Ergonomics
For the second season, Kimpex offers the improved CKX Tranz 1.5 modular helmet. I had been snowmobiling on thousands of kilometers with a CKX modular helmet and I liked it. Yet, I really enjoyed this new improved edition with even higher performance and comfort. It is easy to put it on and to tie it with its rigid strap that quickly gets into the attach device all while adjusting to the right length and position according to your size, to the thickness of your balaclava. Once put on, this helmet provides airtightness, strength, comfort and safety. The quick release mechanism is not only easy to set, but it is also easy to untie by feel when we get indoors. This is quite an improvement compared with the straps and double rings of the previous years!
This modular helmet is available with or without electric visor and in various colors and graphics in a carrying bag.
The Tranz 1.5 RSV is easy to open even with gloves on, thanks to the push button located on the chinguard section. It often happens on trail, more often at trail crossings when our companions want to chat or to confirm the right direction to take. The visor is wide, which provides a good peripheral view. No need to make wide head moves to see sideways or backwards. The angle of vision is very wide. Also, opening or closing only the visor is easily done with the palm of our hand and mittens on. It is as much easy to lift and then to close all the facial part with the button on the chinguard, and you hear the clicking that confirms its full closing. It is this friendliness that makes the modular helmets so popular among snowmobilers. So, the CKX Tranz 1.5 RSV helmet is the best choice because it is easy to put on, to open and to close it and because it is quick and easy to operate. Its ergonomics are a great success because it suits perfectly to the needs, comfort and safety of snowmobilers.
The electric visor lifted and the retractable inner amber sun visor. The Tranz is equipped with a quick release mechanism and with many adjustable air vents.
Performance in cold weather
With its record of warm temperatures, the 2015-16 season has not been the best one to test this CKX Tranz 1.5. So, we tested it in one of the coldest region of the Province of Québec, in the James Bay area. Including wind factor, temperature reached -46 °C and we had to travel in snow flurries and snow drifts. I can assure you that I did not use the electric visor once. The Tranz is tight and properly balanced to evacuate moisture. Effectively, the electric wire stayed in my pocket all 1 500 km long. The CKX Tranz is well insulated, with tight joints and the air vent adjustments prevent the inner lens from fogging up. All the moist breath remains in the new breath deflector made of very supple rubber, which protects the lens and provides a clear vision without any fog. This breath deflector easily suits to the nose and cheeks contours and evacuates humidity downwards.
Many snowmobilers think that the electric visor is much less necessary. At the same time, we do not have to think about the wire anymore each time we stop for a while. This is an advantage for distracted snowmobilers!
The full-lifted front part shows the inner removable liner and the cheek pads that add protection against cold, provide stability and optimal protection. We can also see the front air vent on the chinguard and the push button for a quick opening.
On the left side of the Tranz 1.5 RSV, we see the outlet for the electric visor wire, just above the pivot axis. The sliding button that operates the inner lens is located in the lower part, so easily reachable while riding.
Also, this new breath deflector is made of very supple rubber and does not apply any pressure on our face or nose. It is then very comfortable and adjusted to our face, which prevents any pressure or marks on our nose. The interior liners of the helmet and the cheek pads also get adjusted to the shape of our head, providing stability and optimal protection. Furthermore, the interior of the Tranz 1.5 helmet is designed to receive communication system headset if we want to talk with our riding companions on trail. However, I do not use any.
The retractable amber sun visor can easily be reached by a button located on the outside left part of the helmet; we just have to slide it, even while piloting. In some conditions, this amber lens increases the relief and then, we can see more easily the obstacles and surface changes on the trail. Also, in extreme cold and without using the electric visor, this amber lens made the helmet even more comfortable by offering better eyes protection against fresh air circulating inside the helmet to expulse humidity.
On the left side of the Tranz 1.5, the outlet for the electric visor wire is located right above the pivot axis. Also, the sliding button located above allows to easily lift or lower the amber inner lens.
The only disadvantage is that we always have to remember to lift this amber lens before lifting the facial part of the modular helmet. Since the breath deflector can keep some moisture, if we lift the facial part before the amber lens, the friction may get this one wet and leave water or ice traces on it. When we notice this, we are right on our departure with our friends and it is not a good time to clean the lens with a soft cloth. So, it is a matter of habit, just like disconnecting the visor when we stop.
The Tranz 1.5 helmet in its carrying bag for good protection and easy transportation
In the carrying bag included with the Tranz 1.5 helmet, we can store wires, cleaning cloth, tuques, caps, gloves, GPS and other small items. This small bag is also appreciated for transport in passageways of lodgings, which is an absolute advantage.
Overall, the CKX Tranz 1.5 RSV helmet is an excellent choice at a very fair price. It succeeded the test on James Bay trails that receive about 345 cm of snow every year and where extreme cold temperatures are characteristic of the Festival Folifrets Baie-James we attended without any fog in the visor.
SledMagazine.com test pilots are proud and satisfied with this new Kimpex product and recommend it to snowmobilers who refuse any compromise.
For more details, please visit the distributor’s site :
https://www.ckxgear.com/fr-ca/casques/modulaires/casque-modulaire-tranz-1-5-rsv-hiver.html
