A monitor for using bikes? The React rev sun shades depend on a liquid crystal show for significantly quick tint adjustment. In response to the Swiss producer, the ShadeTronic know-how is ready to swap between tint ranges 2-4 inside 0.1 seconds, which is feasible because of a know-how developed for welding masks within the Eighties. However how does it work on the path?
“Self-tinting glasses are for pensioners and haven’t any place on mountain bike trails just because they react too slowly to altering mild situations.” This is likely one of the greatest prejudices towards photochromic goggles, which depend on a light-sensitive materials to adapt their tint to the present mild depth and alter its absorption behaviour. In different phrases, the lenses get darker in brighter situations. If the sunshine depth decreases, the tint lightens up once more. Usually, this course of takes a couple of seconds, which could be a problem, particularly whenever you’re using within the forest, the place mild situations can change shortly because of the bushes interfering with the daylight. That is additionally an issue briefly tunnels, the place many lenses don’t reply shortly sufficient, which means that you may’t see something whereas using by way of the tunnel and are completely blinded in your method out, as a result of the lenses brighten up just some seconds earlier than you exit the tunnel.
React intention to place an finish to this problem with their ShadeTronic know-how: The Swiss producer’s glasses are mentioned to take simply 0.1 seconds to regulate their tint stage from 2 to 4, which works out at a 57-94% tint share. Nonetheless, this additionally signifies that the lightest tint stage is 57%, which could already be too darkish at nightfall or in very dense woodland – however extra on that later. React cost a whopping € 329 for the full-frame rev mannequin, which we examined within the Ruby/Black and Sky/White end. There’s additionally the lighter Optray model, which is frameless on the backside and prices € 289. If you happen to put on prescriptions, React additionally provide a correction clip for €39.
ShadeTronic – From the manufacturing facility to the path
The know-how used for the React glasses trickled down from welding security tools. Again within the mid-Eighties, Optrel, React’s dad or mum firm and provider of face and head safety merchandise, invented an auto-darkening welding helmet that depends on a liquid crystal show (LCD) know-how. With the founding of their React subsidiary, the corporate utilised their ShadeTronic LCD know-how for his or her sports activities sun shades, which distinguish themselves from different merchandise by way of the significantly quick tinting adjustment and are due to this fact meant to be significantly useful in quickly altering mild situations. The glasses within the Optray and rev sequence are produced in Switzerland and bear the “Swiss Made” brand. On the coronary heart of the ShadeTronic know-how lies a intelligent mixture of photocells and LCD lenses. Relying on the sunshine depth, the photocell generates roughly present, which is used to rearrange the liquid crystals. This in the end results in near-instantaneous tinting of the lenses – however solely within the medium-to-strong tint vary. React glasses don’t loosen up fully. Nonetheless, the automated tinting additionally works behind a window with UV filters, like in a automobile, for instance, the place standard photochromic glasses don’t darken, as they solely react to UV radiation.
React rev – Elegant look, high-quality workmanship
The very first thing you’ll discover when sporting React rev glasses is that they’re completely tinted and by no means go fully clear. So should you kick off your journey within the early morning hours or wish to shred proper as much as beer o’clock at sundown, you’ll both must take a spare pair of clear glasses, or journey with out, as a result of at nightfall, it may be onerous to see what’s happening on the path. However first issues first: The totally framed glasses could be customised in three alternative ways to fit your preferences and anatomy. The nostril pads provide width adjustment, the arms could be bent close to the temples, and the arms themselves could be tilted up and down between three positions relative to the lenses – which is reasonably uncommon! This would possibly look pointless at first look, however is definitely fairly useful on some trails.
In fact, magnificence is at all times within the eye of the beholder, even with regards to sporty sun shades. Nonetheless, we are able to attest to the Swiss firm’s good style. The marginally wider lenses transition seamlessly into the pleasantly slim arms, making certain a sporty look. What’s extra, the burden of 40 g is completely cheap, and each the selection of supplies and workmanship high quality are past reproach. Retailing at € 329, the React Rev glasses proudly boast a “Swiss Made” brand, and rightly so! Nonetheless, at this value vary, a couple of extra customisation choices could be good.
The React rev in our sensible take a look at – At all times the fitting shade (nearly!)
The React Rev is available in two body colors, black and white, which could be mixed with 4 totally different lens colors. Even indoors, the glasses react properly to adjustments in mild, getting darker or lighter when wanted. This course of is nearly instantaneous. In fact, the response time is identical outdoor, solely the tint vary will increase. Even in very brilliant mild situations, the React rev gives ample safety towards glare. Then again, the tint doesn’t fairly brighten up sufficient should you journey into the night twilight. In a nutshell, 57 % tinting is simply an excessive amount of! Because of the design of the glasses, you need to guarantee always that the sunshine falls on the sensor, which is positioned on the high centre. However even with giant visors, we by no means had points with this. Significantly with trendy helmets, which frequently characteristic a goggle storage simply above the face cut-out, the visor sits excessive sufficient to forestall it from obscuring the sunshine sensor. The pace of the liquid crystals constructed into the lenses is spectacular. Even with very fast adjustments in mild situations, for instance on trails using by way of forest glades and clearings, the React rev does an incredible job, at all times offering the fitting tint – superior! You’ll sometimes detect a slight flicker, presumably when the sunshine adjustments correspond precisely to the time it takes for the goggles to lighten and darken. Each fashions in our take a look at come geared up with a contrast-enhancing, reflective layer. The lenses are additionally polarised, which will increase distinction much more and minimises stray mild. To place it merely: you possibly can see extra particulars on the path, and are much less distracted by sudden adjustments in mild. And also you’ll discover that, regardless that you’ll must get used to it first.
Regardless of the numerous customisation choices, the goggles weren’t an ideal match for each tester. One or two riders complained specifically a couple of small hole on the brow, which lets the wind by way of to the eyes. Then again, riders with comparatively slim heads acquired on superb with the goggles, regardless of the comparatively massive lenses. Our tester Patrick additionally used them for the odd path run, the place they fitted reliably and with out bothering him.
Who ought to take a more in-depth have a look at the React rev sun shades?
The React rev are the right sun shades for all riders who desire a super-fast tint adjustment. This turns out to be useful above all on technical trails with nasty root carpets, and in situations with scattered mild – and the polarised lenses enhance distinction. Nonetheless, should you get pleasure from epic rides from daybreak to nightfall, the React rev received’t be fairly best for you – it doesn’t brighten up sufficient.
Our conclusions in regards to the React rev sun shades
The React rev are indisputably amongst the quickest self-tinting sun shades available on the market. The diploma of tinting is spot on in most conditions, whereas lightening and darkening are nearly imperceptible. Due to the correction clip, they’re additionally appropriate for riders with prescription glasses, who, like everybody else, will profit from the wonderful adjustability. Nonetheless, we wish to see rather less tint, which might make them appropriate for cheeky twilight path classes.
Tops
- Tremendous-fast tint adjustment
- High workmanship
- Correction clip out there
Flops
- An excessive amount of tint for low mild situations
- Costly
For more information, go to react-swiss.com
Did you get pleasure from this text? In that case, we’d be stoked should you determine to help us with a month-to-month contribution. By turning into a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you’ll assist safe a sustainable future for high-quality biking journalism. Click on right here to study extra.
Phrases: Patrick Gruber Photographs: Antonia Feder Translation: Eric Frajria
