I’m amazed and impressed by all the new electronic gadgets for motorcycle riders that are appearing lately with greater regularity. If you think that the helmet systems you’ve seen over the past decade are the pinnacle of modern gadgetry, you would be wrong.
Units from Cardo, Sena, and others that offer music, FM radio, telephone, and intercom functionality through the helmet speakers have been around for more than 10 years. The latest trend adds an optical component to the mix.
Last year, I reviewed the Tilsberk Head-Up Display (HUD), which I like. It added a visual display within the helmet via an app, and works with your existing Bluetooth (BT) communicator.
Enter Eyelights, a unit from our French brethren that offers the latest head-up technology, though without intercom services. The Eyelights EyeRide Head Up Display + Bluetooth Remote runs Apple CarPlay or Android Auto through its included eyepiece, speakers, and main unit. Eyelights started as an idea in 2015. It was developed and shown at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Now, it is installed in my Schuberth S2 helmet.
I used an Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max for the test; installation was straightforward and accomplished in about 30 minutes.
The main unit attaches to the helmet with a glue strip, and is oddly installed on the right side of the helmet. Apart from using this unit to turn the Eyelights on and off and charging it with a USB-C cable, I was not concerned that it was mounted on the “wrong side” of the helmet.
Regarding charging, it’s worth noting that the USB-C port does not have weather sealing and Eyelights does not make a waterproof claim for the EyeRide. Also, Eyelights recommends using a standard smartphone charger for a longer battery life—fast charging will degrade the battery.
Once turned on, all control is relegated to either the Captain Rider app on my iPhone, or the smart controller—a 1.5-inch-diameter and three-quarters-of-an-inch thick puck designed to be mounted with double-sided tape onto anywhere on your bike within reach and view.
Next, I routed the speaker cables and speakers to the appropriate locations. The speakers and mic are on one cable and plugged into the main unit with a 3.5mm stereo jack. The speakers are contained in pockets that are a bit larger than the speakers themselves and overlap the helmet’s speaker recesses but fit, nevertheless.
The 35mm-diameter speakers look generic and inexpensive, and are enclosed in a mesh pocket for attachment. The microphone is a boom-type designed for modular helmets; there is no button-mic option. However, I had no trouble mounting it to jut out from the cheek pad on my full-face helmet. This installation is much akin to that of a conventional intercom device.
Lastly, I mounted the HUD eyepiece off to the extreme right side of the helmet with the included L-shaped mounting bracket. The mount inserts between the liner and the dropdown sunshade, and does not interfere with that sunshade’s deployment.
A sticky glue strip on the vertical portion of the eyepiece enables mounting, but it is a bit weak. I added a bit more double-sided tape to the horizontal portion of the bracket to increase rigidity. Another option would be to use Sugru moldable glue, which is not supplied.
The exact mounting spot is not terribly important, as the display module is attached to the end of an articulating arm. This allows you to position the display exactly where you want it.
When properly adjusted, I can see the road ahead plainly, and a slight upward glance allows me to see the display clearly, even without my reading glasses on. It works with reading glasses on, as well. It’s good stuff.
I charged the Eyelights EyeRide Head Up Display and put it through its paces.
Upon powering up, a ring of light outlines the main unit, and I can change colors with the app. The initial pairing to my iPhone was instant. I then paired the smart controller, which was equally effortless.
The view through the eyepiece show just what you might see using Apple Carplay in your car or elsewhere. You may use the app or smart controller to navigate through your apps. I made several phone calls and heard my opposite clearly. I used Google Maps, and the instructions were easily understood. The display is fully readable on the 5/8-inch-by-7/16-inch display module.
I played music, and that was good. Although the speakers are not the best I’ve ever heard, they’re loud enough. Certainly, the sound quality isn’t up to what you get from the larger-diameter Harmon Kardon speakers from Sena and JBLs from Cardo. Also, you have to provide the music, as there is no FM radio in the Eyelights EyeRide unit.
If you are familiar with Apple CarPlay, there is little more to explain. It looks exactly as it does in your automobile. All the phone apps approved for CarPlay are shown on the screen. Navigation is effortless after a few minutes of acclimation.
The Eyelights EyeRide Head Up Display + Bluetooth Remote is a valuable piece of kit that makes trips more fun and exciting. At $538 MSRP, it offers a functional glimpse into the future of helmet and navigation tech.
