The real game changer is the new Polaris Ride
Command system. The first of its kind in a SXS,
the touch screen system brings state-of-the-art
automotive telematics to the off-road world.
And it works…shockingly well we might add.
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| The
7" Polaris Ride Command screen is
center mounted and easily accessbile by
the driver or passenger with 5 large buttons
below the screen to quickly navigate the
various features |
“I’m not afraid of technology, but it can be
a hindrance, especially if it’s too complicated,”
said Bulloch. “That is not the case with Ride
Command. After spending just a few hours with
it, I was comfortable with it. During the photo
shoot, I found myself tinkering with the Ride
Control more than I focusing on the photos.”
The big seven-inch touch screen even works
with gloved hands, and offers more functionality
than we’ve seen before. The user interface is
very clean. It works with any riding glove.
There are five buttons on the bottom of the
screen that allow you to quickly navigate through
the screens without using the touch screen.
The display was amazingly bright and worked
perfectly even on the sunny day when we tested
it.
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| The
Ride Command screen has a built in AM/FM
radio tuner & you can also pair it
with your phone via bluetooth to play
music |
We love music when we’re trailing it and the
included door speakers sounded great. Though
we’d like to have them add the option of satellite
radio, the AM/FM radio is great if you have
signal or you can link it through Bluetooth
to your smart phone and play your entire music
library.
| |
| The
2017 Polaris RZR XP 1000 SE comes with
doors, which have built in 300 watt 6.5"
speakers |
“I was amazed at how well the touch screen
worked, even with gloves on and the radio system
in the helmets was quite impressive,” said Bulloch.
“You could easily carry on a conversation and
listen to music while riding down the trail.
The speakers sounded great. I definitely found
it had a good sound and it was never distorted.
I’ve had a lot of poly boxes made for SXS applications
and once you get the volume you need to hear
the music while riding, the speakers break up.
These speakers have a crisp, clean sound. It
looks like they will also handle the weather
very well.”
Anyone who has been trail riding in a group
understands about eating dust from the machine
in front of you. Ride Command has you covered.
You can easily input other Ride Command-equipped
machines and follow each other on the screen,
even when you’re out of visual. This allows
you to spread out without getting separated
or lost. If someone stops moving, the icon on
the screen changes from a circle to a square,
allowing you to know if someone might have an
issue. You can also map your route in advance,
input waypoints into the system, leave at different
times and meet up at a designated location.
| |
| The
Polaris RZR XP 1000 SE map system allows
you to track/locate your friends while
on the ride, which a great feature to
keeping up with everyone in the group |
In addition, other machines equipped with the
system will show up on your screen. So, for
example, if you’re at large riding area like
Glamis, you can spot groups on your screen and
avoid traffic jams or worse, a collision. Traffic
jams in an off-road park? Yes. They happen and
they are no bueno.
The only downside is everyone has to have cell
phone service. It also features GPS tracking
for your own machine so you’ll always know where
you are at any given time.
“That system is a great concept,” explained
Bulloch. “The thing I didn’t like is that it
only works when you have cell phone coverage.
I think it’s a great start and I’m sure they’ll
come out with more improvements over time so
it will work anywhere.”
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| The
Polaris RZR XP 1000 SE has built in cameras
up front and in the rear of the machine |
Along with factory wired cameras, Ride Command
also accepts a range of third-party apps, including
the GoPro app. We had our GoPro 4 Black on board
and we easily connected to it wirelessly. We
shot video and photos and the system was super
intuitive and easy to use. The GoPro 4 Black
allowed us to wirelessly download streaming
video to our smart phone and post it to social
media in a snap. The 4K video resolution was
a welcome upgrade for the extra $100.
“Just to see the new capabilities of the new
GoPros really opened my eyes,” said Bulloch.
“I know I’ll use it in the off-roading and racing
that I do. It was easy to operate.”
| |
| The
Polaris RZR XP 1000 SE Rear Camera |
Did we mention that the wired rear facing camera
displays on the screen when you put the RZR
in reverse? “The backup camera is pretty impressive,”
said Bulloch. “It works the same as my truck
at home. It’s seamless, really. If you’re familiar
with the system in your car, you’ll be comfortable
with it right away. That’s why it was so easy
for me to catch on.”
| |
| The
Polaris RZR XP 1000 SE has proven to us
that it is well worth the extra $2,000
with all the extra features including
Ride Command |
Ride Command is also available for sale as
a standalone system that you can install in
your RZR, but at $6,000, it’s a bit steep. Instead,
you’d be much better off to trade up to the
new RZR and shell out just $2,000 more for the
Ride Command option.
