Windscreen does it make much difference?

[BIRMA]

I've been looking to buy an Atom or similar car and have noticed that a few on Pistonheads have windscreens fitted.
Could someone with one tell me if it cuts out the majority of the blast at 60 mph+

[KMF]

best to ask on the Atiel Atom forum, not much Atom chat goes on arround here.
the "Gun Sight" wind deflectors may be small but quite effective at deflecting the wind arround your head. i had a car without now one with and there is a notable difference

[BIRMA]

KMF said:

best to ask on the Atiel Atom forum, not much Atom chat goes on arround here.
the "Gun Sight" wind deflectors may be small but quite effective at deflecting the wind arround your head. i had a car without now one with and there is a notable difference

Thanks

[highflyer]

Hi yes it makes a huge difference hardly any buffering at all from the side, although I would suggest wearing clear safety or sun glasses, no need to wear a helmet at all I have also fitted 1/2 side panels which stops small stones flicking in from the front wheels and also helps keep the cold wind off your legs if anybody wants the pattern for them drop me a mail.

[CambsBill]

highflyer said:

Hi yes it makes a huge difference hardly any buffering at all from the side, although I would suggest wearing clear safety or sun glasses, no need to wear a helmet at all I have also fitted 1/2 side panels which stops small stones flicking in from the front wheels and also helps keep the cold wind off your legs if anybody wants the pattern for them drop me a mail.

+1. Can't speak for the gunsights but with the windscreen a cheap pair of safety specs/shades is all you need. Helmet for long journeys or any risk of rain though.

[AshleyPatience]

I took my screen off at the weekend, and preferred the car with no screen. Absolute need for sunglasses; and a helmet for longer / motorway drives.

I'll put the screen back on for winter as the cold air is an issue at any speed.

[BIRMA]

AshleyPatience said:

I took my screen off at the weekend, and preferred the car with no screen. Absolute need for sunglasses; and a helmet for longer / motorway drives.

I'll put the screen back on for winter as the cold air is an issue at any speed.

Do you know how the law stands reference the wearing motorcycle helmets in and Atom or similar car, is it legal?

[sirtyro]

Any helmet is allowed....you don't even have to wear one if you don't want to.

On the screen question, I was at Silverstone a few weeks ago and I can tell you at high speed it makes a massive difference! If you don't have one your neck muscles are in for a work out.

[stormcloud123]

18k miles in an Atom over 3 years, 2 of those years with a windscreen as an option, I'm finally qualified to answer a question!

Windscreen does make long journeys a lot easier, and is a bonus when driving in the rain. The wind still whips around the screen and makes life unpleasant, so a lid is still advised (eye protection at least). Winter driving the screen will mist up on the inside due to the temp difference, this is annoying.

On track the pillars are quite thick so looking for the apex is a lot harder than with just the gunsights. I used to take the windscreen off when at track and put it back on for trip home. 5 minute job.

The car looks better without the screen and it's nowhere near as cool or as much fun driving it hard with it on. If you do not plan long trips in the Atom, I would not bother, you'll still get wet when it rains, only in heavy rain on the motorway have I ever been really happy to have the screen.

HTH

[stormcloud123]

Oh, and now have Nomad on order, will miss the ability to remove the screen, but can couple it with full canvas cover and not have to check the weather reports before venturing out.

[B19TOY]

If anyone is interested in buying/ fitting one I bought an almost new (300 mile) Atom 3.5 with a screen, but have now removed it since this will be purely a track day car.

Swapping the entire thing is quick and easy, just 5 screws and a single plug/socket for the wiper motor/washer power.

[B19TOY]

B19TOY said:

If anyone is interested in buying/ fitting one I bought an almost new (300 mile) Atom 3.5 with a screen, but have now removed it since this will be purely a track day car.

Swapping the entire thing is quick and easy, just 5 screws and a single plug/socket for the wiper motor/washer power.

Now sold

[KMF]

well I got arround to fit the new windscreen i bought from B19TOY.
i went for a blast today, the sun was out and it has been super Atom driving weather. the windscreen is a very nice addition especially as i how have both options as required.
i feel it is really nice to drive the car with no helmet, polycarbonate glasses (screwfix about £6 bargain) and a tight fitting baseball cap to keep the sun out of your eyes.
plus side, you can now hear the induction noise, love that and it feels so much more a sports car on the road than a hard core racer. negative side i can now hear the suspention rattles and bangs from the helper springs bottoming out, bit annoying but you can't have everything.
a windscreen i feel, if not fitted all the time, is a nice asset to have with an Atom

[stormcloud123]

Autumn and Winter driving will be "different", the temperature difference of the inner and outer windscreen once the car is parked up for a while makes for an "interesting" drive.

[CambsBill]

Just done 2,000 miles driving around Norway, with weather varying from bright sunshine to heavy rain. Even with full waterproofs, I wouldn't have wanted to do it without the windscreen.

Will try & do a write-up in the AtomClub.