Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Gear => Topic started by: ChrisK on August 01, 2013, 12:07:47 PM

Title: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: ChrisK on August 01, 2013, 12:07:47 PM
Or Transitions Lenses, whichever you call them... anyone using one? I believe Bell and Lazer are the only companies offering them. I like the idea of them, but I'm wondering if the transitioning is quick enough to avoid discomfort and maintain safety. Also, does it sometimes darken at inappropriate times?
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: DucHead on August 01, 2013, 12:45:29 PM
I have the Lazer Monaco and the Bell both with the transition visors.  No problems here.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Howie on August 01, 2013, 01:02:27 PM
Gotta be faster than changing a shield or removing your sunglasses while riding.  Me want!
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: ChrisK on August 01, 2013, 01:44:27 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSsHFjwpn9s#at=19 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSsHFjwpn9s#at=19)
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Triple J on August 01, 2013, 02:36:52 PM
The Bell one is awesome!  [thumbsup] I've taken two long trips with it through a ton of different conditions...no complaints.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Skybarney on August 03, 2013, 09:03:31 AM
I wonder if Arai is going to offer them......
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Privateer on August 03, 2013, 02:03:48 PM
I don't know anything about them, but Wiki Helmets and Akuma helmets also offers them

http://wikihelmets.com/helmets/wave-100/wave-aloha.html (http://wikihelmets.com/helmets/wave-100/wave-aloha.html)

http://akumahelmets.com/ (http://akumahelmets.com/)
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Raux on August 03, 2013, 04:17:37 PM
I prefer the flip down internal visors
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: ungeheuer on August 03, 2013, 05:11:01 PM
I don't know about visors, but I wear photochromatic spectacles and I find that whilst they darken rapidly enough in sunlight, they,re a little slower than ideal when I need em to lighten when moving into lower ambient light.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Privateer on August 08, 2013, 06:11:15 AM
happened to see this on wBw today:

UTO Test - Nolan X-802R (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnMhraiFZ6A#)
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Raux on August 08, 2013, 06:52:15 AM
that's too slow

going into tunnels sucks.

with flip down interior dark shields its perfect, one touch and not dark
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Triple J on August 08, 2013, 08:27:27 AM
The Bell visor is pretty quick in transitioning. I've used mine a lot, and no complaints.

The problem with the flip down visors is only a couple companies make them, and I don't like their helmets all that much. But if you do, they're a good route.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Raux on August 08, 2013, 08:37:00 AM
actually more and more are coming out with the flip downs.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: ChrisK on August 08, 2013, 09:09:52 AM
I ended up opting for another flip down for my next helmet. Got the Scorpion EXO 1100, I simply don't trust that those lenses would change when I want them to.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: RBX QB on August 08, 2013, 01:21:59 PM
I'd totally go for a flip down if I could find one that didn't stop in my line of sight. The Bell Revolver was close. I haven't tried the Shark or Schuberth... because of cost.

I like the Bell Transition, but I also worry about whether it would transition fast enough for my preference... and I like my shield dark even on cloudy days.

Quote from: Triple J on August 08, 2013, 08:27:27 AM
The Bell visor is pretty quick in transitioning. I've used mine a lot, and no complaints....

How does it react on cloudy days?
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Triple J on August 08, 2013, 01:53:42 PM
Quote from: RBX QB on August 08, 2013, 01:21:59 PM
How does it react on cloudy days?

It gets dark. Just not quite as dark as on a sunny day.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: memper on August 09, 2013, 10:07:32 AM
Quote from: Raux on August 08, 2013, 08:37:00 AM
actually more and more are coming out with the flip downs.
Yep. My 2013 Shark S700 has one. Super convenient.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: DucHead on August 16, 2013, 08:02:37 AM
Quote from: Raux on August 03, 2013, 04:17:37 PM
I prefer the flip down internal visors

I flip-flop on this.  The downside of the internal sun visor is that its another visor that gets dirty.  This only really bothers me when I'm touring.  The outer visor I often clean with the car squeegee often found near gas pumps...I won't use that for an inner visor.   :P
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Raux on August 16, 2013, 08:12:14 AM
i never had issues with the inner visor but always use them with the outer down

just so you know they typically aren't rated for outer use.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: DucHead on August 16, 2013, 11:07:23 AM
Quote from: Raux on August 16, 2013, 08:12:14 AM
i never had issues with the inner visor but always use them with the outer down

just so you know they typically aren't rated for outer use.


For sure, but sometimes it gets hot in there.   ;)

Even though I tour in full leathers, I'm not religious about ATGATT.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: corey on August 16, 2013, 12:43:23 PM
I've seen guys riding with the bell visor... Cloudy on the left and sunny on the right... Visor is dark on the sunny side and not as dark on the cloudy side... It seems very very cool.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: ChrisK on August 16, 2013, 02:27:11 PM
Quote from: corey on August 16, 2013, 12:43:23 PM
I've seen guys riding with the bell visor... Cloudy on the left and sunny on the right... Visor is dark on the sunny side and not as dark on the cloudy side... It seems very very cool.

To me, that seems like it would be very very annoying. Like wearing a sunglass monocle.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: RBX QB on August 16, 2013, 02:38:17 PM
We need electrochromic visors. I don't think that's an actual thing, but it should be. Flip a switch and it tints. Wouldn't take more than a small battery to power.

Anyone smart enough to develop this?
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Triple J on August 16, 2013, 04:33:00 PM
You guys are really overthinking this. The photochromatic visor works...period. I've worn it in everything from 100* sun to 40* rain, and it worked fine. If it was ever a couple different shades at once, I didn't notice. I've never thought it didn't transition fast enough either. I can't even really remember ever thinking about it what it was doing, which is the point. If you think the flip down visor is better, then get that, but the photochromatic works very well.  [thumbsup] 

I also used to ride with sunglasses, and the visor is loads better.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: RBX QB on August 17, 2013, 10:23:55 AM
Quote from: Triple J on August 16, 2013, 04:33:00 PM
You guys are really overthinking this. ...

No we're not!  ;D

I use the smoke shield because I don't want to be seen, not because the sun is bright. I like to ride like an enigma, a shadow of a man cruising down the road on my bike. I want to be the mystery that needs to be solved.




But, you're right... if it's just a "the sun is bright" issue, I'm sure the photochromic lense works great.
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Triple J on August 17, 2013, 02:50:10 PM
Quote from: RBX QB on August 17, 2013, 10:23:55 AM

I use the smoke shield because I don't want to be seen, not because the sun is bright. I like to ride like an enigma, a shadow of a man cruising down the road on my bike. I want to be the mystery that needs to be solved.


[laugh]
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: seevtsaab on August 19, 2013, 07:51:29 AM
Quote from: RBX QB on August 16, 2013, 02:38:17 PM
We need electrochromic visors. I don't think that's an actual thing, but it should be. Flip a switch and it tints. Wouldn't take more than a small battery to power.

Anyone smart enough to develop this?

I think this is what Akuma has 'transitioned' to (see what I did there) - no feedback however

Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Privateer on August 21, 2013, 08:55:10 AM
Quote from: RBX QB on August 16, 2013, 02:38:17 PM
We need electrochromic visors. I don't think that's an actual thing, but it should be. Flip a switch and it tints. Wouldn't take more than a small battery to power.

Anyone smart enough to develop this?

Akuma Electrochromatic Visor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PJCr_sWJBTE#)
Title: Re: Photochromatic Lenses?
Post by: Skybarney on August 22, 2013, 07:42:37 PM
And even better yet!  An insert that is available now  [thumbsup]  More research methinks!

http://e-tintproducts.com/ (http://e-tintproducts.com/)

e-Tint MX-8 Electrochromic Visor Insert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4gV1gIrSd0.#)