Any downside to polarized sunglasses?

[LS21]

at REI you can get some Chili brand polarized sunglasses that are well built for less than 50$. Also Costco sells some sunglasses at 75$ range

 

[aphex]

As an avid fisherman, Polarized are the way to go

 

[boomhower]

If things go well I am going to be in a patrol car so no tint, my personal car doesn't have tint either but the wife's does. It seems the only possible downsides will be possibly my cell phone and GPS. I haven't bought the GPS yet so that shouldn't be an issue with proper shopping. I had been looking at Oakley Half Jackets but am open. I want somewhat wrap around, not so much a tinted regular glass look. It needs to something that will stay on during a foot chase and other tussels.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
I can see LCDs fine with my polarized sunglasses. They only disappear if I tilt my head at a 45 degree angle. Don't know if it's dumb luck or a conscious design to improve readability. FWIW they're from LensCrafters.

You do know how polarized lenses work, right?

I have nothing bad to say about mine (prescription)...other than the already mentioned minor drawbacks mentioned by everyone here.

 

[magomago]

I've actually been wanting to get a pair of polarized glasses to combat the bright bright sun. How many stops of light do the coating cut out? Is it the same for all glasses, or does each company actually do so?

Furthermore I can find them at 50 bucks, and I can find them at 250 bucks. Is there a real difference in quality at all of the polarizer, or is it all smoke and mirrors and I'm paying a lot of money for the words 'oakley' or 'rayban'? The only reason I'm hesitant to get the cheapo ones is that I don't know much, if any, about glasses (20/20 vision ) and I don't want to inadvertently hurt my eyes.

 

[CallMeJoe]

You're not supposed to wear polarized glasses if you pilot an aircraft; the glare reduction makes it difficult to see other aircraft.

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I'm still bummed that the idea of making car headlights and windshields polarized 90 degrees off never took off.

A way to make it more difficult to see other cars in bad weather; why do you suppose the NHTSA didn't like that idea?

 

[IEC]

Well worth it even with the downside of not being able to see certain screens IMO

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Polarized glasses are great, but some screens may be difficult if not impossible to read with them on.

I was a crane operator most of my working career and I couldn't wear my Maui Jim's...the computer screen for the LMI turned black with polarized lenses.
Otherwise, they can be a huge relief for your eyes.

same thing with the industrial OITs i write progs for... kind of sucks, i love polarized glasses. my old cell phone had a black screen as well unless i put it in the exact right angle.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: fleshconsumed
Yeah, they are awesome at reducing sunglare. Mine broke sometime last year, I still need to replace them. Any recommendations for something that's cheap ( <$30 ) and nicely built?

Bolle polarized - usually about $40 on sale.

this is what i was gonna say, im on my second pair because i lost my first

i prefer serengeti...but i havent ever found a pair i was willing to pay for again. ive been pretty happy with my bolle's for the money

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: magomago
I've actually been wanting to get a pair of polarized glasses to combat the bright bright sun. How many stops of light do the coating cut out? Is it the same for all glasses, or does each company actually do so?

Furthermore I can find them at 50 bucks, and I can find them at 250 bucks. Is there a real difference in quality at all of the polarizer, or is it all smoke and mirrors and I'm paying a lot of money for the words 'oakley' or 'rayban'? The only reason I'm hesitant to get the cheapo ones is that I don't know much, if any, about glasses (20/20 vision ) and I don't want to inadvertently hurt my eyes.

go to target/ walmart and buy a $20 pair of polarized glasses and wear them for a while. youll likely get a headache from them, as the coating method isnt really that great. ive fallen for that trap before, and ended up trashing the shades. after buying them and getting outside, i looked thru them at the sky from about 2 feet from my face and could see horizontal waves in the lenses. not a huge deal unless it is directly in your vision. i dont buy expensive glasses anymore tho, i lose/ break things way too much.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
I can see LCDs fine with my polarized sunglasses. They only disappear if I tilt my head at a 45 degree angle. Don't know if it's dumb luck or a conscious design to improve readability. FWIW they're from LensCrafters.

You do know how polarized lenses work, right?

I have nothing bad to say about mine (prescription)...other than the already mentioned minor drawbacks mentioned by everyone here.

Actually, not really... I know they're supposed to block light coming in at a certain angle but now I'm wondering if maybe I got a bad pair and didn't realize it all this time

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: waggy
I have always got them. I love having them and havent had any problems.

My last pair of glasses i ordered them but they didn't put them on. I hate these glasses but can't get new ones until jan of 2011 ugh. damn insurance!

you can pay for glasses anytime out of pocket.

 

[shortylickens]

You cant read LCD's very well, but if you tilt your head a bit (changing the alignment of the lenses relative to the screen) you can read them.

This may be an issue if you use your phone with your glasses or have a lot of gadgets in the car.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Necro, but +9000000 for polarized. I'll never go back.

 

[HumblePie]

For me polarized sunglasses are great for driving, but not so great for anything else. I hate how they screw with screens or tinted windows and making the light break up into funky rainbow checkered colors. Which usually gives me a headache and makes me nauseous when it happens. Which basically means I don't look at that stuff while I'm wearing them. But wow the huge necros ftl

 

[BudAshes]

They can make it difficult to distinguish ice due to knocking out the glare. That's why I don't wear them snowboarding, but that probably won't come up in every day use.

 

[Miramonti]

The biggest downside is they force you to look north at all times.

 

[TheGardener]

Bought 4 pairs of Foster Grants several years ago for $12 a piece. Yes, they are crap and flimsy. They won't last, but for $12 who cares? And I still have 2 pairs. Each are polarized and A and B UV protected. I wouldn't buy a pair of sunglasses, drugstore or prescription, without them. Polarized glasses are great for cutting blinding glare when you are traveling east or west in your car. They can save your life.

As for the checkered effect, I only see it on the side windows or on other cars, because those windows are shaded more than the windshield, where I don't see it. But you get use to it. When I look to my left or right to check out on coming traffic, I don't even notice it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I always liked polarized glasses when I went fishing. I could typically see through the sun reflecting off the water and sometimes actually see the fish before they went for my bait...was neat back in the day.