In an interesting twist of information, we were somewhat alerted to Polaris’ innovative Ride Command months before we ever saw it in action in the RZR.
More than a year ago this past winter—January, 2016—we were interviewing one of Polaris snowmobiling bosses and asking what snowmobiling, more specifically Polaris snowmobiles, might look like in the next few years. He told us he thought the future might include something to do with engaging the rider more in the snowmobile and its technology.
In fact, his direct quote was, “And maybe some interactive experience of some sort.”
Although he may not have been specifically referring to (but he might have) what we think perfectly describes the Ride Command, after experiencing Polaris’ newest technology in the RZR XP 1000 EPS we’re willing to make that connection.
In a nutshell, the Ride Command system includes the Ride Command mobile app and a weather-resistant, glove-touch Ride Command 7-inch display. Further, the centralized display is the central hub for GPS mapping, listening to music through Bluetooth or AM/FM radio, controlling a GoPro camera (the system supports the Hero 3 and Hero 4) and to receive texts. The really nifty part of the GoPro camera feature allows you to start and stop recording, preview your shot angle from the cockpit and share your off-road experience from the display via Bluetooth smartphone connectivity.
Tracking Others
Additionally, in tandem with the Ride Command app, the display allows riders to track other riders in their group without needing to physically see them. The app also enables riders to map routes in advance as well as track and share their ride to their social feed.
That’s pretty interactive if you ask us.
There are lots of reasons to like the Ride Command as it gives information rarely available before and allows you to track your trip and your friends. No more wondering where they might be or if someone broke down. Of course, your friends’ vehicles have to have Ride Command as well but with the increasing number of Polaris vehicles available with this feature, that is more and more likely. Even without that one feature, there is still plenty Ride Command offers.
And the fact that Ride Command uses integrated GPS (built into the vehicle) means you’re not limited in coverage like you would be if you were relying to cell phone towers to provide you a signal. We ride in the mountains quite a bit and there simply isn’t cell phone coverage in some places. However, you can almost always get a GPS signal.
So what is our experience with Ride Command? Well, there certainly is a learning curve to it. Partly because of how the Polaris media event was set up (time-wise) and our limited hands-on time to familiarize ourselves with Ride Command on our initial ride, we didn’t explore all it has to offer. Let’s take that back—we did a little. We did get to see almost all the features in action but only for a few minutes each. We did listen to music, use the front and rear cameras, record a GoPro shot and track riders in our group on the 7-inch display. The front camera shuts down at 15 mph so that you can’t (or more accurately won’t) watch the screen while driving. We also received a text or more accurately, we were sent directions via text during our ride. One of our test riders said this about Ride Command, “The Ride Command information center/display is quite trick with all of its features and apps. You gotta like the operating features with the activation buttons across the bottom of the display and the glove-touch capable display screen.”
However, to say we were well versed in how to expertly use each feature would be a bit of an overstatement.
