Buying Sunglasses - Question

NealJ2K · 2 Weeks Ago

Hey all.

I'm about to purchase a new pair of sunglasses to upgrade from my current pair (knockoff half jackets bought at Venice Beach for $10). I don't want to spend tons of $$ but I do want a decent pair. The main thing I've noticed with the pair I have now is when I'm going through dappled lighting (under trees) and going in/out of light vs dark areas is that I really cannot see.

What will fix this? just getting decent lenses or do I need polarization?

Just a piece of info: I live in SoCal and ride during daytime (once in a while I ride in the morning or late afternoon) so I'm mostly in high-light situations.

I'd prefer to spend $50 or less. Right now I'm looking at:
http://tifosioptics.com/interchangeable/pave.html (none of these are polarized--I'd probably get photochrome)
and
http://tifosioptics.com/interchangeable/tyrant.html (I could get photochrome or polarized)
and
http://www.serfas.com/product_details2.asp?ID=523

Any help would be appreciated!

SkiRacer55 · 2 Weeks Ago

...but the specs look good. I have used Tifosi and like them a lot. I think all the $$$$$ glasses (Oakley, et. al.) are probably real good, but as Ken Kesey once noted, Nothing Lasts. I'm famous for trashing out 5 to 6 pairs of glasses a year, between biking, tennis, and running around in the Rockies, so I try to get decent function at a decent price. I believe in polarized, but I have to tell you...I got hit in the eye with a bunjy cord about 6 years ago, and went through a lens replacement. I now have 20/25 vision in that eye, thanks to a couple of good surgeons, but the muscles that dilate/contract the pupil are totally blown, and the pupil is permanently dilated. So good glasses are a priority, and polarization is part of that. You may also want to look at lenses that adapt to changing light conditions...

NealJ2K · 2 Weeks Ago

Thanks for the advice--it helped me narrow it a bit. Right now I am looking at:
http://tifosioptics.com/interchangeable/tyrant.html
in the matte black (with red and yellow lenses + smoke polarized). I found them online for $53. Is this a good price for what these sunglasses are?

Thank you!

Mr. Versatile · 2 Weeks Ago

Those look good. I have an emotional allergy to buying sunglasses that cost over ~ $50. Those would fit the bill nicely. I'd be willing to try them if I wasn't happy with what I have.

Tommy Walker · 2 Weeks Ago

I love Tifosi and think I got mine for $35. I actually like them better than Oakley's for cycling, they fit better and cover the bottom of my eyes as well (I could only afford the Oakley half jackets..if anyone has the other half send them to me).

The Tifosi also has interchangeable lenses, which I found out those yellow lenses are great for evening rides in the summer when it is a little darker in wooded areas; and instead of taking the glasses off you can keep them on for protection against those gnats that always seem to find your eyes.

nonsleepingjon · 2 Weeks Ago

yellow lenses are great for cloudy days or dark woods as it makes things appear brighter (something to do with how our brains interpret the yellow light).

Brown lenses are supposedly better than gray for shadows as gray really reduces the contrast. I've never owned brown lenses so I can't attest to that.

Red lenses are great for snow and ice.

Polarized will help cut down on glare from the road (or snow, water, etc) but some people don't like it.

Personally, I buy tinted safety glasses from the hardware store. They have some styles that look like designer sunglasses. Pros are that they are cheap, easy to replace, will protect your eyes, and wrap around to keep out wind, tree limbs (on trail rides), etc. They also come in clear and yellow so you have color options for different conditions. Only major drawback is that they are not usually optically correct, but I've never had a problem with the distortion.

rydog9991 · 2 Weeks Ago

I have the Tifosi Dolomite with 3 lenses. (Red, Smoke, Clear) I use them for road and mountain. I love them. I have sat on them, dropped them, stepped on them and they are still as good a new. The lenses are super easy to swap and you cant beat them for the 60 bucks.

jpdigital · 2 Weeks Ago

I have a pair of Ventoux shades. Love 'em. My pair came with the amber fototec lenses. So when it's dark they're amber to pick up things in the low light; when they're out in sunlight they darken. Great lenses, especially for the price. Think I paid around $55. A very good investment.

lockwood1 · 2 Weeks Ago

I have Tifosi Slip that I use for nightride. Bought it in my LBS for about 55.00. Has 4 lenses yellow, clear, smoke and red, hard case ad the cleaning pad. Excellent deal for the money. For jogging I use Oakley Half Jacket XLJ, cycling in daylight have an Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ

Hooben · 2 Weeks Ago

Be careful if ordering oakley on ebay as there are many counterfeit glasses that look exactly the same. A close inspection shows that they are cheap knock offs.
Reputable dealers will cost you, but at least you know you are getting the real thing.

kmunny19 · 1 Week Ago

i also like tifosi. i have the tyrant in the red photochromic and love them. the lenses work great at all light levels, and when its cloudy or misty out, they actually brighten the view, or change the contrast or something that makes it easier to pick up objects and motion than if they were off.

the tradeoff can be some quality issues, as I've had to use a touch of glue to reattach the outer earpiece to the the main earpiece, and I have to make sure the screw in the nosepeice stays in well. minor issues though, but i've heard others with similar complaints.

tom_h · 1 Week Ago

Another option: "shooting glasses".
They are surprisingly inexpensive, $10-15, and offer very good wrap-around coverage -- very nice for a contact lens wearer.

Eg, I recently bought 2 pairs of these "Remington T-72" glasses for under $10 ea
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._ya_oh_product
Optical quality is very good, and they're available in several colored tints and clear.

electech · 1 Week Ago

I have these and they work great! Very comfortable and you can catch them on sale for about $35 at times. They come with a nice carry case and 3 lenses.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...00_20000_57500

Mr. Versatile · 1 Week Ago

I have these and just love'em.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_10000_201507

eddo3 · 1 Week Ago

Agree on shooting glasses. I use these and they work great. Multi lens kit is cheap and optically fine. I think I got these for less at Walmart. I tend to lose expensive sunglasses.
http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Shooting...7997660&sr=8-9