I am looking to buy a nice pair of glasses that can be used for shooting, and won’t look out of place while NOT shooting (might as well wear them other places if I am going to spend the money…).
So far, the best idea I have are the Oakley Radar’s with the Pitch lens profile using the VR28 Black Iridium “tint” lens.
I shoot with ear-muffs, so the arm profile is a big deal to me. I don’t want it to mess with the seal any more than physically necessary. This is part of why I am not looking at the M-Frame, as well as the lenses in those having a reputation for falling out, and the PRO model not being made anymore as I understand it.
I use Oakley Half Jackets. I got a good deal on them through usstandardissue.com. If you work in the public sector you can get an account there. The discount is just over 50% off. I like them because I can change out the lenses depending on what I’m doing or if they get scratched up. I also like how light and optically correct they are.
I’d take a hard look at Rudy Project if you want some of the best eyewear out there. Get a set of tinted or polarized lenses, and a set of clear or photochromatic lenses - and it will do everything you could ever want.
Their claim of using “apache helicopter windshield technology” in the lenses isn’t some gimmick. Their lenses are crazy durable.
They make enough designs that I’m sure you could find a style you’d like for every day wear and double for range use.
Rudy Project looks to be of interest. Browsing their stuff now. The arms are much thinner than Oakley. How do they compare, optically?
What is the advantage of a polarized lens? If one lens is gray, and offers 20% light transmission, and one is gray, with 20% transmission, and polarized, why get one over the other?
I am currently using the Radar Path. I have two pair. One for daylight and a pair with clear lenses for night/rain/indoor. While i love my radars, i hate having to juggle the two pairs. I also use them while riding my Harley.
Mac had a pair of M frames with transition lenses during my last class that he was testing out. At the time he was happy with them. The weather was constantly changing between blacked out sky to sunny throught the day due to isolated storms. I kept having to switch glasses. He rocked on without complaint.
I havent tried transition lenses yet and have read that cold temperatures will delay or impair the ability of the lenses to change.
Polarization cuts glare. It filters the light. It has little to do with the darkness of the tint. Many car windshields have a polarized strip across the top portion. I really like a polarized lens for fishing, because it cuts the glare off the water.
I currently use Randolph Rangers for shotgunning. I don’t use a polarized lens because its said to inhibit target acquisition. Something about the way it filters light. Polarization is only optimal in the optical center of the lens. Something to look into and consider.
Polarizing allows the same UV protection while allowing a lighter lens. So general rule of thumb is non polarized means darker tinted lenses. That’s how it’s been explained to me.
This translates to being able to wear the tinted lens further into the evening. There are downsides to polarized, such as that shatter-proof technology cannot be used, and cellphones / laptops / windshields / etc get a weird look to them (hard to describe).
As far as the glass quality, it’s unmatched in my experience. I have Oakleys that I wear while driving, but I use Rudys all day in the shop. There have been times I forget to take the Rudys off because they are so comfortable and clear, I forget I have them on.
The red tinted lenses are specifically (or so I was told) made for using with AR optics. The shade makes things like AimPoints, EOTechs, and ACOG reticles really “pop”. I’m sure if you googled, you could find some pics I posted awhile back showing this. With red tinted lenses, I was able to turn an EOTech down until it was basically invisible to the naked eye in a brightly lit room, but the Rudy red lenses picked it up great.
In comparison to my Oakley Half Jackets, I find the lenses easier to switch (Rudy Rydons / Genetyk as the example). The other big difference between the two are the Oakleys have a non adjustable nose piece. And the Oakleys use a rubber sleeve on the outside of the arms to grip the head, whereas the Rudy’s use inward pressure.
I’ll never part with my Rudy’s (4 pairs), and I’ll never part with my Oakleys either for that matter. If you do go for Rudy, I’d make sure to look around for discount codes. I think “tactical” was the best one I’d seen recently.
Happy hunting.
ETA - I personally would skip Polarized. The more durable “glass” (it’s like a rubbery plastic) can’t be polarized. The durability of this shatter proof lens is much more valuable IMHO. You can take a single lens, and literally bend it end over end until each side touches the other. Think of folding a piece of paper in half. It then bounces back to it’s original shape.
You are “protected.” The light still passes through though. You still need tint to get the “dulling” effect most people attribute to sunglasses.
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There are downsides to polarized, such as that shatter-proof technology cannot be used, and cellphones / laptops / windshields / etc get a weird look to them (hard to describe).[/QUOTE]
If I remember from physics this weird look is from the conflict in polarization. The light is organised in one direction by say the windshield and another by the lens. That causes it to look distorted.
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You are “protected.” The light still passes through though. You still need tint to get the “dulling” effect most people attribute to sunglasses.
If I remember from physics this weird look is from the conflict in polarization. The light is organised in one direction by say the windshield and another by the lens. That causes it to look distorted.
My honest assessment : if you run optics on an AR, or even pistol or shotgun, you can’t beat the red photochromatic lenses. BUT! They make you look like a total nerd in my opinion. Personally, I’m all about function over form - so I rock the red lenses when running ARs.
My honest assessment : if you run optics on an AR, or even pistol or shotgun, you can’t beat the red photochromatic lenses. BUT! They make you look like a total nerd in my opinion. Personally, I’m all about function over form - so I rock the red lenses when running ARs.[/QUOTE]
I use ESS Crossbows, but want to get either clear lenses for my Flak Jackets or M-Frames because my ESS fog up under my ACH. I’m not positive that those Oakley’s won’t but they both provide more of a gap between the glasses and helmet. For regular shooting they’re solid though.
It’s hard to go wrong with Rudys. I have the Genetyk kit, but I typically use only the red lenses unless shooting in low light. I’ve been especially pleased with the glasses.
Keep in mind that, if I’m not mistaken, windshields block UV, and the photochromic feature uses UV to work, so they may not adjust to brighter light when you’re in a vehicle. Might want to think about getting some standard lenses for every day use.
