What is the Difference Between a Heated and Non-Heated Snowmobile Helmet?

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When shopping for the best modular snowmobile helmet should you buy a heating or non-heating helmet? And what makes the differences between the two?

Not all newbie snowmobilers can differentiate between unheated and heated snowmobile helmets. The post highlights the similarities and differences between the two. 

How Does a Heated Snowmobile Helmet Work?

In snowmobiling, you must be mindful about your security. And that involves securing the right helmet whether heated or non-heated type. But the one type of helmet that sounds unique is the heated snowmobile helmet. 

So how does it work? A heated helmet has a ring of heating elements around the edge of the face shield. And current passing through the element generates heat.

On the other hand, other models have a thin conductive coating on the shield. When current flows through the conductive film on the visor, heat is generated. 

Why Choose a Heated Snowmobile Helmet?

A heated snowmobile helmet is a vital piece of protective headgear. When sledding in the snow, fogging is a present threat that hinders visibility. And poor visibility endangers the safety of your ride.

A heated helmet gives a possible solution to fogging and visibility. Warm breath on meeting a cold lens leads to moisture condensation.  

An electric face shield uses current to generate heat on the inner lens. The heat produced helps defrost the shield and so produces enhanced visibility. 

Most heated snowmobile helmets derive power from two-main sources. The 12-volt currents for heating the lens come from the machine's power outlet socket. Other electric visors also tap current from a dedicated rechargeable battery. 

Is a Heated Snowmobile Helmet Worth It?

The choice of whether a heated snowmobile helmet is worth it or not boils down to two factors:

Your Riding Terrain and Surrounding Temperature

When you often go out with your skidoo machine in an environment that feels very cold, you are sure to suffer the fogging of the shield. 

One sure way around the problem is investing in the best modular snowmobile helmet that has an electric shield. 

Riding Frequency and Speed

Sometimes the temperature of your surroundings doesn’t go negative. But if you ride a snowmobile often and at high speed, you’ll realize that fogging becomes a present threat. In such a case investing in a helmet that has an electric shield is worth it.  

Read More : Best modular motorcycle helmet: which models to choose?

What are the Differences Between Heated and Non-Heated Snowmobile Helmets? 

Presence of a Heating Element

The main difference between a heated and non-heated snowmobile helmet is in the type of shield they have. A heated snowmobile helmet boasts an electric shield. 

And such a lens produces a defrosting heat on the inner lens. Also, the heated helmet has a provision for connecting to the snowmobile’s battery or DC outlet socket. 

On the other hand, a non-heated snowmobile helmet features a plain lens with no heating element. Face coverage.

Heated snowmobile helmets cover the entire face of the snowmobiler. Often the lens is fixed onto the shell. Some non-heated helmets (for example snocross) have no face shields. Such a design leaves a part of the face exposed. 

Ability to Fight Thick Fogging

Another significant difference comes in the ability to fight thick fog. When fogging becomes intense, especially in extreme cold temperatures, a heated helmet provides efficient antifogging abilities. The heat generated by the electric current prevents moisture condensation. 

But non-heated snowmobile helmets rely heavily on double lens panes to fight moisture condensation. Although double panes are effective, sometimes they become inefficient in extreme fogging circumstances. 

Bothering Cables

In some cases, the power cable for the helmet may prove to be a hindrance. That is especially true for cases when you are using a modular helmet and need to climb on and off the skidoo machine often. 

For example, snowmobiling in the mountains forces a rider to get on and off the snowmobiler several times. In such instances connecting and disconnecting the power cable is likely to be irritating. 

On the other hand, a non-heated snowmobile helmet has no such inconvenience. Most mountain riders therefore find the snocross helmet adequate. A pair of goggles and a snocross provide a convenient match for mountain riders. 

How Else Can You Fight Fogging in a Snowmobile Helmet?

Besides the healing shield, there are other ways of dealing with the moisture condensation and fogging in snowmobile helmets. Helmet Gurus advise you to implement the following tips:

Double Shields

If you don’t want the irritating cable associated with electric shields, a better option is the double lens. The dual lens sandwiches an insulating layer of air. That minimizes the cold temperature from penetrating the inner lens. Hence cutting down fogging.

Breath Deflector

When the warm breath reflects on the cold shield, it condenses and fogs the lens. A brilliant idea is to choose a snowmobile helmet that has a breath deflector. Such a feature re-directs your breath away from the cold lens.

Wear An Anti Fog Mask

Still, you can minimize fogging by putting on an anti-fog mask. The mask stretches and seals off any gaps that might allow your breath to rise and condense on the shield. By locking possible gaps on the cheek and below the nose, an anti-fog mask proves effective.

Plenty of Vents

In a full-face snowmobile helmet, it’s not easy to take off the hood now and then to let warm air escape. Instead choosing a helmet with adequate ventilation proves easier and effective. 

When you need the warm breath in the helmet’s interior to escape and minimize fogging, opening the numerous vents for a while is effective.  

There is one outstanding difference between a heated and non-heated snowmobile helmet: how the two fight the fogging problem. A heated helmet taps on an electric current to generate heat on the inner lens to minimize condensation of moisture.

A non-heating snowmobile helmet doesn’t have an electric lens. Instead, it relies on other technologies to address moisture condensation. Such techniques include a double lens, breath deflector, and adequate ventilation. 

The best modular motorcycle helmet makes your ride safe, convenient, and comfortable. Similarly, you need to choose the right snowmobile hood to enjoy your sport.

After knowing the differences between heated and non-heated snowmobile helmets, you stand a better chance of making the right choice.