budget helmet recommendations? Options

[chunger]

Hello,

Christmas is around the corner, and I was wondering if you guys could point me to a good entry level helmet I could ask for for Christmas and possibly a good vendor to buy from.

-'Chung

[Sammy]

Caution, another urban myth ready to be challenged!

Spending a whole bunch of money on a big name brand is.... well it is expensive.
You can get just as much quality and protection with a G-force SA2000 helmet and save some money for something else.
If the helmet is for automobile use, get an SA2000, if it is strictly for motorcycle use, get an M2000. That's what they are made for and are not identical in design or construction.
SA2000 uses kevlar weave and nomex lining and is designed to protect against multiple impacts and also fire.

No one, and I mean no one, will ever be able to convince me that a Bell or Simpson will protect my knoggin any better than an identically rated G-force. For all I know they could be made in the same factory.
The only reason to buy a more expensive helmet is if the more expensive one fits your haid better. You really should try several on before making the decision, everyone's haid is different.

That saying "if you have a $5 head, buy a $5 helmet" (or whatever the dollar figures were) was written and distributed by marketing people to help sell expensive helmets and is pure BS IMO and I refuse to be brainwashed by marketing hype.
They wouldn't distort the truth, would they?