Security should come first when including tech to any helmet.
The Australian designers at Forcite have completed simply that; putting in a digital camera, audio system, lighting and microphones right into a carbon fibre shell that also meets the European ECE 22.05 security certification.
It is quite a bit to wrap your head round (pun meant) and it may be distracting at first however Forcite's MK1S shortly proves to be extremely helpful - and versatile - on the street.
These comforts do not come low-cost nonetheless with the good helmet beginning at $1,299.
Premium cheek pads will set you again an extra $79. You may as well add an anti-fog insert to your cart ($59) and an extra 12 months guarantee as a 'Forcite VIP' ($129), however actually all you will want is a microSD card to get began.
After two weeks and about ten hours using, here is a breakdown of each function, what works and what could be improved.
Helmet design
The big sized MK1S weighs about 1,500 grams (1.5 kilograms or 3.3 kilos).
That features the thicker, premium padding which helped the helmet be snug sufficient to repeatedly put on for over an hour.
Most of its electronics are housed within the helmet's chin inside a rubber flex casing which CEO Alfred Boyadgis says was vital to Forcite's European security certification.
"Upon influence it permits the shell to flex and retains it from cracking."
"In ECE testing there are strike assessments proper on the jaw and this mechanism permits us to realize higher scores."
Fortunately, I have never had an opportunity to check this in the actual world and, even when the helmet is broken, Forcite can exchange the shell for a smaller payment by reusing the expertise inside it.
Forcite has added pins which permit riders to lock their visor down and in contrast to the one on my open face helmet, I by no means had any points with fogging.
The MK1S has three discreet vents you possibly can open and shut across the helmet for higher airflow simply in case. Their switches are straightforward sufficient to toggle with leather-based gloves on however I would not advocate attempting whereas using.
On its left (whereas sporting the helmet) you will additionally discover a slider to deliver down an inner solar visor. I used to be very impressed at how the visor was in a position to considerably scale back glare with out making all the things look too darkish; a fragile steadiness Forcite has positively struck.
Slightly below the helmet's inner energy button, a small rubber flap beneath the chin hides a slot for the microSD card and the USB-C port you will must entry your movies (extra on that later) and cost the helmet.
Forcite says you will get three hours on a single cost whereas recording video or as much as eight hours whereas listening to music. That has been broadly correct in my time with the MK1S, in reality the helmet's battery has sometimes lasted longer than three hours as I abstain from listening to music whereas using.
The helmet is available in six sizes (XS, S, M, L, L/XL, and XL) every with a information to measure your head beforehand. Crudely utilizing a tape measure wasn't superb however I used to be assured my head's 58.7cm circumference would match completely in a 'giant' measurement with a delegated 59cm information.
Helmets are alleged to be comfortable - and it is likely to be the premium padding - however for me, it is somewhat too comfortable.
Getting the helmet on and off has been a bit rougher than I anticipated. Excellent news is, Forcite will swap your helmet for an additional measurement freed from cost offered you have not worn it.
I wished to dive into this evaluate right away so I did not take that provide up, but when I had my time once more, I would severely contemplate a much bigger measurement.
Digital camera
On the tip of the helmet's nostril is a 1080p digital camera that movies at 60 frames per second.
It may be programmed to begin recording mechanically when the helmet is turned on, or could be managed by way of Forcite's controller or app (extra on these later).
It has a decently vast area of view however is not vast sufficient to seize the speedometer of my Vespa if I am sitting usually.
After recording in all situations (daylight, nightfall, evening and rain), it is clear Forcite's lens is finest suited to being a day-time dashcam.
Movies recorded at evening do take a success in readability and high quality because the digital camera makes an attempt to steadiness publicity between darker areas and blinding headlights.
Nighttime recordings would nonetheless be helpful within the occasion of an accident, simply not as helpful as they is likely to be throughout the day. It proved close to unattainable to learn quantity plates on a few of the vehicles stopped on the lights in entrance of me at instances.
The MK1S additionally information the rider's voice because of an inner microphone. Barely any noise exterior to the helmet is picked up by this microphone, which is beneficial for omitting wind noise, however a bit disappointing when you have been hoping to select up conversations with fellow riders if you come to a cease.
In a future Forcite MK2 Helmet, I would like to see a discreet, exterior microphone included.
Identical goes for a stabilised digital camera lens. GoPro has set an outstanding commonplace with stability software program and with Apple's prime iPhones introducing floating lenses, I want an analogous answer was included on the MK1S.
Seems, our heads shake fairly a bit on the again of a scooter or motorbike. Because of this, the imaginative and prescient the MK1S captures could be fairly shaky too.
This may be mounted in submit utilizing one thing like Adobe Premier's 'warp stabiliser' however not everybody can have a subscription to software program that gives that.
Most individuals will simply wish to entry, edit and submit the very best movies attainable as shortly as attainable.
Forcite app and accessing imaginative and prescient
Talking of accessing and modifying movies, Forcite has tried to deal with all of it via an app.
You may all the time take away the microSD card (as I've been doing) however included within the field is a USB-C cable designed to each energy the helmet and plug it into a pc or smartphone.
If in case you have an iPhone, you will want an adapter to make this work.
If in case you have a Google Pixel, you will must reformat the microSD card to FAT32 earlier than your telephone will recognise it.
There is no pop-up that allows you to know that in Forcite's app. In truth, I would given up looking for the folder on my Pixel 6 till I stumbled onto the answer on-line!
Spooling via your imaginative and prescient is fast and straightforward by way of the app though it solely permits you to edit and export 30 second clips and you will nonetheless want to hold the cable round with you when you plan to do that on the go.
Once more, GoPro and others have labored out methods to do that over WiFi; an instance I hope Forcite follows in future updates.
Just a few minor software program tweaks may actually improve the expertise as effectively.
There is no choice to 'keep away from freeways' within the navigation settings. You may hit a change to 'keep away from tolls' however it resets to off each time you open the app.
You may select to make use of Google or Apple Maps and take heed to instructions such as you would sporting Bluetooth headphones, nonetheless neither work with the MK1S's lighting array.
Lighting
Operating throughout the bridge of the rider's nostril and beneath every eye is an LED mild strip.
It throbs purple whereas recording video, flashes purple and blue when a velocity or purple mild digital camera is arising, glows orange for hazards, yellow for visitors incidents and blinks inexperienced on both aspect to assist point out when you must flip.
Earlier than getting my fingers on the MK1S its interactive lights have been most intriguing.
As marketed they're understated, unobstructive and really a lot complimentary to audio alerts. When you're used to them, they're by no means distracting and Forcite has linked the array to a brightness sensor to take care of that at evening.
That is all I actually must say in regards to the helmet's lighting as a result of it merely works!
It isn't vital to the expertise however infinitely higher than wanting down at your telephone.
Coupled with the audio alerts throughout navigation, it is a a lot safer expertise that permits a rider to maintain their eyes on the street.
Audio system
These audio alerts are delivered by 40mm audio system sitting in cavities beside every ear.
Designed by Harman Kardon, they're actually loud sufficient and clear sufficient to simply perceive verbal instructions throughout navigation on the street. That readability is helped partially by the restricted quantity of discernable wind noise when sporting the MK1S.
I used to be involved the audio system would drown out an excessive amount of of the encircling road noise however in apply, that is not the case at commonplace volumes.
There's a danger that would not be the case at louder volumes whereas listening to music however that may be a danger every rider has to evaluate for themselves.
I've solely acquired a handful of calls whereas using. Every was a stable expertise for me and I did not have any complaints from these on the opposite finish of the road.
Whereas utilizing navigation, one irritating quirk emerges when receiving a telephone name. The quantity of the instructions is boosted to a degree that drowns out the individual chatting with you, when the rider may extra closely depend on the lighting array.
Controller
To regulate your helmet safely, the MK1S comes with a chunky Bluetooth controller.
The triangular pad has a button in every nook designated for the digital camera, navigation and telephone calls. A big round button in its centre controls the music and two buttons on an edge alter the helmet's quantity.
Every is simple to manage whereas sporting gloves and there are a couple of button mixtures you will have to recollect to get essentially the most out of it. For instance, holding the telephone button for one second triggers Siri or Google's Assistant and holding the digital camera button for six seconds instantly wipes the SD card.
The MK1S comes with an arm that permits you to mount the controller to your bike. Sadly this wasn't appropriate for my Vespa. The 3cm gap within the mount is way wider than the scooter's slim mirror arms. I did my finest 'MacGyver' impression making some padding out of tape which labored for some time however finally failed whereas out on the street.
Two rubber spacers got here within the field which I ultimately doubled up for a tighter match, including somewhat material I reduce between them for added grip.
One concern I've is how straightforward the controller can be to steal. Its battery lasts for much longer than that of the helmet however it nonetheless requires a recharge each 15 hours or so, which implies it must be faraway from the mount.
This may be completed very simply. It merely screws off, no device required which is a win for comfort however a attainable danger for a thief that is aware of what they're .
If a controller was locked to the helmet it was paired with, this would not be as a lot of a problem. Sadly, it does not talk immediately with the helmet; they speak via Forcite's app in your telephone.
Meaning, when you neglect to launch the app earlier than a trip (this usually occurred to me after I did not want instructions) a number of of the controls will not work. You may nonetheless play and pause music however beginning or stopping a video recording will not work, nor will answering a telephone name.
It is irritating when instructions do not work and - if you're on the street - that failure could be unnecessarily distracting.
I am no engineer. I do not know why that is the very best answer for Forcite however I hope it is one thing they repair in future with a software program replace or improved hardware.
Conclusion
The incoming MK1S is not excellent however I would positively advocate it.
Any rider searching for a safer approach to navigate on the street than wanting down at a telephone ought to strongly contemplate a helmet like Forcite's if they will afford it.
Minor software program tweaks may improve the person expertise over time.
All the substances are there and this Aussie firm is near getting the recipe proper.