Transitions Lenses? As good as shades or not?

[SunnyD]

I've got to get my eyes rechecked and get my prescription updated for my glasses, which I've had for I think 4 or 5 years now. I get migraines when I'm out in the sun or driving in bright sunlight for too long... so I'm wondering if those transition lenses are any good compared to a set of polarized sunglasses or whatnot.

Soliciting opinions.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Granted my opinions are all secondhand, but the latest lenses are supposed to switch back and forth very very quickly


Problem for me is that I use my sunglasses in my car which is fairly dark, which means the lenses are clear and useless.

 

[D1gger]

I have transition lenses, and like them, but you must understand that they do not work when you are driving. The windshield of your car blocks the UV rays that cause the glasses to tint, so they remain perfectly clear when driving.

I have a pair of prescription sunglasses for when I drive.

 

[SunnyD]

I have transition lenses, and like them, but you must understand that they do not work when you are driving. The windshield of your car blocks the UV rays that cause the glasses to tint, so they remain perfectly clear when driving.

I have a pair of prescription sunglasses for when I drive.

Ahhhhh... good to know, thanks.

I'm just worried that I'd end up losing/forgetting to switch glasses if I go the prescription shades route.

 

[0roo0roo]

they suck, not dark enough and then not light enough.

 

[DaWhim]

it won't help if u are in a car driving. u are better off getting a pair of glasses with clip-on for sunglass.

 

[highland145]

Have them and wouldn't do without. PITA to have a 2nd pair of prescription sunglasses. Need them for driving, biking, yard work, etc so I would need 3+ pairs laying around. Hell, for the 30 second walk to the bank, I'd want to change. Simplify, imo.

Edit: Times they aren't dark enough. I wear a ball cap.

 

[brtspears2]

The lenses have a huge disadvantage in warmer weather. They do not tint as dark when it is warm out. But when it is cold, say 40-50F, they do get a nice dark tint.

Transitions is something I wouldn't personally pay out of my pocket for. If you want lenses that transition in the car, I think you need their other product called drivewear, but those go from a light yellow tint to a brown.

 

[DarkForceRising]

I have transition lenses, and like them, but you must understand that they do not work when you are driving. The windshield of your car blocks the UV rays that cause the glasses to tint, so they remain perfectly clear when driving.

That, pretty much. Mine don't tint inside cars or inside my motorcycle helmet, which makes driving a problem. However, I love them for running around outside.

I need to get either a new set of clip-on tinted lenses or a set of prescription sunglasses.

 

[wischeez]

I have transition lenses, and like them, but you must understand that they do not work when you are driving. The windshield of your car blocks the UV rays that cause the glasses to tint, so they remain perfectly clear when driving.

I have a pair of prescription sunglasses for when I drive.

What he said

 

[Tobolo]

I made the mistake of getting them and within in 6 months I bought new ones. I now carry my Coastas with me and just switch out whenever I am in a high light environment.

 

[MotF Bane]

They suck.

 

[highland145]

They suck.

Hadn't thought of wearing them there but if you recommend it....

 

[BoomerD]

I've had transitions lenses for years. NO, they're not as good as quality sunglasses...but they're better than the crappy clip-on sunglasses that have been used for decades.
The best option is to have prescription sunglasses as well as your regular glasses...however, carrying around the extra pair of glasses can be a PITA.

 

[boomerang]

it won't help if u are in a car driving. u are better off getting a pair of glasses with clip-on for sunglass.

That's what I do. I leave the clip-on in the car.

The other issue with transitions is that glasses for everyday wear don't typically cover as much of the eye as a pair of sunglasses. It's all a trade off. I prefer not to carry several pairs of glasses with me so...

 

[DrPizza]

Given that glasses online are so cheap, I have a pair of prescription polarized glasses that I keep in the car, and a pair at home. Plus, I always get the additional clip-ons for my regular glasses and keep them all over the place.

 

[BillGates]

Transition lens glasses are great if you want to look like a retard.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've had transitions lenses for years. NO, they're not as good as quality sunglasses...but they're better than the crappy clip-on sunglasses that have been used for decades.
The best option is to have prescription sunglasses as well as your regular glasses...however, carrying around the extra pair of glasses can be a PITA.

I was going to recommend a good pair of custom made clip-ons. They can be ultra thin and hard to even tell you have clip-ons on.

 

[dainthomas]

they suck, not dark enough and then not light enough.

Mine get very dark. At least as much as my regular sunglasses.

 

[NFS4]

Contacts + Sunglasses FTW

 

[GoodRevrnd]

They excel at making you look like a tool.

 

[Rage187]

I had them before LASIK. They worked great outside of the car. But damn, I needed them to work in the car.

 

[dullard]

Their only advantage: They save you from carrying around two pairs on the very few times you actualy need to see in both dark and bright areas.

Disadvantages:
1) Less choice in color or darkness. With regular sunglasses, you get tons of choices with color and any amount of darkness you want from 10% to 90%. With transitions, you get what you get and that varies with many conditions.

2) I wouldn't go polarized with transitions lenses. Polarized glasses suck with LCD monitors (and other polarized things like cell phones) since you might have to turn your head 90° to use a computer, cell phone, camera, etc. So, pretty much, you can't go with polarization on your main glasses. But polarization is exactly what you want in a pair of sunglasses - to stop the glare of the sun (directly or indirectly as it bounces off water/snow/mirrors).

3) You pretty much want small stylish lenses on your regular pair and large wraparound lenses for your sunglasses. Transitions either suck at one or both of those criteria.

 

[Anonemous]

Transitions suck. They don't change their color as fast and when you are in some indoor lighting conditions there's a tint. Better off carrying prescription sunglasses.

 

[boomerang]

I think some of you are judging transitions based on the transitions of old. They've been much improved. No tint indoors and fast changing outdoors. I got my first pair many years ago and was not happy with them because of indoor tint and slow changing. The new ones are great.