TesT Regularly attacked since its launch, is the Schuberth C3 now really menaced by the Lazer Monaco Pure Carbon? Lighter and less expensive, can the newest Lazer helmet compete with the helmet that has in effect become the reference in flip-ups? We have compared them for you.

Beware, this is a contest at the highest level in the world of flip-up helmets: Lazer defies the German reference Schuberth. At the JPMS 2011 (professionals fair in France) the Monaco won the prize for “best urban product”. It has qualities that all of a sudden make the C3 look old. Which one should you choose? We have compared the helmets on various criteria: weight, finishing, comfort, screen, insulation (against wind and noise) and price before making a final judgement.

Remark: we have tested the Lazer Monaco in carbon; it also exists in glass fibre, slightly heavier but €140 cheaper. We could have added the BMW System 6 — already tested — to this comparison, but because of the recent price decrease of the C3, we can consider the two German helmets comparable.

WeighT

This is of course the key c o m p e t i t i v e feature of Lazer: the Monaco Pure Carbon weighs, depending on the sizes, between 120 and 250 grams less than

the C3. The Schuberth is well balanced and its aerodynamic shape makes one forget its weight when riding, but it can’t compete with the Lazer, which puts less strain on the neck and is more comfortable to ride in the city.Winner: Lazer Monaco Pure Carbon

Finishing

Schuberth has two levels of finishing. Perfect inside, but very sober on the outside, focussing on efficiency. Lazer offers a helmet that is a bit less detailed inside but is outside a clear cut above the Schuberth, whether for the painting or the integration of the ventilations, that work very well.Winner: equal

ComForT Here are two op-posing approach-es. Lazer envelops the face better and the padding covers more of the cheeks. S c h u b e r t h holds the head more tightly, es-

pecially around the ears. If Lazer’s solution of anti-noise padding allows for the easy fitting of an intercom, the all-round comfort of the Schuberth and the softer padding fabric gives the C3 a slight advantage.Winner: Schuberth C3

Field oF Vision and sCreen

The field of vision, with the chin-piece open or closed, is equivalent on both helmets. But the choice each brand made for the screen has decided the final score. Internal sun screen or an adaptable (photochromic) screen? The C3 allows you to choose whether you want to use the sun screen or not, you can flip it up or down at any time, while the photochromic Lumino screen of the Monaco continuously adapts itself to the surrounding UV and light intensity. Where the Schuberth allows you to ride with the chin-piece open and the sun screen down, the Lumino screen of Lazer, more comfortable in daily use, ensures that Lazer is difficult to beat on this point. What’s more, it’s easier to clean only one screen instead of two, without mentioning the sensitivity of the Schuberth sun screen to condensation. The Lazer screen of course has no such problems.Winner: Lazer Monaco Pure Carbon

insulaTion againsT Wind and noise

This is where Schuberth does better than the Belgian helmet. On the Monaco, the chin-curtain is too short and too rigid and lets in more air than the long chin-curtain of the C3, which is very well built. On top, Schuberth has an even longer chin-curtain for the winter, which closes it off from any air inflow. This better wind isolation and padding that fits closer to the ears makes the Schubert more silent than the Lazer. Here Schuberth has the advantage over the Lazer helmet, which would really benefit from a better chin-curtain.Winner: Schuberth C3

PriCe

At prices varying between €499 and €599 depending on the decoration, the Schuberth C3 is more expensive than the carbon version of the Lazer Monaco,

sold at €489. Clearly lighter and a bit less expensive, the Lazer Monaco is the winner on this point. When we compare the Lazer Monaco Pure Glass, the difference in price is enormous because, while remaining lighter than the Schuberth C3, the price is limited to €349. To be considered when choosing between a Pure Glass and a Pure Carbon version of the Monaco.Winner: Lazer Monaco Pure Carbon

ConClusion

As we can see, the Schuberth C3 and the Lazer Monaco Pure Carbon target the same bikers, but with different features. After several hundred kilometres of test riding with both it is clear that even if Schuberth has a slightly better noise insulation, it will have to renew itself because the competition has woken-up. The Lazer Monaco is either a bit less expensive but much lighter than the Schuberth C3 (250 grams and between €10 and €110 cheaper in its Pure Carbon version) or a bit lighter and really much cheaper (120 grams and between €150 and €270 cheaper in its Pure Glass version). And the Schuberth C3 is only available in a glass fibre version. If Lazer had used a slightly better quality of interior fabric and chin-curtain, it would have crushed its nearest competitor on all counts. Even if we are awaiting a new chin-curtain, the Lazer Monaco has become the new reference in flip-up helmets because of its exceptional price/quality offering. After having been, with the BMW System 6, for a long time the reference in this category, the Schuberth C3 has just had to give-up this status to Lazer. This is good news for bikers, because we can be sure that Schuberth is already planning its come-back fight.

translation from the comparative test of 24 February 2011 in www.lequipement.fr

THE POSTComParison FliP-uP helmeTs:LAZER MONACO AND SCHUBERTH C3

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