sunglasses

Out here with the sun reflecting off the sand and/or snow, the blowing dust and sand, and the darn-bright sunlight, I don't wear anything without leather side shields. My favorites are these Bolles:
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These are great for the desert or the mountains. I do remove the shields when driving.

-Bob
 
Hi All-

They certainly ain't cheap, but if you're looking for top-of-the-line prescription glasses that also accept two-piece sunglass clip-ons, look no further than Kazuo Kawasaki for premium-quality eyewear. The G-15 gray is perfect for driving and general use.

When I'm out skiing or motorcycling, I revert to contact lenses and use REVO sunglasses. In these situations, you do NOT want a polarized lens as that process doesn't allow you to see ice or texture changes against the other snow.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Wearing a cheap $15 pair right now, can't remember where I grabbed em last year...

backups are a pair of ANSI rated wrap arounds... less than 15 with taxes, but they scratch easy(tossed em in my pocket with change the one day).

Have another pair in my car that ran me about $5, wrap around again. they work for driving if I forget my usual ones.
 
I've got ZZ Top's Cheap Sunglasses playing through my head right now. Anybody on here know if I can get a paif of sunglasses with a 25/100 prescription?
 
OK, let me ask this question -

Most people know that quality camera lenses use good optical glass and not plastic (even though they would be much easier to get aspherical shapes).

As are binoculars and other quality and precision optical instruments.

Watches are valued more for their clear and more scratch-proof mineral glass "crystals" and most watch collectors/connoisseurs will think of any plastic watch lens no matter how scratch-proof it's claimed to be, cheap and pretty nasty......

So why are sunglasses using plastic lenses - even on really high priced up market sunglasses - regarded as "good"?

Now I fully understand for some activities that the sheer shatter resistance is highly desireable - and one can't do with enough safety......

BUT then why are most people's regular prescription glasses (which are worn much more and more often) still mainly made from glass?

I much prefer sunglasses made from proper tempered optical glass for their scratch resistance and sheer optical clarity.........

Your thoughts?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
Since I have bad eyes (and don't wear contacts), I have prescription sunglasses to augment my regular glasses. Mine are the Savannah model from Costa Del Mar. Though mine have the copper frames (as shown), mine have matching copper lenses (unlike the gray lenses shown).

Since I have glass tops on my car and remove them at every chance I get (that would be while the sun is shining brightly, with no hint of rain...anything over 55 degrees is good...65+ is better), the sunglasses are constantly essential during daylight hours. Also, since I suffer with chronic migraines and any outdoor light (even overcast glare) triggers them, the sunglasses are always at hand.
 

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that I had fitted with a prescription polarized lens. They are very, very comfortable and make me feel like Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs. :cool:

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Plastic vs. glass = safety and weight. Have you been to get new glasses lately? Seems as though 'plastic' is the only choice. I can say I'm happy with that though because with the sorry state of my eyesight, glass lenses would be about 2" thick. Also, companies like Oakley have developed new techniques such as creating polarized lenses which 'infuse' the polarization within the plastic. With glass, it was only possible to laminate either in front, in back or inbetween, not optically superior, believe it or not. They cost mucho $, but IMO Oakley polarized lenses are the best out there.
 
i bought a pair of oakley unknowns they are really light and i love the contour of the new frame. i bought them just last year when i was in the caribbean were they saw nearly constant use. gotta love oakley they make the best. before i had these i had a pair that looked very similar to the minutes but i lost em, was really pissed :mad:
 
for the reasons that Vinny stated, I prefer optical glass as well. I wear either American Optical or Randolph Engineering military issue sunglasses. AO's are half the price of the Randolphs, but just as good. The only difference is that the swivels on the nosepieces of the Randolphs are better made.
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Back when I wore contacts, I loved Oakleys (still love them for comfort). Now I have a pair of Ray-Bans with prescription lenses, mostly only use them for driving though.

UnknownVT said:
BUT then why are most people's regular prescription glasses (which are worn much more and more often) still mainly made from glass?
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I've worn glasses since the age of seven and they've always been plastic lenses. Glass lenses would weigh about a pound and a half (well it would feel like it anyway). Even my current pair, with titanium rimless frames and ultralight lenses, can feel like an lead weight on the bridge of my nose at times. And the only time they come off is when they need cleaned or when I'm asleep, because otherwise I have a tendency to walk into walls. What I'm trying to get to is that glass may be great for optical clarity and scratch resistance, but when you're balancing all of that glass on the bridge of your nose for hours and hours on end, lightweight plastic starts looking really good in comparison, even if it does scratch a bit easier.
 
It is possible to achieve the same level of visual correction with a thinner lense when utilizing plastic vs. glass. Also, the plastic lenses cost more than glass...at least at my optometrist. Can anyone tell me why this is? I can only guess it's because of the benefit of thinner lenses, which are more cosmetically pleasing. Could it be because plastic is optically superior to glass when talking eyeglasses? Conventional wisdom says no, but why then?
 
i like the Von Zipper BackSeat. very snug design, and they're built like a tank. i've worn them everyday for the last 2 years, at home and at work, and they are as solid and snug as the day i bought them. for 50 bucks. oh, and they look really great too (they fit a lot of face shapes which is rare).

abe
 
I have Oakley A wires and Square wires. Only wear them with contacts. I have used plastic lenses for my glasses. Although they scratch easier, I find that they are much more durable. I cracked/chipped three sets of glass lenses when I was a kid. The plastic lenses have fared well for the last 20+ years through lots of accidents, sports, and general horsing around.

A friend of mine let me try on his Maui Jim Kaanapali sunglasses. They are very light and comfortable. I like the contrast that they offer. The frames are very durable despite the flimsy appearance.
 
wsyocum said:
It is possible to achieve the same level of visual correction with a thinner lense when utilizing plastic vs. glass. Also, the plastic lenses cost more than glass...at least at my optometrist. Can anyone tell me why this is? I can only guess it's because of the benefit of thinner lenses, which are more cosmetically pleasing. Could it be because plastic is optically superior to glass when talking eyeglasses? Conventional wisdom says no, but why then?
Click to expand...


I may be behind the curve on this one.

I didn't realize that most regular prescription glasses are now mostly plastic.

However I think conventional wisdom is wisdom - and exactly why it's "conventional".

OK let's say eyewear majority is plastic....

if it were truely superior to glass - then why ain't Nikon, Leica, Zeiss, Olympus etc. making camera lenses, binoculars, telescopes and other precision optical instruments out of plastic?
and these things are ALL scientifically measurable for quality.

OK, then why plastic for glasses and sunglasses?
as people have already pointed out - weight and safety - both of which are worthwhile - and with at least "acceptable" quality, is my guess.

So from the evidence above plastic is definitely NOT superior to glass for sheer optical quality - otherwise we'd be seeing plastic used in many more optical instruments. But plastic is obviously superior for weight especially for prescription glasses in their ability to make thinner lenses when compared to glass - and obviously safety - worthwhile benefits for something in front of our eyes.

However - IMHO - for me on sunglasses - there is less of the benefits since most sunglasses are not prescription so the glass can be "plain" and relatively thin - yes they are still heavier than the plastic equivalent - but the benefits are not as great as on prescription glasses.

I think it's clever marketing that has managed to sell plastic lenses at greater prices than precision optical glass....
and for sunglasses it makes absolute sense - since sunglasses are a lot about looks and fashion and image - as opposed to true optical superiority.

It wasn't that many years ago that the top sunglasses like RayBans were made from glass and only cheap sunglasses were plastic -
now the expensive sunglasses are plastic.....

True superiority or conviction through marketing?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
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