Sunglasses Help Please

[SeaCat]

I have eyes that are more than just a bit sensitive to light. (I see fine in the dark thank you very much.) I have tried some of the more expensive sunglasses and have not been happy with them. I have tried some of the cheaper sunglasses and haven't been happy with them either. I keep seeing these Eagle Eye Sunglasses advertised, has anyone here tried them? If you have what do you think? (I'll pay the money for them if they are worth it, other wise I'll just go get me a pair of Welders Goggles.)

Cat

 

[JRaven]

I use a pair of polarized sunglasses at the lake. It really cuts down on the glare reflected off the water.

But otherwise, I don't wear them as often as I probably should.

Jenny

 

[The_Fool]

Haven't seen the eagle eye brand. Just bought another pair of Ray Bans that I really like. Polarized lens, Slight wraparound style. Fits my big head....*G*

 

[Halo_n_horns]

The Eagle Eye brand just uses a dark amber shade to cut down on glares and take some of the darkness out of shadows. Basically they even out the tones of everything you're looking at, somewhat.

If you're concerned about style as much as your vision then I would suggest just about any Sunglass Hut, or something comparable. Buy specs that have polycarbonate lenses in them, and no matter how dark they're shaded, also make sure they have a mirror coat to them. Some spec companies, like Bausch & Lomb, the makers of Ray Ban, still use glass lenses in just a couple of their styles. Glass lenses are bad for people who experience light sensitivity.

If you're not worried about style so much, I strongly recommend you find a safety supply store and purchase just about anything from Uvex, Crews or any of the other safety spec manufacturers out there. If possible try to find a store that specializes as exclusively as possible in just safety supply. Those are the guys that can give you the best breakdown on the specs you'll need.

Yes, I worked for such a company for roughly seven years. My personal recommendations would be the Uvex Bandits or the Uvex Genesis.

Here's a little more than you wanted to know about the specs for specs:

Glass: Only gives a very small, single digit percentage of UV protection to the eyes.
Polycarbonate: Legally the manufacturers are only able to say that this material gives 99.97% of UV-A and UV-B protection. This is crucial for anyone sensitive to bright light and glares.

Glass: Once there's a scratch in a glass lens it has been basically cut. An impact will cause the glass to shatter into the eye if they have a scratch and are being worn when the impact happens.
Polycarbonate: No matter much you scratch polycarbonate it will not shatter under impact. Standard safety glasses, which will always have a "Z-87" stamp of some sort either on the lens, the frame or both, and they typically have very inexpensive replaceable lenses that can be purchased.

Glass: Today glass lenses are manufactured so well that they offer almost zero distortion in the immediate and full range peripheral vision.
Polycarbonate: The more curvature in the lens the better for reducing peripheral distortion. The Uvex Genesis have a curvature that nearly matches that of the cornea.

Glass: Specs with glass lenses have incomplete coverage for the sides, bottom and top of the eyes almost all the time. The frames are usually designed to help with that, but typically it just doesn't happen.
Polycarbonate: Safety specs BY LAW must offer protection from all directions, period.

Improper coverage could be another reason that the specs you've tried thus far haven't worked out for you.

Tint: Unless you're purchasing lenses made for welders, most standard tints only darken what you're seeing between 35-50%.
Mirror Coatings: Unfortunately mirror coatings have a tendency of scratching easily because they are a coating only. Its not something that can be impregnated into the lens like a tint can. However, any good mirror coating will reflect and effectively reduce glares by around 50%.

Tints and mirror coatings are two totally different things that work to filter light from one's eyes in two totally different ways. Having specs with polycarbonate lenses with both the tint and the mirror coating is optimal for anyone's eyes during daytime use.

Pricing: I realize that Oakley likes their "Thermonuclear Protection" motto, but the simple truth is that while you'll pay anywhere from $75-$500 for a pair of Oakleys, the most you'll pay for a pair of decent safety glasses, that are even stylish, should be no more than about $15.00. If you pay more than that then the store you got them from is ripping you off just as easily as the Sunglass Hut. But you'll still be getting better made specs than you will from sunglass shops that specializes in style over quality.

I believe that all of the stylin' sunglass manufacturers are making specs with polycarbonate lenses now. This is an extremely inexpensive material. Buying a pair of specs for anything more than $15-$20 is only guaranteeing you a ridiculous markup. That's all. What keeps the stylin' manufacturers from being able to claim any real impact resistance protection is because they're using thinner polycarbonate than the safety manufacturers. But it keeps that profits that much higher. Yeah team.

If you go with trying out the safety glasses over the really, really high-priced, high-fashion glasses, try on several styles to choose one. Again, by law, the manufacturers of safety specs must offer a pretty wide spectrum of styles, and at least a few of those styles come in a couple different sizes. This helps to insure that people will where them as they are supposed to by law while doing jobs that require eye protection. Those laws benefit the casual wearer as well.

Last but not least: Depending on the safety spec dealer, you can even get a wide variety of different tints, some with and others without mirror coats, so you can try them out and see what's comfortable to look through.

Now that I've given far more information than anyone wanted to know on this subject, I bid you good luck in your search.

 

[SeaCat]

The Eagle Eye brand just uses a dark amber shade to cut down on glares and take some of the darkness out of shadows. Basically they even out the tones of everything you're looking at, somewhat.

If you're concerned about style as much as your vision then I would suggest just about any Sunglass Hut, or something comparable. Buy specs that have polycarbonate lenses in them, and no matter how dark they're shaded, also make sure they have a mirror coat to them. Some spec companies, like Bausch & Lomb, the makers of Ray Ban, still use glass lenses in just a couple of their styles. Glass lenses are bad for people who experience light sensitivity.

If you're not worried about style so much, I strongly recommend you find a safety supply store and purchase just about anything from Uvex, Crews or any of the other safety spec manufacturers out there. If possible try to find a store that specializes as exclusively as possible in just safety supply. Those are the guys that can give you the best breakdown on the specs you'll need.

Yes, I worked for such a company for roughly seven years. My personal recommendations would be the Uvex Bandits or the Uvex Genesis.

Here's a little more than you wanted to know about the specs for specs:

Glass: Only gives a very small, single digit percentage of UV protection to the eyes.
Polycarbonate: Legally the manufacturers are only able to say that this material gives 99.97% of UV-A and UV-B protection. This is crucial for anyone sensitive to bright light and glares.

Glass: Once there's a scratch in a glass lens it has been basically cut. An impact will cause the glass to shatter into the eye if they have a scratch and are being worn when the impact happens.
Polycarbonate: No matter much you scratch polycarbonate it will not shatter under impact. Standard safety glasses, which will always have a "Z-87" stamp of some sort either on the lens, the frame or both, and they typically have very inexpensive replaceable lenses that can be purchased.

Glass: Today glass lenses are manufactured so well that they offer almost zero distortion in the immediate and full range peripheral vision.
Polycarbonate: The more curvature in the lens the better for reducing peripheral distortion. The Uvex Genesis have a curvature that nearly matches that of the cornea.

Glass: Specs with glass lenses have incomplete coverage for the sides, bottom and top of the eyes almost all the time. The frames are usually designed to help with that, but typically it just doesn't happen.
Polycarbonate: Safety specs BY LAW must offer protection from all directions, period.

Improper coverage could be another reason that the specs you've tried thus far haven't worked out for you.

Tint: Unless you're purchasing lenses made for welders, most standard tints only darken what you're seeing between 35-50%.
Mirror Coatings: Unfortunately mirror coatings have a tendency of scratching easily because they are a coating only. Its not something that can be impregnated into the lens like a tint can. However, any good mirror coating will reflect and effectively reduce glares by around 50%.

Tints and mirror coatings are two totally different things that work to filter light from one's eyes in two totally different ways. Having specs with polycarbonate lenses with both the tint and the mirror coating is optimal for anyone's eyes during daytime use.

Pricing: I realize that Oakley likes their "Thermonuclear Protection" motto, but the simple truth is that while you'll pay anywhere from $75-$500 for a pair of Oakleys, the most you'll pay for a pair of decent safety glasses, that are even stylish, should be no more than about $15.00. If you pay more than that then the store you got them from is ripping you off just as easily as the Sunglass Hut. But you'll still be getting better made specs than you will from sunglass shops that specializes in style over quality.

I believe that all of the stylin' sunglass manufacturers are making specs with polycarbonate lenses now. This is an extremely inexpensive material. Buying a pair of specs for anything more than $15-$20 is only guaranteeing you a ridiculous markup. That's all. What keeps the stylin' manufacturers from being able to claim any real impact resistance protection is because they're using thinner polycarbonate than the safety manufacturers. But it keeps that profits that much higher. Yeah team.

If you go with trying out the safety glasses over the really, really high-priced, high-fashion glasses, try on several styles to choose one. Again, by law, the manufacturers of safety specs must offer a pretty wide spectrum of styles, and at least a few of those styles come in a couple different sizes. This helps to insure that people will where them as they are supposed to by law while doing jobs that require eye protection. Those laws benefit the casual wearer as well.

Last but not least: Depending on the safety spec dealer, you can even get a wide variety of different tints, some with and others without mirror coats, so you can try them out and see what's comfortable to look through.

Now that I've given far more information than anyone wanted to know on this subject, I bid you good luck in your search.

Hey Halo,

Thanks, a ton of good info here.

I have this wonderful problem of light sensitivity. (As I mentioned.) I have moved away from the glass lenses because of the problems with them you have mentioned as well as weight.

One of the major problems I have found with most name brand sunglasses is the lack of Polarisation. Something I find I need. (Yes even the higher priced Oakley are not always polarised.)

One of the reasons I was/am looking at the Eagle Eyes is their advertising of their blockage of both UV-A and UV-B as well as their polarisation. (I am wondering about their laim of blocking of the Blue Wavelength causing clearer vision. To me this doesn't seem right, it would actually end up making your vision darker.)

Does Uvex make an Amber Lens with Polarisation? I would find this more than slightly useful for driving at night or in low light conditions.

As for the styling, as long as they have a wrap around style and don't look too much like the Birth Control Glasses from Uncle Sam then I can deal with them.

Cat

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Uvex does make some polarized lenses, but I'm not sure if they do in the amber tints. I've been out of that loop for about two years now. I'm sure that if you go to their website you can get that question answered. They can also tell you who your local sales rep/outlet will be.

Keep in mind, though, that polarization is not exactly what you might be thinking. Cops, fishermen and photographers will use polarized specs/lenses because they break down glare on shiny surfaces, such as glass or water, and allow them to see through them. Though I haven't experienced it personally, I have been told that polarization does little for glares coming from surfaces that you can't see through, like concrete, metals, etc.

Double check to make sure if I'm incorrect on that one, though.

 

[R. Richard]

Hey Halo,

Thanks, a ton of good info here.

I second that!

Does Uvex make an Amber Lens with Polarisation? I would find this more than slightly useful for driving at night or in low light conditions.

I know that snow skiers swear by amber lenses in low light conditions. They claim that the amber lens "brings out" the small bumps and dips in the snow so that the skier can avoid trouble. I would think that the amber lens would do much the same thing in low light, non-snow conditions.

JMHO.

 

[SeaCat]

I second that!


I know that snow skiers swear by amber lenses in low light conditions. They claim that the amber lens "brings out" the small bumps and dips in the snow so that the skier can avoid trouble. I would think that the amber lens would do much the same thing in low light, non-snow conditions.

JMHO.

R.R.

That's my idea on it. I just need to find them with Polarisation.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Uvex does make some polarized lenses, but I'm not sure if they do in the amber tints. I've been out of that loop for about two years now. I'm sure that if you go to their website you can get that question answered. They can also tell you who your local sales rep/outlet will be.

Keep in mind, though, that polarization is not exactly what you might be thinking. Cops, fishermen and photographers will use polarized specs/lenses because they break down glare on shiny surfaces, such as glass or water, and allow them to see through them. Though I haven't experienced it personally, I have been told that polarization does little for glares coming from surfaces that you can't see through, like concrete, metals, etc.

Double check to make sure if I'm incorrect on that one, though.

Hey Halo,

One of the biggest problems when driving in low light is the glare from things like the road and of course other cars headlights. Polarisation does help with this.

Naturaly I will be looking into this.

Many thanks for your info, and I'll pass along anything I learn.

Cat

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Cat, I just bought a pair of Bolle's few days ago. THey have a amber/brown lens and are polarized. They are a bandito style and cover very well. THay also look pretty good. I paid $99 at sunglass hut. I like them alot and they are very comfortable.

My favotite sunglasses are my Serengetis. Expensive, but great lenses for all light conditions. THey get darker as the sun gets brighter. They also have polarized lenses. I really wanted another pair but Sunglass Hut dropped them (Sunglass Hut is owned by the same company as RayBan so you can guess which brand the push ) When I can find a retailer around here, I'll buy another pair. They are just superior glasses in my opinion.

I've had Oaklies and liked them but found them overpriced. For the money they got from me, they just weren't all that impressive. Nice, but not spectacular.

My last pair of Ray Bans were less than stellar. For the money, they didn't seem to have very good optics and they didn't hold up well at all. $180 sunglasses should not have to be tightened up every 2 days. I'll never buy another pair.

 

[SeaCat]

Cat, I just bought a pair of Bolle's few days ago. THey have a amber/brown lens and are polarized. They are a bandito style and cover very well. THay also look pretty good. I paid $99 at sunglass hut. I like them alot and they are very comfortable.

My favotite sunglasses are my Serengetis. Expensive, but great lenses for all light conditions. THey get darker as the sun gets brighter. They also have polarized lenses. I really wanted another pair but Sunglass Hut dropped them (Sunglass Hut is owned by the same company as RayBan so you can guess which brand the push ) When I can find a retailer around here, I'll buy another pair. They are just superior glasses in my opinion.

I've had Oaklies and liked them but found them overpriced. For the money they got from me, they just weren't all that impressive. Nice, but not spectacular.

My last pair of Ray Bans were less than stellar. For the money, they didn't seem to have very good optics and they didn't hold up well at all. $180 sunglasses should not have to be tightened up every 2 days. I'll never buy another pair.

Damn Guy,

You sound like me.

In a Cigar Box I have several pairs of high end sunglasses. Everything from Bolle's to Oakley's to a couple of pairs of Gargoyles. None of them lived up to the expectations from their ads.

Maybe I'll try the Eagle Eyes, they have a great deal going on right now. ($49.99 for two pairs.) I'm tired of squinting when I'm outside, not to mention tired of being in pain.

The best suglasses I ever had was a pair of Glacier Glasses made in Germany. They worked as advertised. The only drawback to them was they had no peripheral(sp) vision.

Cat

 

[Halo_n_horns]

I second that!


I know that snow skiers swear by amber lenses in low light conditions. They claim that the amber lens "brings out" the small bumps and dips in the snow so that the skier can avoid trouble. I would think that the amber lens would do much the same thing in low light, non-snow conditions.

JMHO.

Certain shades of amber lenses will also remove snowflakes from the air, if you know what I mean. This one I did experience while doing a product demo. I put them on and had the customer do the same thing with an identical pair. I was doing it to show him something else as we walked outside from the showroom. We were looking around, and then I took mine off to demonstrate something with the frames. That's when I realized it was calmly snowing fairly heavy. I told the customer and we both agreed that we had just stumbled onto another benefit of those particular lenses.

 

[SeaCat]

Okay, an update.

I ordered the Eagle Eyes and they have been shipped. We'll see just how good they are when they arrive. (I also ordered their polarized amber lensed shooting glasses.) I'll let you know how I like them when they finally arrive here at Casa Cat.

Cat

 

[Zayrina]

Hava looksee. http://cgi.ebay.com/Sunglasses-New-...itemZ8265423042QQcategoryZ15666QQcmdZViewItem

 

[SeaCat]

Well lookie here.

They came in today. (Now that was quick.)

Got home from work and found a package sitting on the patio. After changing and saying hi to the herd I opened the package to find the glasses well packaged.

Me being me I tried them on. Both pairs fit well and are comfortable to wear. The tinting is a bit lighter, actually quite a bit lighter than my usual glasses, but when I compared them to my usuals they seemed to be more comfortable. The visual acuity seemed nice as well, no distortion and the colors seemed to be nice and crisp. We'll see how they feel tomorrow driving home. (It' supposed to be bright and sunny once again, with a slight haze from upper level clouds. A good tst of the new sunglasses.)

Cat

 

[Carnevil9]

I hope the Eagle Eyes work out for you. Personally, I find Gargoyles Classics (or the slightly smaller 85s) work great for me. I have very sensitive eyes, due to wearing hard contact lenses. These do the trick, plus they remind me of "The Terminator" and "Dirty Harry", both of whom sported them way back when.

These offer all the UV protection you could want, and wrap-around protection with no distortion. I don't know if they have a model with polarization. Unfortunately, they do NOT sell them at Sunglass Hut anymore (they used to in the 80s, back when they were cool), so I have to get them on-line now.

Good luck! I feel your pain when it comes to eye protection......Carney

 

[NoJo]

I'm bookmarking that post from Halo'n'horns.

I have light-sensitivity too.

I've been buying the same style of glass-lensed polarized Ray Bans for years(sounds like exactly same style as The Fool wears - we'd look cool walking into a gay bar together). A couple of days ago I tried on a newer pair of RBs, polycarbonate. MUCH better, you immediately notice the brighter image, while at the same time, less glare. Next pair I buy will definitely be the polycarbonate. But they do scratch up more easily.

 

[oggbashan]

Gulf War surplus

I have a couple of pairs of sunglasses I was sold as military surplus from the first Gulf War. They are graduated bronze tinted and have a sticker saying "Maximum Ultra Violet Protection".

Would they be any use? If so send a PM.

Og

 

[SeaCat]

Okay I wore the new shades today, and they got a nice workout.

I wore them driving home from work and immediatly noticed a difference. (I swapped between them and my normal polarised ones several times during the drive home.) While they appear at first to be brighter due to their amber tinting it didn't bother my eyes and things did seem to be sharper.

I then wore them to Softball practice. Oh now I noticed a big difference. I could actually see the ball all of the time. I wasn't squinting, and their light weight along with sturdy frames meant they stayed on my face. The best part was even though I was looking almost into the sun I wasn't having the problems with my vision I normaly did. I like these.

I too have several pairs of Gargoyles and do enjoy them although their lack of Polorisation is a drawback.

Rob are they polorised? I find that is an important thing.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Okay, I wore the new shades around quite a bit today.

Oh yes I am liking these.

The lenses look a bit cheap but oh man are they nice.

Went down to the beach today, you know that place where you have so much reflected light that even wearing welders goggles you have a hard time seeing? I had no problems. I expected to be squinting and found that I wasn't. Oh this was nice.

Now I find myself wondering about their lightly tinted glasses for low light situations, like when Im heading in to work. (They also have shooting glasses that I'll have to look into.)

Cat