There are several great head and neck restraint products available. As of right now, only two of them are allowed by CARS.
CARS only allows FIA approved devices, which is technically only the HANS, but FIA is rewriting their rule so that other devices will finally be able to pass. This does not mean that other devices are not as safe. The only reason why HANS is the only device that passes FIA regs, is because the HANS came first, and THEN the FIA wrote the rule around the HANS, describing every detail, and since the HANS design is patented, no other company could ever make a device that passes.
But enough backstory.
Right now, you're choices are the HANS, and the Hutchens Hybrid.
CARS made an exception to allow the Hybrid, even though it doesn't currently have FIA approval, since it's already been decided that it will pass the new FIA regs, which are yet to be released.
My device is a Hutchens Hybrid Pro. I personally think it's fantastic. It requires some initial strap and tether adjustments when you first use it. But once you've got it right, it's awesome. When fully strapped in the car, it just completely vanishes. Unlike the standard Hybrid which requires an extra seat pad in order to be comfortable, the Hybrid Pro is so lightweight, and compact that it's completely unnoticeable in the car. Belt slippage is far less likely than with the HANS. And even if they do slip off the Hybrid still maintains functionality, unlike the HANS which does nothing without the belts. It's definitely more work to put on and hook up each time you get in the car. But it becomes routine very quickly.
Other devices available are: Defnder, R3, Leatt Brace, and more. Any device that meets SFI spec (only allowed in R-A), has the potential to meet the future FIA spec, but are not allowed at this time.
I highly recommend reading this article by Sportscar Magazine that compares all the available SFI approved devices:
http://www.safetysolutionsracing.com/storage/HNR.pdfIn my opinion any helmet that is worth buying, will be available with factory installed posts. It should also include factory intercom. Really, the only good options are Peltor or Stilo. When you take into account the cost of adding an intercom to any cheaper helmet, the difference in price is pretty small, and the end result will never be as good as the factory option. I switched to Peltor last year (previously had a Bell Mag4 + Terraphone), and there's no way I'm ever going back!