Future helmet

I totally agree that we get short-changed over current helmet designs. In fact I think we're getting fleeced. But I really don't want the inside of my lid to resemble my living room when I go out for a ride; just a decent sun visor, a screen that doesn't fog, ever (they can be made, HJC do a very good fog free visor without recourse to inserts), and a lot less wind noise would do me.

 

The lids in question...

 

Clever but i get on my bike to get rid of all the day to day shite. Even a satnav can be distracting.

 

Quite agree. But then I ought to try these things before dismissing them out of hand. I said I'd never own a 4-stroke once...

 

Posted about that lid almost 6 months ago.

For those who go on bike to get rid of day to day shit well just like throttle works both ways in same way you do not have to have music on, phone calls going thorough or text messages. You just stick to rear view camera and GPS from time to time plus maybe HUD speed display.

 

I'm quite keen on helmet satnav though - saves frying the bike electrics with home-bodged additions...

 

There was a HUD gadget at the NEC Bike Show last year, initially I thought what a great idea, however when trying it out I realised that to view it I had to change the focal range of my eyes and look to the top left of the visor. I suspect its only a matter of time before someone concentrating on this unnecessary gadget runs into the back of a parked car, its no different than playing with your phone whilst driving.
I am also with Figaro, physical protection, fog free and sun visor are what I consider when buying.

 

But why would I buy a helmet with all that technology if i had no intention of using it? There is enough traffic on the road to concentrate on without looking at rear view cameras, HUD displays, weather reports etc, IMHO. A helmet aperture is so narrow anyway, i can't help but think that the rider's safety is compromised in a big way with all those distractions.

Its just my opinion. I like my riding to be about the pure riding experience without any other distraction.

 

Fair point duke then again do you use GPS on bike?

 

I am split with it.
Rear view camera is an excellent idea, and really do not see the problem with it, would be the same as I use rearview in the car - for checking when manoeuvring, stopping at lights, etc. I don't see how that is a distraction - with correct placement of course, maybe even safer than shuffling about to get my shoulders around to see behind me when splitting traffic. Afterall, I can manage to not crash into everything with changing my viewpoint when using it in the car.

Weather is kind of pointless, I am of the mind that if the bike is wet - it's raining, if I have to turn on the heated grips - it's cold. GPS I would prefer a dedicated system (either phone or Garmin etc) due to updates and known quality of routing.

 

Moocow it is not GPS it only displays directon from your dedicated GPS, either map or direction arrows with voice notifications.

Diamaduk you are aware screen is transparent on this one and in front of you so no need to look down or up in helmet.
Saying that if you have GPS mounted on bars, same place as speedo to look at it you need to look down, same for mirrors.

 

I wonder how much all this stuff adds to the weight. I've a Lazer Monaco carbon flip up that weighs only 1200 gms, comes with pinlock and I'm happy with that.

 

Cheers Lucozade, that would be much better then, assumed it was some sort of Android type affair built in which could limit what you can use with it.
Agree with the changing of focus too, you do it naturally on a bike anyway in my experience, always scanning the road constantly rather than the fixed stare of 2 feet in front of the bonnet of a car.

 

Google glass ways about 80grams so I guess this would add 100 if battery is slightly bigger.

 

Actually because it is an android affair you can do whatever you want with it. I have tested google glass (skully is jest google hlmet ) and as long as manufacturer (tomtom for example) adds glass support it works. For now I managed to make it work with my copilot and google maps only but it is not officially on sale yet.

 

I'm not convinced by arguments that say it takes your eyes off the road. You do that anyway when yo look at the speedo or in the mirrors. But riding a bike is nothing like driving a car; you don't need these distractions, the simple purity of riding a bike should be enough.

 

Someone'll figure out a built-in collimator soon enough.

 

Is that one of them bags you pee into when you're old..?