REVIEW: Ops-Core Sentry XP Mid Cut Helmet

Rarely does the Austrian soldier get something completely new. Something hot. Something that many are eager for. But this time, it seems that wishing helped, 20,000 Ops-Core Sentry Helmets were procured directly through an order with the US Army from the USA. Here is a good piece, HERE is the description from Ops-Core (Link). Taking off the bowl before we start unscrewing with the screwdriver: Ops-Core has become almost like a global standard, even though the helmet, especially in the High-Cut variant, is mainly used by special forces. High-Cut is cut in a way that the helmet ends at the rail. Mid-Cut covers the ears more (incidentally, the “attachment” is nicely seen in the unattractive seam on the inside top of the helmet in the picture).

Joy for soldiers of the Army: in the size Large, the bowl is almost 40 percent lighter at 921 grams than the 1,600 gram heavy Kevlar helmet of French origin that previously adorned the heads of our soldiers. By the way, in the fine color "Foliage." This also makes the helmet particularly comfortable. With these pads, it can be adapted to fit any head. Lighter weight and pads are a great benefit for the user who is supposed to wear the bowl for a longer period and during strenuous activities. The Velcro areas of the pads are high-quality and effective (mushroom shape > dirt and wear resistant) adhesive. Inside is a complex system that connects the shell and chin straps. On the left, the sweat pad for the forehead, on the right, the pad that goes on the neck and can guarantee a secure fit with a special system with one hand. The "Worm Dial," a spiral screw, tightens the plastic straps so that everything fits. At the back end: in addition to the small pads, there is also a large one that goes on the back of the head. The helmet is only authentic with the white sticker inside. Additionally, it has the Ops-Core logo and the size designation on the shell. Our large-head helmet wearer wears Large. The black dots and stripes are parts of the Velcro system for the pads. The three holes in the front of the helmet are a WARCOM bore - a US standard for mounting mounts for night vision devices. They accommodate the Skeleton Shroud. The helmet has a surface area of 1,108 (M) to 1,317 square centimeters (XXL). The company lists the price at $1,493 per piece for the USA. With the large order from the Federal Army, the Republic pays around 1,000 euros per piece.

However, the magic of lightness also has its price: the helmet protects according to the requirements. No wonder: UHMW-PE is 40 percent stronger in terms of mass than aramid fiber (Kevlar), 60 percent stronger than carbon and glass fiber, almost five times stronger than polyamide, polyester, and polypropylene fiber, and up to fifteen times stronger than steel. And usable in a temperature range of -150 °C to 100 °C. However, one should also take care of their helmet: simply throwing it on the ground and such rough treatment is not conducive to the ballistic protective properties in the long run. In plain language: the helmet wears out over the years... The magic of the Ops-Core Sentry, which goes a bit over the heads of the troops, is that it is actually a system helmet that allows the attachment of many technical parts. On the left is the aforementioned Skeleton Shroud. We are confident that the Federal Army will also receive the appropriate parts to attach the night vision device, if available, here. On the right are the ARC Rails, onto which you can also attach all kinds of things: lights, helmet lights, Comtacs with special adapters, etc. The ARCs look cheap (no different from airsoft parts from e.g. Emerson). But that's how it is with plastic parts.

The screws on the left for the Skeleton Shroud are fiddly small (cross-head). The slotted screws for the interior (right) have only a partial thread, i.e. for the attachment of the liner without the ARC loops, you need extra (short) screws. In plain language: it won't work without rails. And there it is now: the entire Ops-Core Sentry Mid Cut disassembled. The manual is not visible on the right. In the middle, the excellent chin straps. The split version (without the beloved shell) is a challenge for those with beards. The temple straps are quite far forward, slightly irritating, as they are constantly in the line of sight. But that is surely a matter of habit. The adjustment can be made with the slides with one hand, super practical. Ops-Core started as a company with this strap system.

HERE our article "Gear Knowledge - Helmi is here"

CONCLUSION: A fantastic helmet, as modern as few others in the Federal Army. We are still amused that in the new images from the Army press office, no soldier is allowed to use the rails, no one has a lamp attached, and no night vision device adorns the Skeleton Shroud.

But hey, it will come. A little tip for the adventure-oriented units: the Skeleton Shroud can be used superbly as a mount for GoPros. The mounting for it is usually found in airsoft stores. And the Velcro is not just for putting your Manta struts on the helmet so that your comrades in night combat with night vision can immediately see you IR blinking.

The Velcro is also for putting your patches on! (Note: you can never have enough patches!) The new helmet gives the soldier opportunities that he must learn to use. Have fun playing with it!

The Ops-Core Sentry is free for people who are in the Austrian Federal Army. On the open market, you can get it for about 1,000 euros.

OPS-CORE on the Internet: www.ops-core.comThe freshest helmet of all helmets at the first issue by the Minister of Defense (hand on the right). Back then, the helmet was seen with a very fancy helmet cover. Nowadays, it always appears without one. Maybe someone wants to keep the helmet covers so they don't get damaged... We don't know.