POC is releasing the first solar charging LED rear light helmet
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POC is releasing the first solar charging LED rear light helmet
https://bikerumor.com/2021/02/16/poc...ss-visibility/
https://www.pocsports.com/collection...s/omne-eternal
Really cool tech. If the first version misses the mark somehow, hopefully it will be further refined for future versions.
Apparently an hour of light per day is enough to keep it 'robustly' charged.
- wonder how long the light lasts on a full charge.
- why not offer it in more visible colors?...the helmet is designed around visibility.
- wonder what it weighs.
https://www.pocsports.com/collection...s/omne-eternal
Really cool tech. If the first version misses the mark somehow, hopefully it will be further refined for future versions.
Apparently an hour of light per day is enough to keep it 'robustly' charged.
- wonder how long the light lasts on a full charge.
- why not offer it in more visible colors?...the helmet is designed around visibility.
- wonder what it weighs.
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I heard it can charge itself from the tail light on the bike ahead of it, so an entire peloton can run indefinitely off the light from the lead rider.
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I like the idea, but the product description states that it senses light conditions and turns itself on automatically. If it only turns itself on in the dark, it's not very useful...I run a taillight (sometimes 2x) during daylight.
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Cool. If I had a POC head, I'd consider it.
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I would think/hope that POC engineers wouldn't consider this to be a replacement to a tail light, but as an additional light or a Plan B, at best. All bets are off when it comes to their marketing team, though.
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I really like the POC helmet I've been using but ... matte black? for a night helmet? I waited near a full year before buying the POC until I could get one in white in my size. Notice in the POC website linked in the OP that the orange bike is far more visible than either the helmet or the helmet light. Yes, lit by the car headlight, but even if that car used its high beams, the driver would never see the helmet (and the high beams would probably drown out the light).
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Cool, but my little sneakers already light up when I ride.
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One can easily attach a rechargeable LED blinker to one's helmet for $20.
I ponder what this new gizmo will be $elling for?
I ponder what this new gizmo will be $elling for?
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So a POC Ventral for $290 or a Ventral Air for $250 plus a blinky costs about the same as this solar charging helmet.
To be clear, there are basically always cheaper solutions. One neednt ride a $5000 bike when a $2000 bike is 97% as capable. Same for shoes, sunglasses, and most everything else in hobbies really.
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Not available until June. I guess if you don't already have a POC helmet and can't be bothered to charge and turn on your light you attach to your helmet its a good deal. It's also not their top of the line helmet the ventral spin wonder why they don't attach to that.
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Solution looking for a problem.
I think this is one of those things where people really want to look cool or clean on their bike without a bunch of strap on lights. So it being built into a helmet brings a bit of aesthetic appeal for the purchase.
I always say "you do you". But lots of pros run saddle bags and both a rear AND front light that burns in daylight for training rides.
I feel like the integrated light tech has always been something places attempt but don't pull off really well in the long run. Wasn't there a whole bicycle a while back with an integrated gps and front light in the stem and an integrated rear light in the seatpost? Yeah, that screams long term issues if something happens.
I think for nice big front lights, you can already get pretty clean with a k-edge double sided gps/light mount. Out back........I couldn't care less about looking cool. Garmin Varia all the way. If I ride in actual darkness I take my fancy running headlamp and just wear it under my helmet. If you pull on the elastic a bit then tighten your helmet ratchet, it works. Then I have both a bike headlight and the rear Varia and a body front/rear light that moves with my head.
If somebody is dead set on not having a bunch of separate lamps clamped to their bike all the time.........the single runner's headlamp works pretty well if you get an expensive one with good front lumens. I think I've seen around 600 lumen head lamps these days. Then you just deal with recharging and using one device not attached to any single bike. And can use it to run.
I think this is one of those things where people really want to look cool or clean on their bike without a bunch of strap on lights. So it being built into a helmet brings a bit of aesthetic appeal for the purchase.
I always say "you do you". But lots of pros run saddle bags and both a rear AND front light that burns in daylight for training rides.
I feel like the integrated light tech has always been something places attempt but don't pull off really well in the long run. Wasn't there a whole bicycle a while back with an integrated gps and front light in the stem and an integrated rear light in the seatpost? Yeah, that screams long term issues if something happens.
I think for nice big front lights, you can already get pretty clean with a k-edge double sided gps/light mount. Out back........I couldn't care less about looking cool. Garmin Varia all the way. If I ride in actual darkness I take my fancy running headlamp and just wear it under my helmet. If you pull on the elastic a bit then tighten your helmet ratchet, it works. Then I have both a bike headlight and the rear Varia and a body front/rear light that moves with my head.
If somebody is dead set on not having a bunch of separate lamps clamped to their bike all the time.........the single runner's headlamp works pretty well if you get an expensive one with good front lumens. I think I've seen around 600 lumen head lamps these days. Then you just deal with recharging and using one device not attached to any single bike. And can use it to run.
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While this is NOT the helmet for me, I would like helmet manufacturers to consider that some of us might put a tail light on the helmet - and design around that a little. I don't mean some mounting system; just something as simple as having the center rib somewhat in range of the over O.D. of a seat tube - or gaps to allow a strap.
Helmet mounted lights have a couple unique functions...
1. Obviously, they're higher; move around more than the seat post - more visible.
2. If - and yes this happens - the rider is separated from the bike, being seen is a bonus... as you're laying dazed on the road.
I was in a 2-bike crash on a predawn ride - flipped, tangled, slammed. I laid there on my back stunned for about 3 seconds before it dawned on me "OH $^#@! I'm laying in the middle of the road in a black and red (mostly black) kit with no lights... 6' from my bike. Okay, sure, a light on my helmet may have shattered... maybe.
Helmet mounted lights have a couple unique functions...
1. Obviously, they're higher; move around more than the seat post - more visible.
2. If - and yes this happens - the rider is separated from the bike, being seen is a bonus... as you're laying dazed on the road.
I was in a 2-bike crash on a predawn ride - flipped, tangled, slammed. I laid there on my back stunned for about 3 seconds before it dawned on me "OH $^#@! I'm laying in the middle of the road in a black and red (mostly black) kit with no lights... 6' from my bike. Okay, sure, a light on my helmet may have shattered... maybe.
Last edited by Zaskar; 02-18-21 at 11:49 AM.
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While this is NOT the helmet for me, I would like helmet manufacturers to consider that some of us might put a tail light on the helmet - and design around that a little. I don't mean some mounting system; just a something as simple as having the center rib somewhat in range of the over O.D. of a seat tube - or gaps to allow a strap.
Helmet mounted lights have a couple unique functions...
1. Obviously, they're higher move around more than the seat post - more visible.
2. If - and yes this happens - the rider is separated from the bike, being seen is a bonus... as you're laying dazed on the road.
I was in a 2-bike crash on a predawn ride - flipped, tangled, slammed. I laid there on my back stunned for about 3 seconds before it dawned on me "OH $^#@! I'm laying in the middle of the road in a black and red (mostly black) kit with no lights... 6' from my bike. Okay, sure, a light on my helmet may have shattered... maybe.
Helmet mounted lights have a couple unique functions...
1. Obviously, they're higher move around more than the seat post - more visible.
2. If - and yes this happens - the rider is separated from the bike, being seen is a bonus... as you're laying dazed on the road.
I was in a 2-bike crash on a predawn ride - flipped, tangled, slammed. I laid there on my back stunned for about 3 seconds before it dawned on me "OH $^#@! I'm laying in the middle of the road in a black and red (mostly black) kit with no lights... 6' from my bike. Okay, sure, a light on my helmet may have shattered... maybe.
Or they can provide a little flattened panel on the back instead of a point on the rear where it has two little slots for a banded style light or you could also zip tie your Garmin/Wahoo style twist connect there. Just a little 3"x3" square of space with known good shape.
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