Product Review - Fog City Hyper Optiks

[easypete]

I had almost purchased a Nolan helmet because of its "ability" to not fog up. After asking a couple posters of their experiences w/ the Nolan anti-fog visor insert, I found that I needed to go elsewhere to get a solution.

I found a $35 insert made by Fog City. It is the photoreactive version (green/blue). They also make clear and smoke (non-photoreactive) for about $20.

When water droplets collect on the smooth surface of a visor, they will change the direction of the light coming through the visor. When the visor is fully "fogged up", the light goes in every direction, making it impossible to see much of anything.

The idea behind the insert is allow the water droplets to be absorbed into the material of the porous insert. The water then takes the shape of the visor, thus not changing the direction of the light.

Sounded like a good concept. Sounded like a way to save about $250, so I tried it.

Installing it was not so fun. They give you a white piece of plastic that you try to center on the outside of your visor. I wasted about 1 hour trying to get this right. There's a line on the center of this white plastic. It should be vertical and in the center of the visor's field of view. Other than that, trying to get the wrinkles out and trying to get the rest of this template to look good is a complete waste of time. All you need is that line, and the line to be centered both horizontally and vetically.

Once you do this, peel and stick the insert to the inside of the visor. There is a line on the visor you need to match up with the line on the template. Simple.

My first ride was a little disappointing until I found out that it was my glasses fogging up, not the visor. There was no sign at all of the visor fogging after 45 minutes of riding in 35 degree weather. Glasses, on the other hand, not so good.

Looked on internet for glasses fix. Tap water seemed to do the trick. Being a not-so-regular scuba diver myself, this made sense. Either tap water or spit will make your glasses not fog up for a while. I can't use a chemical on my glasses due to the anti-glare coating on them.

This morning's ride was about an hour in 37 degree weather. I kept my face shield down tight all ride. Beautiful. After about 40 minutes, I started to see a little halo'ing of head lights/tail lights, but nothing distracting.

As for the green coloration, I had no issues with it in the dark. When it gets light out, it turns blue. This is not as good as the dark smoke shield I have, but I don't have to carry a seperate shield with me now.





One picture is helmet with paper inserted under shield to show insert clearly.

[blackie1491]

I also wear glasses, but use a 3/4 with a face shield and have no problem with fogging up. I went withglasses that turn dark in reation to sunlight but am not happy with that solution.

I liked the concept of the dark sunshield available on some Nolan helmets.
Have not seen any locally to test fit.

I was watch a Canadian TV, called Motorcycle Exp., on it they showed how to fit helmets proper. They were explaining how some helmets use diff. size cheek pads. So rather than go down in helmet size if was slightly loose, you would go down in cheek pads, giving you in effect a custom fit helmet.
Some helmets even allow for the top pad to be sized.
Helmets that allow this have sizes maked on the pad facing the helmet shell.

In 16 years, I have only found one helmet that would be a perfect fit.
1 of 8, the rest were close.

[Trapper]

Nice review, thanks.

[stp1971]

Might have to check that out one day Pete when we get to go riding.
Thanks!!!!!!