Polarized Sunglasses

[PAkev]

We are in the process of selecting and placing orders with sunwear vendors. Since we believe in the concept "You get what you pay for" also applies to retailers as well as the consumer we want to have a good representation of both quality and value sunwear alternatives.<br /><br />Some of the vendors we are using and/or are considering adding are: Costa Del Mar, Solar Bat, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Serengetti, Kaenon, Maui Jim, Fitovers, & Cocoons with retail price points ranging from $29 to over $300.<br /><br /><br />My question is actually four parts:<br /><br />1. What manufactures do you have experience (satisfaction and/or disatisfaction) with using their product(s)?<br /><br />2. Where do you usually purchase sunwear; optical retail shop, mall kiosk, (ie sunglass hut) interntet or mail order, marine or tackle shop, etc.<br /><br />3. What price point do you feel most comfortable with when making a new sunwear investment?<br /><br />4. If you had the opportunity to demo sunwear at a tournament or organized outdoor event before making a purchase commitment, would you be enabled to make a purchasing decision at the event?<br /><br />Helpful thoughts appreciated.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[neumanns]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

Kevin, I have owned several of the expensive pairs in the past before I was a family man. But now that I am a family man there is really only two factors I consider. The first and formost is price...It is no longer a question of if they will get destroyed but rather how soon. After this consideration comes fit followed by fashion. I can however attest to polarized sunglasses, man I hate to fish without them! Therfore pricepoint is 20 bucks or less and location is usally first place I see them after the last pair got destroyed. I liked the costas and maui's in my pervious incarnation though.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

Since my cataract surgery 9 months ago I have only had 1 pair of really good "storebought" sunglasses. On my Doc's recommendation I bought the Costa Del Mar Pescador. From the moment I put them on I was in love with them. <br /><br />In the search to find them I tried on many others. Nothing bad but when I put these on -- that was it. <br /><br />As for the $$$ -- I was used to paying about 400 just for lenses. Everybody (Doc included) said how expensive the Costa's were. Trust me, that was 169.00 very well spent. And they work perfect on the water.

 

[NathanY]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I really like the Lure-Eyes, a bit pricey though. Best of all, the made right here in Arkansas.<br /><br /> http://www.lureeyes.com/flash.html

 

[NathanY]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I really like the Lure-Eyes, a bit pricey though. Best of all, the made right here in Arkansas.<br /><br /> http://www.lureeyes.com/flash.html

 

[rolmops]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I was introduced to American Optic pilot's sun- glasses in the army.They take away the glare, sit well on my nose and do not break.I will use them until they are no longer available.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

Hi<br /><br />I have Serengeti sunglasses. Paid way over the top for them in my opinion but i'm the kinda guy who manages to keep things for extended periods of time. When considering the cost 6 years ago they would have cost me the equivalent of $300 which I think is excessive. Still have them, they have no scratches as they go in and out of the case when not on my face. Will last another 6 years which means my glasses cost me $25 per year.<br /><br />I also like GLASS for the lens and not plastic which I believe can cause abherations and eye fatigue. One of the downfalls of my Serengeti's is that they are not polariod, I foolishly thought not to ask <br /><br />They are great for in the car use but because of the weight become poor fishing sunglasses as every time you bend over they want to fall off you face , unless you have a restrainer strap that is. Not being polariod they do not allow you to see "into" the water.<br /><br />Lastly being of the "Ray-ban TopGun style" they are very poor when boating at speed. The wind rushes around the frames causing eye irritation and fatigue . My next pair will be lightweight wrap arounds more in the goggle style and will be polaroids.<br /><br />On the side Kev, I do not know any other product with so little dirt cheap material, that is injection moulded by the millions, that cost as much as sunglasses do <br /><br />Hope this helps<br />Cheers<br />Andrew<br /><br />Lastly I will send you my postage details so that you can mail me my free sample pair .

 

[one more cast]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I think mine were about $6 at wally world. <br /> " Now go out and get yourself some big black frames<br />With the glass so dark thay won’t even know your name<br />And the choice is up to you cause they come in two classes:<br />Rhinestone shades or cheap sunglasses<br />Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah"

 

[Barlow]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

1. What manufactures do you have experience (satisfaction and/or disatisfaction) with using their product(s)?<br />-Varnet: they have a curse on 'em and were heavy<br />-Bolle: didn't have 'em but a few days but liked 'em.<br />-Oakley: ditto^ plus are junk imo light tho<br />-Rayban: bad fitting for my face and heavy<br />-Smith: scratched first day i had 'em<br />-Revo: I don't plan to go to the moon anymore<br />-Black Fly: SS frames were heavy as a tank turd (was young and dumb - well.. I'm still dumb)<br />-Maui Jim: best ones I've had so far<br />-numerous pairs of junk that distort and kill my eyes<br /><br />2. Where do you usually purchase sunwear; optical retail shop, mall kiosk, (ie sunglass hut) interntet or mail order, marine or tackle shop, etc.<br />- where ever I NEED to or where I find a deal.<br /><br />3. What price point do you feel most comfortable with when making a new sunwear investment?<br />-depends if I just need a pair or I'm looking for 'em. $10 - 200<br /><br />4. If you had the opportunity to demo sunwear at a tournament or organized outdoor event before making a purchase commitment, would you be enabled to make a purchasing decision at the event?<br /><br />well .. depends if I liked 'em but, ususally bring my own .. never go anywhere w/o 'em around my neck. They'd have to impress the hell outta me to buy 'em through a vendor that isn't stationary tho.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

Another $20 & under guy here. I just can't keep up with 'em long enough. What matters to me: <br />* polarized<br />* uv protection<br />* block sunlight from entering under & around the frames<br />* vented (so they don't fog up all the time)<br />* color neutral<br /><br />I usually get the $14 sunglasses from Bass Pro.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

Thanks for the helpful feedback.<br /><br />Like you don't have to look too hard to find a bulk spool of mono for $1.99, Polarized sunwear can indeed be had nearly anywhere at a bargain price. <br /><br />Here's the difference between the $10 blister packed jobs with a high profile tournament fishing name on it and an ophthalmic quality (manufactured to the same optical standards as prescription eyewear) performance sunwear.<br /><br />Most polarized sunwear is manufactured by either a laminate filter process or a suspension mold manufacturing process. In the laminate process, a polarized filter material is bonded to the top of an existing lens. This is a fairly inexpensive manufacturing process which is also represented by the price point of the sunwear with one of the prevailing problems being that once the front surface of the lens becomes scratched, the polarizing effect of the sunwear also becomes compromised. Suspension Mold polarization is a more technically complicated process which involves sandwiching the polarized filter between the front and back lens surfaces. This process includes specialized product engineering, machinery, and materials which is also represented by the higher price point. Add the fact that the lenses are manufactured to the same quality standards as prescription eyewear for optiimum optical performance. Although you may get scratches on the front or back surfaces of the lens, the polarizing effect of the lens is not compromised.<br /><br />The $1.99 mono will catch fish and the $10 blister pack polarized sunwear will also enable you to see the fish. I realize and respect the fact that everyones passion for a sport is different which also tends to influence different value expectations. I present a sunwear seminar at sports shows a few times throughout the year that spells out the differences in much more detail but today's polarized sunwear is quite more technical which are understood and appreciated by those that have demands above and beyond standard performance.<br /><br />As per my analogy this is why <br />The $1.99 mono is still available but the $10+<br /> flourocarbon and braid alternatives are becoming a favored line of choice........<br />and $10 department store sunwear will always be there but the $100+ performance sunwear alternatives help contribute to better optical performance, visual health, and comfort.

 

[LazyJ]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I've had a pair of Vuarnet nylon-framed glasses with SkiLynx lenses for 25 years. My wife bought them for me right before we got married. As a 25th anniversary gift she recently bought me the same frame with the PolarLynx(polarized) lenses since my old ones were getting pretty warped and loose in the hinges. <br /><br />The things are junk. Loss of clarity and a huge depth perception problem. Dunno and sorta curious if Vuarnet quality went down in the last two decades or perhaps there's an inherent tradeoff of performance with polarization?<br /><br />They went back to be replaced by a new pair of Skylinx glasses, I haven't received them yet, sure hope I'm not disappointed again.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

Originally posted by LazyJ:<br /> Loss of clarity and a huge depth perception problem....... perhaps there's an inherent tradeoff of performance with polarization?<br /><br />

Shoot me an e mail and I can provide you with an already prepared and detailed explaination of how sunwear companies use polarization, light transmission, and color to manage the optical performance of their lenses.

 

[Rockchalk]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I have had a pair of RX Costa Del Mar for about 5 years. Frames broke once and they sent me a new pair for $30.00. I dont think you can beat their quality and their service seems good.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I have the inverse to price curse.<br /><br />The more expensive the sun glasses the faster i lose em.<br /><br />My cheap ones hang around for about a year. The expensive ones are lost in about 2 weeks.<br /><br />If I could SEE the difference then it would make sense<br /><br />or some other side by side comparison.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I put my money toward solar bat, light weight, good wrap around design keep your eyes from drying out at high speed.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

"Spotters".<br /><br />They float, unbreakable (lifetime warranty), stylish and they attract fish .<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> "Spotters".<br /><br />They float, unbreakable (lifetime warranty), stylish and they attract fish .<br /><br />Aldo

But more importantly, do they attract the babes I want babe magnet shades at my age. Need all the help I can get .

 

[crab bait]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

can't get much better than 'COSTA's '..plus they have a lifetime no ? asked gaurantee..<br /><br />for da price of all the throughbreds,, they better..!!

 

[ufm82]

Re: Polarized Sunglasses

I've worn Ocean Waves for 7 years now and find that they are a great pair of glasses. Real GLASS lenses, not the stuff that scratches if you look at it wrong. I don't like the plastic lenses; I have seen Costas and Mauis with scratches on the lenses from the temple tips when they are in the case. (How stupid is that?)<br /><br /> Great optics, great fit and they'll fix/repair them in a heartbeat, no questions asked. <br /><br />UFM82