HJC Face Shields

[supersport]

I took advantage of the deal at New Enough and sprang for one of the HJC helmets. I would like to get a tinted shield for it now. In the past I've only used clear or the smoke tint shields. How do the gold tint shields work on sunny days and how about in low light situations? Any recommendations on other tints? Thanks

[dukey33]

I use a hi-vis amber shield for most of my riding. It is good from dawn to dusk and partly cloudy to solid overcast days. The only times I switch out to the smoke shield is when I'm out for a full day in clear skies. The amber color blocks stray blue light and increases sharpness. It intensifies images like polarization, except without the weird things that happen when you look at plastic screens through polarized lenses (but it does not cut out reflections like polarization can). It's even helpful in fog and rain conditions to cut thru the glare.
The orange colored shields also intensify images but cut more light. Remember blueblockers?

[jhansen]

I got one of the HJC mirror'd shields and do not like it at all. Lots of glare back into my eyes. It is almost like the mirror is on the wrong side. Makes me look like a power ranger but I almost can't see out because of the glare. Smoke one next time.

[FZ6biker]

I took advantage of the deal at New Enough and sprang for one of the HJC helmets. I would like to get a tinted shield for it now. In the past I've only used clear or the smoke tint shields. How do the gold tint shields work on sunny days and how about in low light situations? Any recommendations on other tints? Thanks


Check out:thumb: the smoke shield with a no fog feature. They are really helpful and much better.

[Sharpshooter]

I have a HJC CL-15 with both the clear shield it came with and the smoke shield I purchased later. I love the smoke shield when I am riding during the day. I wear my sunglasses most of the time in addition to the smoke shield. In the evening, when I am riding into the sunset, the combination of my sunglasses and the shield are great but once the sun is down and it is officially dusk, I have to lose the sunglasses and generally have to open the faceshield or stop and swap them out.

HJC just came out with a full-face helmet with a built-in sun visor inside. It is the FS-10 and I really like the concept. It mirrors the fighter pilot helmet with the wide integral sun visor and the helmet with the clear shield. Great idea... I think. I still want to try one on and see what it does. I plan to go to a dealer during the day when I can put the helmet on and walk outside in full sunlight. They aren't cheap but New Enough has them on their website with a list price of $250-255 (size dependent). They are selling them, however, for $184-188. That is almost twice what I paid for my CL-15 a year ago but, from reading the specs online, I like the construction of the helmet and it's padding. It looks like an upgraded version of my CL-15, which I really like.

Personally, I like the smoke shield for bright sunlight but it becomes a hassle when the sun starts to set. Just my two cents...

-Saul

[Maintainer]

Go for dark smoked, it will reduce glare best and still allow cages to know your a human being. I have all kinds: mirrored, light tint, dark tint, and clear they all have their place. I usually just carry a spare (clear)if possible. I don't wear glasses and prefer not to wear sunglasses either underneath. I'm still waiting for development of a "Transitions" style auto darkening shield for an reasonable price.

[supersport]

Thanks guys for the info. I guess I'll stick with a smoke tint for now.

[beardking]

IHJC just came out with a full-face helmet with a built-in sun visor inside. It is the FS-10 and I really like the concept. It mirrors the fighter pilot helmet with the wide integral sun visor and the helmet with the clear shield. Great idea... I think. I still want to try one on and see what it does. I plan to go to a dealer during the day when I can put the helmet on and walk outside in full sunlight. They aren't cheap but New Enough has them on their website with a list price of $250-255 (size dependent). They are selling them, however, for $184-188. That is almost twice what I paid for my CL-15 a year ago but, from reading the specs online, I like the construction of the helmet and it's padding. It looks like an upgraded version of my CL-15, which I really like.
-Saul

I actually got one of these for Christmas and I have to say, I freaking love it. There are only 3 things I would like to change about it. 1, I wish that the tinted screen were a little longer. As it is, it leaves a space on the bottom where bright sunlight gets through and is a bit distracting (but easily overcome). 2. I wish it were a bit darker, but that's just a personal preference thing. 3. This doesn't really pertain to the smoke shield, but it does pertain to the FS-10. It comes with an excellent breath deflector that does a great job of keeping the shield(s) from getting fogged up. The only problem is that since it's basically made to fit everyones face, it's a bit large. It can actually obstruct your view a bit. It's not a problem if you are looking straight forward or up, but when looking down (you know, to make sure you aren't speeding), it can get in the way.

That's just my 2 1/2 cents (inflation, ya know).

Beardking.

[DFW Dano]

I got one of the FS-10's also. I agree with beardking, the tinted sheild is not quite dark enough or long enough. I contacted HJC to see if they plan to make a darker one... No... I'm trying to add some window tinting to it but it doesn't stick to plastic very well... :doh:

BTW, I got mine from an Ebay dealer for $160... ;-)

[beardking]

Oh yeah, I meant to mention that I got mine from Grifs Cycle in Lewisville. He nearly matched an internet price I found and I picked up that day, so I was happy. OTD price was about $215. Would have been just over 200 over the internet.

[sz rider]

I have the HJC with the gold/rainbow for sunny riding only, when it gets dark i have to raise it up and wear safety glasses, for now in the short day light hours i keep the clear shield on it.

[terihenry]

I use the "dark smoke" shield on my HJC helmet and it works pretty well for bright to cloudy days. I have a mirrored shield and it doesn't work well at all, like was mentioned before, it's almost like it was clear. I would like to put some window tint on it but haven't found anything suitable yet. Alot of the window tint rolls I've found say to not use on plastic. Do any of you know something that will work on plastic?

[Brotha J]

I started with the yellow tint. I cuts the "edge" off of sunglare.

But since I got my new helmet

http://www.kneedraggers.com/html/Icon/05/icon_skull_helmet.jpg

...I HAD to go with the chrome mirror visor. :clap:

Talk about about vivcious looking! :thumb:

It does have some back-mirroring but it's not bad.

Nor is it too dark at night (and i ride some streets and F.M. raods with NO street lights). You just get used to it.

[Johnny Monsoon]

I took advantage of the deal at New Enough and sprang for one of the HJC helmets. I would like to get a tinted shield for it now. In the past I've only used clear or the smoke tint shields. How do the gold tint shields work on sunny days and how about in low light situations? Any recommendations on other tints? Thanks

The blue mirrored shields are by far the highest definition, and work fantastically on dreary days (as well as bright) but offer the least light reduction next to standard silver mirror. The gold mirror finish is second in definition and offers a little better light reduction. The rainbow mirror finish is somewhere between blue and silver; I'm not real fond of it.

I found the smoked ones to be somewhat milky, and while they cut light the best, they also have the worst definition, and I don't like using them.

Blue is my favorite by far.

On the down side, they're all very delicate finishes. If you're not using a microfiber cloth and something like Plexus, Honda Clean (or its un-honda formula), or Pledge, you'll tear it up in short order. Also, riding in extended rain at high speed will pull the tint right off of it in a few thousand miles.

Why can't they apply this coating to the inside of the visor?!?!?