need input on visors

[subxero]

For those of you who have various types of visors (tinted, reflective whatever else is out there) How much does it help for dealing with the sun?

My visor is clear so it has no special characteristics but I can't stand the sun when riding and most of my riding is done on top of a plateau and mountain ridge so I catch sun at all hours of the day especially on my commute to and from work when it is just off the horizon and annoying has all hell

I need to try something, i can't take it anymore, what are some of the best options?

[jhn17843]

I have a clear and a gold reflective tint. The tinted one helps a lot with the sun, but after dark it gets very difficult to see when it is down. You already know the struggles with the clear. Shoei has a transitions shield I have been considering.

[csmith12]

Welcome John!

[InvisiBill]

I have an EXO-500 with the flip-down visor mechanism. I use a clear faceshield (actually just bought a replacement the other day), and flip the visor up and down as needed, just like putting on sunglasses when I need them.

I love it, as I can flip the visor up if I turn down a shaded road, then put it right back down when I'm back out in the sun. When it gets dark, I don't have to stop and change shields, I just flip the visor up. It does add a bit of weight and complexity to your helmet, but I think it's worth it for the convenience of being able to turn your "tinting" on and off at will.

[adouglas]

Regarding the question of how much it helps... a light smoke won't really do anything. A dark smoke is just like a pair of sunglasses. No more, no less.

Reflective and dark smoke are pretty much the same as far as how dark they are.

A lot of reflectives are brown vs. neutral gray. Personal preference. AFAIK the reflective deal is just for appearance's sake.

After carrying two shields (PITA) for a long time I finally bought a helmet with a flip-down tinted visor (Schuberth S2, currently on closeout at Revzilla for $375). Love it.

The next one might be a Shoei with a Transitions visor, though. The simplicity appeals to me.

The flip side is that AFAIK Transitions lenses have this sort of purplish hue. Not sure if I'd like that. Also not sure how dark they really get. And finally, the transition isn't instantaneous. Come out from under the trees into the bright sunshine and you'll have to wait a bit for it to darken, but the warmer it is the faster it happens.

[jhn17843]

I should add that I wear prescription glasses in my helmet and can't use a helmet with a flip down tinted visor. These visors interfere with my glasses. I agree, the gold color offers no benefit, the level of tint is the same as a dark smoke, it just looks cooler IMO

[spooph]

Cheapest option: http://www.aerostich.com/clothing/he...unblocker.html

but the drop down integrated sun shield Shoei, Icon, FJC have can't be beat! Especially great if you have prescription eye wear.

[csmith12]

Link to original page on YouTube.

[VaFish]

I used dark tinted visors for years. But the down side is carrying a spare clear visor if you get caught after dark. This time of year it's bright and sunny as I commute into the rising sun, but is dark on the way home.

I thought about the flip down dark visor helmets, but wasn't sure about fit with prescription glasses.

My solution, just wear prescription sunglasses under my clear visor on the ride into work and wear my normal glasses on the ride home.


One advantage to the tinted visor, it is cooler on the face, the clear visor is like a greenhouse in the summer time.

[Ghostt]

I myself have Fulmer helmets. I have clear, smoke/tinted, and Black/Chrome Gradient Mirror Shield, which I use during the daytime, and it's excellent.

Obviously for night time I use the clear, tinted doesn't get used that much.

SIDENOTE: the advantage of having all the same make helmets, is all the helmets use the same visor, so swapping isn't an issue., and it keeps the costs down.

[broken neck]

I have the Bell Transition Solfx Photochromic shield on my RS-1.

Love it, it gets pretty dark, so I find it very useful in sunny condition and it clears out when it gets dark, so no other shields to carry on a day long trip.

Only drawback, the photochromic seems to fade with time, I'm on my fourth season with it and it seems to turn a little purplish and doesn't get as dark as before. But to be sure I should place it side by side with a new shield.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the shield, I'll get another one, maybe next year, but I'll compare it before.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by subxero

........ I need to try something, i can't take it anymore, what are some of the best options?

I recommend polarized sunglasses or prescription glasses behind your helmet's clear visor.

Please, read this:
http://www.allaboutvision.com/sunglasses/polarized.htm

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by jhn17843

I should add that I wear prescription glasses in my helmet and can't use a helmet with a flip down tinted visor. These visors interfere with my glasses.

My cheapie Bilt modular flip-face helmet with built-in flip-down sun shade works just fine when I wear my glasses.

Try a variety of helmets: they might work with your glasses.

[cbinker]

if you know you won't be out at dark go with a mirror tint.

[subxero]

lots of good input and suggestions, ill need to weed through some of it and do a little research on some of the things I'm not overly familiar with.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by subxero

lots of good input and suggestions, ill need to weed through some of it and do a little research on some of the things I'm not overly familiar with.

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/show...49#post1062449

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Motofool

I recommend polarized sunglasses or prescription glasses behind your helmet's clear visor.

I did that for awhile. There are consequences.

The visor polarizes light too, so you get some pretty trippy visual effects. at least mine did. Really cool, actually.

For example, manhole covers (flat smooth surfaces) almost look like an oil sheen. Funky color and reflectivity shifts as your point of view changes.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by dcj13

My cheapie Bilt modular flip-face helmet with built-in flip-down sun shade works just fine when I wear my glasses.

Try a variety of helmets: they might work with your glasses.

Depends on the helmet, depends on the glasses. I've not had any issues.

[VaFish]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Depends on the helmet, depends on the glasses. I've not had any issues.

I have problems with glasses under my helmet sometimes.

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Depends on the helmet, depends on the glasses. I've not had any issues.

With your birth-control glasses? That's amazing...

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by VaFish

I have problems with glasses under my helmet sometimes.

[Urban Ninja]

Tinted visor makes a huge difference. In my opinion riding in sunny conditions without tinted eye protection is dangerous.

The only thing that sucks about tinted visors is that you have to swap it our for a clear one at night. It's a bit of a hassle but hopefully more and more helmet manufacturers will come out with transition shields. I have one on my Shoei RF-1200 and it's amazing!

[allanoue]

Skully dropped e-tint for Photochromatic

[snot]

the mirror ones I have had: one of them all the coating wore off in 2 seasons, the other was great.
I like the dark smoke the most, I carry my clear in my back pack in case I am out after dark.