Q: What exactly does the sensor do?
A: It monitors the acceleration level on your helmet’s outer shell, and activates (turns red) if the acceleration exceeds a predetermined level for more than a certain amount of time. This acceleration level has been calibrated with your helmet type and data from your sport. A red Shok-SpotR™ indicates a severe impact and probable helmet damage, which can be invisible.

Q: What does it take to set it off?
A: A significant fraction of the shell acceleration seen in a typical sporting accident or vehicle crash will set it off. The sensor, it’s housing, mounting system, and mounting location have all been carefully calibrated in independent laboratory tests. The tests utilize headform weights to simulate an accident. It is possible to activate the sensor when you are not wearing the helmet also. This may or may not damage the helmet, but it is abusive handling and indicates returning the helmet to its manufacturer to ensure your safety.

Q: Will the sensor work if the helmet is impacted on the sides, back, front?
A: The sensor calibrations include left rear, right rear, left front, right front, rear, and front impacts. All calibration impacts are on or above industry-standard “test lines”. These are the imaginary lines on your helmet above which the helmet must meet the impact test criteria for the standard it has been certified to (e.g. D.O.T., Snell, NOCSAE, ASTM). In other words, your helmet is not required to pass impacts tests below the test line and Shok-SpotR™ is not and cannot be calibrated there. So it is possible to damage your helmet in those areas without activating the sensor. This is one of many reasons that our instructions urge you to have the helmet inspected if it has been impacted hard or you see visual signs of damage, whether the sensor has turned red or not.

Q: Which helmets does it work with?
A: Any brand new helmet of the rigid-shell and impact-absorbing liner type that that carries one or more of the following certifications: Snell, D.O.T., ASTM, EN, NOCSAE. If you are unsure whether your helmet applies, or which version of the Shok-SpotR™ you should use, e-mail us at the tech help line on the Contacts page.

Note: Seemingly innocent events like repeated mild impacts and helmet aging can slowly degrade a helmet’s performance. A degraded helmet may affect the Shok-SpotR™ calibration. This is why we cannot guarantee your satisfaction if the sensor is installed on a used helmet.

Q: Does it tell me that my helmet is damaged?
A: No. If it turns red, it tells you that an impact has occurred that probably reduced the helmet’s effectiveness.

Q: What should I do if it is activated?
A: Return the helmet to its manufacturer for an inspection, or destroy and replace it. Remember, per the Shok-SpotR™ Mounting and Use Instructions, you should stop using the helmet whether the sensor is activated or not if you see evidence of damage, or your helmet is over 5 years old, or if it has seen a significant impact.

Q: Why is it so easy to accidentally activate before it’s installed on my helmet?
A: Because it is light and small. The product senses acceleration (or deceleration), which is a rate of change of velocity. When it is attached to a helmet, the helmet material helps spread the velocity change over a larger time period. So the sensor itself sees a lower acceleration when mounted on a helmet than when not mounted. Therefore it’s harder to set off once it’s attached to a helmet. Remember, Shok-SpotR™ is calibrated for use on a helmet, with your head in it.

Q: What if I crash right onto the sensor housing?
A: That depends on what you hit. The housing has been carefully designed to protect the sensor element against direct hits. In most direct impacts, it reacts normally. If you land directly on a sharp object such as a rock, it may destroy the sensor. In such a case the sensor will turn red, and you should replace the helmet anyway. Such a penetrating blow will almost certainly damage the helmet shell.

Q: Can I damage my helmet without activating the sensor?
A: Yes. Shok-SpotR™ is intended to help you monitor the possibility of impact damage – a type of damage that is often invisible. There are other types of damage such as chin strap tears, chemical damage, and puncture damage. With a sharp enough object, it’s possible to puncture your helmet’s shell with relatively little impact. This may or may not activate the sensor. Also, as explained in Question 3 above, damaging impacts below the helmet test line may or may not activate the sensor. So a regular visual inspection is still critical to helmet care. Shok SpotR™ should not be used to replace your helmet care routine, only to add to it.

Q: I’m very careful with my helmet and I never loan it to anyone. Besides, I’ll know if I hit my head hard in a crash. So why should I buy a helmet impact sensor?
A: That is of course a matter of personal choice. Shok-SpotR™ is intended to raise the level of awareness of one important helmet care issue (impact damage). Many users are not aware that a helmet that looks fine may be damaged. Many people do loan their helmets to friends. Parents can more easily monitor the history of their kid’s helmets with this product. Also, a high enough fall onto concrete can damage an empty helmet. Not everyone keeps track of their helmet the way they should. The rule of thumb, as labeled in every helmet by law, is: “If helmet experiences a severe blow, return it to the manufacturer for inspection, or destroy it and replace it....''
Shok SpotR™ just helps you follow this rule.