Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Helmets => Topic started by: Liam-SCCC on November 15, 2011, 02:10:39 PM
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Had a couple people ask me what my Ayrtek Premier is like compared to my Masuri so I thought I'd wright a little something on here.
I've had my Masuri nearly 6 years now and it just feels right. I moved from an Albion to a masuri as I had a white Albion and didn't like that. The Albion fitted fine I just changed to a masuri then added a Ti grill to it and not had any problems.
I slowly came round to the idea of the Ayrteks and once I knew Tom wasn't going to produce the Traditional ones for sale, the original ones started to appeal to me. The shape, the tech and the airbags. I ordered a premier from Tom, in a plain matte blue finish. Not going to lie, it looks stunning!
I've had it a few weeks now and used it once and tried on numerous times, it just doesn't feel comfortable TO ME. A lot of people have Ayrteks and love them, don't think the fit is for me, certainly after using a masuri for so long. It just feels weird!
Weights
Masuri Ti - 610g
Masuri Steel - 761g
Ayrtek Premier Ti - 778g
Ayrtek Premier Steel - 814g
I don't see the weight as an issue, because I don't have a steel grill hanging off the front weighing it down. It really doesn't feel any heavier than my masuri.
I'm not sure where I'm going to end up with my Ayrtek, but I haven't sold my masuri yet....
That's nothing bad about Tom, it is a brilliant product and I see how it works, you just have to look at the amount of pros using them to see what they think about them
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mate liam (prowannabe) felt same. he just couldnt get used to it. he does have a Pea head tho!
i love mine but before the ayrtek i hadnt worn a helmet for about 6 years so had nothing to compare it to
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It's an interesting point of view. I felt the other way. I'd always found the Masuri a bit on the small side, and especially had issues with the grill positioning. The Ayrtek fitted a lot better and with the updated "large grill" seems more comfortable. I guess it is down to personal preference.
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thanks for the review Liam and some good old impartial feedback...all helps with improvements :)
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One thing I was thinking off, the air bags go the whole way around the head. Maybe if they were just a strip around the side of the head, you know like the sweatband in a masuri but the whole way around. Then just normal padding in the top bit
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Thanks for the rebview Liam I appreciate it :)
Quite interesting to read it, I guess all helmets take time to get used to them. I had Indian helmet called Yonker which was quite comfortable due to its inlining so I used to like it then I got Masuri and in the beginning it never felt the same and I didn't like it because I was not used to it. So I kept using Masuri and now I'm used to it so now when I wear Albion NXT it doesn't feel right.
So I would say it applies for all helmets.
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One thing I was thinking off, the air bags go the whole way around the head. Maybe if they were just a strip around the side of the head, you know like the sweatband in a masuri but the whole way around. Then just normal padding in the top bit
Sounds interesting I'm sure I'm safe now LOL
Cheers for the help mate I really appreciate it
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nice to see a review masuri to ayrtek as i have a masuri and considering an ayrtek once i have enough cash. i guess although they do the same job they are completely different. you have the traditional shape and fitment (pads, sweat band etc) and then you have something which to me at first looked odd but now i love and an airbag for fitting.
sometimes change is difficult to get used to. the norm always feels safer and more comfortable. be interesting to see your views in a few months time once you have had chance to use it more. if its not for you let me know!
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this is an interesting review.
I have an albion lid and a masuri lid both with ti grille and actually prefer the fit of the albion but the visibility on the masuri.
I have not batted in an ayrtek, however when I tried a couple on at lords, the impression I got was that it takes a while to get the fit right, but once shaped for you it is very good.
maybe with a few more sweaty net sessions it will fit better.
I am sure tom will dispute this, but it maybe the ayrtek lids naturally fit bigger heads...
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I couldnt get used to my arytek too,just didnt fit right, but I believe since then Tom had added an inner liner or something. Its good to
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I have not batted in an ayrtek, however when I tried a couple on at lords, the impression I got was that it takes a while to get the fit right, but once shaped for you it is very good.
Do they "wear in" then? I did wonder if the ACIS would mould to your head or not.
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yeah when the foams are first fitted they are fairly rigid as they are formed as a flat shape when making the liner, after a bit of breaking in the will wear in and adjust to the shape on your head a bit more.
When the air in pumped into the ACIS it adjust to fit the shape of your headform as the air flows between the chambers to get the fit correct. As Buzz says the smaller your head the more air required to obtain a fit, with the average UK headsize at 58cm we looked at this for the typical size and as Tim will vouch for it can go upto 62/63cm and right down to 52/53cm as per the 10/11 yr olds we have using the helmets.
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Just a little add on from this,
Tom, sent me out some sweat bands for the helmet and they arrived today, I fitted them and it has made a big difference. It now feels like my masuri and is as comfy as it too!
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yeah when the foams are first fitted they are fairly rigid as they are formed as a flat shape when making the liner, after a bit of breaking in the will wear in and adjust to the shape on your head a bit more.
When the air in pumped into the ACIS it adjust to fit the shape of your headform as the air flows between the chambers to get the fit correct. As Buzz says the smaller your head the more air required to obtain a fit, with the average UK headsize at 58cm we looked at this for the typical size and as Tim will vouch for it can go upto 62/63cm and right down to 52/53cm as per the 10/11 yr olds we have using the helmets.
Yes, I'll vouch and comment that i really don't need much pumping...
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I'll be updating this review when I get a chance to sit down and do some typing
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I think the main thing is to get it fitting right. 1st time i used my i hated it. Mainly because i felt like it was sat on the top of my head. Think i had it pumped up too much but once i made some slight alterations (tightened the chin strap and inflate it a little less) and it fits perfect. i loved my masuri but i think my ayrtek is miles better. But each to their own.
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I think the main thing is to get it fitting right. 1st time i used my i hated it. Mainly because i felt like it was sat on the top of my head. Think i had it pumped up too much but once i made some slight alterations (tightened the chin strap and inflate it a little less) and it fits perfect. i loved my masuri but i think my ayrtek is miles better. But each to their own.
This is also my view now
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I think the main thing is to get it fitting right. 1st time i used my i hated it. Mainly because i felt like it was sat on the top of my head. Think i had it pumped up too much but once i made some slight alterations (tightened the chin strap and inflate it a little less) and it fits perfect. i loved my masuri but i think my ayrtek is miles better. But each to their own.
this is really interesting, as the guys at the batoff last week will verify, the stig had the same issue when he tried the ayrtek.
he didn't have the patients to play with the adjustments.
but then he is that kind of guy!
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The main thing that puts me off is having to use the chinstrap on my chin, have always used a Masuri with the cup removed and under my jaw. i appreciate it's safer but it feels very odd.
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The main thing that puts me off is having to use the chinstrap on my chin, have always used a Masuri with the cup removed and under my jaw. i appreciate it's safer but it feels very odd.
i dont use the chin strap on my ayrtek i took it off and have it under my jaw its fine :)
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I have a top notch Albion which is less fiddly than the Ayrtek!
By less fiddly I mean that once I have the strap adjusted correctly to the right tension I can remove the helmet with flicking the strap off and put it back on without any further adjustments.
The thing I had to get used to with the Ayrtek is putting the helmet on in the right position first of all - then clipping the chin strap in and adjusting it so that it is firmly (but not firmly) on. And only then use the pump to inflate! I found that if I used this method, then it was excellent!
It seems more hassle but once you get used to getting the helmet fit right using the new method, it's superb!
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this is really interesting, as the guys at the batoff last week will verify, the stig had the same issue when he tried the ayrtek.
he didn't have the patients to play with the adjustments.
but then he is that kind of guy!
Yes we do include instructions on how to obtain the optimum and safest fit with the helmet...tightening chin strap 1st then inflate will achieve the best possible fit! :)
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I am not sure the stig reads instructions!
his strop was comical and, i hear, filmed...
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If I recall, the Stig used some very rude words about the Ayrtek... I'll have to try and find the video!
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This is also my view now
Hope it will be mine as well. I've used my Ayrtek 5 times in nets, for no more than 20 minutes each time. I just feel as it always seems to come deflate, while in my kit bag and on my head while running. I just don't know why. I seem to have found a good fit, helmet doesn't rise, chin strap nice and tight and the helmet doesn't wobble. I just don't get why it deflates though. I think it's simply because I have a weird shaped head! :(
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I'm a sort of chuck the instructions away and work it out for myself sort of bloke (thats why the ikea wardrobes in our house keep collapsing) but I worked out using my Ayrtek without the instructions. Fits nice with the strap on my chin. I think most lids were initially designed to be used with a chin cup and we just kind of took it off and moved the strap.
Gonna wear it tonight at nets and see how it feels.
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i dont use the chin strap on my ayrtek i took it off and have it under my jaw its fine :)
Is it not considerably reducing it's safely value though?
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It should be fine as the ayrtek has the chin strap that is anchored either side of the ear
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Hope it will be mine as well. I've used my Ayrtek 5 times in nets, for no more than 20 minutes each time. I just feel as it always seems to come deflate, while in my kit bag and on my head while running. I just don't know why. I seem to have found a good fit, helmet doesn't rise, chin strap nice and tight and the helmet doesn't wobble. I just don't get why it deflates though. I think it's simply because I have a weird shaped head! :(
I also get that feeling that it deflates while being used
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I've never really pumped mine up, just put it on and inflated it enough to keep it still. The liner is much more comfortable than my old Albion just because of it's flexibility. It's like putting a pillow on your head instead of a plastic bowl.
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Is it not considerably reducing it's safely value though?
yeah probs
but who cares if ur gonna get hit in head should use your bat tbh lol
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Just got back from nets wore my ayrtek for the first time (other than posing around the house in it). I'm no expert but it seemed sound, I pumped it up so it felt secure and away I went. I was able to take it off by just pulling the chin cup off my chin and wasn't aware that it had deflated. I did sweat a bit, but I sweat eating a salad and even if I wore a colander on my head it would be the same.
Overall 20 minutes and the lid felt great. Just need a wider bat or glasses lol.
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Just need a wider bat or glasses lol.
Don't we all :D
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I only got my ayrtek yesterday so have only worn it a little in the house, following the instructions I seem to only have to inflate it a little before it starts to rise on my head (must be my big lump of a skull).
Got a net on Monday so will see if it deflates at all.
Did any of you change the grill position from how it was supplied? I know it's set for safety but just seems like a narrow gap.
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Ok, a little update on this.
I eventually decided to sell my Masuri last month after becoming comfortable in the ayrtek thanks to the sweatbands.
Then, whilst my ayrtek was back with Tom having pinstripes added to it amongst other things I decided to have a net. For this I had to use my dads masuri with my old Ti grill. I subsequently had the worst net I've had in a while. The vision on the masuri was horrible and it just didn't feel right.
Getting my ayrtek back this weekend so hopefully when club indoor nets start I will be better equipped to face our quicks!
Just a note on the extra padding, I have 1 piece of padding at the front and one at the back. If you struggle to get the Velcro tabs to stick to the liner then use double sided tape.
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Yeah i have used carpet tape to stick the pads in that the Pros are using as they obviously get to enjoy warmer climates than us to play cricket in!
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Tom - I hear the Stig really liked the Ayrtek he tested - is that true?
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I got some of the sweatbands but struggled to get the Velcro to stick as well.
I've got some other Velcro tape that I'm going to try later today. I was just going to stick one of the sweatbands at the front as the ayrtek fits pretty snugly on my head anyway. I reckon it'll just make it feel a little better and will also soak up some of the sweat as the liner seems to take a while to dry.
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Tom if you don't mind can you post pictures to what you did with Liam's helmet please?
I'd be interested in seeing what adjustments were made
Thanks
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Tom - I hear the Stig really liked the Ayrtek he tested - is that true?
Not from the video evidence iv seen....the technical aspects were too much for a man who lack an opposable thumb...this snookered him when trying to work out how to inflate the liner....apparently!
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mate liam (prowannabe) felt same. he just couldnt get used to it. he does have a Pea head tho!
I absolutely loved my Ayrtek Raw. It was truly awesome I just couldn't get comfortable in it as my head is a funny shape. No fault of the helmet at all. Would recommend them to anyone :D
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still trying to get the thing to mould to my head and get the sweatbands to stick, still feeling more comfy at the moment in a masuri, but i am persisting
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Use double sided tape and the Velcro tabs will stick, one at the front and one at the the back makes it feel like a masuri to me!
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Tom if you don't mind can you post pictures to what you did with Liam's helmet please?
I'd be interested in seeing what adjustments were made
Thanks
Iv only added some pin stripes to it mate not done anything to the liner....just standard sweat pads and some double sided tape will get the pads to stick a bit better
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wore my raw to nets tonight, having got hold of some sticky backed velcro strips from the hardware store. Finally i can get the sweat pads to stick. Lid felt excellent although the field of view is slightly different to the masuri. I noticed that one of the magazine reviews recently asked for a permanent sweat pad, is this likely to be a future "fix" Tom? Also i'm lucky to have a small bonce, but with the sweat pads in front and rear i found almost no need to inflate, does this mean people with large round noggins aren;t going to be able to use sweat pads at all?
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I shouldn't think so as they are easily squashed down if it's a tight fit
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Very interesting review as I was confused between, Albion, Masuri and Ayrtek.... I was after a light weight helmet and as it stands Masuri looks good. Ayrtek is not out of the picture either....confused will be the correct word.
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To sum it up for you, Ayrtek is easily the best helmet out there, it just takes a few nets to get used to!
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To sum it up for you, Ayrtek is easily the best helmet out there, it just takes a few nets to get used to!
Thanks Liam, I will keep this in mind.
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so i'm back to my velcro falling off again at the front.. superglue?
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Yeah could go down that route mate, have u tried a stronger double sided tape?
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yeah i actually bought a roll of velcro and tried that
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Could try superglue if ur def going to want them in there good and proper....superglue the Velcro tabs on
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any thoughts for the future about having a permanent sweatband in there and then have different thicknesses for different shaped heads? i saw the sweatband was a request from of the the magazine testers
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Some want them some don't for example all 4 of the Derbyshire CC lids we had back for a return haven't used them and never asked for them.
Difficult to integrate the sweatpad into the bladder without havinf it as a stick on extra
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makes sense i guess
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Went for a Ayrtek Elite in the end. Long story but will put up a full detailed review(with photos) once I get the helmet . The story is about another exceptional service by Tom even when a retailer messed up lol...
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Think I am having similar issues to several people here. When inflating the helmet always wobbles too much side to side if I shake my head until it started to rise from being over inflated. Are people using normal helmet sweat pads or Ayrtek ones?
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Think I am having similar issues to several people here. When inflating the helmet always wobbles too much side to side if I shake my head until it started to rise from being over inflated. Are people using normal helmet sweat pads or Ayrtek ones?
Doesn't sound like you are using it properly. Put the helmet on, do the strap up tightly and then inflate the ACIS system. Haven't had a problem with doing it like that.
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Doesn't sound like you are using it properly. Put the helmet on, do the strap up tightly and then inflate the ACIS system. Haven't had a problem with doing it like that.
This is the deal with a Masuri or Albion, most people just use the chin strap as an after thought.
To get the fit right on an Ayrtek you need to get hte chin strap in place first, before you pump the air in otherwise it won't fit right.
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i must have a big head lol cos only have to pump it up like 2-3 times..
the problem is the air cussion system is like memory foam it will mold to ur head..
it feels awfull at first but after a few nets games its snug as a bug in a rug
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This is the deal with a Masuri or Albion, most people just use the chin strap as an after thought.
And this is why you get more injuries with Masuri and Albion helmets! :D
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I haven't used my Ayrtek in the nets or in the middle yet, but I have tried it on several times. One way that I found to get a better fit is to hold the helmet down on your head with one hand, while you work the pump with the other. This prevents any tendency to ride up if overinflated etc. (perhaps I've got a pointy head?). :D
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i must have a big head lol cos only have to pump it up like 2-3 times..
the problem is the air cussion system is like memory foam it will mold to ur head..
it feels awfull at first but after a few nets games its snug as a bug in a rug
You've made me feel like the little kid from so I married an axe murderer with the planetoid for a head as with one sweatband at the front I don't even need to pump the helmet up at all.
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I haven't used my Ayrtek in the nets or in the middle yet, but I have tried it on several times. One way that I found to get a better fit is to hold the helmet down on your head with one hand, while you work the pump with the other. This prevents any tendency to ride up if overinflated etc. (perhaps I've got a pointy head?). :D
Are you securing the chin strap under your chin, with your chin in the cup (and not behind it) properly?
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Doesn't sound like you are using it properly. Put the helmet on, do the strap up tightly and then inflate the ACIS system. Haven't had a problem with doing it like that.
Chin strap was tight on my chin first. Came across this thread looking for solutions (forum update - search function works :D). I feel like it wobbles because it is tight on the sides but not front or back.
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Are you securing the chin strap under your chin, with your chin in the cup (and not behind it) properly?
Yes, I just find I get a better fit that way.
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i dont use the chin strap on my chin..
i ripped it off and i just strap it under my chin... spoils the saftey point but its fine for me doesnt move etc but i do have a big head
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I just thought I'd add to this topic that I am now back using a Masuri Ti, I just prefer the fit of the Masuri and the tiny increase in weight makes it feels more solid on my head.
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Liam, do you still have pictures of your Ayrtek with sweat pads inside?
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I'll have a look on my photobucket account
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Getting that Ayrtek craving again......
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Liam, or Tom, I've stuck the pads in and it's such a comfy helmet!
However the glue on the Velcro strip isn't sticking well. What glue did you use Liam, or Tom what is the best glue? Don't want to damage the ACIS
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I couldn't get the Velcro to stick last year when I got my ayrtek. I got that hacked off with it that I used a little bit of superglue to stick them on. Probably not the best idea but its held so far.
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Liam, or Tom, I've stuck the pads in and it's such a comfy helmet!
However the glue on the Velcro strip isn't sticking well. What glue did you use Liam, or Tom what is the best glue? Don't want to damage the ACIS
I used some double sided carpet tape on some as found the adhesive on the tabs wasnt the strongest, resulted to using 7cm long strips now for maximum effect of hook Velcro.