Also came across this,
509 Films, on Dec 7 2009, 11:49 AM, said:
The helmet industry literally has several hundred different name brands (Fox, Fly, AFX, etc, etc, etc). The truth is there are only a handful of major helmet manufacturing companies that produce helmets for all these companies. The company we chose has been in business for over 30 years and manufactures helmets for many large brands out there, AFX being one of them. While i'm not entirely familiar with the AFX line, it does appear they use a similar or even same shell as the 509 Evolution helmet. But to say the 509 helmet is identical with a "decal" kit applied, is quite an overstatement. A helmets shell provides the overall shape of the helmet, but many other components make up the majority of the overall product. There are a wide range of available materials for the liner, cheek pads, even the exterior design and finish. All of which affect production cost. Also factor the warranty and the company that stands behind the product. We offer a lifetime visor replacement warranty. No other company does this. Factor the personalized service. If you need replacement cheek pads, we'll exchange for free. If you need replacement visor screws...free. If you need a replacement mouth piece....free, etc, etc, etc. Factor the buying power. AFX is a much larger company than 509, so fortunately for them the are able to purchase in much larger discounted quantities. Factor the vision of the company. If you purchase from AFX, do you think they give back and support snowmobile land use issues? 509 does and always will. We are a snowmobile company through and through. And as sledders, we continually improve all our products. For example, we are developing an innovative breathbox specifically for our helmet and we will provide it for free to every 509 helmet purchased directly from us (released next fall).
If you look closely there is no end to the number of shared shells across different brands in the industry. It's a common practice. So while AFX does share the same "shell", it's an incorrect assumption to say it's the exact same helmet. There are many many factors that make up the overall product.
If you read through this, 509 really doesn't say much but do you really think there going to come right out and say there exactly the same, no. Of course there "different" if you consider the paint, interior color, padding color and the warranty 509 offers. They do admit that the shell is the same, so really what else is going to be that different???
It would be interesting for someone to take a 509 and AFX helmet completely apart, including cutting them half and finally put this debate to rest! Anyone interested???
I could see rockin' the hillside wearing that, OK maybe not. 
