Re: headrest replacement options

[Sachelle Babbar <sbabbar@iris.nyit.edu>]

Headrests are adjustable so they contact the base of the skull for people
of varying heights. I have never seen a headrest that I considered
comfortable enough to actually rest my head on. They are strictly for rear
end collisions and the headrest much contact the base of the skull to be
effective.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************							       
*Steve                                       Sachelle Babbar
*'84  5ksT 1.6-2.0 bar                    <SBABBAR@IRIS.NYIT.EDU>
*Cockpit adjustable wastegate, AudiSport badge
*
*Disclaimer:"Any information contained herein is based purely on my own
*personal experience and may not necessarily reflect yours. Use caution as
*your results may vary from mine."
********************************************************************************

On Fri, 20 Feb 1998, Paul Souza wrote:

> On Feb 20, 11:56am, Charudatt wrote:
> 
> > I'm still not entirely convinced that the head restraints/rests
> > are exclusively whiplash protectors- if they were, why would
> > they be adjustable front-rear about the axis of the lower bar?
> > The adjustment is friction based and would not hold up to the
> > force of the impact of a head snapping back. I can only conclude
> > that they are also supposed to enhance comfort- hence the adjustability.
> 
> Maybe, but mine did hold my head from snapping back, so I'm convinced.  I'm not 
> argueing that they are strictly whiplash protectors, but that the seat, 
> including the headrests, are designed as a unit, and do their jobs very well.  I 
> would hesitate to just replace the headrests.  And even if you did, I doubt that
> you would be satified with the results. 
> 
> If you don't care for them, replace the entire seat.  You mentioned Recaros, 
> which are great seats. It's only money. 
> 
> > I think we should also consider why Audi's latest seats no longer
> > have the upright rectangle head-restraints/rests, well, OK, it could be
> > on account of some marketing drone wanting the cars to look more like
> > BMW and MB but I doubt it, more likely, IMHO, they figured that you can
> > have more comfort without compromising safety.
> 
> Sure, but what's comfort to some isn't to others.  And, the new Audis are
> a far cry from the earlier ones.  Maybe they just want to seperate the 
> identities from their earlier vehicles.
>  
> > As someone mentioned earlier, Volvo leaves no doubt that the monstrosities
> > on their earlier seats were purely head restraints and NOT anything to
> > do with comfort. I'm curious as to how much of a gap they design in
> > between the back of the head and the restraint on those seats.
> 
> Nobody has ever accused any of the German automakers of making plush, 
> comfortable interiors.  Not even Mercedes.  That's for the british and the 
> americans.  They designed their seats not to be a "rest" for your head on those 
> long drives, but to prevent your head from being snapped back when some guy in 
> his S class Benz barrels down on you at 100+ MPH and forgets about the backed up 
> traffic on the Autobahn outside Stuttgart, turning your car and his into one.
> 
> My guess is they decided to spend the money on seats when they redesigned the 
> whole car from the 90 to the A4. And the seats ain't the only thing that the A4 
> does more then the 90.
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> -- 
> Paul Marcello Souza     Internet : psouza@skyserv4.med.osd.mil
> EDS-D/SIDDOMS           Phone    : 703-824-4167    
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> 
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