Livall Smart Helmet MT1

[burntoutbanger]

Part of the reason I go cycling is to get away from the modern world not to bring it with me.

 

[Grendel]

Are you saying that as I am deaf I should not be riding a bike?

Not at all. I'm sure you have adopted techniques which allow you to ride safely.


Hearing plays a big part in my riding. As it does for the vast majority of cyclists. I personally wouldn't want to impede my ability to hear surrounding noise.

 

[Drago]

I can't hear nob all over 10 or so mph due to wind noise anyway.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

the drink cycling limit is correctly weaker than the drink driving one

In case any reader thinks that means there is a prescribed alcohol limit for cycling, there isn't.

 

[mjr]

In case any reader thinks that means there is a prescribed alcohol limit for cycling, there isn't.

Indeed. It's an intoxication limit. The point at which you can't ride safely is the limit. I think you still get asked to walk the line and stuff like that.

 

[mjr]

Not at all. I'm sure you have adopted techniques which allow you to ride safely.


Hearing plays a big part in my riding. As it does for the vast majority of cyclists. I personally wouldn't want to impede my ability to hear surrounding noise.

Anyone wearing any helmet has already impeded their hearing with strap wind noise, so what's some speakers between friends?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Indeed. It's an intoxication limit. The point at which you can't ride safely is the limit. I think you still get asked to walk the line and stuff like that.

The point of intoxication could occur at a level lower than the prescribed limit for driving, so your earlier comment that it was a weaker limit still doesn't stand up.

There is no 'sobriety test' applied in the UK, nor do police have powers to require breath, blood or urine samples from a cyclist for alcohol testing.

 

[mjr]

The point of intoxication could occur at a level lower than the prescribed limit for driving, so your earlier comment that it was a weaker limit still doesn't stand up.

No, it does stand up: the absolute quantitative breath/blood/urine limits for driving (RTA 1988 s5) are in addition to the older "unfit to drive through drink" (RTA 1988 s4) which has a cycling equivalent (RTA 1988 s30), not instead of, so if you're intoxicated below the prescribed limit you still cannot drive legally. In short, you may not drive at any time you may not cycle.

 

[RoadRider400]

"When the G-sensor senses an unusual gravity acceleration or immediate sudden lack of movement, the emergency signals on the helmet will be activated and an SMS alert sent to your emergency contacts (set up in the App) automatically. The SMS will contain a GPS positioning link to show your location on a map, (this feature requires the user’s smartphone to have GPS function enabled)."

I can appreciate the benefit of having this. Though I do wonder how many times your emergency contact will come rushing out to the scene of your accident, only to find you sitting on a wall eating a sandwich having dropped the helmet on the floor and not picked it up.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

No, it does stand up: the absolute quantitative breath/blood/urine limits for driving (RTA 1988 s5) are in addition to the older "unfit to drive through drink" (RTA 1988 s4) which has a cycling equivalent (RTA 1988 s30), not instead of, so if you're intoxicated below the prescribed limit you still cannot drive legally. In short, you may not drive at any time you may not cycle.

Ok, I see where you're coming from now. Your original wording talking about cycling having a "weaker limit" was ambiguous enough for me to infer that you were suggesting cycling had a prescribed drink limit.

Back to helmets then!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I can't hear nob all over 10 or so mph due to wind noise anyway.

Less beans and sprouts for you, my lad.

 

[Blue Hills]

Inside the helmet there are controls mounted just inside the brim, power on, volume up and down, co-located with a microphone and a charging port. This charging port is one of my few (possibly only) dislikes about the helmet, as while it’s waterproof and pretty much idiot proof, it’s also unlike any other charging cable on the market, so if you want a spare or replacement then it’s off to the manufacturer you go. To charge it simply plug it in and place the magnetic pad on the recessed slot on the helmet. Two lights on the rear will illuminate to show it is charging, and they’ll go out when it’s finished. The battery life is advertised as being up to 10 hours, but as I routinely charge the helmet after a ride I’ve never taken it to the limit.

Either side of the helmet are two neatly recessed speakers, allowing you to listen to music, hear notifications or take phone calls on the move. I’m not a great fan of listening to music on the bike, but it provides a perfectly listenable level of sound. Of more use personally is the fact that I can hear notifications from my cycling app, telling me time and distance covered. You can also take phone calls while cycling (or redial with a double tap on the red button) and the microphone works really well, even at speed.

As I said the helmet connects to your phone and this does mean that the bluetooth function should be enabled on the phone for this to work. This also allows another really important feature to operate, the emergency contact feature. By downloading the Livall app you can programme in up to three emergency numbers who will receive a text message if the helmet detects that you have had a fall. In the event of you taking a fall the sensor will detect the unusual motion and trigger a 90 second countdown feature, which allows you to cancel the alarm if you are able. If you are incapacitated or can’t respond within 90 seconds then your emergency contacts will receive a text telling them who has had an accident, when it happened, where it happened and a link to show this on a map. I’ve tested this and it is remarkably accurate, although I’d assume that the sending of the message would be reliant on your phone surviving any impact.

Overall this is a superb piece of equipment, and when you consider the price of a standard helmet with none of these features, then it’s not such an excessive expense. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and if you are looking for a new helmet and especially if you use timing apps, it’s worth giving this serious consideration.

Why, just why?
Part of the reason i cycle is to get away from all this stuff.
So how much do we pay for all these "features"?

 

[Blue Hills]

Without opening it up, I can't say what the layout is. I'd imagine it would be no more dangerous than helmet mounted lights, cameras, etc.

All themselves bad ideas of course.

 

[johnnyb47]

I've had my livall smart helmet for around six months now. Its been really good to be honest. The only negatives is the charging connection. It can be a little fiddly to get a good connection on the magnetic coupling to make a good contact. I also wish it had a mesh insert to stop the flys and nats coming through the vents and irritating my head. Battery life is excellent and often enjoy listening to my music through it on long rides. It doesn't drown out the noise of traffic either and always feel aware of what's coming up from behind.

 

[Naush]

Hi, anyone have a Livall magnetic usb charger and br80 smart control they want to sell ?