What color for Oakley lenses?

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KB3UBW

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Sep 11, 2011
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i recently purchased a pair of oakleys for use as both sunglasses and safety glasses, and I was wondering what color my second pair of lenses should be, i will use this pair when it is to dark out for sun glasses but i still need to be wearing safety glasses, so what color should my secondary lenses be? also please provide reasoning behind the color.

thanks for all of your help in advance,
KB3UBW
 
Well, I use a set of Oakley Flak Jackets daily. When I am home during the summers, I work in a machine shop for 8 hrs a day or so. I got tired of the cheap safety glasses work provided so I bought a set of clear lenses for them and never looked back.

So, I like my clear lenses a lot, they seem to be an all around good lens.

If I was working more outside or I needed the safety glasses for outside work when it was too dark for my sunglasses, I might get amber lenses. They are great for in the night, just like the clear ones. I used to drive with a set of amber lensed glasses at night, until I got tired of dealing with them. I seemed to improve visibility, or at least keep all the glare down.


What kind of glasses (model) did you get and what kind of lenses are your first set?
 
I've used clear, yellow, orange, and light blue at night for work. I prefer clear or light blue, as I'm not a fan of having everything look yellow or orange.
 
crazyengineer said:
Well, I use a set of Oakley Flak Jackets daily. When I am home during the summers, I work in a machine shop for 8 hrs a day or so. I got tired of the cheap safety glasses work provided so I bought a set of clear lenses for them and never looked back.

So, I like my clear lenses a lot, they seem to be an all around good lens.

If I was working more outside or I needed the safety glasses for outside work when it was too dark for my sunglasses, I might get amber lenses. They are great for in the night, just like the clear ones. I used to drive with a set of amber lensed glasses at night, until I got tired of dealing with them. I seemed to improve visibility, or at least keep all the glare down.


What kind of glasses (model) did you get and what kind of lenses are your first set?
Click to expand...

I got Flak Jacket XLJ'S, and my current lenses are just plain old black lenses
 
KB3UBW said:
I got Flak Jacket XLJ'S, and my current lenses are just plain old black lenses
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I started with. after a year and a half, my original lenses were scratched to hell. I bought a new set of black iridium polarized. 6 months later, I started work at a machine shop, bought the safety glasses which i use for shooting as well. whatever color you go with, it is well worth the money spent on them. Your Oakleys are much more comfortable than any 10$ pair of sunglasses.

But recommendation stands for clear. Because I am assuming you will be using them only whenever it is too dark to use your sunglasses
 
If you're looking for a pair of safety lenses, I'd go with just plain old clear. If you're looking for something sun specific, I'd recommend 24K iridiums, but that's a personal preference. I just like the tint they put on everything, and they look pretty nice, if that's your thing.
 
My favorite is the VR50. It's a terrific all around tint in just about everything but the brightest of light. (I'd use the transition lenses but I spend my day in a car and it appears that they won't work well in that application.)

Sorry, I just reread your post. I think I agree with the others that suggest the clear.

Quick funny story about a prescription pair of Oakleys that I had just bought: Puppy got to them when he was going through his teething phase and made them look like the surface of a golf ball. I took a shot and contacted Oakley to see if they'd replace them. They did, free of charge.
 
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KB3UBW said:
I got Flak Jacket XLJ'S, and my current lenses are just plain old black lenses
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i have XLJ's with VR28 black irridium polars, light blue something or another for darker days fishing, and if i were you, if you only need some lenses for safety and you need the light. go clear or yellow.
 
Yellow is for cloudy or shady conditions. Good for skiing or shooting during cloudy days.

Stick with clear for safety glasses.
 
I've worn Oakleys for around 15 years, they're the best in my opinion.

I wore a pair of X-Metal Romeo's for 14 years of that with the black iridium lense, I liked them a lot. They were great for sun, fun, and shooting. They probably saved me from some serious hurt on several occasions.

When I bought a new pair last year I found that the Blue Iridium had a more natural look and changed the color of things a lot less than the black so I went with those, fortunately my glasses( Jawbone's) came with a second pair so I picked the Persimmon lenses, they're great for shooting and general safety use- although the color shift may bug you after a while.
I agree with the other posters that the yellow( persimmon) lense is nice but Iif I had to use them indoors for an extended period or even daily I'd DEFINITELY get a set of clear lenses for them.

I'll suggest what every good forumite should, buy both yellow and clear that way you're always covered.

Just my two cents, take care.
 
CWL said:
Yellow is for cloudy or shady conditions. Good for skiing or shooting during cloudy days.

Stick with clear for safety glasses.
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yellows are so clear and allow lots of light in, he would be fine using that for he needs.
 
Plain old black works fine. I also have fire iridium which work well for sun, driving, and i think they look great. But if you are looking for an all around lens, but are willing to pay more, you could get a photochromic lens, which changes with the amount of sunlight.
 
Honestly it depends on your environment. Check out the Oakley website, I am pretty sure they have a portion showing what lenses work best and when. I got a few pairs of M frames issued, and usually wear the smoke and clear that coem with the set. I do have a set of polarized and a set of brown(called something else) for civilian wear and love them both. Try going to an authorized Oakley store and try soem out before you commmit and buy.
 
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