Sunglasses Selection

[drrpm]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

I wear prescription glasses so I don't have much experience with the over the counter sunglasses. My current set of sunglasses is 10 years old and consists of a pair of Bausch and Lomb grey/green glass lens and a flexon frame (flexible titanium). The grey/green color has minimal color distortion and the glass is more scatch resistant than any other lens material. I use a good quality glasses strap and wear them for almost all my outdoor activities including class IV-V whitewater kayaking. I do take them off when being pulled behind the boat though.

 

[DJ]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

I think I've had them all. I stick with Ray Ban. Mainly because of clarity.

I have two pairs. One polarized (boating) one not (driving).

Polarized lenses can do weird things in everyday use. They will completely obliterate LCD screens (phones, etc.). I have to lift my polarized lenses to read my LCD fishfinder. However, I do like them for seeing down into the water.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

DJ Have you noticed the thatch pattern on some windows when using Polarized sunglasses? I have the same issue when I use them, can't see some gas pumps and my sirius stilleto display as well as looking through some side windows of other cars getting that pattern I see....

Maybe its just me though, I know I'm weird....

 

[JB]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

Laminated auto glass is polarized in patches by the pressure of lamination. Your polarized lenses block some light through them, just as you need to rotate your lenses to see some LCD displays.

You want an instant headache? Try watching 3D movies or TV through polarized sunglasses as well as the polarized viewing glasses.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

LCD displays utilize polarized screens to display correctly. Hence the issue viewing them thru Polarized glasses. The double Polarized issue is also responsible for the "spot" you see in polarized glass.
.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

i have polarized Oakleys. love them. i would tell you what my buddy told me bfore i started wearing Oakleys. you may lose or break your cheap glases a lot but once you buy a good pair you take better care of them.
they usually last years before i need a new pair now days. the old pair becomes a spare etc.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

I have a pair of glass 400 costa del mar's. They cost a lot because of the optical quality. Any pair of polycarbonate glasses will offer all the UV A, B, and C protection you need. It's a personal preference what you feel you need.

I bought my wife a pair of Hobie branded sunglasses and they nearly as good as my costa's for a fraction of the price. If I had a complaint about my costa's it would be that the grey tint is too dark for anything less than full sun. Sometimes I still wear me cheapies in the car because they have a very light tint. When the sun is blazing however, my costa's are the best sun glasses I have ever worn.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

I had a nice pair of polarized Revo's that set me back over 300 bucks 7-8 years back. Seemed to hold up great until they fell out of my pocket and I unknowingly leaned on them while servicing my cousins boat. Frames twisted, glass lenses cracked.

When I have the money, I wouldn't hesitate to get another pair. For now I have my cheapie "polarized" $5 aviators I bought in China Town while visiting NYC. Better than nothing at all.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

The best sunglasses are Costa Del Mar, they are all day comfortable and built really well, i hav ehad 2 pairs now and don't think I will ever get anything else.

I have tried cheaper polorized glasses and they just aren't the same, mine were $180 but I got them on Ebay for @$60, if you put your time in you cna get them for a real good price.

I haveseen these threads before adn I think you will see alot of people use Costas, also you don't tend to lose $200 glasses like you woudl a $20 pair of Foster Grants, the rule is "On your face or in the case"

I second the Costa's they come with a life time warrenty, and I have used it 3 times. They finally quit making the style I wanted but offered a $150.00 credit towards new ones. They know me on a first name basis at the shop.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

Laminated auto glass is polarized in patches by the pressure of lamination. Your polarized lenses block some light through them, just as you need to rotate your lenses to see some LCD displays.

You want an instant headache? Try watching 3D movies or TV through polarized sunglasses as well as the polarized viewing glasses.

I did not know that, thanks for sharing!! I don't like 3D movies, I accidentally punched my 17 yr old daughter watching AVATAR at the movie theatre, I thought one of those green flying things was coming to eat me.....

 

[scipper77]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

To the original poster, check out the links in this thread for some great glasses at a great price.

This is the thread I posted after I bought my Costa del mars, and the price at the site I linked would be pretty hard to beat.

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

I get a few of these through Amazon.com....

http://www.amazon.com/UrbanSpecs-Sunglasses-Classics-Wayfarer-Frame/dp/B000LWM0KA

I lose them all the time.

 

[smclear]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

Costa's for me. They're the only sunglasses I've worn since the late eighties. I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for 10 years and worked at almost every marina at one point or another. Working, and spending all my "off" hours on the water teaches you real quick about the value of quality shades.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

The best sunglasses are Costa Del Mar,

YES SIR

I got some by chance.. I thought dudes who spent money on shades where nuts...
Nope.. They are worth every penny.. I wouldn't have anything else..

 

[scipper77]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

In my research I have found Maui Jim's reputation to be every bit as good if not better than Costa del Mar. It's too expensive for me to buy both just to see for myself.

 

[smclear]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

In my research I have found Maui Jim's reputation to be every bit as good if not better than Costa del Mar. It's too expensive for me to buy both just to see for myself.

I would say they are very comparable. My buddy has Maui Jim's. I've worn them and would say they are as good as my Costa's. I don't think they're any better but certainly an equal. There are a few high quality sunglasses out there, I just prefer Costa's. It's a personal choice.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

Never owned a pair of sunglasses in my life....the sun really doesn't bother me that much. My wife says I'm just wierd, she puts hers on to go to the mailbox. But I think blue eyes are more sensitive to light than my dark brown.

When I hear all the stories of lost, broken, expensive, uncomfortable, etc. I'm glad I don't use them.. Oh by the way, wife likes the Costa's

 

[DJ]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

DJ Have you noticed the thatch pattern on some windows when using Polarized sunglasses? I have the same issue when I use them, can't see some gas pumps and my sirius stilleto display as well as looking through some side windows of other cars getting that pattern I see....

Maybe its just me though, I know I'm weird....

Yes, I have. THat's why I have two types.

Others posted the reasons above.

Sunglasses are truly a personal item. Personal taste and experience goes here. I just like what I like and I've tried many.

 

[jeffbyrd66]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

I wish the rain would stop here in Indiana so I could even wear mine. Costa Del Mar (Rincon)all the way

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Sunglasses Selection

Quite interesting discussions. Thanks for the input.

Ended up getting 2 pairs. I really liked the Guideline Rouge with readers. Got the amber lens primarily for driving. Good contrast and can clearly read the instruments without looking up and down and the readers do not interfere with the view out the windshield. A gift card helped with the decision.

Got a good credit card deal for a pair of Costa's, green mirror with 580 lenses.

So far pleased with both.

Mike