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e-Tint’s New MX-8 & AX-9 Visor Insert

e-Tint’s New MX-8 Visor Insert, is the answer I have been waiting for? Ok, I have wanted something similar to e-Tint for a quite a while, but it has just not been available… until now. After some hesitation, I jumped off and bought one. My immediate impression after installing the e-Tint MX-8 (manual switch) Visor Insert follows.

• Installs on the inside of your existing face shield.
• Easy to install with great alignment template.
• Easy operation
• But, will it get dark enough for me? The visor was ever so slightly tinted in "Off" mode and when tested out-of-the-box I had my doubts. Decided to “wait and see.”
• I like being able to recharge from any USB port or phone charger if it has USB port or the charger of my G4 Scala.

Nice – no need to lug around an extra charger.

So, two days after my late evening visor installations, I “test" the e-Tint /Shoei combination. First, I put the helmet on in brightest part of the day. With my helmet on, slowly I lower the face shield and realize by peering through the uncovered edges around the e-Tint insert just how "clear" the shield actually is compared to what I thought was a slight tint on the e-Tint MX-8 insert in its off position. Now I am feeling better about my purchase but still not certain.

The helmet’s shield was lowered and the insert turned it on. Ok, not as much difference as I thought between “On & Off” but... OK. Just does not seem as dark as my "dark" sunglasses. So, let's test that theory.

With my dark sunglasses on, I survey the area. Then I take them off and lower the shield with the e-Tint already turned-on. What?? It looks about the same as my dark glasses. Let's try this again. Ok... to my surprise it is about the same.

While the difference between the ON & OFF positions e-Tint insert may not be as dramatic as I was expecting or as I thought necessary, it is enough difference when you consider the insert is somewhat tinted even in the OFF mode. My best description is “Off” tint is a very light smoke that worked well even at sundown. Think “transitional glasses,” they never quite get total to a “clear” state and neither does the AX-9 or the MX-8 e-Tint inserts.

On e-Tint’s MX-8 visor insert, the power cord from the insert to the outboard control switch is a 32 gauge wire. It’s an extremely small wire. The Shoei’s shield shuts on the wire without any noticeable problem, but my helmet’s seal is soft which helps. I tried e-Tints control wire under my HJC Sy-MAX shield and it worked well there also. Also, did not notice any increase in wind noise. Of course, the AX-9 does not have a wire. It is all self-contained.

While I did not test the e-Tint AX-9, e-Tint’s automatic version, but understand the AX-9 has operates both in auto and manual modes. Additionally, the light activation sensitivity can be adjusted if you don’t like the default setting.

Ok, at the end of the day – I like it.

While not perfect, it is perfect enough for me and will not be giving it back. If you insist I find at least one negative, that would be it is highly unlikely it can be moved from one helmet to another. But, then again if I were to buy another helmet, it will have a built in visor.