I'll be honest, although I don't think anyone could accuse me of holding my tongue, but I don't like how motorcycle communication systems look on a helmet. You have this awesome, aerodynamic helm that's got dope graphics, great features, and cuts through the wind perfectly and then you go and add some ungainly thing onto the side of it.
You might as well be putting a massive current-generation Formula 1 spoiler onto a Ferrari Dino. It looks wrong and stupid, and I hate it. It's why I haven't installed anything onto my helmets, even though I have a PackTalk I absolutely could.
My daughter's helmet, however, is another story.
So color my interest piqued when I saw Schuberth's integrated system the helmet brand has developed with our friends at Cardo on the new SC Edge system. Lo and behold, there's nothing sticking out the side and everything you'd want or need is actually built into the helmet! Finally, something that doesn't make you look like an absolute knob and doesn't kill the great looks of your helmet.
But how did the two brands do that? Let's dive in.
The new system called SC Edge is designed to work with Schuberth's C5 Carbon, E2 Carbon, C5, S3 and the all-new J2 helmets, and allows the rider to slap in the new comms system so as to fully integrate it into the helmet. Obviously, there's still a small protrusion, but it's less of a brick stapled or duct-taped to your helmet than other Cardo or Sena applications.
I mean, just look at the pictures in this article.
The system builds on the Edge platform, which gives riders access to the brand's second-generation Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) system, Bluetooth 5.2, Natural Voice Operation, and offers up a range of up to 1.6km (that's a mile in American). Likewise, it's IPX5 weather-proof, which means you can ride through a rainstorm no problem, though we'd hazard against throwing it into a river.
Likewise, like other Cardos, the new SC Edge will allow you to talk to other non-Cardo comms systems. So if your riding budding is running Sena or some other brand, they'll still be able to joke with you through your helmet. Maybe that's not a plus?
Speaking ahead of the launch, Matteo Schieppati Head of Business Unit Motorcycle at Schuberth, stated: "We are happy to restart our cooperation with Cardo adding the brand-new SC Edge to our communication system range. The new SC Edge features the latest technologies available on Cardo’s communication systems combined with a plug-and-play integration on our helmets which offers to our customers an authentic premium experience."
As for pricing, that hasn't been disclosed as of yet. But the SC Edge will be launching this spring, which is right around the corner, so we'll know more soon. If we're playing with our crystal ball, however, I wouldn't be surprised to see a $450 to $500 price tag on the unit when it finally hits the shelves.
But whatcha all think? Any Schuberth riders out there who desperately want to ditch their Senas for these new SC Edges? Let us know in the comments below!
