Peaked helmets

[Horse]

Kind of ironic that a a graduated visor with a heavy tint at the top is forbidden, so the work-around is to put a strip of opaque tape on. Hard to imagine why the first option is verboten but the second one isn't.

Fair point. Similar that a visor has to be to a standard (scratch resistant, penetration resistant, light transmission) even when flipped up. But sunglasses worn without a visor can be el cheapo flimsy darkasyoulike.

[Count Steer]

Kind of ironic that a a graduated visor with a heavy tint at the top is forbidden, so the work-around is to put a strip of opaque tape on. Hard to imagine why the first option is verboten but the second one isn't.

Fair point. Similar that a visor has to be to a standard (scratch resistant, penetration resistant, light transmission) even when flipped up. But sunglasses worn without a visor can be el cheapo flimsy darkasyoulike.

Not sure that's true. The missus wanted some dark sunglasses lenses and the optician said that she wouldn't be allowed to drive in them. (She didn't want them for driving and says she wouldn't want to drive in them even though they aren't as dark as she originally asked for).

Just checked. Category 4 lenses (exceptionally bright sunlight glasses) are illegal to drive in but 3 is OK.

Filter category 4 lenses only transmit between 3% and 8% of light and are not suitable for driving at any time. Sunglasses with these lenses should, by law, be labelled 'Not suitable for driving and road use'.

I'd guess hers ended up as Cat. 3.

[Horse]

Fairynuff, didn't know about that ... Although 'labelled' and 'illegal to use' are two different things.

Edit
Interwebs says:

"Can you get fined for wearing sunglasses while driving in the UK?
If you're involved in a collision where using unsuitable eyewear is considered to be a contributing factor, you may be liable to prosecution. Your sunglasses need to meet the requirements set out in the Highway Code:

- They must not be so dark that they stop you from seeing clearly
- They must not be tinted while you're driving at night or in otherwise poor visibility
- They must not make it difficult for you to see traffic signals clearly
- They must not have any scratches or external damage that makes it difficult for you to see"

[Count Steer]

Fairynuff, didn't know about that ... Although 'labelled' and 'illegal to use' are two different things.

Edit
Interwebs says:

"Can you get fined for wearing sunglasses while driving in the UK?
If you're involved in a collision where using unsuitable eyewear is considered to be a contributing factor, you may be liable to prosecution. Your sunglasses need to meet the requirements set out in the Highway Code:

- They must not be so dark that they stop you from seeing clearly
- They must not be tinted while you're driving at night or in otherwise poor visibility
- They must not make it difficult for you to see traffic signals clearly
- They must not have any scratches or external damage that makes it difficult for you to see"

Yeah, I was going on what the AA says in the table 'Legal' 'No' - so assumed they're actually not legal.

https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/sa ... sunglasses

[MrLongbeard]

Kind of ironic that a a graduated visor with a heavy tint at the top is forbidden, so the work-around is to put a strip of opaque tape on. Hard to imagine why the first option is verboten but the second one isn't.

Fair point. Similar that a visor has to be to a standard (scratch resistant, penetration resistant, light transmission) even when flipped up. But sunglasses worn without a visor can be el cheapo flimsy darkasyoulike.

Not sure that's true. The missus wanted some dark sunglasses lenses and the optician said that she wouldn't be allowed to drive in them. (She didn't want them for driving and says she wouldn't want to drive in them even though they aren't as dark as she originally asked for).

Just checked. Category 4 lenses (exceptionally bright sunlight glasses) are illegal to drive in but 3 is OK.

Filter category 4 lenses only transmit between 3% and 8% of light and are not suitable for driving at any time. Sunglasses with these lenses should, by law, be labelled 'Not suitable for driving and road use'.

I'd guess hers ended up as Cat. 3.

Vision Express will dispense cat 4 lenses, they have to me, you just have to tell them you won't drive in them, you don't even have to mean it and can cross your fingers behind your back

[MrLongbeard]

Yeah, I was going on what the AA says in the table 'Legal' 'No' - so assumed they're actually not legal.

https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/sa ... sunglasses

It's nowt to do with driving laws.
Sunnies are PPE, so regulated, light transmission is tested in BS EN 12312-1, which requires; "Filters suitable for road use and driving shall be of categories 0, 1, 2 or 3"

Cat 4 lenses require “Not suitable for road use and driving” labelling.

[Yorick]

The sun is so bright here, I wear Cat 4 sunglasses every day. Even for driving.

Fair price from Decathlon.

[Count Steer]

Vision Express will dispense cat 4 lenses, they have to me, you just have to tell them you won't drive in them, you don't even have to mean it and can cross your fingers behind your back

Our optician would supply them too, they just made a bit of a song and dance about it. (They're not uncommon for skiing). Just looked and hers might actually be Cat 4 - they're certainly jolly dark. (She originally had prescription darkish lenses in for clambering up mountains in then went for contact lenses and wanted the lenses replaced with non-prescription ones in the same frame).

As I said, I just went on what the AA said about legality for driving.

[gremlin]

Cat 4 lenses require “Not suitable for road use and driving” labelling.

Surely that would only make it harder to see through the lens...

[MrLongbeard]

[Ditchfinder]

So I ended up buying this one: https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... 06#reviews for £75

Got it's it's first proper test in low bright light last night on way home. I think the peak was most important as by dipping forward I could completely block out the strong sun.

The internal visor helps a little but is best used just if it's generally a bright day.

It's a little noiser than my normal road helmet but on the commute up to 50 it's no problem. For longer rides earplugs are needed. The wind seems to rise up around the chin area so a buff might help too.

Outer visor is removable and comes with blanking plates for the hinges so you can use goggles if you prefer.

Quality is very similar to my Shark road helmet - not premium but pretty good.