Hey,

I'm looking for a pair of glasses with photochromatic lenses (the ones that change/accommodate automatically as it gets brighter or darker outside). During the week, I ride a lot in the evenings and at night when it's dark. Here in New York City, we have streetlights and it never gets PITCH dark as it can out in the country, but I want some with a wide range of light-to-dark variation. Many out there seem to be mainly for cloudy to bright days without taking night riding into consideration.

Anyone in a similar situation or can recommend some or relate some tales from the road?

Greatly appreciated.

I'm using some Specialized San Remos. I haven't riden in the exact situation as you, but I can see fine with them on at dusk and I have put them on while in the car at night. They weren't bad, but I'm not completely sure how I'll like them if/when I ride in the dark.

EDIT: And, I've ridden them in the bright sun and they were dark enough.

My commuting glasses are prescription with Transition lenses in them. My experience is very good and its useful for when my evening commute starts off in the light and ends dark. These type lenses don't have a large range of tinting change though. Either they go from clear to a light tint or from a light tint to a dark tint. Even "clear" is tinted just a bit, but it's barely noticeable when they're on and it doesn't impair my vision. Mine are the lighter variety with a gray tint, I mostly got them because it was covered by insurance.
Unfortunately I don't have any experience with any of the retail versions out there so I can't help you with that.

I have some Rudy Project photochromatic lenses. They're nice, but definitely not appropriate for night time. The lens range from light to dark is pretty modest.

I have some Rudy Project photochromatic lenses. They're nice, but definitely not appropriate for night time. The lens range from light to dark is pretty modest.

Same with my Tifosis. They wouldn't be suitable for night riding. In low light situations, even during the day, I still sometimes have to use another pair of glasses with clear lenses.

My commuting glasses are prescription with Transition lenses in them. My experience is very good and its useful for when my evening commute starts off in the light and ends dark. These type lenses don't have a large range of tinting change though. Either they go from clear to a light tint or from a light tint to a dark tint. Even "clear" is tinted just a bit, but it's barely noticeable when they're on and it doesn't impair my vision. Mine are the lighter variety with a gray tint, I mostly got them because it was covered by insurance.
Unfortunately I don't have any experience with any of the retail versions out there so I can't help you with that.

I have two pair of Smith frames with the Transition lenses (one for riding on my motorcycle and one with DIY venting for riding bikes). They work great all around. They are certainly light enough to ride at night.

Paula has a couple of pairs of the Specialized glasses (Cortina's, IIRC) with the Adaptalite lenses. They stay pretty dark for night riding. She sometimes complains that it's hard to see in the woods when we are riding off road in the evenings.