Drop-down helmet sun visors

[OregonLAN]

That is a neat idea and application!  But I fear that like transitions-style glasses, they will either neither get fully clear nor go dark enough.  That is one reason I stopped wearing that type of glasses.  The main reasons were because they don't work in cars and they take so long to go from dark back to light.  Neither of those reasons matter with a motorcycle shield, though.

I wonder why it is not more widely available?

Well, from my experience of owning both, these photochromatic shields actually get slightly darker than the drop down smoked shield that comes with the EXO-1000. Also, it is perfectly clear in low light. I have all 5 of my helmets sitting next to me on a shelf and it looks no different than any of the others with clear shields.

The main thing that sets it apart from drop down shields is that the optics are much better. I wear glasses, so optics are important. With a drop down shield, I have 3 layers of plastic to look through. With the transitions, I have 2. Also, it offers FULL sun protection. With the drop down shield, you still have bright light leaking around the sides and near the bridge of the nose. Finally, it transitions automatically. There's no having to mess with a switch when you go in and out of shade coverage.

I was also hesitant about purchasing it because of the price. However, having owned it for a full ridding season, I would replace it in a heartbeat if it ever got damaged. No longer do I have to carry spare shields or have to fiddle with a drop down visor (which makes a helmet thicker than it needs to be). I wear the transition shield in the daytime and nighttime.

You are correct about sizing. Scorpion helmets run 1 - 1.5 sizes smaller than most helmets. My EXO-1000 is a size 3x and it's slightly tighter than my 2x RS-1. Also, I can fit easily into a 1x Shoei Quest/RS-1100. Bang for the buck, Scorpion helmets are hard to beat. I own 2 of them .

[4cedars]

I didn't know Caberg was imported again.  I would be a bit cautious with them, since they seem to come and go in the US.  I had Justissimio years ago... you couldn't get parts for it after they disappeared form the US market.

The full line is not being imported yet. There is a decision coming soon on bringing in the top end Sintesi. The second generation model received excellent reviews on webbikeworld. If they are not available when I am ready to buy, I will have it shipped across the pond from 1 of 2 big dealers in the UK. Parts are available from them also.

[RBX QB]

My concern, touched on above, is the travel distance of the inner visor.

I've tried several helmets, and all but one had visors that stopped at a point that were too high for me. The one that DID come down further was an uncomfortable helmet.

For those who like the inner visors::: How does the bottom align in your vision? If it stops a bit high, does it distract you?

[maxtog]

Well, from my experience of owning both, these photochromatic shields actually get slightly darker than the drop down smoked shield that comes with the EXO-1000.

Then I would call them a total failure because I think the stock EXO-1000 drop-down sun visor was much, much too light and had to immediately replace that "light smoke" one with a "dark smoke".

The main thing that sets it apart from drop down shields is that the optics are much better. I wear glasses, so optics are important. With a drop down shield, I have 3 layers of plastic to look through.

That is very true.  Since I am not wearing glasses, it is just 2 for me.  However, I was actually surprised that there are less distortion issues than I thought there would be.

[maxtog]

For those who like the inner visors::: How does the bottom align in your vision?  If it stops a bit high, does it distract you?

Well, I already complained that the one in the EXO-1000 doesn't go down quite far enough (IMHO) and has a meaningless/unnecessary nose cutout.  I believe it is the identical design used on all Scorpion helmet models.  At first it was a bit distracting, but I quickly adapted to it.  If my head is looking forward, then casting my eyes down, most of the lower dash is not behind the tint.

[OregonLAN]

Then I would call them a total failure because I think the stock EXO-1000 drop-down sun visor was much, much too light and had to immediately replace that "light smoke" one with a "dark smoke".

That is very true.  Since I am not wearing glasses, it is just 2 for me.  However, I was actually surprised that there are less distortion issues than I thought there would be.

So, it's a complete failure because it's darker than stock and you don't want darker?

IMHO, the drop down shield of the EXO line is failure because it's optically inferior, offers no UV protection, has no fog protective coating and doesn't even cover your LOS properly.

The positive reviews on Revzilla and WBW seem to suggest that the SOLFX shields are well worth the price. Bell had an exclusive agreement with them last year, but I think they are starting to release shields for other helmets now.

[maxtog]

So, it's a complete failure because it's darker than stock and you don't want darker?

  You said the chromatic (transitions) shield was SLIGHTLY darker than the Scorpion stock drop-down.  I said that is a failure, then, because the stock Scorpion's "light smoke" is MUCH too light (not slightly) so I had to replace it with a dark smoke- an option not available with the "transitions" style.   This shows the chromatic tint is just like glasses, it just doesn't get very dark.  For those used to a dark tint, it just wouldn't work.  My wording might have been a bit strong (mostly since I had that fight for years with glasses).

IMHO, the drop down shield of the EXO line is failure because it's optically inferior, offers no UV protection, has no fog protective coating and doesn't even cover your LOS properly.

1) Optically inferior to what?  To a tinted main shield?  Looks fine to me.  It is made of the same material.
2) It does offer UV protection.  Why do you think it doesn't?
3) It most certainly does have fog protection- "Scorpion helmet Speedview Sunvisors feature the EverClear no-fog coating. EverClear is a thermally bonded anti-fog coating that protects against the build up of fog on the inside of the face shield."  Same as the main shield.
4) What is a "LOS"?

[OregonLAN]

  You said the chromatic (transitions) shield was SLIGHTLY darker than the Scorpion stock drop-down.  I said that is a failure, then, because the stock Scorpion's "light smoke" is MUCH too light (not slightly) so I had to replace it with a dark smoke- an option not available with the "transitions" style.   This shows the chromatic tint is just like glasses, it just doesn't get very dark.  For those used to a dark tint, it just wouldn't work.  My wording might have been a bit strong (mostly since I had that fight for years with glasses).

1) Optically inferior to what?  To a tinted main shield?  Looks fine to me.  It is made of the same material.
2) It does offer UV protection.  Why do you think it doesn't?
3) It most certainly does have fog protection- "Scorpion helmet Speedview Sunvisors feature the EverClear no-fog coating. EverClear is a thermally bonded anti-fog coating that protects against the build up of fog on the inside of the face shield."  Same as the main shield.
4) What is a "LOS"?

1. Optically inferior for the purposes I described above. For the same reasons I cannot use pinlock shields.
2. I was wrong about this. I guess by nature of the material, plastic face shield offers ~95% UV A-B protection against sunlight.
3. I may be wrong about this too, but I find that my drop down shield fogs up very easily in cold/damp weather. I assumed it wasn't coated for this reason.
4. Line of sight

The only reason I'm defending the shield is that without trying one, you have no idea of what you're missing. I've had my fair share of transitional lenses and they are NOTHING like the coating used on this shield. Anyways, carry on. I'm done trying to introduce a new product that others and I have found superior.

[maxtog]

The only reason I'm defending the shield is that without trying one, you have no idea of what you're missing. I've had my fair share of transitional lenses and they are NOTHING like the coating used on this shield. Anyways, carry on. I'm done trying to introduce a new product that others and I have found superior.

You are taking this discussion far too personally/seriously.

I, for one, found the information you originally posted about the photochromatic shield to be useful, relevant, and interesting.  The fact that it doesn't get dark enough that makes it useless for MY purposes doesn't make it any less interesting or useful to other people might not care that it doesn't get much darker than "light smoke" (well, and can afford it and have one of the few helmets for which it is available).

"Superior" is in the eye of the beholder   Many factors come into play that doesn't make one solution overall "better" or "worse", just different.  There are many advantages and disadvantages to each sun-blocking technology offered.  I am glad you have something you are satisfied with!  I know how many disappointments I have with all kinds of things I have purchased.  Hopefully this thread will give valuable information to others so they can make informed purchasing decisions as to what will best meet their needs.

[Conrad]

My concern, touched on above, is the travel distance of the inner visor.

I've tried several helmets, and all but one had visors that stopped at a point that were too high for me. The one that DID come down further was an uncomfortable helmet.

For those who like the inner visors::: How does the bottom align in your vision? If it stops a bit high, does it distract you?

For me, HJC SyMax 2, the drop down visor does drop down far enough to clear my line of sight. The visor has three positions and it works fine for me.

[jjsC6]

Question...below where the drop down tinted shield covers your lower face you are more exposed to the sun.  Anyone have issues with sun burn during hot sunny days?

[Conrad]

Question...below where the drop down tinted shield covers your lower face you are more exposed to the sun.  Anyone have issues with sun burn during hot sunny days?

I rarely ride with my main visor in the open position, maybe cracked a bit but never wide open, so no.

[wally_games]

Question...below where the drop down tinted shield covers your lower face you are more exposed to the sun.  Anyone have issues with sun burn during hot sunny days?

I'm fairly sure that even the clear shields have UVA and UVB protection that should prevent, or at least reduce, getting your face sunburned. I don't recall ever having mine get burned back in my clear shield days.

[sherob]

I rode from Denver to Junction, TX one day on my Wing... pretty much visor up all the way, it was summer and my Nolan N102 wasn't the coolest venting helmet in the world.  When I checked into the motel in Junction, I had a nice shade of red on my face.... wasn't sunburned to a crisp, but it was close.  Might have had a shade of wind burn too.

You would think I'd had learned from all of these years to at least flip the shield down a bit to at least block the UV rays from toasting the skin, nope.  I even carry some skin cream for my face per Dermatologist, and didn't even put that on... idiot!  Lesson learned.

Pretty much all clear shields on any helmet worth it's salt these days do block UVA/UVB rays. 

[maxtog]

Question...below where the drop down tinted shield covers your lower face you are more exposed to the sun.  Anyone have issues with sun burn during hot sunny days?

I am about as white as they come (fair skin/easy burn... hey, who are you calling whitey??!!) and I have not had any problem with that.  I suppose it is theoretically possible, the angles would have to be pretty perfect and stay that way for a while to do any damage.  But even the main clear shield is going to block most of the UV...

[Ddfee]

The only point not covered in the previous threads is that in order for the helmet to accomdate the sun visor that retracts into the helmet, you have to sacrifice space and that means the protective material.  I like the idea if the visor, I agree that depending on the make and model the quality of the visor itself makes the optical qualities a concern.

Still a good idea but enough concerns for me that I have yet to buy one.  I like the transition shielf but the price is a shocker.  For now I will stick with my Shoei Multi-tec or my full face Arai.

D

[maxtog]

The only point not covered in the previous threads is that in order for the helmet to accomdate the sun visor that retracts into the helmet, you have to sacrifice space and that means the protective material.

No, I did address that in a previous post.  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=4940.msg56937#msg56937
I said it is possible the helmet shell is a few mm larger to accommodate the slot without removing any foam.  Yes, it requires space.  No, that does not necessarily mean they stole it from the inside foam or that it sacrifices safety.

Still a good idea but enough concerns for me that I have yet to buy one.

SNELL 2005 certified in my case....