Sunglasses...recommendations sought

[lenseman]

. . . . . . unfortunately higher price or name doesn't necessarily mean better quality UV protection. . . . . .

Interesting that you mention UV protection? As far as I am aware UV cannot penetrate glass whatever the price.

No one has ever obtained a sun tan whist working in a green house or whilst sitting for long periods in a conservatory you only get hot.

 

[Marine Reflections]

No argument there but unfortunately higher price or name doesn't necessarily mean better quality UV protection. All we have is the sales pitch on the packet.

I am no optician, just know what works for me, I believe we get what we pay for...

Have no issue in paying £200+ for decent glasses that do the job they were designed to do.
I would rank my glasses as one of the most important tools of my work, (staring at surfaces) without them after 17 years, I am convinced my eyes would be in a state by now.

I could of course be wrong and I would have wasted £200, but I would much prefer to lose £200 every three or four years than my 20/20 vision.

 

[noelex]

Interesting that you mention UV protection? As far as I am aware UV cannot penetrate glass whatever the price.
:

Glass has the worst UV protection of all the optical materials. It is possible to apply a good quality tint to a glass lens and get good UV protection, but you are taking a risk.

It is also much more dangerous in term of eye injury and breakage. Its also heavy. On the bright side it scratches less easily. I would not recommend a glass lens for sailing.

 

[pagoda]

A rather aged pair of Oakley "eye-jackets".

They were bought for winter snow, but wrap around well, are light, comfortable and work equally well on the boat.
I haven't found much use for them yet this year !

But they're ready!

Graeme

 

[lustyd]

+1. If they're not polarised you'll suffer a glare problem even on dullish days. And if you wear glassess for reading or distance it's worth getting prescription polaroids. Specsavers 2 for 1 deal make it reasonable. Means I can look at my instruments - esp chartplotter - and see what's happening.

You'll suffer no worse of a glare problem than with your eyes. I find my eyes acceptable 99% of the time for seeing.

I like polarisation for taking photos and love the idea of the glasses but they give me a headache so they are not for everyone.

Having said that, I can't think of a good way to check whether you get a headache without buying some and using them. Ultimately I would probably recommend getting polarised like everyone else has and just hope you don't get the headaches.

 

[Steve Clayton]

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_32682.htm

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

My rep is such I should be telling you to spend £400 on Randolphs or something.

However, the sunglasses hut guy at the Southmapton Boat Show sells some really nice ones for £5. Worth the wait IMHO.

 

[ytd]

Since I need reading glasses to read the plotter I'm on my third pair of these:

http://www.barzoptics.com/polarised-sunglasses-with-bifocal-reader-lenses

gets around the problem of swapping readers for sunglasses when checking the plotter or instruments plus the reader inserts are non-polarised for lcds.

 

[Monique]

I need both reading and distance corrections lenses.

Got some Maui Jim..... Far too expensive but they protect my eyes.

Well adjusted retaining strap always on

 

[Iliade]

Maui

I need both reading and distance corrections lenses.

Got some Maui Jim..... Far too expensive but they protect my eyes.

Well adjusted retaining strap always on

They sink very quickly if not retained though :0(

 

[Monique]

Would sink faster than a bullet unless retained

 

[ukmctc]

Ok, don't laugh, I know 'you want sunglasses for this summer?!!'

Having just stood on my old pair and knackered them beyond repair I need some replacements. A quick web search throws up dozens of makes, lots I've never heard of. Another monthly magazine has just done a survey and I only knew one make they tried so I need some advice.

What does the forum recommend, without getting into trebble figures I add rather hastilly.

Best ever sunglasses, Argos fishing glasses, anti glare fantastic best sailing sunglasses I have ever had and only £9.99

 

[richardsnowstar]

I am a recent convert to polarized sunglasses from Decathlon. Only £15.99, polarized, 100% UV protection and wraparound helps keep the wind out of your eyes.

See http://www.decathlon.co.uk/sg-tribord-400-black-id_8174509.html


Other styles are also availaible at http://www.decathlon.co.uk/Buy/sunglasses?brand=TRIBORD

I have no connection with Decathlon, just a happy customer as they sell some good gear at sensible prices.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

I get terrible headaches from sun glare, summer and winter, and have used Zurich's for years, on an off the boat. Must be the Vlad in me, I hate those bright halogen headlights and certainly I see better than most folk after dark so not all bad.

Now I finally need reading glasses, they fit under the Zurich's which is handy for chart work etc.

Only ever broke one pair, sat on in car- still wore them for another two years with the crack in,just in the car, til one day they split finally in two

I get mine from Ravenspring in Totnes, who sold me my first pair at SBS years ago.
Nice company-sent me another arm free when one got too near the cooker on our last boat!

 

[wotayottie]

What does the forum recommend, without getting into trebble figures I add rather hastilly.

I always buy from our local market for a pound or so, but I suppose if you were fashion conscious you could try Boots. People with money to waste buy branded glasses cost £1 selling price £150. Fool and his money .............

 

[Sans Bateau]

Maui Jim. Your eyes are too valuable to risk using cheap sunglasses. The more expensive something is, the more care you take looking after it. Thats why you lose or break cheap ones.

 

[maxi77]

I must admit Over the last 45 years I have rarely worn sunglasses, despite serving in the tropics and now spending much of my time in the Algarve. I am currently wearing reactolites (wear bifocals all the time) and find them OK but would always go for corrective lenses before sun protection. I am not suggesting this will work for everyone, Mrs Maxi hardly goes out in daylight in the Algarve without sunglasses, so my suggestion is find out what suits you and makes you comfortable.

 

[Lakesailor]

Oakley monster dogs.
And you look like a villian.

Do you imagine that has something to do with the glasses?

 

[richardsnowstar]

As a motorcyclist I was told "if you don't value your head, buy a cheap helmet". Same applies to sunglasses... if you don't value your eyes, get cheap sunglasses.

Also I work in a ski resort and I have seen the effect of snowblindness when people have gone out without sunnies. It is similar to "arc eyes" from arc welding. I know altitude and snow are an extreme example but you must get a diluted bad effect out on the water all day.

 

[aquaholic]

Never really bothered with sun glasses but Recently bought a pair of Gill Speed polarised glasses and am now converted, very impressed.