Another Kickstarter bike related project succeeds! Torch lighted helmet
This will be cool, and is due on the market in October this year!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...egrated-lights |
Glad to see that they made it. However, due to the lack of visible vents, I doubt it will sell too well...
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Vents aren't a big deal for many commuters, since most bicycle commuters ride less than 5 miles at a time and at times of the day when temperatures aren't real hot. The lack of vents also helps to keep rain out.
Of course, this is not a helmet for racers, but there is a growing market for commuter-oriented gear. |
Yeah, and when it gets cold out, the scarce vents will also be welcome!
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Miners helmets have had that for a long time... spelunkers ..
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I like that the video ends with the question / statement / invitation to join them "If you are ready to make cycling safer." If you are ready to make cycling safer, how about not wearing all black when riding at night. How about some reflective gear or brighter colors?!
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Originally Posted by jsharr
(Post 14295052)
I like that the video ends with the question / statement / invitation to join them "If you are ready to make cycling safer." If you are ready to make cycling safer, how about not wearing all black when riding at night. How about some reflective gear or brighter colors?!
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to me it didn't seem like the front lights were thorwing out much of a beam, the light throw looked more like when I would carry a coleman lantern when out fishing or hunting.
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I thought it was pretty cool from a "be-seen" perspective.
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Originally Posted by Tycho Brahe
(Post 14295270)
I was about to comment on the same issue. I wear bright colors when I go biking in the daylight! Completely irresponsible of them to wear all black clothing. Destroyed my confidence in the team and project.
Did it occur to you that maybe they didn't have the rider wear day-glo and reflective material so that they could accentuate the helmet lighting? FYI, that's probably why they filmed at night, in the rain, too, rather than during a clear, bright day. |
Originally Posted by Dodgensince74
(Post 14295434)
to me it didn't seem like the front lights were thorwing out much of a beam, the light throw looked more like when I would carry a coleman lantern when out fishing or hunting.
"Are the front lights bright enough to light the path in front of me? The front LEDs currently emit 50 Lumens which is not enough to act as a headlight. It is more for the purpose of being seen. We will be looking at adding this as an option on future models however, due to the amount of requests for this feature." |
Originally Posted by chaadster
(Post 14297126)
Wow. Pretty quick to pass judgement without any information, aren't you?
Did it occur to you that maybe they didn't have the rider wear day-glo and reflective material so that they could accentuate the helmet lighting? FYI, that's probably why they filmed at night, in the rain, too, rather than during a clear, bright day. So no - I won't be buying one. |
my helmet light is 45 lumens, and it works for illumination if you need it. That might actually be too much light for a helmet light that you can't aim
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
(Post 14340519)
my helmet light is 45 lumens, and it works for illumination if you need it. That might actually be too much light for a helmet light that you can't aim
"The front LEDs currently emit 50 Lumens which is not enough to act as a headlight." In my experience, anything less than 300 lumens is only suitable for walking with. Any higher speed needs 300 to 1,000 lumens depending on the activity and other available lighting. |
Originally Posted by Burton
(Post 14340302)
Guess that makes me quick to pass judgement too. Completely irresponsible of them to wear all black clothing. Doubly stupid to do that in traffic with only a 50 lumen light source. I think thats about as much as a Knog Beetle puts out and that unit is marginal for the bike path.
So no - I won't be buying one. You're seriously taking the position that, because they made a promo video that in your mind shows "irresponsible" riding, and that could have been filmed on a closed street in a controlled environment for all you know, you're not going to buy the product? Dude, get a grip. The real world is a crazy place, and people do irresponsible things. What bearing that should have on you, or anyone else, conducting their life and using products responsibly is absolutely nothing. |
50 lumens isn't bad as a 'be seen' light, as long as the designers have the helmet's basic light housing design down right. If they do have it down right, they might be fairly easily be able to up the lumens. Some basic questions I'd have about the helmet are... Where's the battery located, what type is it and what provision does it have for recharging.
Another basic question I wonder if the designers have considered is, since the helmet's first priority function is to provide protection in a crash impact, how might the presence of the helmet's light housings affect the ability of the helmet protect its wearer in the event of a crash? |
Originally Posted by chaadster
(Post 14344785)
What a joke.
You're seriously taking the position that, because they made a promo video that in your mind shows "irresponsible" riding, and that could have been filmed on a closed street in a controlled environment for all you know, you're not going to buy the product? Dude, get a grip. The real world is a crazy place, and people do irresponsible things. What bearing that should have on you, or anyone else, conducting their life and using products responsibly is absolutely nothing. If a product can't be presented in a context thats at all representative of where it'll actually be used - its just a marketing scham. And scham rhymes with scam. Regardless - 50 lumens absolutely sucks for playig in traffic. I'm currently using 5,000. If you have any other complaints - call my lawyer. |
Originally Posted by wsbob
(Post 14365291)
Another basic question I wonder if the designers have considered is, since the helmet's first priority function is to provide protection in a crash impact, how might the presence of the helmet's light housings affect the ability of the helmet protect its wearer in the event of a crash?
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Originally Posted by terrapin44
(Post 14365916)
This is my concern too. These urban helmets generally don't do as well in safety tests as the more traditional bike helmet (i.e. the recent Consumer Reports rating) so I would want to see some evidence that they work well as a helmet. That said, I like the idea from a being seen standpoint and would consider getting one if they prove to be effective as a helmet and the price agrees with me.
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and this is new because?
http://www.bikepartsplace.com/discou...ls-bluecarbon/ http://www.bikepartsplace.com/images/med/31184282.jpg Yes, I know this helmet on kickstarter has the headlight as well. Actually, I could see these getting sold to commuters so I'm not saying it's a bad idea. But I'd rather first get a helmet that fits my noggin, and then put a PBSF on the back of it. Get a better headlight that would mount to either the helmet or bars. It would end up costing more than the $100 projected retail of the kickstarter helmet but probably work better. Also, if you do end up putting the helmet to use in an accident, you now have to replace a helmet and two lights (unless maybe they will sell just the shell which you can put your old lights into?) |
Originally Posted by telebianchi
(Post 14382991)
and this is new because?
http://www.bikepartsplace.com/discou...ls-bluecarbon/ http://www.bikepartsplace.com/images/med/31184282.jpg Yes, I know this helmet on kickstarter has the headlight as well. Actually, I could see these getting sold to commuters so I'm not saying it's a bad idea. But I'd rather first get a helmet that fits my noggin, and then put a PBSF on the back of it. Get a better headlight that would mount to either the helmet or bars. It would end up costing more than the $100 projected retail of the kickstarter helmet but probably work better. Also, if you do end up putting the helmet to use in an accident, you now have to replace a helmet and two lights (unless maybe they will sell just the shell which you can put your old lights into?) It's new in terms of concept, because as a 'be seen' type of light, the square inches of illuminated display is greater than in most bike use specific lights to date, such as in the example of the helmet with rear light you've included in your post. Also, in contrast to most lights that many people have devised to work with helmets by attaching them to the exterior of the helmet, this design incorporates the front and back lights into the helmet itself, contouring them into the overall shape of the helmet shell for a more streamlined appearance. How functional that can be in terms of allowing the helmet to sustain its ability to protect the wearer from impact injury is a question in need of being addressed by the designers. Aside from this concern, the lights contoured to the helmet, and the lights' increased display area is something that may be appealing to many people. |
that is my concern as well. helmets are one time use devices. IE once you "ding" one in an accident I thought it was SOP to NOT reuse that helmet to buy a new one.
in major accidents who cares it saved your noggin. but in minor accidents where the helmet is actually still good thats is an expensive replacement. if the "impact" portion of the helmet is replaceable cheaply that would change things a lot. |
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