Oakley sunglasses? (or just sunglasses in general)

T

texas gun person

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Jun 9, 2010
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Recently I have been pondering the idea of picking up a nice pair of sunglasses. I have had cheap pairs in the past from places like CVS and Walgreens but I'm wanting something nicer this time around. I see Oakley sunglasses everywhere and have heard a few opinions on their worth. What do members hear think about them? I am also open to suggestions toward other brands. I am just looking for something that is a little sporty looking, but not something totally outlandish.


Been looking at Oakley Flak Jacket

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Any input for Oakley, or suggestions for other types are welcomed. :) Sunglasses are not something I know a whole lot about.


I am a firefighter, and do other activities outside. I'm looking for something that can stand up to a little beating if it comes their way.
 
I love Oakleys, been wearing them for well over 18 years. Despite whtever some people might say about them, they do what they claim and do it well. I've had my eyes saved while motorcycle riding by them so, I guess I am partial to them as well for that reason. Youtube has lots of videos with impact testing and other things.

On the Oakley site thre is an explanation of the various lens tints and what they are designed for. I would recommend something with black iridium, it cuts glare and improves clarity in really bright light. They make all sorts of tints so I am sure you can find what you need for just about any activity.
 
oakley offers a discount for military and law enforcement. not sure if it applies to firefighters, but doesn't hurt to check.

usstandardissue.com

the cost is 50% of retail, and they don't have every model, but they do offer the flak jackets.
 
I love oakley's as well. I have the Gascan S's (now discontinued unfortunately) and recently bought the Crosshair's. I love both pairs. The crosshair's are "classier" looking than the Gascan's but they're not too fancy looking. They kind of look like a mix between aviator's and a sport frame.
 
Get POLARIZED lenses if you want better protection. That is the coating that actually cuts out more glare, whether mirrored (oakley's iridium coating is just a mirror) or not. This (glare) is what actually causes most eye strain and makes people's eyes weaken and go to shit later in life.

Oakley uses a higher grade polycarbonate for their lenses that ends up being more scratch resistant and generally more durable. Also the frames are ridiculously tough and lightweight because they use some particular grade nylon rather than acetate for the plastic. The coatings tend to be better, and they are one of the three best brands in terms of lens quality and construction; Oakley, Maui-Jim, Revo. Oakley was purchased a couple years ago by the same company that owns Revo (among others like ray-ban, which is now a crap brand) and part of the deal was that they re-design the whole Revo line. Result being that the Revo sport frames are the same lens and frame materials respectively that Oakley uses, but with Revo lens technology (particular tints, coatings, mirrors, etc.). Owning stuff from all three brands, I say hands down Revo is the best, Maui-Jim and Oakley are on about the same level. Also, ALL Revo lenses are polarized and they tend to be less expensive than Oakley (not all oakleys are polarized, you have to look for the etching on the lens).

Check out Revo Chasm ($169-$179) for something similar to the Oakley Flak Jacket (polarized, $210). Similar size, better lenses, same materials similar shape.
 
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Another vote for Revo!!! Highsides model shown here!!! Super comfortable. But the deal on the Oakleys for service and LEOs is impossible to beat.
RE4040-05_large.png
 
Those Revo's are some good looking sunglasses. :thumbup:



Oakley in my opinion has a number of goofy designs that I would never pick up for myself. :o
 
For the prices Oakley's command, their warranty is unimpressive and their customer service rather limited. This is coming from an owner who has the Ducati Straight Jacket, Juliet, and Penny frames.

One year warranty - if they go south after your period, you may be out of luck. Some people claim they've had stuff replaced after the warranty, but YMMV, I believe that is the exception rather than the norm.

Two, they refuse to send replacement parts like screws, which end up getting stripped very often on frames with interchangeable lenses. I personally think that sending in a 300$ frame of glasses (Juliet), shipping and insurance paid both ways, costs way more and is less time efficient than sending a replacement pair of screws one way. Then again, I wasn't surprised, since they refused to sell me a replacement microfiber bag for the Ducati edition (mind you, those replacement bags are made in China and nothing special).
 
I'll be the oddball and go against the tide,
I wear Julbo Trail with flexible, photochromic lens
I mostly wear them while running.
4 years on the same pair,no issues.

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I have a pair of Wiley-X Romer II which
are OK,but not nearly as good as the Julbo.
I wear them for driving.

Never owned a pair of Oakley's,
so I cant comment on them.
 
I have been wearing the sunglasses pictured for 3 years. Oakley replaced the lens for free after I messed the lenses IR coating on the inside of the lens. I love these glasses. I have a pair of minutes that are 6 years old and I still wear them for running and mountain biking. I got both pairs off the standard issue website. BTW both pairs a perscription, the flakjackets are black iridium polarized and the minutes aren't. I like the ability to change out the lense easier on my flakjackets, which was my primary reason for upgrading.
 
I have two pair of Oakley Juliets.
One ducati edition (black iridium lens, black frame, red rubber)
And a pair with blue iridium lenses and plasma coloured frame

The blue iridium seem a bit lighter, so I wear them when it overcast, and the ducati version when it's very sunny (which happens a lot in Australia)

I do want to get a set of polarized lenses for each frame though
 
I had a set of racing jackets that lasted 10 years before I managed to break the frames. They were so old that the lenses were de-laminating.
 
Oakley makes some great glasses. I have a few pair but right now I am partial to Costa del Mar.

I have been wearing a pair of Fathoms for the past ten years and they are great.

med_FA_11_gray.jpg


I have them with the polarized blue mirror "400G" lenses.

There are quite a few really good sunglasses manufactures, some already named: Revo, Maui Jim, Oakley, Costa del Mar, Ocean Waves, and there are a few I am sure I am leaving out.
Make sure you get the polarized lenses.

Good luck in your search
trldad
 
texas gun person said:
Recently I have been pondering the idea of picking up a nice pair of sunglasses. I have had cheap pairs in the past from places like CVS and Walgreens but I'm wanting something nicer this time around. I see Oakley sunglasses everywhere and have heard a few opinions on their worth. What do members hear think about them? I am also open to suggestions toward other brands. I am just looking for something that is a little sporty looking, but not something totally outlandish.




Been looking at Oakley Flak Jacket

1521389.jpg





Any input for Oakley, or suggestions for other types are welcomed. :) Sunglasses are not something I know a whole lot about.


I am a firefighter, and do other activities outside. I'm looking for something that can stand up to a little beating if it comes their way.
Click to expand...

i have the flakjacket XL for the bigger lense. bought it around 7-10yrs ago and have 3 sets of lenses for it. best sunglasses i have ever bought. they have been used and abused
 
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