View Full Version : Rear view helmets
Richard D
03-21-02, 05:11 AM
Came across this link in a story on www.bikemagic.com - these look interesting, but I'm not sure about the ventilation.
What do people think?:
http://www.reevu.com/
Allister
03-21-02, 06:24 AM
Looks to me like they'd give you a nice view of the sky, but it's a neat idea. I wonder if fibre-optics would work better.
Richard D
03-21-02, 07:22 AM
Bulk (and therefore weight) might be a problem, and I'm not convinced by the 'chimney' theory of ventilation either.
The fundamental idea is good, but I'd want to try the implementation before I bought one, and see whether early adopters had there brains fried on hot days. I wonder what angle of tilt you've got with your head in order to see the road.
Still I guess it beats strapping a periscope to the top of your head :)
Richard
Unless I have missed something in the sketchy product description, they have not accommodated for variation in head tilt. Yes, I would insist on a thorough test-drive before purchasing one.
I have thought about a system using Virtual Vision heads-up display projection sunglasses, a cheap TV camera (e.g. a computer webcam), and a short-range, low-power wireless interface; given the historic rate of decline in the price of electronic components, this should become economically feasible in the near future. Such a system would be more complex than a purely optical one, but extremely adaptable, particularly if equipped with a rudimentary image processor for pan, zoom, light level adaptation, etc.
velocipedio
03-21-02, 07:39 AM
I use this cool device called a neck... It allows me to change the angle of my vision at will. :D
Rich Clark
03-21-02, 08:06 AM
I've very happy with my Take-a-look glasses-mount missor. Wouldn't leave home without it.
The periscope has potential. It just seems needlessly complex, and I don't like the idea of looking up to see behind.
RichC
I agree with Allister that a fibre optic version would seem to be the ideal way forward.
I think I'll stick with a brake hood mirrycycle.
VegasCyclist
03-21-02, 04:34 PM
um, I guess no one noticed that if you tilted your head down, the sun would hit the mirror and blind you temporarly... guess it's not a big issue but, if you forgot and tilted down you could get into some trouble no? :rolleyes:
Allister
03-21-02, 04:36 PM
I made some sketches several years ago of a pair of glasses that used an array of fibre optic cables to condense a 360º view into the view range of the eye. It would have looked VERY weird both from the inside and outside, and I'm not sure how much light would actually get through but it would be a cool experiment. Accurate manufacture would have been a real problem for the homebuilder too, so I never took it further.
The idea came about when I was thinking about another experiment that you've probably heard of. Apprently if you wear a pair of glasses that turns everything upside down for long enough, the brain learns to compensate, and the upside down view looks normal. When the glasses are finally taken off everything looks upside down again. I began to wonder if a similar effect would occur with glasses that provided a 360º view, and proceeded to design them. I still think it'd be a cool experiment.
For practicality in biking, something similar could be quite useful, but a 180º view would probably be sufficient. They're probably not necessary as such, but a neat gimmick nonetheless - much like the periscope helmet and the moon saddle.
Personally, I've never found the need for a mirror - I did try a helmet mirror briefly, but it was impossible to adjust into a satisfactory position, and was too tiny and wobbly to be of any use if I did. Shoulder checks are still necessary anyway - all the mirror did was to distract me from the view in front, which is MUCH more important to pay attention to.
Allister
03-21-02, 04:38 PM
Originally posted by VegasCyclist
um, I guess no one noticed that if you tilted your head down, the sun would hit the mirror and blind you temporarly... guess it's not a big issue but, if you forgot and tilted down you could get into some trouble no? :rolleyes:
Then again a rear view of the sky would be VERY useful in magpie season over here. If they could incorporate some crosshairs and a built in squirt gun filled with ammonia they could sell thousands in this country.
Maybe I'm paranoid but the last thing I want inside my helmet is a heap of glass mirrors. Imagine the mess if you crashed and were unfortunate enough to crack the helmet, there would be glass everywhere. Besides even with a mirror system you would still have to turn your head to check the blind spots when changing lanes, just like your supposed to do in a car.
Personally I couldn't ride with ANY mirror, it would distract me and I would start to take watch vehicles coming up from behind wondering whether they were going to miss me. In the city this would leave very little time to actually look forward and enjoy the ride.
CHEERS.
Mark
As for helmet mirrors-if they are wobbly, but a dab of some sticky substance in the socket! (tubular glue works for me)
If it were not for my helmet mirror, I probably would've been flattened by that psychopathic driver last week. I always ride with a mirror. It's saved my @$$ more than once.
john999
03-22-02, 06:33 AM
This helmet fails to comply with the Australian Design Standard.
The standard for bicycle helmets explicitly states that extra items must not be affixed to any portion of the helmet, either externally or internally.
There was a helmet sold in Australia that had LED lights at the rear. The government ordered this to be recalled.
bentrox!
03-25-02, 03:21 PM
Originally posted by john999
The (Australian) standard for bicycle helmets explicitly states that extra items must not be affixed to any portion of the helmet, either externally or internally.
Wow! You mean Aussies can't wear helmet visors? What about retention straps? (Roc Loc, etc.)
Eddie
SunRider
04-11-02, 11:58 AM
Originally posted by Rich Clark
The periscope has potential. It just seems needlessly complex, and I don't like the idea of looking up to see behind.
You mean you don't want to glance up like you do in your car? :)
If you ride with a helmet that has a visor now, the visor is ALREADY in view unless you have the helmet on wrong.
If this helmet/mirror combo works like it says, I think they'll sell tons of them.
Chris L
04-12-02, 02:57 AM
Same old problem with mirrors, totally useless when the sun is behind you (early morning, late afternoon etc). Personally I'd prefer to just make a habit of turning my neck, which gives a better view at all times anyway.
Originally posted by Allister
Looks to me like they'd give you a nice view of the sky, but it's a neat idea.
Sky? Why would it give you a view of the s.....
Oh, I forgot, I ride a 'Bent and my head is up. I see enough of my front tire when I put air in it......:D
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