Helite e-Turtle 2 Airbag Assessment

Assessment Abstract

• The long-awaited non-tethered model of the profitable Helite Turtle 2 is now out there within the digital model.
• Person self-serviceable after airbag is deployed, no have to ship it in like different manufacturers.
• Fork sensor reduces cartridge response time – Pending FCC approval within the US. Been confirmed for years within the EU
• 25 hours of utilization time, examined by the creator
• Cartridge alternative is simpler than the tethered model

The Helite eTurtle 2 Airbag

I reviewed the analog model of the Helite Turtle 2 (HT2) vest in August of 2022 after carrying it from April of 2022. Since then I’ve by no means ridden with out it. In my piece about Why I Put on Security Gear, I element my causes. The first distinction between the HT2 and the simply launched within the USA, e-Turtle 2 (ET2) is the elimination of the bodily tether on the HT2 which is changed by an digital set off on the ET2 referred to as the Pc Show Unit or CDU. Don’t ask me why it’s referred to as a show unit, I didn’t identify the factor!

HT2 bodily tether vs. ET2 digital set off

About Helite

Helite was based in 2002 by Gérard Thevenot, a French engineer who specialised in fluid mechanics and was obsessed with mild aeronautics (ULM, hold gliders, paramotors). The excessive accident fee in these sports activities led him to search for options for pilot safety, and so a primary patent was filed for particular person safety airbags.

As airbag know-how applies to all high-risk actions, Helite has turn into an professional on this discipline, dedicating itself solely to the event of particular person safety programs. Helite airbags are already utilized in all kinds of fields akin to motorcycling, horse driving, biking, well being, aeronautics, and industrial work; they’re additionally extremely appreciated in top-level sports activities.

From Helite’s web site:

Our Ambition:

Helite’s mission is to make the world safer by growing new clever options to guard individuals of their sports activities and day by day actions. Our particular recipe: innovation, know-how, and ease, all made in France with our contact of authenticity.

Our R&D Strategy:

From the thought to the design of an airbag, a protracted course of and lots of abilities are concerned. On this sense, our airbag know-how remains to be validated by quite a few prototypes and crash exams.

Sayings I Recognize

“Simply assume how completely satisfied you’d be in the event you misplaced the whole lot you have got proper now, after which received it again once more.” — Frances Rodman

“You don’t get one thing for nothing.” 

To me, these each apply to virtually the whole lot I do in life. However within the context of the vest, it’s particularly poignant. Had I not worn nice security gear, a few of my observe crashes would have resulted in me dropping issues like bone connections, vertebrae, dermis, or worse. Had I misplaced any of these issues after which via some miracle they had been restored, YES I’d be rattling completely satisfied! DUH. As a result of I selected to put on nice gear, I didn’t should face ‘dropping one thing’ since these physique components by no means left…aka Happiness. And positive issues I select to put on whereas driving could also be scorching, cumbersome, and many others., however I’m buying and selling some consolation for defense. Second-chance bulletproof vests are each scorching and extra uncomfortable than a easy t-shirt. If I used to be a legislation enforcement officer and given the selection of which to put on, I do know which I’d select. You by no means get one thing for nothing and I’m actually completely satisfied to retain the vital issues in my life via the alternatives I make. However everyone seems to be completely different.

Let’s transfer on to the options and efficiency of ET2.

Development

• Inside textile 3D mesh for optimum air circulation
• Vest 100% polyester 600D textile 
• Airbag 100% polyurethane
• Exterior pocket for small objects akin to bank cards or money
• Reflective stripes on the again for added visibility
• Smooth neoprene collar for higher consolation across the neck
• Comfy and light-weight permits full physique movement
• Multi-sensor know-how allows 360° detection and covers a variety of accidents: from 0km/h, at low pace, and any angle of impression
• Fork sensor (optionally available and offered individually)
• The system will be reactivated in 2 minutes to alter the e-cartridge, no instruments are wanted
• TURTLE know-how with SAS-TEC 1621 degree 2 again protector
• 100% autonomous system
• 25 hours of battery life (USB charging) – Verified by my very own testing
• Adjustment straps for a match over any motorbike garment
• Huge safety quantity: between 17L and 28L relying on the airbag measurement
• Waterproof
• CE Licensed Airbag System

The again of the vest incorporates vertical reflective accents together with the Helite brand which is reflective when uncovered to lights like headlights. The small Helite brand on the left chest space can be reflective.

Please be aware that Helite despatched me an XL e-vest which is just too giant for me. I put on their L within the tethered model and it suits me effectively. Sitting on my bike the tail of the vest is just too lengthy in an XL measurement, as is the general measurement.

The label on the inside of the vest.

It features a SAS-Tec Stage 2 again protector which will be eliminated by separating the Velcro seam on the appropriate aspect of the vest (as you might be dealing with the vest with it on a floor buckle aspect up) after which sliding the again protector out from the vest.

The stitching of the vest is superb with no fraying threads to be discovered wherever on the garment. On the left aspect of the chest is a small zippered pocket lined with a Velcro flap. The pocket is comparatively small and might maintain foreign money, bank cards or ID, and a key or two. I’ve included photographs of a ruler in photographs for instance its measurement.

Beneath the pocket is one other Velcro flap that homes the three adjustment straps to customized match the vest to the individual and jacket it’s worn over. On the HT2, each the appropriate and left sides of the vest entrance include straps to regulate the match. On the ET2, solely the left aspect incorporates adjustment straps. As a result of just one aspect can lengthen the straps, I want to see the center and higher adjustment straps enhance in size. Analyzing the straps exhibits that the underside strap’s size extends the complete span of the matching Velcro portion. The adjustment straps above it don’t. That is the one space of building that I’ve points with on this vest.

I’d select to retailer an additional CO2 canister on this space. Having fallen with my HT2 vest. I do know firsthand that having the additional canister shut at hand is vital when being mentally rattled simply after a crash.

The fitting aspect of the entrance of the vest homes each the Pc Show Unit (CDU) that incorporates the sensor, battery, and the CO2 canister inside a zippered pocket.

Underneath the appropriate zipper is the CDU on the left with two wires popping out. One is a feminine 5mm x 10mm charging cable, the opposite is the CO2 set off wire. The 5x10mm pigtail is a normal measurement utilized by many battery makers.

1.  If the CDU set off wire just isn’t related to the CO2 canister wire and the CDU is powered on, a pink mild will flash alerting you that the CO2 cartridge just isn’t related. 
2. The CDU can’t function whereas the USB energy wire is related and the CDU is being charged. So in the event you’re hoping the vest will be charged while driving, nope it can’t. However fret not, I clarify how I’ve examined the battery life later on this article.

Right here is the CDU faraway from its elastic mesh pouch.

The again aspect of the CDU has its info label that incorporates the serial and mannequin numbers.

The CDU wire connection is proven with the feminine tab with the locking tab and the male portion with the locking pin. The picture exhibits the connection absolutely and correctly seated.

A detailed-up shot of the feminine portion of the CO2 canister’s CDU connection reveals two separate channels together with the locking tab on the prime.

Testing the ET2’s Battery Life to Confirm Helite’s Declare of 25 hours of Operation

I’m a little bit of a stickler about battery life claims. So I examined the battery life by eradicating the CDU from the vest and attaching the CO2 wire to the CDU WITHOUT A CO2 cartridge hooked up to the wire unit. I didn’t need to likelihood the CO2 going off in the midst of the night time.

The highest canister exhibits the CDU wire unit disconnected from the CO2 canister. That’s the one I plugged into the CDU. I strapped the CDU to a easy fan with the CO2 canister’s wire hooked up and let it run for 25 hours. The small vibrations from the fan ‘tricked’ the CDU into pondering there was fixed motion. I used to be very impressed that the slight vibrations from the fan offered sufficient motion to register on the CDU. Regardless that I finished the check at 25 hours, I really feel that the interior battery would have lasted one other hour. I didn’t need to stress the battery by taking it decrease than designed. I don’t doubt that the CDU battery sleeps after 45 seconds of no motion. This makes the precise lifetime of the battery whereas driving even higher. Cease to eat, piss, and many others? Take the vest off and both go away it on a chair the place you received’t be wiggling it and it’ll sleep when you do your enterprise. It’s a good piece of know-how.

At this level, I charged the CDU on the really useful 5v (4.99v for individuals who LOVE TO cut up hairs) and it took 3 hours and 47 minutes to totally cost the battery, indicating full as per the person guide when the CDU mild turned inexperienced.

The feminine 5×10 mm USB charging port is hooked up to the CDU. The male portion of the USB charging cable is provided with the ET2.

E-Turtle2 Triggering info (info provided by Helite USA)

• • Detection time of the CDU sensor within the airbag vest: 62ms  
  • Detection time for non-Helite autonomous airbags: 95 ms

• Detection time of the SDU sensor on the motorbike fork: 31 ms Please be aware that the fork sensor just isn’t but out there within the USA as a result of provide points and pending FCC approval so the ET2 will NOT work with the EU fork sensors. They’re a unique frequency and can NOT pair with the USA e-Turtle 2 vest.

Mechanical Turtle2 (info provided by Helite USA)

• Inflation time: Very quick in lower than 100 ms (sooner than the blink of a watch) earlier than floor impression.

The 25-hour battery life received me fascinated with a number of long-day rides…bike tenting to be particular. A six-day, five-night journey driving 8 hours a day would theoretically deplete the CDU’s battery in three days. What I plan to do is take my little transportable USB battery together with me. After three days of driving and I’m going to imagine I’m not close to AC energy, I’d merely plug the CDU into my battery to cost it at night time. Then plug my battery into the USB cost socket on my bike as I journey throughout the day. Utilizing this methodology I may hold the CDU charged so long as I’m out on the highway. I’ve additionally used a small photo voltaic panel that simply suits in my prime field to cost my little battery…..

OK, I received distracted, so let me transfer on to how the CO2 cartridge is deployed.

Triggering the Vest

For the reason that ET2 makes use of a totally completely different triggering mechanism than the HT2, no spring forces a pointy pin into the CO2 canister to launch the gasoline. As a substitute, it makes use of a small ‘nib’ which releases a small explosive cost which forces a rupture pin into the canister thus releasing the gasoline. After disassembling the CDU and CO2 canister, this course of may be very obvious.

The CO2 canister, the CDU wire faraway from the canister, the view trying straight down into the CO2 canister with the CDU wire eliminated. The nib is electronically triggered by the CDU and eventually, the nib’s small ballistic cost forces the pin down rupturing the cartridge and releases the CO2 gasoline. This brief video illustrates how this features.

Right here is how the ruptured CO2 cartridge seems after being pierced, together with the nib that electronically initiates the penetration.

That is the connection the place the CO2 canister is inserted. It’s vital to notice {that a} good seal have to be achieved when screwing down the canister throughout alternative.

It’s additionally vital to be cautious when screwing the CO2 canister into the ET2’s receptacle in order to not permit the wires to twist and tangle. Merely holding the canister and the housing receptacle permits the wire to show as you might be tightening the canister into the vest.

As a result of I’ve first-hand expertise changing a CO2 cartridge on the HT2 mechanical vest, instantly after a fall(s), I can respect not needing any instruments to exchange the canisters on the ET2 vest. Regardless that a cartridge alternative is comparatively simple on the HT2 when including within the feelings of getting simply fallen, making something extra easy is a welcome function. The canister alternative on the ET2 may be very simple.

Here’s a video of the ET2 being remotely deployed through the use of a wi-fi set off Helite despatched with the vest, together with photographs of how the vest appears inflated.

I actually respect how the Helite air chambers cradle my backbone space when the vest is deployed. It provides me an actual sense of safety, particularly since a degree 2 again protector resides on the outside of the again air chambers. Helite’s knowledge for the inflation time of the e-Turtle is listed at 62MS versus the HT2 tethered model at 100MS. This can be a full seat of my pants (or chest) ‘feeling’ however once I deployed the vest with a Helite-supplied distant management set off, I COULD FEEL THAT IT INFLATED FASTER than the HT2. I used to be shocked at simply how briskly it inflates! Can I really feel 38MS? I’d not have talked about it if I couldn’t really feel the distinction, that’s for positive.

“Actually Mark, who provides a superb scorching sh!t about all of this anyway? I simply care that it really works.” Yep, I get that, however I’m a man who likes to understand how sh!t works and I’m the one penning this evaluation. I usually marvel at nice design and engineering and ignore those that do a sh!t job. I clarify why I’ll purchase, belief in, and put on Helite vests in my Conclusion part.

Updating the ET2’s Algorithms

Helite’s e-Turtle 2 has been promoting in Europe for a few years and the FCC only in the near past authorized the CDU’s radio frequency for the USA. As such the event and steady updating of the CDU’s algorithms have been ongoing and included into Helite’s CDUs for years. If additional updates are applied, Helite will notify prospects they usually have the chance to ship their vests during which would then be up to date. The one cost is delivery the CDU to/from Helite, no cost for the software program replace.

Storing the ET2 (or HT2)

In my earlier HT2 evaluation, one of many commenters requested if the vest could possibly be saved in panniers or different carrying strategies. I used to be not capable of illustrate how because the evaluation was already revealed so I’ll talk about this later on this article. I can present you ways the vest will be rolled up with the again protector eliminated. I’ve folded the again protector like a taco once I need to retailer it in a tail pack however doing so length-wise. My hand is proven for measurement reference on this picture. It simply suits on this tail pack I personal when it’s expanded. I can ‘virtually’ match it in there when the tail pack just isn’t expanded, however I don’t need to power the again protector into a very contorted form.

Since my evaluation of the HT2, I bought a brand new bike, a 2022 Ducati Multistrada V4S which got here with aspect panniers. I can retailer the HT2 vest into the appropriate aspect pannier, the a lot smaller one as a result of clearance wanted for the exhaust.  I positioned the ET2 into the appropriate aspect pannier while not having to take away the again protector or the necessity to contort the vest in any excessive approach. In fact, everybody’s out there storage is completely different, however I hope this helps you determine if it would slot in your baggage. And earlier than having ANY LUGGAGE. I exploit to run a sequence via the sleeves of my jacket, the chin bar of my helmet, and thru the rim of my bike to lock issues up. No not essentially the most elegant methodology, however I did this at an untold variety of World Superbike race occasions at Laguna Seca with none points. Simply including the vest could be no huge deal. I by no means use a cable, solely a sequence. I can minimize via the cable, even thick ones with aspect cutters…simply.

Conclusion

Having used an HT2 since April of 2022 and skilled it firsthand in crashes, I received’t journey with out one. In my evaluation of my Ducati Multistrada, I clarify my falls. Within the time I’ve used one I’ve not had a problem eradicating the tether after a journey, however as a substitute FORGETTING to tether myself to the bike. Having these senior moments could be eradicated with the ET2. Charging? Neglect to cost? Not going for me. I’m non secular about charging my cellphone, my transportable air compressor for the bike, and many others. I’d merely run the charging cable to the place I hold up the vest and plug it in once I return residence. The ET2 has been out there and utilized in Europe for years now, Helite had up to date the firmware to include new algorithms.

They notify sellers when new algorithms can be found so prospects can select to have their items up to date. All that’s wanted is to ship the CDU to the vendor the place you bought the vest or to Helite. No subscription charges, and no have to ship the unit in if it will get inflated. Certain in the event you crash arduous sufficient the place the material is compromised, ship it in. The E-Vest Alternative Canister is dearer than the canister alternative for the HT2, however even at $85.00 to me, that’s a discount since changing one doesn’t imply sending the vest in, merely screwing out the outdated and changing it with the brand new one.

I could purchase two, one tethered, and one digital. When my gf rides with me, I need her to put on a Helite. And if by likelihood I overlook to cost the ET2 (unlikely however attainable), then I’ve the tethered one to journey with. Costly? In comparison with what?! Damaged ribs? Damaged neck or clavicle? Ruptured vertebrae? Lacking work? Relying on another person to maintain me as a result of I selected to not put on one thing!? No effing approach, I’m old-fashioned. I’m going again to one in every of my favourite sayings, “Simply assume how completely satisfied you’d be…” Reference my piece, “Why I Put on Security Gear” and also you’ll perceive or not. To every their very own. I’m simply rattling completely satisfied somebody developed this unbelievable piece of package, in the identical approach, I’m completely satisfied that Bell developed the Star full-face helmet again in 1968 and the off-road full-face in 1971. Yeah, some bitched about these too once they had been launched. Some nonetheless do….it’s referred to as Pure Choice.

Specs

• Producer: Helite
• Value: (When Examined) $679-$799
• Colours: Black, Hello-Viz Yellow
• Sizes: Grownup X-Small, Grownup Small, Grownup Medium, Grownup Massive, Grownup XL, Grownup Massive+, Grownup XL+ 
• Assessment Interval: January 2023

Necessary Hyperlinks / The place to Purchase