FOX V3 with MVRS & MIPS

Price: $789.99

Distributed by: Level Ltd

 

 

With the introduction of the new FOX V3 MVRS, we saw the demise of the Fox V4 helmet that had been the top-of-the-line head-wear from Fox for a few years now. Why they didn’t upgrade the V4 and keep it as their flagship is unclear – maybe 4 models of helmet are too many?  Whatever the reason, the upgraded V3 is sexy stuff, and DRD received its Matte Black version at the beginning of the year. We’ve put it through the wringer on more than one occasion. So, what’s so fancy about the new V3 MVRS and what do we think about it?

 

The Marketing Jargon

The hero of the new V3 is no doubt the magnetic visor, with the ‘NO MORE SCREWIN’ AROUND’ tag line, indicative of the missing screws that hold every other visor in place. For 2018, the Fox V3 helmet introduced the ‘next level’ of rider technology, Fox’s exclusive Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS). This patent-pending feature removes the three visor screws, replacing them with magnets to allow the visor to release from the helmet in the event of a crash, while also securely staying in place when needed to protect from roost and aiding in clear vision.

Four specific shell sizes accommodate four different EPS dimensions too, the V3 said to now be the most accurate-fitting helmet Fox has ever created. Also on the V3 is the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, or MIPS, as it is widely known. This technology reduces the rotational violence otherwise transmitted to the brain during a crash.

The helmet is lighter than previous V3 models, has some serious venting, with 14 intake and 4 exhaust ports, and the certification exceeds ECE22.05 and DOT requirements.

 

 

Real World Use

When I first unpacked the new Fox V3 MVRS with MIPS, apart from having to remember what all the acronyms mean, I was pretty happy with the look. The sharp lines and matte colour is really intimidating. The helmet just looks fast from the get-go and ticked all the boxes during the eye test.

I have always run the Large size helmets from Fox over the years – however, this large size V3 was a little more snug than they used to be. I would like to try on an XL to see if that was better fitting. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but I would recommend trying one on for size first before buying a Large just because you’ve always been a Large.

Though, after a while, I didn’t really notice the helmet was too tight, and after a few more uses now I’m used to the feeling of the snug fit.

The view from inside is unrestricted and I have found all the goggles I’ve tried, fit well inside. ProGrip, 100%, Fox Vue, EKS-Brand and Oakley fit well, as do the larger frame brands, like the Dragon NFX and Scott Prospect. They all felt comfortable and have good face sealing.

There are no pressure points in the shell that irritated my head in any way, and the chin bar and cowlings sit nicely away from my face and nose. The goggle strap has a nice place to sit and it is very secure.

The MVRS magnetic visor is magic for cleaning the helmet, as you don’t have to worry about losing the screws at all, which is handy. It is also tougher than you expect to pull off and has not come off during a crash – of which I’ve had two, purely in the interest of research – while wearing this helmet. Nothing big, just a tip over and a face plant, but on both occasions, the visor has stayed in place.

One issue I did find with the MVRS system was that the peak now has small bracing points which flow down the front under the peak to help stop it from flapping around. This stops you putting your goggles on backwards and running the strap just under the visor, as you might want to do on occasion. I found, while groveling through Maramarua forest and wanting to flip my goggles round as they were starting to fog up, the design wouldn’t allow this.

Other than that, I can’t really fault the new Fox V3. While we’ve seen Ken Roczen knock his off a few times, we found the new MVRS system seems to work fine and stayed in place during our testing, and the MIPS gives that added peace of mind that can, well, help save your mind.

 

/by
,

FIGHTING FITBIT

With winter nearly here, it’s hard to resist the urge to go into a sort-of winter hibernation here at DRD HQ. After all, we tend to spend a lot more time putting the mag together than we actually put in out in the dirt than we’d like.

 

 

 

 

Price: $369.95

Check it: www.fitbit.com/nz

Test: Mat and Paul

Rating: Phat!

 

With that in mind, the folks at Fitbit NZ decided that we needed a little motivation to keep us fighting fit for when the weather gets warmer, the days get longer, and we naturally return to skiving off out of the office and into the hills around Paeroa on dirt bikes!

So in order to help us out, they sent us a pair of very cool Blaze Smart Fitness Watches to strap on and get moving – a Special Edition Black/Gunmetal Blaze for Paul (being the boss has its perks) and a more traditional Black/Silver for me.

 

 

Now I’ve used a Fitbit before, having started using the entry level Charge 2 earlier this year, but the Blaze is a huge step up from that unit. Not only do you get all the fitness monitoring, reminders to move, and a decent battery life of around five days between charges, but it’s also got a smart looking colour display and links up with our iPhones to display notifications (such as text messages in full, or a who’s calling) and can control our music playlists on the move.

Now as good as having a neat new watch is, we were both given one for a reason, and that is to get moving and break the winter sluggishness.  The Fitbit app, which you have to use to get the most out of your Fitbit goes into detail about your heart health, sleeping habits as well as features the useful Fitstar personal trainer programs for you to use to get in a decent workout.

 

 

Then there’s the leader board function which lets you see how you’re doing against your friends who also have a Fitbit. According to the team at Fitbit NZ, having just one person to compete against raises the number of steps (a pedometer is one of the base functions of a Fitbit) by the average user by a huge 27 per cent.

 

 

It’s been a motivator to get out and about, and while it’s not waterproof so won’t be seeing much time on the bike while its bucketing down, you can turn it off temporarily which makes sure you don’t accidentally get a boost in your daily stats from riding your bike up a mountain.

 

Racer’s perspective

Now while a couple of fat journos might not convince you that keeping your fitness up is important, former Kiwi international James Robinson just might…

 

“I use Fitbits for my own training along with my motocross coaching schools. Your heart rate is a convenient, reliable, personal indicator of the intensity of your exercise. It is important to know the intensity of exercise so you can vary it depending on your fitness level so you don’t under train or burn yourself out. Riders I have been working with now realise how important it is to know what their heart is doing, whether it is during off bike training (running/cycling), riding or resting.”

 

 

“There are riders out there who train too hard and end up burning themselves out leading up to a major event, or on the other hand, there are riders that think they have put in all the hard work without knowing how hard they really have been pushing their heart/body. They then find that their fitness is not where it should be.”

 

UPDATE – March 24th 2018:  Sadly the BLAZE is no longer on the roster for Fitbit. Their new smart/sport watch options are the Iconic and the very new Versa. Click HERE here for more details and specs on the Fitbit range.

 

/by
,

2018 DRAGON MXV GOGGLES

Dragon’s latest series of hot goggles have landed at DRD HQ.
We roll through some of the features of the range and check them out nice and up close!

Like what you see? Check them out online or at your local dealer.

/by