OT: Polarized Sunglasses

[fishwater99]

I looking at ordering a pair of Kaenon sunglasses, does anyone have experience with them?

Kaenon

I currently have a couple of pairs of Smith Optics that I like and have worn Revo's in the past.
I don't want to buy Costa Del Mar's like everyone and their brother...

 

[fishwater99]

I looking at ordering a pair of Kaenon sunglasses, does anyone have experience with them?

Kaenon

I currently have a couple of pairs of Smith Optics that I like and have worn Revo's in the past.
I don't want to buy Costa Del Mar's like everyone and their brother...

 

[fishwater99]

I looking at ordering a pair of Kaenon sunglasses, does anyone have experience with them?

Kaenon

I currently have a couple of pairs of Smith Optics that I like and have worn Revo's in the past.
I don't want to buy Costa Del Mar's like everyone and their brother...

 

[Hanmudog]

Try Natives. That is what I have worn for years. They are like the Smith Optics that come with interchangable lenses and cost about half as much as Costas or Oakleys.

 

[SyonaraStanz]

They're kind of pricey but are about the same as Kaenon. There customer service is great too. They charge a $60 flat rate for lens replacement (plus $10 shipping) and returned the repaired glasses to me in less than 2 weeks. </p>

 

[PineGroveBully]

My cousin is an air-force pilot and swears by his Maui-Jims, don't know the effect from 30K feet. I've always read that unlike standard shades, you get what you pay for when it comes to polarization.

 

[DerHntr]

Are they pretty good about staying in place and are they relatively light in weight? I have been debating buying some Oakleys for running but can't bring myself to pay for them. I of course sweat like a bear and hate it when my sunglasses start to fall off of my head. Considering I use them the most when running I need something that is light and won't fog up. I've seen some advertisements for Natives but have never seen them in the store and can't tell much about them other than they look a lot like the Oakleys with interchangeable lenses.

 

[weblow]

I would not pay more than $20 for them. They are cheaply made and the lenses are pitiful quality as far as polarized lenses go.

I have had Costas since way before Costas were popular for off shore fishing. I have also had Maui Jims and Revo.

I still find it impossible to beat the Costa 580 lenses. Next I would rank Revo lenses, then Maui Jims and I would place Oakley right ahead of some $5.00 dogs I bought at a gas station. Costa has the best customer service followed by Maui Jim. I just don't think Maui Jim lenses are in the same ballpark as the 580. Have heard some great stuff about Smith from other offshore fisherman but have no experience with them.

 

[Hanmudog]

Are they pretty good about staying in place and are they relatively light in weight? I have been debating buying some Oakleys for running but can't bring myself to pay for them. I of course sweat like a bear and hate it when my sunglasses start to fall off of my head. Considering I use them the most when running I need something that is light and won't fog up. I've seen some advertisements for Natives but have never seen them in the store and can't tell much about them other than they look a lot like the Oakleys with interchangeable lenses.

I wear them fishing, running, playing tennis, etc. and have never had a problem with them falling off. I can't bring myself to wear one of those Croaky things around my neck so it is important for me that they fit well. They also have the ventilation holes in the top of the frame to help with the fogging up.
They can be a bit hard to find in stores but generally outdoor outfitter type stores seems to carry them.

 

[aTotal360]

then I actually wore my co-workers on fishing trip in Venice. I was sold. They are fantastic glasses. They makeenoughmodels nowadays so you don't have to buy the pair everyone has.<div>
</div><div>As forweight...its just like anything else. Youhave to give up something to gain something. Get glass lenses, thepoly-carbonatestuff is not as good (see Oakley). Unfortunately, the glass is a lot heavier.</div><div>
</div><div>With that being said, take a look at the 580G lenses from Costa. Don't get anything less. The Blue Mirror 580G is a fantastic lens for fishing offshore.</div>

 

[VirgilCain]

I remember from middle school science class that a polarized lens blocks light waves that become polarized after reflecting off of something.... by my excellent ability deductive reasoning and "educated" guessing, I would assume that polarized is an all-or-nothing scenario (either polarized or not polarized).

Let me cut to the chase.... I am simply trying to give myself more verification to continue buying Target's polarized shades (I do a lot of sifting to find the classy** ones) instead of springing for a pair of expensive shades. It is my opinion that expensive shades, unless you're an avid angler, are the biggest waste of money ever.

On a mildy related note, croakies (sp?) are the gayest of gay... I'm looking at you, JohnDawg.

 

[SanfordRJones]

If you're willing to spend that much, check out Rudy Project. They have great customer support (lifetime warranty on lenses: pay $20 for shipping). I've had a pair for a couple of years, and I don't see myself buying any other brand in the future. You can also find discount codes online. Before getting the Rudy Projects, I had owned Oakley and Ray-Ban, and the Rudies are head and shoulders above them in quality.

Link to their online store

 

[CivilEngineerDog]

they are very nice and very well made. Not sure if I would pay retail ($140) for them, but since they were free I am very happy with them.

 

[kired]

I think the ones I have are minute 2. Use them like you said, mostly for running. Work great for me. They are comfortable & fitgreat.I'llstart before the sun comes up with them on top of my head & they've never fallen off. Never have to re-adjust them during my run, and I can't remember them fogging up very often - just in extreme circumstances.

Scratches & lens quality doesn't mean too much to me because they're going to be covered in sweat anyway, so I've nevered looked at any of the others that are normally considered better quality glasses.

 

[Stuttgart]

Good glasses, comes with 3 interchangeable lenses and cost about $60. I will never buy another pair of Oakleys for running.

 

[the next big thing]

but i'll also cast my vote for the Costa 580 lenses. I wore costa 400 lenses before, and it seems like the 580's have more contrast and definition. ive also got a pair of polarized raybans. theyre nice, about like the 400's.

ive read that the original rayban pilots' glasses were not polarized. Air Force pilotswore regularlenses because polarizationwould hide the glint of other aircraft in the sky.

ETA: if you break a 580 lens, itll cost ya $110 and two weeks. every time

 

[aspendawg]

I've had both although I prefer smith over anything because of all around functionality and quality

 

[MississippiHeavyMetalDawg]

Glass is much heavier and you always have to worry about the possibility of shattering. Glass doesn't scratch easilyand the optical quality is great, but it isn't worth it because there are high quality plastics available that are just as good, shatter resistant, and lightweight. Polycarbonate is not included as a 'high quality' plastic. It is fairly cheap & shatter resistant, but optically poor.

 

[dawgatUSM]

I love the 580Gs, but I don't know if I love them 50-70 bucks more. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong with either lens.

 

[State82]

but they should be fine. I just can't believe there is anything that can touch the Costa 580 glass lens. However, they are pricey. Depending on what you use them for, the 580 Copper is as fine as they come.

 

[weblow]

you will really appreciate the added clarity of the 580s. They are the best lenses I have ever looked through. Many people have brought various brands of glasses out there and after they try mine for a few minutes, they want them.

If I could work out a deal with Costa for commissions, I could make some decent money.

 

[ShrubDog]

If you are going to be offshore for a full sunny day the reflection is going to be intense.
The best tint for offshore fishing is Blue. It reflects more of the sun's reflection of the waterthan other colors.

I learned that from my good friend and captain in Clearwater, FL. I had some dark tints on and we were about 120 miles out. I found my eyes tired and squinting beforenoon...despite having polarized glasses. Captain said I have to get blue tinted glasses. Thats all I use nowand this may be a personal preference or opinion.....but I have seen many make the same recommendation.

Good luck

 

[RougeDawg]

<div>
</div><div>With that being said, take a look at the 580G lenses from Costa. Don't get anything less. The Blue Mirror 580G is a fantastic lens for fishing offshore.</div>

Best lens out there. You can see the fish swimming with them on. Also at the beach, you can see things in the water that nobody else can (Fish, sting rays, bikinis, etc.) Very good stealth lens. Nobody can see where your eyes are looking.

I've got 5 pair of Costas and got 580 Green Mirror on the latest pair. I can't even stand to put on my other pairs of Costas after wearing the 580's because of the lack of color contrast. Also have a pair of Maui Jim metal frames old school aviators, for more casual wear. Maui has some nice new styles. Got the MJ's because I got at a discount at my eye Dr. and wanted something different than the sport style Costas. They have a nice clear lens as well, but not good for fishing etc.

 

[Jaqueax]

I've been wearing them for over ten years - golfing, running biking. They never slip - I did have an ear pad finally come loose and Native replaced them for $30. I've got the Dash SS. You can find deals on them online sometimes.

 

[mcdawg22]

I am afraid to buy expensive sunglasses because i have one pair in Mobile bay, one in the whitewater center in Charlotte and one somewhere in New Orleans, so I figured by going cheap I could get blue tint and amber tint (for low light conditions). The blues outperformed the ambers even in low light, inshore, with stained water. On an early morning top water trip a guide lent me his yellow Maui Jim's and I was impressed just because you could pick up finger mullet from a pretty good distance. If you decide to go cheap like I did, find a reflective surface in the store and try a couple of pair and see which ones eliminate the glare best. I ended up getting blue tinted XPS's and I can pick up reds in the sound and Spanish trailing a gotcha in the surf alot better.

 

[weblow]

Blue tint is for offshore fishing, it offers the most protection from glare off the water. They are a little too dark to wear around town or while driving unless it is super bright. I have blue for offshore and have a pair of copper lenses for everything else.

 

[Dawgzilla]

They ARE overpriced, but they are NOT cheaply made. They are excellent eyewear.

I obviously don't know what you "found at the beach." Oakleys seem like they are kind of flimsy, but the plastic is virtually unbreakable. Okay, yes, if you actually WANT to break them you can snap them in two, but it takes a surprising amount of force; much more force than you would ever experience in normal wear and tear. Most of their lenses are very high quality as well, although they do scratch rather easily. Replacement lenses are available for every model.

I have a pair of half jackets that I bought for cycling and other sports 4 or 5 years ago. The never slip, and I hardly ever even notice they are even on. I did have to buy some replacements for my G30 lenses after about 2 years of use, but the other lenses are all still in great shape.

 

[aTotal360]

I have some Oakley that I wear on occasion. Yes, they are light and shatter resistant, but until you compare them to high quality glass, you don't realize how bad they really are. <div>
<div>I know a Game Warden that got pterygium from wearing improper eye protection (polarizedOakleys matter of fact). He was patrolling the water on the Tenn-Tom from sun up to sun down everyday all summer long. I think he had to have surgery to get he calluses removed. Anyway, the eye doctor recommended that he swap to a higher quality lens. Since switching to the Costas 580G (blue), he has had zero problems.</div><div>His story turned me on to the Costas several years ago.</div> </div>

 

[FISHDAWG]

from oakley (2-pairs that broke in the same exactplace ) , Bolelo (2 pairs that lost polarization after washing with warm water / soap ) ... couple pairs of Ray Ban ... sundogs, and a host of others .....the 580 lens & frame just can't be beat ....THERE IS A REASON the Costas are so popular

edited to correct my lousy Italian Bolelo = Bolle`

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

while my older plastic lens Costas that are 8 years old are still going strong.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

I personally love the Seven Mile.

 

[weblow]

They are fine for jogging and cycling but should cost less than $50. The lenses are honestly the worst of any high dollar glasses I have ever worn. The wind will scratch those things and the clarity is terrible. They are half jackets and the lenses were scratch when I found them. I ordered new lenses thinking they would be great and was amazed at how shittaskic they actually were.

The frames are fine, seem to be built well, but the lenses are not worth $0.50. How the hell Oakley gets away with selling those ****** lenses is beyond me.

 

[tebmsu97]

Another vote for Maui Jim, best glasses I have ever owned and the customer service is great. Mine are prescription and they replaced my lenses free in about a week. (I had left them on the back of the car and drove off throwing them in the street and scratching them to hell and back). Not sure on shipping for the replacement, I get them through my neighbors office so he handled all of that.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I use them both and love both of them. The Maui Jims I got are the lightest glasses I ever wore and with the spring metal that makes up the temples and bridge makes them fit better than any other glasses I ever wore. Especially for golf and other sports you never hit the edge and they stay in place. They can fit tight to your face. The Costas I use for bright days on the water in that they are a bit darker tint and they really help prevent eye and face fatigue in those ultra bright conditions. Clarity is great in both.

 

[cdhmsu]

I have 2 pair. one with C12 lens and one with G12. I have owned about 6 different brands of polarized glasses and Kaenon is my favorite.

 

[dgsmith15]

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bolelo </span>

You mean <span class="tl"></span><span class="l noline">Bollé?</span>

 

[dgsmith15]

BluBlockers

 

[BMadoff.nafoom]

but I spent as much as $250 for polarized sunglasses, but none have been better than the pair I paid only $22.95 for from the linked site herein. They do not have a fancy logo or any 'named' recognition, but the lenses are of the highest polarized quality I have ever encountered. Had to order a second set because the nose pieces fell of first set:

http://www.sunglassesgiant.com/posufap6.html

 

[MrHooch]

my Maui Jim's are 4-5 yrs old now and have the usual wear and tear... lots of good info thrown around in this thread, but in doing some shopping around online I saw a brand I'm not familiar with... does anyone know anything about the Dragon Riff sunglasses?

also as a follow-up question, what site(s) would you recommend for the best deals to purchase online?

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

are about impossible to break, while the glass 580s are very easy. So like anything else, you can wear the right pair at the right time. Getting trashed at a tailgate? Don't wear the glass ones.