Eyeglasses lenses: Essilor vs Nikon w/ poll

[SickBeast]

So my prescription went up for my glasses. I want laser surgery but my prescription is not stable yet so I have to wait.

I can get a super thin high end Essilor lens for $270 or else some kind of Nikon lens for $375.

My buddy said that Essilor is better and they use their material in military applications.

What do you guys think? I always thought that Nikon was the best brand but now my friend is saying otherwise.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Carl Zeiss but it takes a while since your frames have to be sent to Germany to get the lenses made. Not cheap though.

 

[lxskllr]

Carl Zeiss but it takes a while since your frames have to be sent to Germany to get the lenses made. Not cheap though.

^^^ I don't know anything about either as it pertains to eyewear, but German and Swiss optics are better than Japanese. If Essilor is German or Swiss, I'd go with that sight unseen.

 

[SickBeast]

I believe Essilor is French.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll probably go with Essilor because they're cheaper and from what I've read all the brands a pretty much equal.

 

[GregGreen]

Wouldn't it be better to go with cheaper lenses and replace them more often? Or do you have very good insurance that lets you spend that much on lenses AND replace every year?

 

[PsiStar]

I have bought many pairs of glasses over the decades (been wearing since I was 2 1/2) and I have never known the manufacturer of the lens! How lame of me. But, if you are at an age where your prescription is likely to change every couple of years I think that the lesser cost is best.

I also do not currently have vision insurance. Best decision I ever made! Before I was always stuck with Davis Vision lens & frames == pop bottle bottoms + frames that suck. That last pair I got via Davis cost them ~$800. Me, a ridiculous payment per month & that was in a group plan.

Now? I get fully bendy frames + every option lens for <$400. The cost between pairs is less than the ins. I paid over the 2 yr interval I was allowed to get new ones.

 

[destrekor]

^^^ I don't know anything about either as it pertains to eyewear, but German and Swiss optics are better than Japanese. If Essilor is German or Swiss, I'd go with that sight unseen.

Again, not knowing about how it pertains to eyewear, but Nikon has amazing optics. In this case, probably better than most Japanese optics.

Top-end Nikon optics are phenomenal. Not saying others aren't better, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy Nikon optics for anything (depending on product class/level - the cheaper more mass-produced lenses from Nikon are a wholly different matter compared to their top-end glass).

 

[SickBeast]

Wouldn't it be better to go with cheaper lenses and replace them more often? Or do you have very good insurance that lets you spend that much on lenses AND replace every year?

Yeah that's good advice. I'll probably go for a lower index Essilor for around $200. Thanks for that.

 

[richardycc]

so they are not the same index? if the Nikon lenses index is 1.74 and the Essilor is like 1.71 that alone is worth the extra money to go for the Nikon for the thinner lenses.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Wouldn't it be better to go with cheaper lenses and replace them more often? Or do you have very good insurance that lets you spend that much on lenses AND replace every year?

I just got very expensive lenses. Two weeks later there's a huge scratch across the entire length of the right lense, despite being scratch resistant. Time for lasik.

 

[lxskllr]

Again, not knowing about how it pertains to eyewear, but Nikon has amazing optics. In this case, probably better than most Japanese optics.

Top-end Nikon optics are phenomenal. Not saying others aren't better, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy Nikon optics for anything (depending on product class/level - the cheaper more mass-produced lenses from Nikon are a wholly different matter compared to their top-end glass).

I've used Nikon lenses in surveying instruments. They don't come close to Leica or Zeiss. The best instrument I ever used was an old Wild T1(?) theodolite. That was a thing of beauty, from the smooth mechanics, to the impeccable optics. It was a joy to use :^)

 

[gevorg]

Any online prescription glasses vendors sell these high-end lens?

 

[dennilfloss]

I've had Essilor in the past but my last 4 pairs have been Nikon. Unfortunately, they no longer make their highest refractive index lens in gradual bifocal at the strength I need nowadays, so for my 'long distance' pair I the had to settle for their second highest refractive index (and thus ticker lenses ). No problem for my computer glasses though as those are fixed-distance.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

My glasses at eyebuydirect cost less than $100 each. And they look just like anything else. Excpet if I step on them i could give two shits.

 

[Howard]

For eyeglass lens? Does it matter?

 

[CraigRT]

For eyeglass lens? Does it matter?

This.
I have no idea who makes mine but I can see well.

 

[QuantumPion]

The different makes offer different (pricey) coating options, but for the lenses themselves I don't think there is much of a difference. And I am super picky about my glasses. Stick with CR-39 for best optical quality unless your diopters is > 4 or so.

 

[foghorn67]

Again, not knowing about how it pertains to eyewear, but Nikon has amazing optics. In this case, probably better than most Japanese optics.

Top-end Nikon optics are phenomenal. Not saying others aren't better, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy Nikon optics for anything (depending on product class/level - the cheaper more mass-produced lenses from Nikon are a wholly different matter compared to their top-end glass).

That's all fine and dandy, but Zeiss is better.