I am looking for a new pair of prescription shooting glasses. I currently use the set of Randolph Rangers I got for skeet shooting, and use them for everything now. I’d like to get a new pair of shooting glasses that offer a little more periferal protection. This probably means getting some sort of prescription insert.
What do you guys suggest? I have a pretty bad astigmatism (+4 cylinder), but that’s corrected fine with my prescrption. (It does result in thicker edges of lenses, however, so the inserts need to be pretty small in order to not have some distortion.)
I’ve heard good things about Wiley-X glasses. Any particular models? I’d ideally like some glasses that I can change out the colors of the lenses for various shooting environments (clear, tinted, etc).
I’m about to pull the trigger on a pair of Rudy Project RX glasses. They’re a forum sponsor and come with LAV’s endorsement. And I believe that they have a set of frames that have the exact features you’re looking for. Unfortunately I don’t have any firsthand experience with them and this will be my first pair of RX shooting glasses but they’re a lesser known option and there’s a 40% off coupon code available…
I wear Rudy Project Rydons with the prescription insert. The Rydon is one of several Rudy Project models that have interchangeable lenses and can take the insert.
On the plus side, the Rydons give me good coverage and the optical quality is quite good. The temples and the nose piece are flexible so they can be adjusted for a good fit. RP has a wide variety of lens tints for this model including photochromic and polarized, so it’s very versatile. The lenses are easy to change. Most of the time I use the photochromic clear (which goes from almost completely clear to a medium gray) or a dark gray lens; I don’t currently have any of the more “exotic” tints like red or bronze. The photochromic clear lenses are ANSI Z87.1 certified eye protection, so I also wear them when using power tools etc. I don’t have any issues wearing them with ear-pro.
On the negative side, I find that sometimes I get reflections due to the fact that I’ve got two sets of lenses in front of each eye. I usually notice this when I’m comparing one set of prescription sunglasses to another, and it’s not something that bothers me when I’m actually doing something (like shooting). The prescription insert makes the glasses heavier than, say, a pair of Oakley Half Jackets but they’re lighter than my metal-framed Oakley Square Wires.
The inserts are relatively small compared to the lenses themselves; I think my prescription is around -3 on one side and I don’t have any issues with the edge thickness. I can shoot pics (and/or throw the glasses on the scale with/without insert) if it would be helpful.
Anyway, I think the Rydons are a good solution for prescription eyewear with interchangeable lenses. I’d recommend them.
