Helmet type

[robgoggins]

I'm a fairly new rider and the helmet I purchased from our local dealer is a full helmet with two shields: one clear and one is shaded for riding in heavy or direct sun. I call it a "full" helmet, but you can actually click a button and open up the entire front 1/3 or so of the helmet. When I've used the helmet out west on some rides in 20-30 degree weather the helmet has been AWESOME...I love it. It keeps my face/head warm, I have good front and side vision, and being able to just slide the shaded visor down in a split second is a terrific feature that works great.

However, while riding up on the north shore of MN yesterday - when the ambient temperature was about -5 degrees - the shields frosted over on the inside in about 5 minutes. I had two options at that point: 1) either stop every couple miles and remove my glove to take a fingernail and scrape off the frost in order to get about a 2" square open area that I could see through; or 2) open up the clear shield and expose my face to the elements...which is what I did about 80% of the time as it allowed me to see a whole lot better.

I will say that the helmet comes with what I refer to as a "fighter jet" mouth/nose cover doo-hickey contraption. This goes right over the mouth/nose, and snaps into the sides of the helmet to hold it in place, and then you close front 1/3 of the helmet over the top of it. It's supposed to re-route your breath out the side portholes, thus keeping the shield clear of frost.

Of course, I didn't bring the darn thing with me because I never needed it out west so I didn't think I'd need it up north! So I have two questions for the group re: helmets...

1) If you have any experience with the fighter jet mouth/nose contraption, if used properly does it eliminate the shield frosting issue?

2) Our sleds have a built-in plug that apparently allows us to use a heated helmet. I totally forgot about it until I stopped a guy at the resort who was riding around with what appeared to be an open face helmet. I asked him how he was managing to ride around with an open face helmet, but then he showed me how his helmet actually had two shields; one was a shaded shield for sun and the other was clear with two "heater wires" running around the perimeter of the clear shield. He said he just plugs his helmet into his sled and it heats the element on the clear shield and he NEVER has an issue with frosted shields. I'm debating if I should just buy one of these puppies.

Thanks for your input!

 

[blkhwkbob]

The fighter jet thing is entirely about getting your breath out of the helmet and not icing up. It needs to be in there.

Heated shields are for when you've tried every other option and you need to see.

 

[fireman]

Is your shield a signal layer or double layer. I bought a helmet about ten years ago that did the same thing and found out the outside lens was only single layer.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

The answer to #1 is yes. The cover for your mouth and nose directs warm air away from the shield and once you're accustomed to it, it will work great.

#2 is entirely up to you. If you already have a plug then you're half way there and just need to find a shield that fits or go for a new helmet entirely.

I've never used a heated shield but I'm sure they're nice to have in this cold weather. One take-away that I've seen is people will sometimes forget to plug them in and run over the cord. We have one guy in our group that's done it a number of times.

 

[dfattack]

As already mentioned, yes the mouth/nose piece does need to be used. It will either eliminate the frost if used properly or minimize it substantially. The electric shield is something that I have and have tried numerous times but to be honest I haven't really found that it works. I can't really tell. I use the mouth piece and already know how important it is to get a good seal against your face. In the beginning, when I first purchased the electric shield I was naive and thought it would also melt ice on the exterior of the shield on those days when a mix of snow/ice/freezing rain/mist was occurring. This doesn't happen. the electric shield is only for the inside of the shield. I'm telling you this since you said you are new to the sport and many on this forum already know this.

Can i ask you which helmet you purchased? brand and model?

 

[slimcake]

As a guy who's tried every helmet goggle combination. Bought an electric Shield helmet that's modular couple years ago and it is God's gift. If your OCD like me you won't run over the cord or forget to unplug it or anything like that but it is freaking awesome. Those days when there's freezing rain or sleet or even snow when all your buds are having trouble be the guy with the electric Shield That Just Smiles.

 

[timo]

Save yourself time headaches and $. Go with the electric shield u will NEVR ice up and on most 30 degree days u won’t even need to plug it in. I wasted $ and my patience trying modular, Moto cross style, electric shield buy it and never worry about icing up again.

 

[1fujifilm]

The fighter jet thing is entirely about getting your breath out of the helmet and not icing up. It needs to be in there.

Heated shields are for when you've tried every other option and you need to see.

If you wear glasses you are pretty much relegated to a heated shield also. One time my heated shield is also needed is when you have freezing rain, seems to happen when close to Lake Superior when certain conditions combine. I have experienced f.r. near Munising, Baraga and even Wakefield when you wouldnt expect it and the shield saved the day.
Get the heated shield.
If you buy Ski-Doo, you will have to install a shield plug in as they are not standard ($45 installed or $27 DIY).

Bear

 

[POLARISDAN]

As a guy who's tried every helmet goggle combination. Bought an electric Shield helmet that's modular couple years ago and it is God's gift. If your OCD like me you won't run over the cord or forget to unplug it or anything like that but it is freaking awesome. Those days when there's freezing rain or sleet or even snow when all your buds are having trouble be the guy with the electric Shield That Just Smiles.

yea..heated mods are the only way to go unless ur in the pow..just remember not to touch the plug to the metal runners or it will blow your fuse..do it all the time

 

[snobuilder]

509 helmet and 509 goggles with the Kim Arctic balaclava Even got the wife wearing one....it never got above 0 yesterday or today....no fogging.
Wife is blind so she has prescription goggle inserts. Never been more complacent.
All completely cordless.

 

[funsledn]

Sounds like you have a Ski Doo modular 2, like my helmet. Yes you need to wear the breath mask. Had one like it for 5 years and have never fogged up. I have the electric shield but never plugged it in until after 3 years because of some freezing rain one day and found out it didn’t work. Don’t worry about using those ‘diapers’ in the breath mask, they jus get wet and annoying. Jus run without them , the moisture can be shook out later at a stop when you have helmet off

 

[old abe]

We have Doo Mod 1's, Mod 3's, and BVS helmets. None are heated, as we don't like the cords to deal with. Never have a fog or freeze issue, and we all wear glasses. Freezing rain can be a problem without a heated shield. We just keep a nice soft towel tucked under your coats for those times. Works well. Modular helmets are nice and warm when it gets really cold!!!

 

[snobuilder]

Had a BVS and apparently I breathe too much because the breath box valves will freeze up below 5-10 degrees and fog up worse than a regular helmet.
Sounds like they work well for others.

 

[old abe]

Had a BVS and apparently I breathe too much because the breath box valves will freeze up below 5-10 degrees and fog up worse than a regular helmet.
Sounds like they work well for others.

BVS works very well for some, and not for others. Me as a no, my wife is a yes like a dream. Only helmet that she has ever had keep fog free. She always had to wear the elephant trunk with the tube hanging out. It's all in adjusting, and fitting of the breath box. And they do have different valve disks. BVS are warmer than the Mods are. No air leaks, which makes them fog fast if they are not fitting right.

 

[misty_pines]

509 helmet and 509 goggles with the Kim Arctic balaclava Even got the wife wearing one....it never got above 0 yesterday or today....no fogging.
Wife is blind so she has prescription goggle inserts. Never been more complacent.
All completely cordless.

I wear this exact same set up and recommend it also. Rode in temps as cold as -17 this weekend with no issues.

 

[xcr440]

Been riding with a full face electric shield for years and absolutely love it - 500+ last week with a total of 2 hours above zero and never had a fogging issue. The cord is a non-issue for me. Some people run it through their jacket sleeve, some out the front of the jacket. I just let it dangle down in front of me to the connector and it never gets in my way.

The guy I rode with has a modular because he wears glasses, and the only issue with that is when it is as cold as it was last week (Mostly in the -10 range), on long rides, the breather holes would eventually fill and cover over with ice. A little poking with a stick when stopped opens them back up in a second.

Its all a matter of what you like and feel comfortable with. If you have the modular with the "fighter pilot thingy" AKA Respirator, you absolutely need that for the helmet to work properly in the cold.

 

[Banjo Man]

Have a Gmail modular and this past weekend tried every different combination of breath box, open and closing vents and nothing stopped the icing. Bought an electric shield and problem totally solved. The one I bought has a tight telephone like cord that plugs into the sled with a female end so it won’t short out if touches anything and short enough not to get in the way. Then their is a shorter cord from the helmet with the male end that is really easy to connect and disconnect. May have had this for a while but new to me and I’m a happy camper.

 

[whitedust]

This is funny...imo...it's like how do I start this car no key and why do I need to carry this funny little electronic clicker with me?

 

[old abe]

This is funny...imo...it's like how do I start this car no key and why do I need to carry this funny little electronic clicker with me?

Right on whitedust!!! I say to each his own!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year!!!

 

[dfattack]

BVS works very well for some, and not for others. Me as a no, my wife is a yes like a dream. Only helmet that she has ever had keep fog free. She always had to wear the elephant trunk with the tube hanging out. It's all in adjusting, and fitting of the breath box. And they do have different valve disks. BVS are warmer than the Mods are. No air leaks, which makes them fog fast if they are not fitting right.

Exactly, BVS is my go to helmet when cold (below say 10 degrees) then Modular 3 when warmer. Favorite is modular 3 since it's easier to get on and off with headphones on.

- - - Updated - - -

It's amazing how many different opinions there are from sled types, helmets, gear, etc... just have to decide for yourself what works for you.