Needed-Best sunglasses?

[bluedog225]

Does anyone follow eye protection research? I've read a few things that point to the possibility that UV and blue spectrum light may contribute to dry macular degeneration. Then again, it may be genetic.

Generally, I go with polarized sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection but most manufactures just say "meets specs" or words to that effect.

Other than the general advice to go with a known brand (Smith, Rayban, Varnet (sp)), etc. Does anyone have other recommendations of a more specialized company that publishes the performance of their lenses against known standards?

Thanks

Tom

[Michael D. Storey]

I have used Ray Bans since I was 17. Now, they are polarized. I am 61 and use only reading glasses. I think that the good UV protection that the "Raybees' afford me are big contributors.
And, they make me look ultimately cool.

[skipper68]

check out fendi.i found a pair in a parking lot after nascar race,threw them in,as we always carry extras aboard.didnt realize till i wore them one day(as i have script)that they were soo polarized you could see perfect when going dead east with the sun on the lake rite THERE.after that,even the capt.asked for them at times.and the weird part is that i saw fine,and everyone i asked said they saw fine with them too,altho they used script also.(dont look at the price too much tho,makes ya dizzy!:eek:)

[Hal Forsen]

Another Ray Ban fan.
I recently needed to replace mine and I looked at ALL the others brands.
For the price I find Ray Ban has the best selection and fit and they are not made in China.
Been wearing 'em 40+ years. :cool:

[Venchka]

Glacier glasses. The kind with mirroring on the lenses top & bottom. Side shields. My other choice are Maui Jim with the same mirror feature. I also have prescription polarized in regular tinted and light sensitive tinting. Yes, I have sunglasses fetish. Sorta. Is there a 12 step program? I wore Ray-Bans forever. I have an unsused pair I keep as a spare since getting very comfortable with mirrored lenses.

http://www.rei.com/search?query=glacier+glasses&button.x=47&button.y=9

http://www.mauijim.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Home_-1_10001_11601_1?cm_mmc=Google-_-Adwords-_-search-_-maui+jim

[Ted Hoppe]

I heard that glasses that are rated for blocking 99.9% of the UVA and UVB were best. It is when the lens are scratched that you invite problems. That said, I buy Sexton UV rated safety glasses in bulk. It runs about under 3.50 a pair. Get a variety of rap arrounds to suit your needs and style. They are built impact resistant, light and cheap. If you lose them over the side..Grab another out of the glovebox or bag. You can't just do that with your Ray bans or Mauis without a small sweat. With these glasses, the styles are sports contemporary. So they blend in with glasses costing 40 times this amount. Another bonus is you've got spares for crew and guess too.

In addition to boating these glasses rock as inside visor wear when donning a full face helmet or on a challanging mountain bike single track ride. They don't shake loose or rattle off my nose. The rubber holds without rubbed sweat irritation.

Sexton Safety Glasses -
Exceeds ANSI Z87.1 2003 safety standards
Blocks 99.99% UVA/UVB harmful radiation
High impact distortion free polycarbonate lens
Non-slip rubber tip arms
Contemporary wraparound frame design
Lightweight Frame


I save my expensive Persols for garden parties and funerals.

[Venchka]

ps: All day fit is as or more important than the UV specs. in my book. If I can't wear them comfortably for 10-12-14 hours, what good are they? All else being equal, I go for fit.

[Thorne]

Since I wear prescription glasses, I've tried a number of different frames, lens materials, and coatings. The glacier glasses frames are one inexpensive method.

My most recent pair have graduated progressive lenses with a dark tint and polarized. Never realized how many surfaces and car windows are polarized until I got these -- very odd to see all those dots/patterns on all the car windows as I drive.

[Canoeyawl]

very odd to see all those dots/patterns on all the car windows as I drive.
I think those are just local incidental polarizing from the tempering process.

[Paul Pless]

Costa del Mar... conceived, designed, and built by serious offshore fishermen. Why look to a company that specialized in aviation glasses (Rayban) or a company that makes skiing glasses (Varnet) instead when your usage of choice is on the water???:confused:

[Larks]

I have quite sensitive eyes and as such have been using Serengeti’s for about 15 years but would like to know what else is worth trying now as well. When driving commercial vessels I tried all sorts including Ray bans, Oakley’s and others but the first time I put a pair of the Serengeti’s on felt like the equivalent of wearing a pair of really soft kid gloves on your eyes. At the time they didn’t have polarised lenses but their amber lenses were still best for me for work at sea in cutting glare and comfort.

http://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/index_en_na.cfm

Here is a site reviewing sunnies that I just found I haven’t read through it but it may be useful:
http://www.eyetopics.com/categories/Sunglasses/Sunglasses-Reviews/

[Venchka]

pps: As a phottographer I also look for neutral color. Different strokes for different folks.

Paul: Way back when, before Al Gore invented the internet, glacier glasses from REI were instantly available even way back in the woods. I got used to them. Invoking redneck rule #1: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Oddly enough, I broke that pair one day at West Marine. I went straight to the glass case. The Maui Jims fit right.

[Hal Forsen]

Costa del Mar... conceived, designed, and built by serious offshore fishermen. Why look to a company that specialized in aviation glasses (Rayban) or a company that makes skiing glasses (Varnet) instead when your usage of choice is on the water???Marketing. :rolleyes:
I'm buying the frames to have polarized perscription lenses installed.
As far as I can tell, polarized is polarized.
Scrip CDM's are more then twice the price of RayBans and most of the CDM frames are made in China. Feh.
The late Captain Bill Poole, the gentleman who pioneered the San Diego long range tuna fleet, started Fishernan's Landing AND started the Safari Club wore RayBans.
Folks don't get much saltier then Bill Poole and if they were good enough for Capt. Poole AND my ol' dad they'll work for me. :D

http://fishingvideos.com/news/media/2008images/20080930-BillPoole9-30-08%20Sm.jpg

http://www.allcoast.com/photos/data/507/104795salty3226-med.jpg

[Rob Stokes, N. Vancouver]

I've always liked RayBans, and have a set (polarized) now. But these ones are ticking me off. They're the plastic framed ones (which I like on the boat), but they "spread" open and won't stay on my head! I took them back and was told that this is normal, and that I need to bring them back every few months for a "tune up".

huh?

I'm seriously considering a different brand next time. These ones just aren't worth the money and who knew they needed maintenance?

[Bill Thompson]

I'm with Larks for the same reasons in regard to the Serengeti sunglasses -works for me. I would like to get a perscription pair but its a big step up in price.
Bill

[Rapelapente]

pps: As a phottographer I also look for neutral color

The only disadvantage of the Vuarnet ( at least for the "glacier" versions), the "yellowish" color. This appart, the best for protection. And Mr Vuarnet owns a gaff Schooner ...

[Michael D. Storey]

Glacier glasses. The kind with mirroring on the lenses top & bottom. Side shields. My other choice are Maui Jim with the same mirror feature. I also have prescription polarized in regular tinted and light sensitive tinting. Yes, I have sunglasses fetish. Sorta. Is there a 12 step program? I wore Ray-Bans forever. I have an unsused pair I keep as a spare since getting very comfortable with mirrored lenses.

http://www.rei.com/search?query=glacier+glasses&button.x=47&button.y=9

http://www.mauijim.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Home_-1_10001_11601_1?cm_mmc=Google-_-Adwords-_-search-_-maui+jim

I'm a big fan of glaciers, but they can kill you driving, or riding a cycle, if you have come to count on vision to the side.

[Michael D. Storey]

I've always liked RayBans, and have a set (polarized) now. But these ones are ticking me off. They're the plastic framed ones (which I like on the boat), but they "spread" open and won't stay on my head! I took them back and was told that this is normal, and that I need to bring them back every few months for a "tune up".

huh?

I'm seriously considering a different brand next time. These ones just aren't worth the money and who knew they needed maintenance?

Get 'em with temple wires.

[Hal Forsen]

Glacier types are no good for serious fisherman; peripheral vision is too important.

[Larks]

Another thing on the Serengeti sun glasses - I'd bought a reasonable pair of polaroids specifically for fly fishing but actually found my non polarised Serengeti's better. I believe they do now do a polarised lens though, which I will probably get next pair around:
http://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/index_en_na.cfm - open the "lens" option.

[five guys named moe]

The Smith glass lenses are very nice... look at the "Guide's Choice".

Kaenon also makes some very nice shades. Some of the sharpest lenses I have seen. Lots of frame styles.

[Breakaway]

I work on the water and have been wearing Maui Jims for nearly 18 years. Full UVB/UVA etc.etc

The current pair is a "frameless"lens with flexible ear pieces. I cannot shake them off my head, so no more croakies or strings to prevent a trip to the deep six.
Grey lens with slight mirror works great dawn to dusk, yet not too dark to be used to enhance contrast on cloudy/foggy days, or simply to be kept on while I dash into the cabin to root for something. Optical quality ( or whatever) glass lens means no distortion

MJ provides excellent customer service. I send mine back every three years or so and they tighten the frames, nosepiece etc, and either polish or replace the lenses for like 40 bucks plus shipping. One weel turnaround.

I'm very pleased with all aspects of my Maui Jims. I just started to need reader glasses and my next pair will be scripts. MJ offers all its models for script

[Nanoose]

Maui Jims. Absofrigginlutelyamazing.

[floatingkiwi]

Arnette fit my heads the best.
Back in NZ we catch Kingfish,( Americans call them yellowtail), right off the rocks at some harbour entrances and rocky headlands. Using live mullet is the good way to go. But as I always said, fishing starts with bait, and one must catch the little buggers first.
Without polarized lenses, forget it. You simply can not see a single fish looking as hard and long as you like into the choppy sparkling current. Don a pair of Polarized lenses and Wow. There they are . A string of mullet about as big around as say a good sized car and a couple of hundred feet long. Hundreds or thousands at a time making their way into the muddy reaches to do their thing. When visible, it is like they are swimming in the air. Kinda like a holograph projection dancing along in front of the rocks.
Then you take a stout rod with heavy line, a small weight terminating at the end of 6 or so big treble hooks in a nasty line, cast that sucker in front of and over the leading mullet as it winds its way into the pack, the mullet form a definite circle of avoidance around the line and its barbery. One can witness this very well from shore, as well as the mullet. The ones at the front that is. At the right time, rip that sucker hard and mercilessly into the thick of the scaly shimmer and thud, thud, wind 'em in and go for more.
When the Kingis show up after 5 mins or 5 hours. Or 5 days, who knows, but when they do, and they will, everyones mullet jump out of the water along with a football field of free fish, all trying to escape the green and yellow torpedoes, streaking in 4 or 6 at a time upon a fish that has been lifted off the rocks and plopped back into the water where he belongs, a boil of foam and tails, then nothing, smooth water, still........but then suddenly.....down goes the rod tip, hard.....the rest is yours.

[Don Z.]

I have to add another vote for the Serengeti's. I've been wearing them for almost 20 years now. Campmor usually has good deals on them. I've found that polarized or non-polarized really comes down to preference. On the one hand, polarization helps on the water. On the other, so many things have LCD screens now. The dashboard in my car, the GPS on the boat, the radio... That makes it a little frustrating, so I've gone back to non-polarized.

Just spent a year wearing ballistic Wylies. Granted, they were great ballistic protection, and I've been told they're great at UV. But I'm glad to be back in the Serengetis.

[jevvv]

My personal vote is the Vuarnet's I used to have - lasted about 15 years :)

[bluedog225]

I was thinking more along the lines of which sunglasses meet the requirements of the Australian Standard (AS/NZ1067:2003), the European standard (EN 1836:2005) or the US standard (ANSI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_National_Standards_Institute) Z80.3-2001). I was also looking for an emphasis on blue light blocking.

Looking around at the popular brands, I am not seeing much in the way of discussion of these standards and whether products conform. Seems odd given the competitive nature of the business.

[floatingkiwi]

Well excuse our misinterpretation of exactly what it was you were looking for. Through your lenses.
Polarization don't have much to do with popularity/ fashion, but more a necessity as a few of us have stated here. Without it you aint got a dogs show of seeing into the old briny like people here, being boating enthusiasts, do so often.

[skipper68]

Well excuse our misinterpretation of exactly what it was you were looking for. Through your lenses.
Polarization don't have much to do with popularity/ fashion, but more a necessity as a few of us have stated here. Without it you aint got a dogs show of seeing into the old briny like people here, being boating enthusiasts, do so often.FENDI FENDI,$$you can look at the SUN if you get the right ones.its a fact.whats the number on that bouy??its not fashion,its a job they do.:D

[Larks]

FENDI FENDI,$$you can look at the SUN if you get the right ones.its a fact.whats the number on that bouy??its not fashion,its a job they do.:D

I reiterate that I buy Serengeti's for their perfomance, having very light sensitive eyes, not their fashion value, though I appreciate that they are presentable.

But it sounds like you aren't interested in the comments here nor the links provided I gather you really just want one of these:
http://www.allproducts.com/showcase/parkson/20-welding_helmet-s.jpg

[John P Lebens]

Maui Jims are the best - I'm not kidding

[Breakaway]

was thinking more along the lines of which sunglasses meet the requirements of the Australian Standard (AS/NZ1067:2003), the European standard (EN 1836:2005) or the US standard (ANSI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_National_Standards_Institute) Z80.3-2001). I was also looking for an emphasis on blue light blocking.

Ya know, meeting a standard often means meeting a minimum requirement. It doesn't assure that the product is the best.

Just a coupla pennies for the pot.

Kevin

[amish rob]

I raced mountain bikes for 10 years, as a job - my best estimate is 350-400,000 miles on the bike. This does not include all the fishing, hiking and boating time. I think I've spent more time outside than asleep, much of that time in the western Sierras at 5,000 plus feet altitude.
35 years old, perfect eyes, and I have Oakley to thank.
Most of them look like cyborg abortions, but they are as scientifically advanced as lenses come and on some models the lenses are interchangable; my Zeros (weigh nil) have polarized lenses I carry with me, I have a few shades of polarized for different sun conditions.
These glasses aren't cheap, nor are the replacement lenses, but they come in an array of lens coatings and colors, are UV proof, and I have witnessed one of the lenses (distortion free polycarbonate) stop the shot from a 12 guage; in a demonstration, not on someone's face.
Most models can get your prescription in 'em.
Right on the arm: Made in the USA.

[bluedog225]

Peace.....I appreciate the comments. I just find it odd that the manufacturers mostly avoid discussion of the technical specs. No criticism intended.

[Venchka]

Conversely, specifications in the computer peripheral industry run pages long. Yest many of the quoted specs. can't be verified. These "specs." are quoted by geeks, not understood by most and largely ignored by the savy.
I'm old. Been wearing name brand sunglasses since forever. I never once looked at the specs. for my specs. I can still see to type this.
Wait. Once I did make it a point to ask for OSHA qualified safety glasses. Work was paying and they did have to have the right qualifications. Those are the light sensing darkening outside glasses I have. Good glasses. However, I have no clue what standard they meet.

[Venchka]

The way I read the spec, Maui Jim (and probably a lot more) sunglasses EXCEED the American standard.

http://www.mauijim.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TechnologyView?storeId=10001&catalogId=11601&langId=-1

"Maui Jim sunglasses block 100% UV up to 400nm."

American Standard:

The US standard is ANSI (http://forum.woodenboat.com/wiki/American_National_Standards_Institute) Z80.3-2001, which includes three transmittance categories. According to the ANSI Z80.3-2001 standard, the lens should have a UVB (280 to 315 nm) transmittance of no more than one per cent and a UVA (315 to 380 nm) transmittance of no more than 0.3 times the visual light transmittance. The standard also includes requirements for basic impact and high impact protection. In the basic impact test, a 1 in (http://forum.woodenboat.com/wiki/Inch) (2.54 cm) steel ball is dropped on the lens from a height of 50 in (127 cm). In the high velocity test, a 1/4 in (6.35 mm) steel ball is shot at the lens at 150 ft/s (45.72 m/s). To pass both tests, no part of the lens may touch the eye

As was pointed out earlier, standards are often lowest common denominators. Some companies exceed standards.

[Mrleft8]

Ever since Baush&Lomb got et up by some Chinese company the quality of the optics seems to have suffered. Still, the neutral gray/green is my favorite for every day wear. The AO aviator green is also excellent, if you can find them.
The tan/brown/pink lenses may look cool, but yer eyes'll hate you later.

[Bob Triggs]

I love my Smith Action Optics sunglasses. I have been wearing the Action Optics glasses for about 12 years, on the water as a fishing guide and sailing, boating etc. I use the photochromatic glasses, in an amberish lens color. It helps me looking into water for fish, and running jet boats in shallow water at 30 mph I need to see the bottom clearly. I also like a greenish shade of glass color. They have glasses in real glass or in polycarbonate. I settled on glass lenses because they last so much longer and dont scratch easily. They have a prescription service as well. I cant say enough good about these people as they make an awesome sunglass and I need them to protect my eyes from fish hooks and from UV and sunglare. I tried everytihng else over the past 40 years, the Action Optics glasses delivered. Great warranty and service program too.
www.actionoptics.com (http://www.actionoptics.com)

[5by5]

Something to consider if you're an eyeglass wearer is that the lens material for many plastic lenses block naturally block UV. Ask your optomtrist about the material used in your lenses to be sure.

You won't get the polarizing filter effect of course or the darkening but this last point might actually be an advantage. In bright sunlight you iris constricts to decrease the amount light entering your eye (and increases depth of field, BTW).

Clear lenses with built in UV protection allow your iris to constrict naturally--win/win. The worst situation is dark glasses with little or no UV protection. Your irises (irii?) stay wide open and the UV floods in.

There is also the comfort/eyestrain factor of bright sunlight but frankly that's never bothered me (much).

HH

[Dr.Spoke]

I raced mountain bikes for 10 years, as a job - my best estimate is 350-400,000 miles on the bike. This does not include all the fishing, hiking and boating time. I think I've spent more time outside than asleep, much of that time in the western Sierras at 5,000 plus feet altitude.
35 years old, perfect eyes, and I have Oakley to thank.
Most of them look like cyborg abortions, but they are as scientifically advanced as lenses come and on some models the lenses are interchangable; my Zeros (weigh nil) have polarized lenses I carry with me, I have a few shades of polarized for different sun conditions.
These glasses aren't cheap, nor are the replacement lenses, but they come in an array of lens coatings and colors, are UV proof, and I have witnessed one of the lenses (distortion free polycarbonate) stop the shot from a 12 guage; in a demonstration, not on someone's face.
Most models can get your prescription in 'em.
Right on the arm: Made in the USA.

I've got to go with Rob here!
I am also a biker, and have used Oakleys since the late 80's. The optics are exceptional, and appear to have all the protection one can need. The ability to change lenses on most models is an advantage, but the range of light conditions any of the lenses help vision in - contrast clarity and brightness - means that lens changes don't "need" to be made so often.
I can also vouch for their physical-protection properties. On any number of crashes have I injured my face - but my eyes remain unscathed. One notable crash, at about 40mph, had a chainwheel ( with bike attatched) hit me in the face, through the opening in a full-face helmet. My face needed some stitches and the lens over my left eye was deformed by 2mm... I'm certain that without the glasses I would have needed surgery to the eye, maybe even lost it.
The style of them may not suit all, but they have a huge selection. Worth buying from an optician as opposed to sporting goods store, and many models can be had with corrective lenses ( but disposable contacts and Oakleys is a better solution for me).

[davebrown]

no amount of money on sunglasses can make me look cool.

[amish rob]

Dr. Spoke,
Chainwheel in the face? Ouch. I took one to the forearm once, and that hurt bad enough.
The day after Easter I crashed (bad) jumping a (very big) set of doubles and tore a muscle in my hip, so my friend let me borrow this computer because now I can't work.
This forum was a nice find, but is wretched when you cannot physically work on your own boats. Sigh.
As to the Oakleys, I never mentioned the atmospheric lens coating chambers and the machine that cold forges titanium frames. These guys are tech and proud to flaunt it; I am sure any and all specs are available from them, and I am sure they exceed all standards.

[varadero]

The great feature Mauii Jims has for boating folks is the lenses actually enhance the colours red and green. The marks jump out from the background better than if you had no sunnies on at all. Zero glare, great depth perception, and not too dark.

[Dr.Spoke]

Dr. Spoke,
Chainwheel in the face? Ouch. I took one to the forearm once, and that hurt bad enough.
The day after Easter I crashed (bad) jumping a (very big) set of doubles and tore a muscle in my hip, so my friend let me borrow this computer because now I can't work.
This forum was a nice find, but is wretched when you cannot physically work on your own boats. Sigh.
As to the Oakleys, I never mentioned the atmospheric lens coating chambers and the machine that cold forges titanium frames. These guys are tech and proud to flaunt it; I am sure any and all specs are available from them, and I am sure they exceed all standards.
Yeah, don't really know what happened: screwed up a double; then I'm sliding down the course, head first, on my back-plate looking up the course watching my bike cartwheel toward me... Just got lucky that the chain came off and the chain-wheel managed to find the opening in my helmet!:eek:
Good luck with the leg.

[BarnacleGrim]

I have a pair that are Polaroid branded. Cheaper than Ray-bans and better than generic. Aviator specs is the only style that looks good on me.

I think that neutral shaded polarised specs are best for boating. The marks are fine, they aren't moving. It's the other boats you need to spot, and they can have any colour. If you use a plotter you may want gradient shades.

[amish rob]

Dr. Spoke,
Thanks. If only wooden boats and fly fishing were my most masochistic hobbies (nothing dirty implied).
Sorry to "hijack" with bike talk. I'm done.
My hurt leg has allowed me to learn computers, though. I almost got some pictures on the net today, hopefully tomorrow.
A new thread about the repair of my BEAT UP strip canoe is coming (with photos).
BlueDog: good luck with your glasses search. Good thing you didn't ask a question about the best way to paint a boat, eh!