Review - FogCity Speed Tint

[lewellen]

Item: FogCity Speed Tint

Test helmet: HJC CL-15

Price: ~$12 incl. tax from Sand City Honda

Overall rating: * * * * 1/2 (out of 5)

Pros:
- does a good job of cutting sun glare
- reasonably optically clear
- inobtrusive

Cons:
- can't move from helmet to helmet or remove to clean

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Kit:
- All hardware included for mounting: Yes
- Fit / finish of major items: very good
- Fit / finish of fasteners: n/a
- Quality of instructions: very good

Required tools to install: none

Mounting system: adhesive, mounts to inside of face shield
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The FogCity Speed Tint is a tinted strip of plastic, around an inch in width, that attaches to the inner top side of your face shield.

It is reasonably optically clear, so you can look at the roads through it and still be fairly safe. The purpose is, basically, to help keep the sun out of your eyes, as well as giving you a quick way to cut down on glare (e.g. from car windshields) by dipping your head slightly.

The strip has a bead of adhesive around three edges. You mount it so the adhesive just clears the sealing gasket on the top of the helmet (if you want a sun shade). The instructions say you can also mount it right in line with your vision for a permanent "split shield" but I wouldn't do this myself.

My Transitions lenses do tint a little bit inside my helmet, but not enough in full sun; the Speed Tint does the trick beautifully for blocking out the high sun and letting me deal with intermittent glare, while still letting me see clearly and without having to carry along two pairs of glasses.

There used to be a similar product called Sundowner, about 10 - 15 years back, that did as good of a job; only it mounted to the outside of the shield via static cling, so you could move it from helmet to helmet and cleaning was a little easier. Besides having to buy one for each face shield, the only downside I see to the Speed Tint is that you can get water, soap, and junk between the Speed Tint and the face shield.

For the first ten minutes or so, you notice the Speed Tint band; but you quickly become used to it. If you're bothered by sun glare when it's high in the sky, have to ride into the sun a lot, or just don't like dealing with sun glinting off windshields and such, it's worth giving this a try.

Good roads,

- John L.