Oakley Polarized lenses? Whats the diff?

[axelfox]

Just looking around, and what are the advantages of having polarized lenses? More protection?

THanks
dan

 

[Viper GTS]

Sunglasses 101

Viper GTS

 

[Zenmervolt]

Good link, Viper. In my experience, the benefits of polarization are only noticed on water or snow. In most other situations you will not see a difference between polarized lenses and lenses that are simply died. As for the tinting of the dye, try to get yellow or amber tints, they really do work as advertised. Lack of those color tints is my biggest complaint about my prescription glasses, I miss the sharpness of my old pair of Blue-Blockers.

Zenmervolt

 

[jonnyGURU]

One thing I have to give Oakley props on....

You don't notice it when you look at them at the store, but you do notice it when you opt for a cheap pair.

Oakleys ARE harder to scratch and they DON'T FOG. My wife and I grabbed some cheapos to replace some Oakley that we had that were fairly old and we both had problems with fogging and they were totally scratched up in only one year's time.

The Iridium Oakley's however DO scratch, but to the wearer you don't notice the scratch because the scratches don't happen to the material or the tint, but the actual reflective Iridium coat on the oatside. Then again, if you want sunglasses with mirror tint on the outside, you deserve some scratches.







On that note.... Does anyone remember Glacier's from the early '80s??? WHOA! Flashback! Someone hand me a pair of parachutte pants QUICK!

 

[gittyup]

If your a boater, polarized lenses help in spotting shallow areas. Mine have saved me many a time from hitting bottom...

 

[Bignate603]

I think they make the glasses a little more useful because they cut glare off. I lifeguard so staring at the water hurts my eyes without it. They really cut glare.

 

[axelfox]

Not a big deal if I need glasses for general use, right?

I was trying some on, and they were fogging up (I was sweating). That comes with all glasses, I guess.

I don't think I'll go polarized. Now its between A Wires and A wires Thick.

Peace out.

 

[Ornery]

I can see why you might want Polarized, but why Oakley? I have a friend that use to be a technician in a few optical stores. I once asked him about the price of Oakleys and he laughed. You want me to ask him what was so funny?

Many years ago, when he first started in the business, I asked if he could get me some glasses for a good price. He told me absolutely, just find a pair I liked and bring him the model number and best price. I found a pair, wrote down the number and called all over the city. The price for the exact same pair ranged from $180.00 down to less than $100.00. I took the info to him, he showed the manager and she said there was no way they could match it. That means the markup on these things is close to 100% or more. Hell, look what you have there. Sure ain't much material and labor that goes into them. Seems like a huge rip off to me.

I think I heard that Oakleys are fixed in price or something too. Maybe I'll write to my friend and see. What the hell, my curiosity is peaked now...

 

[jonnyGURU]

axelfox: If they fogged, I'd be concerned that they weren't real Oakleys. I wear my Frogskins mountain biking and sweat like crazy in Florida and mine NEVER fog. My wife wears the E-Wires. Same story.

Ornery: Yes. Oakleys are marked up with a 50% margin (ie: cost is half of retail) and they have a price floor (agreement to sell includes no discounts). This is why I buy my Oakleys from people that I know (ie: storeowners that can cut me a deal without getting in trouble with Oakley) or on e-Bay (and I never bid more than half of retail as per Oakley.com).

As I said, I've had cheapies and I'll stick w/ Oakleys... but at a deal only.

 

[axelfox]

I tried them on at reputable stores (one was at the mall, Sunglass Optics or something like that, and Sports Chalet). Both are authorized Oakley dealers.

I have a coupon for Ashford.com, and been needing some glasses for some time. I used to have a pair of fake Straight Jackets which I really liked until the fakness came through (friend snapped the earpiece). I tried some minutes and twentys, that style, but I'm gonna go with the A wires, since they are more versatile and I don't need a sporty look.

Jonny: I would like to get into mountain biking. how much would a decent bike go for? I'm don't want to be super hardcore, but would like something that would last me a long time. What should I look for? New or Used.

thanks

 

[snut]

You can spend around 1500 bucks and get a faily good mountinbike these days, id suggest you pick of the newest issue of mountinbike magazine, they have a buyers guide in it. It list all the diffrent kinds of bikes that are out on the market right now.

 

[jonnyGURU]

If you want an AWESOME mounteain bike with low mileage for a decent price, take a look at the demo bikes at Aardvark Cycles.


They're very reputable dealers. No negative feedback.

Other than that, if you buy locally (and that's what you really get, and really need sometimes, when you buy locally) look for LAST YEAR MODELS. Bikes really do work like cars. New year models come out and there are people that are into bikes that HAVE TO HAVE the newest model. I know. I used to own a bike shop.

 

[Ornery]

Got the reply:

• "...Lots of people make cool frames today, yes as cool as Oakley. Oakley are definitely nice glasses but their market was built on, rich brat, kids and the price tag is definitely buying image. My favorite after 14 years in the business and a lot of free sunglasses are Ray Ban. They have a ton of styles (in the past 5 years they have really done a nice job at expanding their line), very nice glass lenses, very well built frames and are priced reasonably..."

Turns out that he didn't take another job, so he is still in the optician business. He told me to come in and look at sun glasses now. I'd rather look at new computer cases.

Edit: Spelling

 

[Regine]

<< I have a friend that use to be a technician in a few optical stores. I once asked him about the price of Oakleys and he laughed. >>


I would too. The mark-up on those things is ridiculous. Tbe stores make 50% profit off every pair that they sell. If my boss wouldn't have given me mine at 50% of the retail price, I wouldn't have bought mine.