去od news, if you like Cardo’s motorcycle comms: The company has just announced a deal with 509 to build helmets with built-in communication sets. The 509 Mach V Commander is now available with integrated Mesh-capable Cardo comms.
这不是一个新想法;几年来,companies such as Schuberth have offered their helmets with built-in communicator sets, and Cardo actually built those integrated comms for Schuberth once upon a time. However, in recent years, competitors such as Sena or Uclear seem to have mostly taken this market away from Cardo.
This is good if you’re a fan of Sena, and good if your other riding buddies have Sena comms. But if you prefer Cardo, or your buddies are all riding with Cardo comms, then the cross-brand compatibility is still not as smooth as many of us would like, despiteCardo’s recent effortsto overcome this annoyance. Of course, you can always take a standard Cardo unit and bolt it up to just about any moto helmet. But if you’re like me, you might appreciate the lessened wind noise of an integrated comm set. I’ve had a few helmets set up like this, and always found them more comfortable and more quiet at highway speeds than an aftermarket stick-on or bolt-on mount.
The Mach V Commander/Cardo team-up
So, what specifically is the 509/Cardo collab offering? It appears to be a repackaged take on Cardo’s current-gen technology, not officially a Packtalk-series comm. Like other Cardo sets, it uses JBL speakers, intended to provide better sound than the chintzy units of old. Most interestingly, the PR below talks about a “controllable chase light.” There appears to be a red safety light on the back of the helmet. Does this mean we might see another take on the same idea as theBrake Free helmet light? We’ll ask them and find out…
Key Features of the Mach V Commander Helmet with Cardo Communication System:
- Group Communication: With Cardo Communication System, riders can stay connected with up to 14 fellow riders within a range of up to 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) through mesh connectivity or connect via Bluetooth® for music, phone, or map capabilities.
- Superior Audio Quality: The integrated Cardo Communication System ensures crystal-clearsound, with JBL speakers and PSI (Pressurized Sound Isolation) earmuff system for isolation, passive noise canceling, and custom fit.
- Voice Command and Hands-Free Operation: Riders can keep their hands on the handlebars and their focus on the road, as the Mach V Commander Helmet supports voice commands for seamless operation, making communication effortless and intuitive.
- Enhanced Safety and Comfort: The Mach V Commander Helmet incorporates the safety performance features motorsports riders have come to expect from 509, an impact-resistant visor, controllable chase light, Fidlock® Magnetic Chinstrap, and excellent moisture control with the patent-pending Venturi Venting System.
One major potential downer: The 509 website lists battery life as 6-8 hours. That’s fine for pleasure rides close to home, but for all-day touring, I like to have at least 8 hours of battery life, if not 10-12. As well, the 509 Mach V Commander is made of injection-molded plastic, not hand-built from composite materials like some of the more expensive helmet brands. That’s not to say it’s a bad helmet; it still has features such as a custom liner kit and a Venturi-effect airflow system that is supposed to keep you cool and well-ventilated. And,you may welcome the chance to save some money on your helmet anyway. See more details on the 509 Mach 5 Commander at its websitehere,where a pre-order will cost you $499.95 US.
