For anybody interested, AL has been developing an "Active Noise Cancelation" version of his QuietRide helmet. From his mailings:
Quiet Ride Helmet and Quiet Ride earmuff kit customer,
For the last two years I have been testing aviation quality active noise cancelling (ANC) technology installed in original passive (no electronics) Quiet Ride ear muffs that were installed in Quiet Ride Helmets.
Discovery - The original passive (no electronics) Quiet Ride ear muffs reduce sound levels by around 50% at all speeds up to 100 mph (160 kph). Aviation quality ANC technology installed in earmuffs in a Quiet Ride Helmet or installed in your personal helmet will reduce sound levels
by an additional 50% The test data in attachments to this email show if you wear a helmet with ANC earmuffs the decibel sound level will be 75% to 80% lower at ears at all speeds and for the first time will meet OSHA and the World Health Organizations (WHO) recommendations for sound levels that will not damage hearing when cruising up to 70 mph (112 kph)
I used a quality sound level meter with a remote lapel mic that I could install in an earmuff in a helmet or stick in my ear wearing a standard helmet without earmuffs to obtain accurate sound levels in a helmet.
The prototype ANC earmuffs also included a headphone sound system that is far superior to any helmet speaker sound quality installed in the side padding of a helmet.
Sound level testing demonstrated you can hear communication and music clearly with volume set a safe to hearing levels if you cruise at speeds at or below 70 mph (112 kph)
I want to produce 1000 up grade ANC earmuffs that will also have Bluetooth (BT) technology for pairing with a pillion rider, cell phone or to touch screen technology installed on motorcycles. The final design will also have a headphone sound system that produces a far superior sound quality versus any helmet speaker sold today.
I need your help by investing in at least one ANC/BT earmuff kit set through my Kickstarter program to help fund the development costs associated in manufacturing 1000 kits that are customized to fit inside most helmet models that will eliminate the noise problem once and for all that has been damaging your hearing.
View the actual sound level documentation very carefully in the word documents and PDF files attached to this email.
Saturday May 15th I will be going live on Kickstarter to obtain additional funds of $98,000 to help pay for development costs associated with producing 1000 aviation quality Quiet Ride ANC/BT noise reduction earmuff kits with headphone sound system. The price for Quiet Ride ANC/BT earmuff kits which included an upgraded air bladder pressure system to force earmuffs to seal around the ears is $695.00. If you order through the Kickstarter pre buy program the price will be $595.00 U.S. A savings of $100.00. If you pre-buy two kits the price per kit will be $570.00. If you pre-buy three kits or more the price per kit will be $545.00.
Estimate for shipping an ANC/BT earmuff kit with headphone sound system to customers is four to five months.
Customers who pre-buy Quiet Ride ANC/BT earmuff kits will receive regular updates on the progress of manufacturing the final design ANC/BT earmuff and the approximate delivery date.
Quiet Ride ANC/BT upgrade noise reduction earmuffs are designed to replace original noise reduction earmuffs and replace Quiet Ride earmuff kits installed by customers in their personal helmets.
Once again, please review the attachments below carefully. It is my belief
specific documentation of noise levels in helmets has never been posted online for your inspection in the past .
Here is a link to Quiet Ride ANC/BT earmuff kit Kickstarter website that will be available for pre-buy discounts for 30 days starting May 15th.
Quiet Ride Active Noise Cancelling earmuffs
Please forward attachments from this email to your motorcycle and snowmobile friends who would be interested in protecting their hearing. If you belong to a motorcycle forum please post the helmet sound level data chart and other information as you see fit. I am sure many other riders would be very interested in the information you post.
Enjoy reading detailed data on sound levels of many helmets you will wish were available online decades ago.
Al Halfaker
Alvin Halfaker
Quiet Ride Helmets, Inc.
20134 Bluebird Drive
Grand Rapids, Mn. 55744
Cell: 218 398 3612
quietridehelmets.com
quietridemuffs.com
Skype: al.halfaker