So, I've been looking into ways to stay safe out on the road as a new rider. It has become to my attention that one of the most dangerous things is changing lanes, looking back, etc...

Since I do a lot of sports, including alpine skiing and snowboarding, I heard about this cool little tool here called the MOD Live.

It's a small screen that goes in the corner or your goggles and you can hook to a camera, it can also display speed in MPH/KPH, and it also records via GPS your location, so you can record a ride! Elevation too!

Shop for MOD Live GPS Heads Up Display | Recon Instruments

The reason I am looking at it is because you can hook a camera up to it, like a Contour. My idea is took hook a Contour up, facing backwards. That way I'll always have a video "mirror" facing back, I can see idiots coming up on my rear end easier, fire trucks that need to pass etc...

So what's everybody think about these?

 

Comfort, is key to safety. If you are comfortable, then i say it's good....but to some of us, just a quick turn of head to see your blind spot, all others can be spot by rear view mirror. Having a fix view of rear my be distracting to some but it just need getting used to...your majority attention should be focus to front (say 80%/20%) since you are traveling forward......that being said...if you have the extra money, why not? My priority is in gears, a strong sound pipe so OP will hear you even if they don't see you (HD riders)....then any money left over...rear view monitor is great tool...but I think those may be suitable for road kings/ cruiser...on a sportbike? Controversial....cause money can be spent elsewhere to some that may think it's more worthwhile....

 

Ah, I forgot to mention...I am a "Recon Recruit" I sent in an application and am one of about 120 people who are working with Recon Instruments to develop the product, which means I may have a chance to get my hands on a motorcycle prototype to fit inside helmets.

 

That great...I'm all for tech...it's amazing what you can bring to the sporting game.

I can see myself wearing a helmet that has the rear view on the bottom left/right....question is affordability....I can see myself driving the newer Mercedes Benz/ Lexus that have radar detection equipped....meaning if I fall asleep behind the wheel, car will stop if I don't....but those cost a bundle. So affordability is important or else you'll be selling high-end quality ****, Vs. Mass qty...

 

Not a fan of the idea. I've used something similar before intended for riding and the change in focus required is dramatic, unsettling at speed and dangerous IMO.

Try it if you like but please please be careful.

 

Sounds like a great idea, but I think it would be distracting. It would be like having a streaming tv show inside your helmet. I think you'd end up watching TV instead of what's in front of you.
IMO properly adjusted mirrors, head on a swivel and the understanding that every dumbass on the road WILL pull out in front of you is the best way to ride and stay safe.

Good luck and be safe

 

Not that I want to discourage, but here is my 2 cents.

Things like this have been tried many times and all with the same failures. they usually cost too much and don't live up to their intention. Most of these systems still require you to turn your head as the camera's cannot give any better view angle than the rear view mirrors do properly adjusted, and usually they give less view. Remember the only reason you should be turning your head is to cover your blind spot and a camera will never be able to get rid of all blind spots. If you sit on your bike, look into each mirror and you will see just how wide your view actually is with the mirror. One mirror will actually show you objects far on both sides of the bike behind you. If you have two mirrors, they overlap each other and you have quite an amazingly wide view behind you. The camera would only exceed the mirror if someone was a foot behind you, beyond that, the mirrors do a better job.

I also agree that it would be too distracting having a constant image in your vision that is already somewhat comprimised by your helmet. Heads up displays were cool and the new thing, but no one uses them anymore as they were more of a headache than a help. The amount of time it took to refocus on an image that was see through took longer than to just do a quick glance at a solid object. I'm sure the same would hold true for this system. The human brain can focus on real objects easier than small objects on a screen, so the actual time your eyes are not facing forward can actually be longer than quickly turning your head to see if anyone is there. I also thnk you would catch yourself looking behind you a lot more and this is not a good situation. Personally, I am more worried about whats in front of me than whats behind me. You have a lot more time to react if some is coming up on you versus someone pulling out in front of you, and having a constant view behind you would take away your much needed attention for whats in front of you.

If your truly worried about saftey, I would suggest getting a set of mirror extensions to give you a better vantage point for the mirrors.