Photochromic visors
Discussion
I usually use a dark visor on my Arai Quantic as most of my riding is on nice days (limited spare time, rather than living somewhere sunny).
The only time it’s really a problem is when I get away on the bike for a few days and the weather is changeable as a dark visor is no fun in the rain while changing visors us a pain generally.
So I’m looking at options. Arai don’t do drop down visors but they have a weird extra flip up thing that goes on the outside. Anyone used them?
I’ve see.n light sensitive pinlocks that would help but leave a bright bit all round the sides.
There’s also a full photochromic visor available from Dragon motorsport which might dolve the problem if it goes dark enough.
Other options welcome!
The only time it’s really a problem is when I get away on the bike for a few days and the weather is changeable as a dark visor is no fun in the rain while changing visors us a pain generally.
So I’m looking at options. Arai don’t do drop down visors but they have a weird extra flip up thing that goes on the outside. Anyone used them?
I’ve see.n light sensitive pinlocks that would help but leave a bright bit all round the sides.
There’s also a full photochromic visor available from Dragon motorsport which might dolve the problem if it goes dark enough.
Other options welcome!
Edited by Speed addicted on Wednesday 30th April 11:30
I've got a photocromic pinlock in my Arai and that works brilliantly and I don't find an issue with the outer edges.
I've also bought a visor from Dragon Motorsport in Canada as my X-Lite doesn't have the option of a photochromic pinlock sadly. The visor, whilst not cheap, fits and works well.
I've also bought a visor from Dragon Motorsport in Canada as my X-Lite doesn't have the option of a photochromic pinlock sadly. The visor, whilst not cheap, fits and works well.
trickywoo said:
I've got a Transitions photochromic visor on a Shoei. Its brilliant. I've never wished it went darker and it reacts pretty quickly.
I'd go as far as not buying a helmet unless there was a photochromic visor available for it.
It's a plus one from me. Amazed Arai doesn't sell an official one like Shoei doesI'd go as far as not buying a helmet unless there was a photochromic visor available for it.
black-k1 said:
The only time I've had issues riding with photochromic (sun glasses under helmet rather than visor) eye covering was when riding abroad and moving from a very bright sunny day into a poorly lit tunnel. Doesn't happen often but when it does it's really frightening and dangerous.
To be fair I’ve had exactly the same issue with dark visors, turns out the tunnel going into Freiburg has a fairly sharp bend in it that I discovered while having a play with a Porsche. If he hadn’t braked I’d have been in the wall! black-k1 said:
The only time I've had issues riding with photochromic (sun glasses under helmet rather than visor) eye covering was when riding abroad and moving from a very bright sunny day into a poorly lit tunnel. Doesn't happen often but when it does it's really frightening and dangerous.
Nothing to do with photochromic, but we had a similar scare heading up a sunny bright alpine pass in the dolomites so had dark visors / sunshades down in helmets only to go around a sharp bend into a tunnel. Was like riding with your eyes closed for a few seconds until your eyes could adjust !! Lead rider almost ended up scraping his fireblade along the tunnel wall and the bike behind almost riding into the back of him. We laugh about it now but it was almost costly!cpszx said:
I had problems with the pinlock version not going dark enough when used behind a visor that has uv protection built in.
Off of the visor it worked perfectly but once in place it hardly changed.
Good point, think I’ll pay the extra for the full visor rather than the pinlockOff of the visor it worked perfectly but once in place it hardly changed.
cpszx said:
I had problems with the pinlock version not going dark enough when used behind a visor that has uv protection built in.
Off of the visor it worked perfectly but once in place it hardly changed.
Because it's behind a visor that is polarising the incoming light already.Off of the visor it worked perfectly but once in place it hardly changed.
Same as many transitioning glasses won't work behind car glass....
Steve Bass said:
Because it's behind a visor that is polarising the incoming light already.
Same as many transitioning glasses won't work behind car glass....
Exactly. Same as many transitioning glasses won't work behind car glass....
Just passing on a lesson learnt, where i couldn’t send the pinlock back, and would have to buy a cheap plain visor if i wanted to use it properly.
Not many visors had uv protection built in when i had that issue, so was unexpected.
My new Leatt adventure helmet came with a photochromic visor – I used it for the first time this week and I'm a convert. Was a bright day and just felt the perfect tint for the whole ride, even as the sun started to set. I've heard rumours they can be triggered by fog, but that's not exactly a regular occurrence in the riding I do.
SAS Tom said:
Pro shade is awful, surprised they still sell it!
I’ve had a photochromic visor for 8 years now. It’s perfect, just works. Never have I thought it should be lighter or darker. I even bought another of the same model helmet so I could keep using it.
Funny, the Pro Shade on my Arai RX-7V Evo Blade Yellow is just superb. Flip up and down whenever you need it. Bloody great. No photochromic reliance and the associated risk which others have posted, with potentially life threatening consequences. I like having the lower half of the visor always clear visibility.I’ve had a photochromic visor for 8 years now. It’s perfect, just works. Never have I thought it should be lighter or darker. I even bought another of the same model helmet so I could keep using it.
Edited by Skyman on Wednesday 30th April 19:30
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