First, I'm sorry to hear about Terrie's accident. Good thing she had the headgear.
Coincidentally I was trying on full-face helmets this morning. The one that fit me the best (of the ones I tried) was the ZR1. Guy at the shop claims it won a helmet test in Motorcyclist magazine recently. I know what you mean about feeling like your head is in a bucket. The more, however that I read about accidents, the more I think they're probably a good idea. I've used a 3/4 for years and just wish I could get a longer face shield, but if I'm going to upgrade, I figure I better at least look at a full-face. I'll definitely find a Nolan dealer to try theirs.
The thing I thought about today in the shop was this: Even with ventilation ports, how hot are these things? I mean, it gets really *warm* down here in the summer, like hot as H. I can see sweating so much as to impair my vision.