SLUK Loves #5: Pinlock anti-mist visor insert | REVIEW
If someone asked me what the biggest safety improvement in scootering was since I started riding, then Pinlock’s anti-mist visor insert would probably be my answer.
There is no substitute for being able to see properly, and if your visor is misted-up then your vision is impaired. On scooters in particular it is vital to know the condition of the road surface and the location of potholes etc. If you can’t see then you are simply guessing, and that’s no safer than walking blindfolded through a minefield.
When it comes to buying a crash helmet therefore, my advice would be always to buy full-face, and for that helmet to be pre-supplied with a Pinlock or at the very least have a visor pre-fitted with Pinlock pins.
The good news is that an increasing number of helmets are Pinlock-compatible from the factory.
Why Pinlock?
Prior to using Pinlock I used a product called Fog City which was also great at preventing misting, but these stuck to the visor with adhesive around the perimeter of the insert. With double-curvature visors it wasn’t always easy to stick the insert in so that there were no gaps. Gaps in the seal between the insert and the visor are a nightmare because you end up with steam inside your double-glazing that you can’t wipe away.
Enter Pinlock and their simple system which uses special location pins in holes drilled through the visor to locate the insert and press it tightly against the visor. A silicone bead on the insert seals the Pinlock so you don’t get leaky double-glazing.
What few people seem to know is that the Pinlock pins contain a cam and by rotating the hexagon head of the pin you can adjust how tightly the insert sits against the visor. It is a near-perfect solution.
VIDEO | How to fit and adjust a Pinlock anti-fog liner.
What could be better?
Overall, there’s not much that could be improved.
- At night any of the visor inserts will slightly increase the amount of glare.
- You do have to be careful how you treat the Pinlock. The surface is easier to scratch than a visor, for instance if you put gloves with metal buckles inside. A new Pinlock costs around £20 – £30 so don’t do it steampunkers!
- If your helmet has a narrow visor aperture then you might see the edges of your Pinlock in your peripheral vision when looking over your shoulder, but there are now helmets – like the Spada RP One we used for the video (£110 from Spada dealers) – with extra-wide visor apertures and extra wide Pinlocks to match.
Overall those are small prices to pay for being fog-free. Until something better comes along, Pinlock remains our weapon of choice.
Sticky
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Brilliant bit of kit. Works even in the wettest steamiest conditions. All you get is a steamed up border around the insert.
I bought a job lot of discontinued helmet pinlock inserts for a few quid each off a certain E auction site and with a little fettling made them fit all four of my full face lids, even those without pinlock holes. Careful measuring, securing and drilling required.
Double glazing for your lid…now I just need a set of windscreen wipers for the outside, innit! 😉