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review

Proviz Saturn helmet

8
£45.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Versatile, highly visible, helmet with thoughtful detailing
Weight: 
318g
Contact: 
www.todayscyclist.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Pro Viz’s Saturn is a unique helmet with some really neat touches and a refreshingly competitive price tag.

The peak and adjustable head ring feature genuinely effective LEDs that pack a mighty punch relative to their size, making the Saturn an obvious choice for commuting and winter training, but it’s sufficiently versatile for mountain biking, rough stuff and more generic touring duties too. Dyed in the wool roadies will be delighted to know the peak can be detached and doing so doesn’t detract from the sharp styling. Performance seems broadly comparable with £90 race lids thanks to ample ventilation and moderate weight, although insect netting would make an extremely comprehensive package better still.

Conforming to CE1078, in-mould construction is what you’d expect at this end of the market – meaning that the foam liner is simultaneously blown inside the exterior hard shell as it forms, allowing greater ventilation for the same, or less weight without compromising strength or protection. Twenty-one well conceived vents ensure a very comfortable inner climate, although Gore Tex covers readily slip aboard should conditions dictate while removing the peak reveals a very sleek shape entertaining cotton race caps if you’d prefer. Achieving the desired fit takes seconds thanks to the universal system – it's simply a question of aligning the straps and dialling in the head ring to the desired tension.

Shielding the face from sun, wind, rain and foliage, the peak plays host to five super bright white LEDs, arguably negating the need for Scotchlite detailing. I found the flashing mode a little distracting, preferring the constant option which also makes roadside puncture repair, pannier rummages and similar antics so much easier in the dead of night. Dayglo yellow works wonders in misty, overcast autumn mornings with traffic showing more consideration when approaching/overtaking and to date we’ve managed forty-seven hours from the original batteries alternating between both modes.

Verdict

Versatile helmet with thoughtful detailing

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Proviz Saturn helmet

Size tested: Fluo yellow M

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Pro-Viz has designed the Saturn "with the commuter in mind". In practice it's a very capable lid for touring, training and even cross country mountain biking.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

•The only helmet on the market to feature LED lights integrated in to the snap on/off front visor

•Rear LED light built in to adjustable headring for extra safety and comfort

•Designed with the commuter in mind

•Manufactured only in PROVIZ yellow for added safety and visibility

•Suitable for male/female

•Designed and built to CE EN 1078 safety standard

•In-Mould manufacturing

•21 ventilation holes

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Generally to a very high standard.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
 
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
 
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
 
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Generally excellent.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Feature laden and impressive build quality relative to the asking price.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The Saturn has proved largely comparable to more expensive, race specific lids. Comfort and airflow are just right thanks to twenty-one well positioned vents, removable peak and intuitive adjustment. Night time and low light visibility is excellent, enhanced by the clever integrated LEDs, the front sufficiently powerful in steady mode for roadside puncture repair, map reading, pannier rummaging etc.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Manages to be most things to most riders while enjoying some unique touches.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing, although an insect net would've been nice.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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