View Poll Results: Face Shield or Sunglasses?
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll
Face Shield or Sunglasses?
#31
My new helmet came to me with a tinted shield so I'll give that a try now, since a lot of people I know rave about the tinted shields. Plus it looks awesome with the dark shield and black helmet.
#32
Rennlist Member
This thread got me wondering whether or not F1 drivers (and others) wear contacts or glasses. The best answer I found was on Yahoo answers so take it a face value!
I think it is interesting to think that very high G forces could dislodge a contact! Yikes.
Aside from Bourdais and Jacques V., I remember a driver in the early 70s, Andrea de Adamich from Italy with his large black frames. He drove for Ferrari, McLaren-Alfa, March and Surtees from 1968 to 1973.
Keke Rosberg wasn't wearing eyeglasses during the times he was racing in F1.
More recently, Ralf Schumacher wore contact lenses. Robet Kubica has been wearing both prescription eyeglasses or contacts. Timo Glock wears contacts.
There is another current driver who may jump to F1 next year, Roldan Rodriguez. He wears eyeglasses.
Some of the reasons drivers opt for glasses instead of contacts are: The helmet air intake dries out the contacts (unless the intakes are positioned specifically to avoid the problem), and the massive lateral G forces tend to move the contacts from their predisposed location.
In NASCAR and Indy series, it is more common to see drivers wearing either contacts or glasses. Some have had Lasik (laser) surgery lately to correct their visual problems. But sometimes Lasik may not be the best or the most feasible solution.
P.S. I forgot to mention that Giancarlo Fisichella has been wearing contacts for many years. And going back to the past, the late Riccardo Paletti wore glasses.
Keke Rosberg wasn't wearing eyeglasses during the times he was racing in F1.
More recently, Ralf Schumacher wore contact lenses. Robet Kubica has been wearing both prescription eyeglasses or contacts. Timo Glock wears contacts.
There is another current driver who may jump to F1 next year, Roldan Rodriguez. He wears eyeglasses.
Some of the reasons drivers opt for glasses instead of contacts are: The helmet air intake dries out the contacts (unless the intakes are positioned specifically to avoid the problem), and the massive lateral G forces tend to move the contacts from their predisposed location.
In NASCAR and Indy series, it is more common to see drivers wearing either contacts or glasses. Some have had Lasik (laser) surgery lately to correct their visual problems. But sometimes Lasik may not be the best or the most feasible solution.
P.S. I forgot to mention that Giancarlo Fisichella has been wearing contacts for many years. And going back to the past, the late Riccardo Paletti wore glasses.
#33
Three Wheelin'
I've only used my helmet once, but it was for four hours in an off road race. It needed to be full face with forced air hook-up (BR-1), which I'm glad I have now for when I start doing DE's.
I just used sunglasses under a clear shield, but the arms being pressed into the side of my head became uncomfortable by the fourth hour. The shields are cheap enough and easy to change out, so I plan on getting a couple of different tinted ones to meet various lighting conditions.
As far as the open or shut debate. The face shield had to be fully shut to keep dust and rocks out, and the truck had a filtered and air conditioned forced air system, so it kept the air circulation moving in the desired path. I'll cobble together an air system for the car. A forced air helmet with the shield shut and air being blown in, should be more comfortable than a standard helmet with the shield slightly open.
One thing I remember when pulling up to the starting line, the driver told me: "If a rock is kicked up and coming toward your head, try to move your head if you can. But whatever you do, do not put your hand up to block it. You'll break your hand. Let the helmet and face shield take the hit, that's what its designed for."
I just used sunglasses under a clear shield, but the arms being pressed into the side of my head became uncomfortable by the fourth hour. The shields are cheap enough and easy to change out, so I plan on getting a couple of different tinted ones to meet various lighting conditions.
As far as the open or shut debate. The face shield had to be fully shut to keep dust and rocks out, and the truck had a filtered and air conditioned forced air system, so it kept the air circulation moving in the desired path. I'll cobble together an air system for the car. A forced air helmet with the shield shut and air being blown in, should be more comfortable than a standard helmet with the shield slightly open.
One thing I remember when pulling up to the starting line, the driver told me: "If a rock is kicked up and coming toward your head, try to move your head if you can. But whatever you do, do not put your hand up to block it. You'll break your hand. Let the helmet and face shield take the hit, that's what its designed for."
#34
Rennlist Member
#36
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Sunglasses for prescription and sun control, visor for protection. I run mine slightly open and ready to flip down in case of an incident (which I hope I'm conscious to be able to flip it closed).
#39
Visor = protection; glasses = better vision.
#40
Rennlist Member
Stupid question but I see that, for example, Bell helmets can come with a "Light Smoke" or "Dark Smoke" shield. Which one is the equivalent to ordinary sunglasses?
#41
Drifting
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Suburban DC
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
YOu have to keep in mind that there are a variety of users in this forum. Some are doing HPDEs in blue jeans and t-shirts, in the family Ford Pinto. For that person, the added safety of a closed (vs open) visor is trivial.
#43
Sebring two weeks ago. It was like in slow motion. I saw the rock come off the tire in front of me. It hit the side mirror, hung an immediate left, and nailed me square between the eyes. Bloody results.
#44
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Exactly what I do.
__________________
.
The apex of performance, comfort & safety since 2011.
All new racewear available now→ traqgear.com
.
The apex of performance, comfort & safety since 2011.
All new racewear available now→ traqgear.com
#45
Drifting
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Suburban DC
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts