Polarized vs. Non-Polarized sunglasses

[Kabob]

I'm looking at getting a new pair of Oakleys and can't decide between Polarized lenses and non-Polarized. They say that Polarized cuts down on alot of glare and I do a fair amount of driving, not sure if it's worth the price difference.

Which do you prefer?

 

[Crusty]

Polarized or bust.

 

[Homerboy]

Polarized or bust.

^^

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Definitely worth it. I'm not one to buy expensive glasses but polarized lenses are all kinds of win.

 

[TheVrolok]

I only buy polarized lenses, the glare reduction is huge in my opinion.

 

[spaceman]

poalarzied indispensable for fishing
esp sight fishing
of which i am a notch under master of.

 

[shocksyde]

^What they said

 

[shocksyde]

poalarzied indispensable for fishing
esp sight fishing
of which i am a notch under master of.

spaceman: Almost-Master Sight Fisherman

 

[BoomerD]

Polarized lenses FTW...(in most cases)

I couldn't wear them in the cranes because the polarization blacked out the LCD screens in the on-board computers...but hey, who needs safety features anyway as long as you LOOK good? )

 

[Kabob]

Polarized lenses FTW...(in most cases)

I couldn't wear them in the cranes because the polarization blacked out the LCD screens in the on-board computers...but hey, who needs safety features anyway as long as you LOOK good? )

Ya know, I read something about them messing with LCD screens. Not that I'm looking at LCDs very often while wearing sunglasses or anything...

 

[TheVrolok]

Ya know, I read something about them messing with LCD screens. Not that I'm looking at LCDs very often while wearing sunglasses or anything...

It can be annoying sometimes.

 

[cheezmunky]

Ya know, I read something about them messing with LCD screens. Not that I'm looking at LCDs very often while wearing sunglasses or anything...

I've had LCD gauges in different cars that disappear when wearing polarized lenses. You might want to check that out before buying if you plan on driving a lot with them. Otherwise, polarized all the way.

 

[Crusty]

Ya know, I read something about them messing with LCD screens. Not that I'm looking at LCDs very often while wearing sunglasses or anything...

My phone is my biggest complaint, if you use your phone in both horizontal and vertical orientations chances are one of them will be pitch black with polarized lenses on.

 

[Kabob]

Hrm, interesting. Neither of my cars have LCD screens although it could be annoying in the future.

 

[oogabooga]

I usually go for polarized.

I don't have LCD's in my car so that's not a concern, they do seem to help with glare, plus I think they're supposed to protect your eyes more (I don't know if this is a fact or not)

e: I've never seen a LCD with my glasses on so I put them on and was looking at my monitor. It's like one of my displays disappeared and I had to move my head but the other did too. Interesting...

 

[kage69]

Def go with polarized, a better question is what tint? An even better question would be "Why Oakley?" Over rated, over priced IMO.

You can find inexpensive polarized lenses as well, Flying Fisherman for example.

I used to consider Maui Jim the best for my needs (driving, sight fishing back country on the flats, or watching the lines when trolling bluewater) but as awesome as their lenses are the weight involved got old. Now I'm completely smitten with Kaenon's SR71 material, which is super strong, super clear polymer that comes polarized. People who ask to try them on usually gasp when they see what they're missing. They're not cheap, but they are worth every penny.

 

[MotF Bane]

Polarized.

 

[fustercluck]

What's the argument for getting anything other than polarized?

My advice is to buy some 'decent' polarized glasses. Don't go high end with oakleys, maui jims or raybans, all way overpriced.

 

[syee]

I used to consider Maui Jim the best for my needs (driving, sight fishing back country on the flats, or watching the lines when trolling bluewater) but as awesome as their lenses are the weight involved got old. Now I'm completely smitten with Kaenon's SR71 material, which is super strong, super clear polymer that comes polarized. People who ask to try them on usually gasp when they see what they're missing. They're not cheap, but they are worth every penny.

I love my Maui Jim's too. What's the issue with the weight? My Maui Jim's are VERY light (although mine are the plastic frame, polycarbonate lens so that might be the reason).

I third/fourth the issue with viewing LCD's with polarized glasses. It's a bit annoying, especially when you're trying to look at your GPS screen to figure out which way to go!

 

[bobdole369]

Polarized is the only way to go. Otherwise IMO it ain't really a sunglass. Polarized lenses nearly completely remove non-metallic glare.

 

[vshah]

i made the mistake of getting non-polarized oakleys. I tried on my friend's polarized pair and couldn't believe the difference. sold mine and got polarized the next day.

 

[Cheesemoo]

Polarized, hands down

 

[Kabob]

Def go with polarized, a better question is what tint? An even better question would be "Why Oakley?" Over rated, over priced IMO.

You can find inexpensive polarized lenses as well, Flying Fisherman for example.

I used to consider Maui Jim the best for my needs (driving, sight fishing back country on the flats, or watching the lines when trolling bluewater) but as awesome as their lenses are the weight involved got old. Now I'm completely smitten with Kaenon's SR71 material, which is super strong, super clear polymer that comes polarized. People who ask to try them on usually gasp when they see what they're missing. They're not cheap, but they are worth every penny.

I tried on a pair of Maui Jim's and I really liked 'em. They were lightweight and the plastic frames would bend all over without breaking. My wife was with me though and said they really just looked odd on me. Apparently the shape of my face doesn't go well with most sunglasses, I weren't settled on Oakleys but the Flak Jacket XLJ's are the first pair I tried on that I really liked and looked decent on me (so says the wife). On top of that the Oakleys use shatterproof lense material and I would also be using them when I go to the shooting range.

Overpriced, I completely agree there.

Kaenon I've not heard of.

Another question, I just had lunch with a buddy and he said that tinted car windows + polarized sunglasses = issues, anyone experience this? We have a very light tint on my wife's WRX windows but nothing major.

 

[mmntech]

I've used polarized, non-polarized, and transitions lenses. Polarized win hands down. Glare reduction and clear looking colour.

 

[cheezmunky]

Another question, I just had lunch with a buddy and he said that tinted car windows + polarized sunglasses = issues, anyone experience this? We have a very light tint on my wife's WRX windows but nothing major.

I've had a strange checkerboard pattern looking through tint, had other car's windshields appear to have a red hue, and gotten weird rainbow effects looking at asphalt, but nothing that interfered with driving. I currently have 17.5% all the way around and had the same effects on my old car with 30%

"checkerboard": http://www.fi.muni.cz/~kas/blog/car-window-polarized.jpg

rainbow (although I've never seen this on other cars, just the road): http://www.glaringnotebook.com/zimages/rbp6.jpg