Helmet Shields Color?

[Britain Smith]

Now that the windshield has been cut off the race car, I need to invest in a closed face helmet...keep them bug outta my mouth. I have always liked the open face helmet because I can get my sunglasses on without issue, but the closed face ones make that a bit more difficult.

Does anyone have any experience using the colored face shields offered by most helmet manufactures. I am looking at the amber colored ones or maybe the blue tint. Which ones do you think would provide the most visibility while still blocking out the glare from the sun?

-Britain

[gestalt1]

i've had good luck with the bluish mirrored type, it seems to block glare without darkening to much. i've used it on overcast days in the rain and on sunny days with out a problem. they are a little difficult to keep clean however.

[Cory M]

I have one with a smoke tint that works very well. I also have a dark tinted one that works good on a really bright day but is too dark on an overcast day.

[ErVikingo]

Careful when you choose colors though, some colors will distort your vision. I had a set of sunglasses that were great in bright sunlight except they made the green flag look like a black flag........

[126coupe]

Racing an Enduro in a few weeks at Willow Springs.
The sun setting going into Turn 2 is really tough.
Can anyone recommend the correct tint for a low sun?

[jester911]

I have a full face helmet and I wear a pair of Ray-bans that fit closely to my face with the helmet on.

[crashmy911]

Why not get one of those new helmits with the wide opening designed for people with glases taht way you an wear your sunglasses and get a no tint visor!

[Rough_Rider]

Those mirrored finsihes are pretty delicate, takes a lot of care to keep them unblemished. If you can't keep a pair of good sunglasses pristine then don't bother with these mirrored finishes.


Whats a good finish for what condition is down to personal preference. I've gotten used to using a Bell blue iridium indoor & outdoor, only low light & night (duh!) are bad.

See Oakley's site for a description of light transmission levels. In general the darker tints Black / Red cut out the most light. Amber is a light enhancing lens great for dawn, dusk, low light Or transitional circuits (in & out of shaded areas).
http://oakley.com/innovation/optical_superiority/lens_tints

[emcon5]

I would go clear and wear sunglasses (Never had a problem getting sunglasses on under my full-faced Bell helmet)

Conditions change, and with a open car you have to have your visor down. You don't always have time/opportunity to change the shield if the sun comes out, but you always have time to put on sunglasses if you need them.

The other thing I would reccomend is to cover the top of the shield with something to work as a sun shade. It probably offends the asthetic types, but I just use blue painters tape.

Tom

[jluetjen]

Like emcon, over the years I've settled on a clear helmet lens, with sun glasses underneath. Personally I like polorized sunglasses since they cut down on the brightness and glare, without really changing the colors. The other thing that I've noticed is if there is oil on the track, polorized lenses will cause it to flicker as the reflection angle off of the oil changes as you move.