Dust, sand and heat can make wearing a full-face helmet uncomfortable during a long day in a UTV. In 2015, Rugged Radios offered two products designed to improve that experience: the Sand Skirt helmet accessory and the high-output MAC4.1 helmet ventilation system.
Rugged Radios Sand Skirt
The Rugged Radios Sand Skirt attached around the lower edge of a full-face helmet to help limit the amount of sand and dirt entering from below. An adhesive-backed hook-and-loop strip allowed the skirt to be installed or removed as riding conditions changed.
The simple design was particularly useful in dunes, desert terrain and dusty group rides. By closing part of the opening beneath the helmet, the skirt provided another barrier against roost and fine airborne dust.
MAC4.1 Helmet Ventilation System
For riders who needed powered airflow, the Rugged Radios MAC4.1 supplied filtered outside air directly to a compatible helmet. Rugged Radios claimed the system delivered 235 cubic feet per minute of airflow while drawing a maximum of 4.3 amps.
The MAC4.1 housing was machined from a solid block of billet aluminum for durability in demanding off-road environments. It was designed to operate continuously while providing a steady supply of air to help cool the rider and create positive pressure inside the helmet.
That positive pressure can help reduce the amount of dust entering around the shield, eye port and other helmet openings. It also allows the rider to keep the shield closed more comfortably when following another UTV through dust or silt.
AIRAID Filtration
The MAC4.1 used an AIRAID multilayer filter to clean incoming air before it reached the helmet. A removable pre-filter provided additional protection against fine dust and silt while helping prevent the primary filter from becoming clogged during extended rides or desert races.
The Current Rugged Radios MAC Air System
The billet-aluminum MAC4.1 has since been replaced by newer helmet-air technology. Rugged Radios’ current helmet air pumper systems use updated housings, filtration, speed controls and hose connections for recreational UTVs and race vehicles.
Riders interested in the earlier development of the MAC lineup can also read about the original Rugged Radios MAC1 helmet air pumper.
Editor’s note: This article covers Rugged Radios products offered in 2015. The Sand Skirt and MAC4.1 are legacy products, and specifications or availability may have changed.
