Motorcycles

AGV’s new visor darkens at the push of a button

AGV’s new visor darkens at the push of a button
Valentino Rossi demonstrates how to use the AGVisor on his personal Pista GP special helmet
Valentino Rossi demonstrates how to use the AGVisor on his personal Pista GP special helmet
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AGVisor promises instant adaptability to lighting conditions
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AGVisor promises instant adaptability to lighting conditions
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The new LCD visor from AGV is available for the Pista GP, Corsa and GT Veloce (pictured) models
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The new LCD visor from AGV is available for the Pista GP, Corsa and GT Veloce (pictured) models
Valentino Rossi demonstrates how to use the AGVisor on his personal Pista GP special helmet
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Valentino Rossi demonstrates how to use the AGVisor on his personal Pista GP special helmet
Valentino Rossi demonstrates how to use the AGVisor on his personal Pista GP special helmet
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Valentino Rossi demonstrates how to use the AGVisor on his personal Pista GP special helmet
View gallery - 5 images

Italian helmet maker AGV has unveiled a new motorcycle helmet visor that can darken or lighten in less than a second. Eloquently named AGVisor, it realizes its swift tinting effect via a thin liquid crystal (LCD) layer powered by a small rechargeable battery and operated by a glove-friendly button located at the bottom left side of the visor.

AGVisor promises instant adaptability to lighting conditions
AGVisor promises instant adaptability to lighting conditions

According to AGV, the fully charged visor can sustain a dark tint for 12 consecutive hours, which is probably more than most people will ride in one day and, unless you're touring the in the Arctic Circle in summertime, covers the average duration of daylight in most places anyway.

The battery is housed in a small controller box underneath the power switch and requires two hours for a complete recharge. A fail-safe security system is in place to ensure that the visor will remain in clear mode after its power source has been depleted or in case of malfunction.

The new LCD visor from AGV is available for the Pista GP, Corsa and GT Veloce (pictured) models
The new LCD visor from AGV is available for the Pista GP, Corsa and GT Veloce (pictured) models

The 3 mm thick AGVisor also doubles as an anti-fog insert. It is equipped with a patented visor lock system to prevent it from opening as an unwanted result of aerodynamic pressure.

The new hi-tech visor is set for a commercial release this month and is designed to fit the Pista GP, Corsa and GT Veloce helmets. European pricing is reportedly around €200. There's no news as yet as to when it might land in the US.

Source: AGV

View gallery - 5 images
4 comments
4 comments
MQ
Darkenning visor, new tech??
Just like a $100 (or less) welding mask.
Have they thought of powering it using a (very small) solar cell??
No need for a battery, as when it is bright, the sun is also shining.
The solar cell can also charge the battery for the camera and HUD.
lwesson
There has to be a Fail Safe in this design. With over 100,000 miles of riding, I cannot imagine a more awful failure while driving at night, that the thing goes to dark shade suddenly. Think about it. Otherwise, very nice.
Brainfarth
$100 falls under 'you get what you pay for'. I've been using auto darkening welding hoods for 20 years now and wondered why they haven't implemented them for other uses like wind screens. But I don't think auto darkening would be a good choice for the open road with so many variables.
unklmurray
I have zero electrical skills,otherwise my welding helmet and my Motorcycle helmets would have done got married!!