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View Full Version : Anyone Transitioning? I mean using a transitions face shield



HenryDorsetCase
6th May 2017, 11:42
I wear glasses and last night I had to ride home (again) with a dark visor at night because I had to drink heavily after work (its the rule).

I do have a clear visor for the Shoei but then I have to wear sunglasses under it which isnt great - there's a pattern effect because of the polarisation.

There is a thing called a transitions faceshield which looks like the answer: clear at night and dark during the sunshine.

But I'd want some feedback before buying because its very expensive, and I had a pair of transitions lenses in a pair of glasses which didnt work that well (admittedly in the early days of the technology) - they were never really clear and never really dark - hence I have prescription sunglasses and ordinary glasses.

Your thoughts callers?

http://www.sportrider.com/shoei-transitions-cwr-1-adaptive-face-shield-sr-tested

BMWST?
6th May 2017, 12:22
transition lenses are triggered by UV i beleive and thats why they arent very good for driving cars,because a lot of uv is cut by windsheilds etc.I wonder how much UV is produced by lighting...would a blast of light from a pair of HIDS darken the visor quickly enough to give some glare protction or not,and then if they did would they clear quickly again to see the upcoming manhole cover?
Didnt know you could get them.Hope you get some real feedback.A pinlocked transistion visor ...cool

madbikeboy
6th May 2017, 15:20
Yeah, if your glasses have any sort of coating, they can produce all manner of weird halos and colours.

I carry two visors with me - but I use Arai's which are a 20 second job to pull a visor and replace it. One is a clear, the other is darker than a cheeky darkie tinted.

I haven't found the transitions cope fast enough with light source at any rate.

I like carrying a spare at any rate. In NZ you get stones, and in Australia you get kangaroos and insects as big as kangaroos.

caspernz
6th May 2017, 18:01
Have had a close look at the Shoei transitions visor. To me it doesn't change quickly enough and it doesn't go dark enough. The high price doesn't help of course.

For me I've got a Shoei Neotec with integrated sunvisor, works for me. Updated to a Shoei GT-Air which also has integrated sunvisor, this after having a good look at the transitions visor. I'll look at it again when the now new helmet comes up for replacement, I'm picking the transitions technology will keep improving and the price will become more acceptable as well I'd hope.

Curious to hear of any longer term users of any of the transitions visors, and their experiences.

Honest Andy
6th May 2017, 18:05
Yeah glasses are a bloody nuisance. I use transition lenses too and as you say they are never particularly dark, so I wonder how good the visor would really be? I bought a new helmet a little while ago that has an extra tinted visor that flicks down inside the proper visor. I thought it was a great idea and would solve all the problems, and it did for a while. But now that it's about a year old and both visors are just starting to get slightly marked and scratched I now find myself looking through three layers of slightly damaged plastic...
One thing though: my glasses also have an anti-glare coating (crizal coating?) and that REALLY works, takes all the halos out. Of the glasses anyway

AllanB
6th May 2017, 20:28
Bell offer a transformer face shield that has been getting very good reviews. Photochromatic is the term they use.


Sport Bike Track Gear often have deals on them ..... (USA)

Cracker
6th May 2017, 21:47
I have had the Bell transformer for a year. For me it has failed. My eye sight is good and when light conditions are not perfect the screen goes very dark. The black shinny seal looks like wet road in late sunny afternoons and in cloudy weather I have to pick the visor up because visability goes weird. Shoei may have better quality but don't waste your time with Bell. Two visors is the safest option.

caseye
6th May 2017, 23:31
I have had the Bell transformer for a year. For me it has failed. My eye sight is good and when light conditions are not perfect the screen goes very dark. The black shinny seal looks like wet road in late sunny afternoons and in cloudy weather I have to pick the visor up because visability goes weird. Shoei may have better quality but don't waste your time with Bell. Two visors is the safest option.

Well, just for the record. Wifey and I both bought Bells with the new fangled Photochromatic lenses about 2 years ago.
Best piece of kit I've/we've ever owned.
They work excpetionally well, day time and night time.
Niether of us need to wear glasses, so there is no disturbance there.
But seriously, they've worked consistently well all this time and are showing absolutely no signs of giving uo yet.
I use nothing else and not having to carry two visors is a bloody great thing.

madbikeboy
7th May 2017, 00:03
Well, just for the record. Wifey and I.

Wait, what?

You have a Bandit. And you have a wife? :eek5:

Cracker
7th May 2017, 00:25
Lets get real fella, the lens were a misadventure that need development. They don't work. Do not buy them. If I took my wife riding we wouldn't be married for long. Just saying!!

BMWGSER
7th May 2017, 16:01
I wear glasses and last night I had to ride home (again) with a dark visor at night because I had to drink heavily after work (its the rule).

I do have a clear visor for the Shoei but then I have to wear sunglasses under it which isnt great - there's a pattern effect because of the polarisation.

There is a thing called a transitions faceshield which looks like the answer: clear at night and dark during the sunshine.

But I'd want some feedback before buying because its very expensive, and I had a pair of transitions lenses in a pair of glasses which didnt work that well (admittedly in the early days of the technology) - they were never really clear and never really dark - hence I have prescription sunglasses and ordinary glasses.

Your thoughts callers?

http://www.sportrider.com/shoei-transitions-cwr-1-adaptive-face-shield-sr-tested

Try leaving the bike at work after drinking heavily and catch a bus ,cab or catch a ride with a sober driver , a lot safer and cheaper in the long run.

caseye
7th May 2017, 17:18
Lets get real fella, the lens were a misadventure that need development. They don't work. Do not buy them. If I took my wife riding we wouldn't be married for long. Just saying!!

I think you are missing the point. My wife rides her own bike,
I ride mine. We both own identical Bell Lids with Photochromatic lense's. Moved from two identical Bells previous to these ones. Which had simply outlived their usefulness after about 5 years.
Neithe of us have had any problems with our helmets/lense's.
They darken when the sun gets up, to the point where you can ride directly into the sun and you can still see where you're going.Don't look directly at the sun, that will still hurt.Takes about 1-2 seconds to transition.Night time is different they simply get lighter the darker it gets.
We both ride day ansd night when required and at night there is no extra starring or other form of distoprtion that might affect vision.
Simnply telling it like it is.
I've spoken with othe peolole who have the same lense's and their experiences are similar to ours.

pritch
7th May 2017, 18:58
Try leaving the bike at work after drinking heavily and catch a bus ,cab or catch a ride with a sober driver , a lot safer and cheaper in the long run.

Nah, he gets mate's rates.

HenryDorsetCase
7th May 2017, 20:00
Try leaving the bike at work after drinking heavily and catch a bus ,cab or catch a ride with a sober driver , a lot safer and cheaper in the long run.

pish posh, where's your sense of adventure?.

(*drinking heavily for me these days is two 330ml stubbies in two hours)

Cracker
7th May 2017, 22:04
[QUOTE=caseye;1131045250]I think you are missing the point.

No, I wanted the ultimate lense, listened to the sales pitch and it failed. I have just done a 5000 km trip through the S.I and back at a good pace. That is a good field test. Every riding condition you could imagine. Visor worked well 50% of the time and the other 50% it was a liability. I will take it back to tell them. I don't want my money back but I am sick of dubious reviews of big name gear.

Cosmik de Bris
8th May 2017, 12:02
As usual there are many camps, they work, they don't work, those that have tried them and people who have not. I have a Bell Star Carbon with transition shield and an AGV with a drop down dark visor inside. The transition shield works well day or night, the only slight problem is when you are going into shade and back out quickly, the lens takes maybe 20 seconds to adapt. The drop down is a good compromise in that you can drop it whenever you need it for as long as you need it. Either way I don't have to wear sun glasses or carry an extra shield.

Cheers

HenryDorsetCase
8th May 2017, 13:26
I dont want to carry an extra shield because it means carrying a bag. Plus how do you do it without scratching the shit out of it.

The other thing is that even if I wanted a Bell photocromatic it would be no good to me because none of the new Bells I have tried have fitted me.

They did in the 80's - Bell Star 3 FTW.
'

Cosmik de Bris
8th May 2017, 15:22
I dont want to carry an extra shield because it means carrying a bag. Plus how do you do it without scratching the shit out of it.

The other thing is that even if I wanted a Bell photocromatic it would be no good to me because none of the new Bells I have tried have fitted me.

They did in the 80's - Bell Star 3 FTW.
'

Helmets with drop down shield are for you then.

HenryDorsetCase
8th May 2017, 17:05
Helmets with drop down shield are for you then.

gonna give it a try. the one I have tried (HJC) hit my nose/glasses.... but there are other brands.

caseye
8th May 2017, 17:05
[QUOTE=caseye;1131045250]I think you are missing the point.

No, I wanted the ultimate lense, listened to the sales pitch and it failed. I have just done a 5000 km trip through the S.I and back at a good pace. That is a good field test. Every riding condition you could imagine. Visor worked well 50% of the time and the other 50% it was a liability. I will take it back to tell them. I don't want my money back but I am sick of dubious reviews of big name gear.

Where do you get that from?
Since buying these helemts we've travelled well over 15000k's, in all sorts of weather in company with good mates and riders.
Christmas time this year we did 2500Ks on the trot.
Take it back and do ask for your money back,Bell are a good reputable company, you never know what they will do.It's worht a crack Niggle.
Me, if I felt the need to I would, but while we bought these helemts on a budget (so high ticket item/big name gear) out the window, they fitted well , we were given both visor's, we were told if there was any problems, to bring em back.
I've simply relayed our experience of two quite cheap ($700 odd notes each,were $1200, but we took the plain jane colour) with the new visors fitted, well made, good fitting helemts with a new ish form of tehcnology that while it maybe not be perfect, works well enough that I'm happy to say we'd consider them a success.
So far I count my comments as favourable and yours as not, except that I find myelf and my wifes choice of lids are under fire and our collective experiences have been called into question.
I have spoken with other photochromatic visor wearers and those people have found them to be very worthwhile.Not just Bell, Shoei and I believe one or two other prominent manufacturers are still bringing these visors out, so they can't be all bad.I'd venture to say they're probably improved on what we have, but thats for another day.
Given a choice.
I'd buy photochromatic/transitioning lenses again without hesitation, of course I'd expect action if they didn't work as described.

FLUB
8th May 2017, 20:42
I've had a Pinlock transition visor insert and didn't think it was that good. It didn't so much go dark as change colour. From memory it went from a light green tint to a darker blue tint, but not really dark enough.

I also bought a stick-on visor insert on eBay that had a small battery and a light sensor. When the light got bright the lens darkened instantly. If the light level dropped it went clear instantly. The sensitivity was adjustable and there was a push button stuck to the outside edge of the visor to switch manually. It worked perfectly but it was very soft and I damaged it whilst cleaning. As it cost about $200 I decided not to replace it. It was reviewed on Webbikeworld.

I now have a helmet with a drop down internal dark visor.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

HenryDorsetCase
8th May 2017, 21:15
What I dont get is that welding helmets do this perfectly every time... its not like its new tech.

nathanlee
12th February 2020, 21:27
Any recommendations on good night driving sunglasses?

caseye
13th February 2020, 10:44
Any recommendations on good night driving sunglasses?

No!
In case you hadn't noticed this is a motor bike forum.
Bloody hard wearing sunnies inside a helmet and seeing at night.:lol::lol::lol::lol:

F5 Dave
13th February 2020, 18:56
I wear my sunglasses at night
So I can, so I can
Watch you weave then breathe your story lines


And I wear my sunglasses at night
So I can, so I can
Keep track of the visions in my eyes
. . .

Bonez
13th February 2020, 19:01
No!
In case you hadn't noticed this is a motor bike forum.
Bloody hard wearing sunnies inside a helmet and seeing at night.:lol::lol::lol::lol:It's bad enough with normal glasses at night. All the extra reflections you get. I hear Laava is transitioning thoiugh.

SaferRides
15th February 2020, 04:02
If you look at the reviews on Revzilla, like here they are very mixed.

There is no simple solution if you wear glasses. The compromise for me is a Shoei light smoke visor, which is only just dark enough in sunlight and lets me see reasonably well in the shade. It's also usable at night.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

F5 Dave
16th February 2020, 19:57
So you cant wear contacts?

SaferRides
16th February 2020, 20:48
So you cant wear contacts?No.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Euro2018
1st March 2020, 16:54
I wear glasses for riding/driving (so I can read the road signs). I use a Neotec with drop down inside sun visor.
Usually only ride during the day, so would be wearing my daytime riding glasses which are polarised, anti-glare - work really well.
If riding at night, I'll also carry a pair of transitions glasses (because that's usually the pair I find before I find the plain clear glasses).

I follow a self imposed rule of, if the outside visor is open, then the inside sun visor must also be open, this ensures I don't have to clean the sun visor or risk it getting damaged.

I really like the Neotec.

F5 Dave
1st March 2020, 18:03
. . .

I follow a self imposed rule of, if the outside visor is open, then the inside sun visor must also be open, this ensures I don't have to clean the sun visor or risk it getting damaged.

. . .
As opposed to your eyes. Good idea, they will probably grow back..

SaferRides
2nd March 2020, 01:35
I wear glasses for riding/driving (so I can read the road signs). I use a Neotec with drop down inside sun visor.
Usually only ride during the day, so would be wearing my daytime riding glasses which are polarised, anti-glare - work really well.
If riding at night, I'll also carry a pair of transitions glasses (because that's usually the pair I find before I find the plain clear glasses).

I follow a self imposed rule of, if the outside visor is open, then the inside sun visor must also be open, this ensures I don't have to clean the sun visor or risk it getting damaged.

I really like the Neotec.

I'm slightly confused which is not unusual... are you saying that you wear polarized glasses and also use the internal tinted visor?

I bought a GT Air but found the internal visor was sometimes too dark, especially going from bright sunlight into shade.

Bonez
2nd March 2020, 07:13
As opposed to your eyes. Good idea, they will probably grow back..Yip. I just crack my visor open about 2cm on most rides I do. Nice bit of air flow, no misting and any bugs that do get in get filtered by my beard.

Tried tintered visers and glasses and found them not very useful in the long run. It's not often you are looking directly in to the sun. When I do I just open open the viser so the viser glare disapears, slow down a bit and concentrate at looking at the road.

Paul in NZ
2nd March 2020, 08:04
Vicki has a transitions shield on her helmet - she rates it highly

F5 Dave
2nd March 2020, 11:43
I always run tinted and carry clear if touring
I have some velcro on the dark visor out of view to attach a mx goggle strap to the top 40mm which comes with me. Just the thing for sunstrike over the Rimutukas on a sunny winter day..

caseye
2nd March 2020, 16:08
Vicki has a transitions shield on her helmet - she rates it highly

Hey Paul!
Ratbag and I both have them, best thing since sliced Bread.
We are on our third Bell Helmet with Transition lenses, they just work!, You do have to retire the old ones, tried to buy the next ones that weould take the old lenses, but no! Bloody Bell, smart buggers changed the visor design.
:brick::rolleyes::killingme

Paul in NZ
4th March 2020, 08:20
Hey Paul!
Ratbag and I both have them, best thing since sliced Bread.
We are on our third Bell Helmet with Transition lenses, they just work!, You do have to retire the old ones, tried to buy the next ones that weould take the old lenses, but no! Bloody Bell, smart buggers changed the visor design.
:brick::rolleyes::killingme

Yes I am always miffed when Vicki needs something motorcycle or cycling related. Because shes a hobbit there is nearly always something top of the line on sale. Because I'm a standard fat old man size never anything good for me except when I scored a budget Arai a while back.. The Bell was a bargain...

KimBurguess
26th June 2020, 15:06
Thanks for having me here!