509 Delta Commander Helmet Owner Manual

Basic Operating Instructions

All helmets bearing official safety approvals offer reasonable protection to the consumer. Helmets reduce risks of serious head injuries but do not eliminate them! [No helmet guarantees complete safety and protect the wearer from all possible impacts. So ride safely.]

WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

The helmet must fit tight and snug like a tennis headband. If the helmet can dance or rotate excessively on your head, then it is too large. If your head presses directly on the harder EPS, the helmet is most likely too small for you and will give you headaches. Choose the smallest size possible without contact with the EPS or experiencing pain after wearing it for a few minutes. The retention strap is a safety device used to prevent the helmet from being ejected in a sudden acceleration or deceleration. It is imperative to use it. When you wear a full-face helmet you are partially isolated from the environment around you. Traffic sounds, especially at high speed, become reduced. Be aware and adjust to road conditions.

Tinted or colored shields are available but should never be used at night or in low light conditions.

Always inspect your helmet and shield before each and every use. You must discard and replace a helmet involved in an accident even if no visual damage can be detected.

Helmets are very sensitive to some common chemicals, solvents and cleaners. They can weaken the helmet and its ability to absorb impact energy. Avoid exposure at all cost. Never expose your helmet to direct heat.

Please read the rest of the information guide to learn more about your helmet and how to maintain it.

General Information

Helmet Crash Course: How Do They Work?

The helmet protection is provided by the white substance called expanded polystyrene (EPS) commonly referred to as "Styrofoam." The EPS is made out of thousands of tiny air cells. These cells compress and explode one by one when submitted to pressure. This is what stops you from 15 km/h to 0 km/h within the very short distance of about 25mm. It acts as a last resort cushion between your head and an obstacle.

The outer shell is manufactured out of a harder material (generally ABS, polycarbonate or a fiber/resin composite**) designed to spread an impact load and make more EPS air cells work for you. Better and stronger materials can be used to make thinner and lighter shells but provide a similar overall protection. The shell's smooth round shape will help deflect impact and extend the deceleration distance and reduce the risk of neck injuries. (A human neck cannot sustain a direct high-speed impact, so you must rely on some degree of deflection.) Fiber/resin composites are made of glass fibers (fiberglass), aramid fibers (Kevlar®), carbon fibers or a mix of the above; bonded together by plastic resin.

The comfort liner is made out of soft foam and fabric. It fills the gap between your head and the harder and less comfortable EPS. It keeps the helmet in position on your head and reduces wind noise but offers protection.

Helmet Approval

Safety approvals require elaborate tests involving: Impact absorption at various angles and load conditions, penetration, retention, high and low temperature tests along with shield shatter resistance tests.

Most countries have strict safety standards that set a minimum impact performance to be approved for motorcycle use. A helmet design has to meet these standards regardless of the materials used in its manufacturing. Regular mandatory testing ensures the helmet will meet the standard in subsequent production runs.

All helmets bearing official safety approvals offer a reasonable protection to the consumer. Helmets reduce the risk of serious head injuries but do not eliminate them. [No helmet can guarantee complete safety and protect the wearer from all possible impacts. So ride safely.]

Proper Fit

WARNING: Never buy a used helmet or borrow someone else's helmet. Over time the protective foam in helmets will adjust to the contours of a user's head. A used or borrowed helmet may not offer as much protection as a new helmet.

WARNING: Wearing the wrong size helmet can increase your risk of serious injury or death in an accident. A helmet that is too large for your head may be dislodged or knocked off in an accident.

The helmet must fit tight and snug like a tennis headband. If the helmet can dance or rotate excessively on your head, then it is too large. If your head presses directly on the harder EPS, the helmet is most likely too small for you and will give you headaches. Choose the smallest size possible without contact with the EPS. Try your helmet without fastening the safety retention strap to test the fit and comfort. The comfort liner adapts to your head shape with time. Do not lend your helmet to another rider. This will alter the shape and widen the interior in the wrong places.

If helmet comes off, try another size or another model.

Always make sure you can see well enough to safely operate your vehicle.

The Fidlock® Magnetic Chin Strap Buckle is a safety device used to prevent the helmet from being ejected in a sudden acceleration or deceleration. The safety retention strap should be finger loose and not be too tight. Keep it snug enough to keep the helmet from shifting whenever you ride. External pieces such as vents, side plates and shield are designed to break away or dislocate if excessive force is applied so they do not hook an obstacle or interfere in a case of a slide.

Maintenance & Proper Helmet Handling

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious injury or death and to help prevent damage to your helmet:

• Never place your helmet where it could easily roll off or fall and impact the ground causing damage to the helmet. It is best to place your helmet on the ground so it cannot fall in any direction.
• Never drop your helmet - Dropping your helmet may crack the shell or damage the protective foam. The damage may not be visible. Your helmet is only designed for ONE impact.
• Never use insect repellent on or around your helmet - Insect repellent may damage your helmet's visor, shell, protective foam, or other components.
• Never expose helmet to gasoline or gasoline fumes - Gasoline may damage your helmet's visor, shell, protective foam, or other components. Other substances may damage your helmet, see proper care section.
• Always store your helmet in a helmet bag when not in use to help reduce accidental surface damage.

Proper Usage

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious injury or death and to help prevent damage to your helmet:

• Never ride with a visor that does not allow you to see clearly. Scratches, deterioration, fogging can impair your vision. Some tinted visors might not be safe in night riding.
• Never adjust your helmet accessories while riding. Only make helmet adjustments when stopped.
• Always wear eye protection. If you are not using a helmet with a visor, always wear eye protection when riding. Always lock your visor in place when you are riding. Internal sunvisor is not considered as a faceshield.
• Never wear a dark or tinted main visor in dark or poor visibility riding conditions. This is not only unsafe, but also illegal in most states. Never wear a sunvisor that has become scratched, or ride with a main visor that is fogged by condensation.
• Always be alert for sounds. Your helmet may impair your hearing. However, your helmet is not a form of hearing protection.
• Always wear appropriate protection against frostbite. Frostbite can happen when using your helmet in cold weather. Protection may include a balaclava, neck tube, facemask or combination of these items.

Proper Care & Helmet Care

WARNING: Never use petroleum base chemicals, solvents, gasoline, cleaning agents or adhesives to clean the shell, liners or visors of your helmet. Your shell, liner and visors may be seriously damaged by the use of such products.

Always store your helmet in a cool, dry and dark place. Never leave it in your car on a hot sunny day. Heat, Sunlight and solvent vapors will progressively deteriorate some of the helmet's components with time. Proper maintenance of your helmet will result in longer wear. Always clean your helmet carefully. Never use harsh substances such as glass cleaner or strong solvents as these can seriously damage the painted surfaces and weaken its ability to protect. The recommended way to clean the helmet is to use mild soap in warm water and a soft cloth. Dampen the cloth and gently wipe the outer surface. Rinse with wet cloth and allow drying at room temperature. Never expose your helmet to direct heat such as a blow dryer. The paint finish on the helmet is fairly resistant but can scratch, chip or crack when dropped or knocked against something hard. Proper treatment will ensure a remarkable shine for years. Automotive paste or cream type wax can be used on painted surfaces only, to enhance their shine.

Removable Washable Liners (when applicable)

Some helmets are equipped with a removable comfort liner to allow periodical washing. A plastic rim band inserted between the shell and the EPS holds the liner in place assisted by some Velcro®. When servicing the comfort liner, take note of the parts position so you can reassemble them afterwards. Pull the liner out gently. Wash by hand or use the machine on delicate cycle. Rinse and hang to dry at room temperature.

Shield (when applicable)

Some helmets are equipped with a clear shield to protect the eyes against excessive wind, bugs or flying debris. Occasionally, electric, optional tinted or colored shields are available. But never should be used in low light conditions. The shield is made of an impact resistant material that can be fairly easy to scratch. Treat your shield as if it was a pair of prescription glasses. Too many hairline scratches can blind you when you encounter another vehicle at night. Change your shield when this occurs.

Delta R3 2.0 shields come with a special scratch and fog resistant coating. This coating may lose its effectiveness after approximately two years, therefore we recommend you replace your main visor with a new genuine one at least every two years. Only clean the shield with warm mild soapy water and a soft rag. Paper towels may scratch.

Always inspect your helmet and shield before each and every use. For full face helmets: look for loose pivot screws, as losing a shield at high speeds can be a startling experience. It is recommended to apply (with your fingers and not by spray) silicone lubricant on the shield's ratchet system and the rubber edge trim around the view port to ensure smooth operation when opening and closing the shield.

Helmet Inspection

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious injury or death, always inspect your helmet correctly.

• Check the visor and shield ratchet mechanism. Retighten if necessary. Be sure not to over-tighten any screws. Base plate screws can break and visor screws can strip screw sleeves if over-tightened.
• Check for helmet damage. If your helmet is damaged or cracked, stop using it immediately and replace it.
• Check for worn parts. Plastic components may wear out over time. If you find worn or damaged parts, replace them or purchase a new helmet. See "Replacement Parts" for information on parts replacement.

Helmet Replacement

WARNING: Immediately replace your helmet if:

• It has suffered an impact. Your helmet is only designed for ONE impact. An impact may fracture the outer shell or compress the impact absorbing liner. You may not be able to detect this damage visually. Any impact in a crash or a drop from as low as 1.2 m (4 feet) is enough to damage your helmet.
• The shell, lining, or chin strap is damaged. The helmet shell, the impact absorbing lining, and the chin strap must be in good condition to provide you with the most protection.

Even if your helmet has not been damaged, it should be replaced every 3 to 5 years depending on how much you use it. Overtime, UV rays and adhesive and component aging will damage your helmet. Wearing a damaged helmet may increase your risk of serious injury or death in an accident.

Helmet Disposal

WARNING: If you buy a new helmet, destroy the old one to ensure it cannot be reused. Do not sell or give away your old helmet, even if it has not been damaged. Over time the protective foam in the helmet will adjust to the contours of your head. If someone else uses this helmet it will not provide them with as much protection.

Additional Information

It is recommended to change your helmet after 5-6 years of use. The EPS, for example, hardens naturally and loses its flexibility and ability to compress and absorb impact even though it looks perfectly fine. Keeping it as a passenger does not show much respect for that person! It is not recommended to repaint the helmet yourself. Contact your dealer if you desire to do so. Some parts of the helmet are extremely sensitive to paint fumes and vapors. Those chemically altered parts can become brittle and completely inadequate for protection.

Motorcycle fuel tanks have a vapor vent in the refill cap. Do not leave your helmet sitting over the cap. Fuel vapors can damage some of the helmet components. Most vents have slim openings or are fitted with a mesh screen to prevent larger bugs from entering and be trapped inside the helmet, thus dangerously distracting the rider.

Helmets attenuate some sound frequencies but do not drastically reduce riding noise levels that can easily surpass 100 decibels. Some riders choose to wear earplugs to protect their hearing, knowing the tradeoff to traffic awareness.

Helmet Modification

WARNING: Never modify your helmet. It may reduce your helmet's ability to protect you and increase your risk of serious injury or death in an accident.

Modifications include the following:

• Drilling holes
• Cutting shell, strap or shock absorbing liner
• Pressing shock absorbing liner
• Modifying the retention system, including adding a chin cup
• Removing parts
• Painting
• Using adhesives
• Installing unapproved accessories

Helmet Storage

An improperly stored helmet can become damaged and may increase your risk of serious injury or death in an accident.

• Store helmet in a cool and dry place.
• Keep helmet away from pets and other animals.
• Keep helmet away from heat in excess of 50°C (122°F) and do not set on or near hot surfaces.
• Store helmet in a helmet bag.

Securing and Wearing Your Helmet

To put the helmet on: using both hands, grab the helmet's bottom rim while holding the chin straps with your thumbs, then "roll" the helmet onto your head starting at the forehead. Continue rolling the helmet on toward the back of head until it comes to rest with your head fully in contact with the inner linings and cheek pads. Finally, securely fasten and tighten your chinstrap. It should not be possible for the helmet to be removed when pulled upward from the rear when chinstrap is fastened. Check your chinstrap for tightness occasionally as vibration or wind may loosen it.

Chin Strap Attachment: Fidlock® Magnetic Chin Strap Buckle [easy one-hand opening]

Delta V Power Connection

1. Locate the female 12v DC port on the back side of the helmet's control unit on the rider's left side. Female 12v DC port shown in RED.
2. With the power cable already connected into the machine's power source or external 12v power pack, take the opposite end of the cable, which is the 90-degree 12v Male DC connector, and plug it into the helmet's control module.
3. Now that everything is connected, make sure the shield is properly connected to the helmet.

Delta V Shield Connection

1. To install the shield, you will have to locate the two connection points. One on the left must align with the helmet bracket. The circular connection is pressed into position to lock the shield to the helmet. Repeat on the opposite side of the shield.
2. Remove the screw on the left side of the helmet and place the magnetic connection from the shield. Once connected, securely screw the piece in place.

Cable Assembly - Machines Battery Connection

Battery Cable: To be attached onto snowmobile battery's positive (red) and negative (black) posts via the red and black end of the cable.

Coiled Cable: To be plugged into snowmobile dash auxiliary port via the male end, if applicable. If the snowmobile does not have an auxiliary port, plug into the battery cable. The battery cable should be installed with the female end accessible in the snowmobile dash area for plugging and unplugging convenience.

Helmet Cable: To be plugged into helmet via the 12v Male DC end of the cable.

Power Cable - Machines 12v SAE Connection: Sleds that have a battery will normally have a 12v SAE 2 pin connector, which the coiled cable will connect to. Sleds that do not have a battery can normally find the power connection behind the dash or in the glove box. Read the machine's owner manual to better understand its cable locations.

Diagram Description: Shows a snowmobile dash area with connections for the helmet heated face shield port, battery cable, coiled cable, and helmet cable. Also shows a 12v SAE 2 pin connector.

Winter Helmets (Snowmobile and All-Terrain Vehicles "ATV")

Some helmets are adapted to cold weather use with the addition of frost resistant thermal shields and breath deflectors that drive the moisture saturated air away from the shield's cold surface for better visibility in winter. Ventilation of the front compartment is also increased.

WARNING: Thermal shields are not tested or approved for motorcycle use. They are not designed to be as resistant to high speed flying debris as are thicker single lens shields.

Optimal electric shields are equipped with a heating element on one of the lenses of the thermal shield to prevent eventual fog from freezing on the shield. Fogging is also reduced to a certain extent.

Electronic Features: Button Layout and Voice Commands

The Delta Commander helmet features integrated electronic controls and voice command capabilities.

Button Layout

Voice Commands

Activate voice commands by saying "Hey Commander".

Notes on Tail Light:

Note #1: The tail light should be "ON" the first time the helmet is powered on by the user. If the user turns off the tail light, it should automatically turn back "ON" after a system power cycle (turning the helmet off and on again / performing a hardware restart) or after a reset to factory settings.

Product Information

This product is made by 509 Inc. Manufactured by one of the largest safety helmet manufacturers in the world. Accredited by every major safety organization in the world as well as being ISO 9001.

Did you enjoy your little crash course? You know a lot more about your new acquisition now and we hope you purchased the right helmet for your head. We thank you for choosing 509 Inc.

Compliance Information

FCC Compliance: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

RF Exposure Information: This product complies with FCC RF Exposure requirements. FCC ID: 2BAGI-COMMANDER.

Canada Compliance (IC): This device contains licence-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's licence-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference. (2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

RF Exposure Information (IC): This EUT is compliance with SAR for general population/uncontrolled exposure limits in IC RSS-102. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 0 mm between the radiator and your head. This device and its antenna(s) must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.