a certain color, not just red, to identify team as well as status, so you may also end up needing the full set. Unfortunately, no one makes a RGB safety light yet, so you will end up with the complete set just to cover your bases.
Do I like having them though? Absolutely, they help me finish off the look of my helmet and may serve a purpose at some point.
Externals Score: 10/10
Externally they look the part and are well built. While they come at a hefty price for what equates to a colored flash light, you pay for the look of an authentic military accessory.
Internals Score: 10/10
There’s always the potential that the cheaply made components will die an early death, but at least for the moment they all worked out of the box and were more than bright enough to do the job.
Overall score: 8/10
The only reason I take away points over all, is the price tag ($40-$50 each), usefulness at a particular game that requires only one of the three available colors, and the lack of a RGB option. I realize that the real Hel-star does not have a RGB option, but for an airsoft replica, the simplification and affordability of a combination unit would be nice.
© Copyright triggs 2020