Everyone says that my GPS is crap! - TomTom Rider from 2013. One issue that I had, was that I struggled to read the screen with a dark visor. As it happened I did not have the TomTom screen bright enough as it was only on 50%, I later discovered! Anyway, although I know that my dark visor is illegal, I have always maintained that I would argue with anyone, including the police, that it makes me safer to see where I am going. Particularly on a day like today with a very bright and low sun. But one of my sensible, TomTom hating mates pointed out that if I had an accident (irrespective of fault) I would be in the shit if the dark visor was mentioned. As insurance companies specialise in getting out of claims, it does sound right, to me. So should I only use legal tints that I find too light? Also, regarding satnavs, the tests that I have found have been poor and factually incorrect. Anyone know of a good article on current models?
If your eyes are genuinely that sensitive, use a clear or legally tinted visor with sunglasses, then you'd be in the clear.
Agree with logic but I will never wear sunglasses in a bike as you can always flick up a visor when you go through a tunnel but all you can do with glasses is pull them off and sling them! I suppose that you could always stop but that is not always convenient. I haven't researched if all legal tints are the same darkness. My legal tint Arai visor is only slightly darker than my clear visor.
Why is that problem solved? I've got a visor that is clear with a flip down dark visor. Legal but, as I said, I don't find legal tints dark enough.
All the sat navs I've had have visibility problems depending on how bright the day is and how the light reflects off the screen. I've used a black Alpinestars waterproof cagoule for years without issue. I changed to a hi-viz jacket recently and it reflects so bad in the screen I cannot see the route, unless I'm riding at night. It doesn't matter how bright I have the sat nav screen. As far as visors go the drop down internal sun visors are not tested in the same way as the external visor as they are not designed as eye protection. The tint level also only relates to external visors. One way around this is to have an external visor with the darkest legal tint combined with a light reactive pinlock. I used this combo on my old multitech without any problem. I now use a neotech and agree that there are times where I could do with a darker tint. Have you seen the new style TFT screens (used on 1260 Multistrada and BMW GS) they don't appear to have any reflection at all from the screen. This would cure the sat nav problems if TomTom or garmin ever go that route. Just my observation / experience not sure if it's any help to you though.
Makes sense as there are no rules on wearing dark glasses. So if they dark visor is internal to the outer visor (as with the Shoei, above) then is cannot be covered by the law. Makes sense. From my research on satnavs, I believe that the Garmin Zumo 396 looks best value.
TomTom rider as far as screen is concerned is better than the Garmin in bright sunlight. As to which is better, on a recent trip to Scotland both my mates Garmins and my TomTom threw a few wobblies.
As the saying goes " id rather be judged by twelve men than carried by six " i wear my dark visor as i find it safer.
I dont think the insurance companies could get out of claims due to a dark visor. Unless it was night time. No different to wearing sunglasses. Pass loads of Police with dark visor on helmet and it foesnt get a second look. As to flip down internal visors..must depend on the helmet quality. My Shark was crap imo. Internal visor distorted vision. Ridiculous.
Dark Visor here also. Another option (depending on your lid) would be a photochromaic (like reactolite sunglasses) clear at night dark in the day...my mate has one and swears by it. Hes got a shoei xspirit iii like me. Expensive though....about 150.
Not worried about Police at all - but scared of insurance companies! Providing it's a bright, sunny day then you think the insurer would not be able to weedle out? And as above, I prefer to see where I am going. Will look into other helmets but for time being, I'll keep doing what I am doing - unless anyone knows of any bad luck stories.
Used to run an Arai with, during the summer months, a dark visor but had a clear one in my tank bag, especially when away on tour or if I expected to be back after dusk. However, four years ago changed to a GT Air with the internal flip down visor and have just replaced that with the same model, but a different design (cheap clearance deal on last years ones). Works well and is so convenient, faced with varying conditions, tunnels etc. and it can just be flipped up and down as required. No discernible distortion, maybe a marginal degradation in clarity due to looking through two layers plus a pin-lock (I'd say the latter is probably more of a culprit for that). A decent helmet, good seal and legal glare protection.
I will look into GT Air. I reckon pinlock distorts - especially at night with oncoming headlights. I junked one in the spring and have just refitted one to my combination Arai clear with a pull down tint. If I get the distortion and glare this winter then I think I will give up with pinlock.
@Bumpkin - How do you find the Venting on GT air... I have been out the last 2 mornings and the helmet just fogs up with the Vents open, Pinlock Evo fitted as well... had to ride most of yesterday and today with visor open... luckily no flies.. early morning. Did the Built Wells Beulah this morning on to Llandovery and back to Brecon... it was dark and foggy.. so not the best of rides... but looked like some nice scenery and roads for the summer mornings...
