Originally Posted by
Calum Yep, I do. I use a Bieffe GR.1500 XLarge (its an older model). It fits my large head just fine, and I wear glasses too (its a full face helmet). Bieffe seems to do a good job with the larger head sizes. They've got an XXL if your head is freak of nature huge too.
IMHO if it's your first helmet, just get a good one appropriate to your level of events, go with your own preference, above the required standard, focus on FIT. If you compete later in another level, the decision will be made for you by the sanctioning body and you'll be also in a position to make a more informed decision about what is important to look for.
As a "freak of nature" (my Mother says the same thing, go figure, so I don't take it personally) I can attest to the variation of sizing among brands w/re to XL and even XXL. I bought a FF Pyrotech on a Z group buy in XXL but it didn't fit well in front or up top in the back. Supposed to be for up to 7 7/8" size, but fit more like an XL. For low key events I still wear an open face helmet most of the time, because I bought a FF with "good enough" fit given my limited choices.
Figure out your budget, and if you're not in the M, L category, expect to pay more to find something that works. There on some acceptable SA 2005 rated open face helmets (do NOT buy an M rated helmet for auto use, that's just nuts, as almost no one allows them) to be found around $100-125. I can't think of any decent FF helmets that cost less than more than double that. The SA ratings are not optional unless you're buying low buck POS to go to events where you don't care and neither does the organizer.
Wes and Kieran's points about debris and eye protection are right on the money so in either case shield, glasses (wrap style with safety lenses that won't shatter) you want.
Safety you really have to look at the total picture holistically to argue the finer points. IMHO the difference between a CF and FF helmet when you don't have a approved seat mounted fixed or with approved adj rails, a full cage in the car, don't have fuel cells and fire suppression, don't wear fire-retardant clothing and gloves, etc and drive a car 15+ years old that is an Epic Fail compared to today's minimum crash standards. at 120+ mph even on a track, well, it's pretty much bullsheet to get religious about the difference in the facial coverage.
I mean crap, just how scary are OEM B13 seat belts?