Polarized Glasses 2024

loudcherokee reply :

Just wondering about fishing glasses in general. I've got a pair of $20 polarized glasses I picked up at BPS earlier this year. I've noticed alot of issues with viewing things like LCD screens, gauges in my car, fishfinder, my watch (smartwatch) and my phone screen.

Is this just typical of polarized lenses or is it a side effect of cheaper glasses?

Can someone recommend a good pair of fishing glasses that are styled like traditional sunglasses? The sport style frames like Oakley or other brands with big plastic frames don't really fit my face well as I have a pretty large head. The style like pictured is what I prefer.

Onvacation reply :

First off, I feel your pain. I also have a giant head and glasses are a PITA. I've struggled for years with polarized glasses and the issues you are having. It is a side effect of polarized glasses and the cheaper they are, the more pronounced it seems to be. However, I've had plenty of expensive polarized glasses that do the same thing.

My wife bought me some Oakley Mainlinks for my birthday that are polarized. Oakley offers deep and shallow water polarization which sounds like a gimick, it isn't. These are the best polarized glasses I've used AND I have practically no problems with polarized "spots" and blank screens. Oakleys polarization technique is done differently which takes care of those issues. Plus, this frame makes me look all pretty.

They aren't cheap but Oakley earned my loyalty after protecting my eyes in Iraq for several years.

This is what I wear.

http://www.oakley.com/en/mens/sunglasses/mainlink-prizm-deep-water-polarized/product/W0OO9264PZDW/?skuCode=OO9264-21&categoryCode=m02

Scott F reply :

I have been looking for, but cannot find any information about there being better or worse levels of polarization other than from the marketing departments of the high end sunglasses makers. I understand how polarized lenses work. There are lines built into the chemical film applied to the lenses that filter reflected light. What makes the polarization on expensive glasses better than the polarization on less expensive lenses? I don't take the word of the marketing departments as fact. I'm looking for an independent observer to explain that there are differences but I can't find one. Can anyone provide a link that explains if there are really different levels of polarization?

riverbasser reply :

Oakley lenses are great, Costa's are also good and you pay for what you get. I am the opposite in that I have a small/narrow head and have the same issue finding glasses that fit without sticking way out from my Face

r3825 reply :

I had a pair of Costa's with the 580g green lense, awesome lenses, super clear but they kept fogging up because the frames sealed so tight with my face. I returned them and bought a pair of Oakley's with the new Prizm shallow water lenses, love the lenses and the frame/lense shape allow better air flow for me so they don't fog up.

Chance_Taker4 reply :

FI used to wear cheap glasses and still sometimes wear the strike king s11 glasses. But once my hockey team was sponsored by Oakley and all our visors came from there, there was no turning back. I now own 4 pairs with my Batwolf being my favorite. The color of your polarized lenses effect of you can precieve different objects and can determine how far you can see in water. It is no gimmick I buy cheap glares based on lense color and they work to.

Ktho reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 2:07 AM, Scott F said:

I have been looking for, but cannot find any information about there being better or worse levels of polarization other than from the marketing departments of the high end sunglasses makers. I understand how polarized lenses work. There are lines built into the chemical film applied to the lenses that filter reflected light. What makes the polarization on expensive glasses better than the polarization on less expensive lenses? I don't take the word of the marketing departments as fact. I'm looking for an independent observer to explain that there are differences but I can't find one. Can anyone provide a link that explains if there are really different levels of polarization?

So the polarization is the same in Walmart glasses vs say Costa or Kaenon or Maui. On cheaper pairs of glasses the polarization is just a film applied to the outside of the glasses, it can wear off and just be annoying. With nicer lenses it's typically sandwiched in there so that won't happen. The reason I wear Costa over cheaper glasses is the frame quality is extremely high, the lenses have more clarity and better options on colors, and they're more comfortable. Any of the more premium brand glasses is worth it imo. I catch more fish due to sight than anything else I own.

BassinLou reply :

Be it cheaper polarized glasses or expensive polarized glasses. LCD and digital screens will all look distorted. You have to change the viewing angle of the digital object your are looking at. Similar to wearing a pair of bifocals. That or slide the glasses down your nose a bit and look over the rim of the glasses. That's what I do... lol

crypt reply :

WileyX,got a pair when at Ft. Bragg.won't use anything else now.

loudcherokee reply :

Looking at the Costa website I really like the style of the Conch, but dang! $279?!?!? Is there a good place to get these a little cheaper?

Onvacation reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 3:02 AM, BassinLou said:

Be it cheaper polarized glasses or expensive polarized glasses. LCD and digital screens will all look distorted. You have to change the viewing angle of the digital object your are looking at. Similar to wearing a pair of bifocals. That or slide the glasses down your nose a bit and look over the rim of the glasses. That's what I do... lol

You might want to take a look at the glasses I recommended before you completely disregard everything I posted. I think you might be surprised. I was.

Ski reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 4:51 AM, loudcherokee said:

Is there a good place to get these a little cheaper?

Just saw them on E-Bay for as low as $110 and average $150

Definitely look for the 580 P lenses!!!!

jdw174 reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 4:51 AM, loudcherokee said:

Looking at the Costa website I really like the style of the Conch, but dang! $279?!?!? Is there a good place to get these a little cheaper?

LC

Unless there's no other option, I never, EVER, buy something direct from the company's website because you almost always have to fork over full retail. You think $279 is high? When I got my Costas I got them through my optometrist. They were ordered as bifocals with plain lens on top and readers on the bottom as it was really hard for me to see to tie knots any longer. Those "reader" lenses alone..no other Rx...cost a lot more than standard lenses, and Wiley-X glasses were even higher.

CTD6677 reply :

For those with larger than normal melons I would recommend checking Fatheadz Eyeware. Specifically made for those with a bigger brain buckets.

loudcherokee reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 8:13 PM, jdw174 said:

Unless there's no other option, I never, EVER, buy something direct from the company's website because you almost always have to fork over full retail. You think $279 is high? When I got my Costas I got them through my optometrist. They were ordered as bifocals with plain lens on top and readers on the bottom as it was really hard for me to see to tie knots any longer. Those "reader" lenses alone..no other Rx...cost a lot more than standard lenses, and Wiley-X glasses were even higher.

Yeah I checked the major retailers like Bass pro and Cabelas and was seeing the same price, $279. I just wasn't sure if there was a good discount supplier out there.

On 6/6/2016 at 8:02 PM, Ski said:

Just saw them on E-Bay for as low as $110 and average $150

Definitely look for the 580 P lenses!!!!

Are the plastic lenses better than the glass? I was opting for glass due to the claim that it's their clearest lense.

Is it safe to purchase glasses from eBay without risk of getting a counterfeit pair of glasses?

1201vilbig reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 4:51 AM, loudcherokee said:

Looking at the Costa website I really like the style of the Conch, but dang! $279?!?!? Is there a good place to get these a little cheaper?

LC

This site sells close outs for a lot of outdoor gear - one being sunglasses. I have bought 3 pairs of Costa's & all were as advertised. They won't have every style, every lens, every day. So you have to check it often as they add frequently. My 3 pairs of 580P's all cost less than $100.00. They also sell the other brands mentioned in this thread.

http://www.steepandcheap.com/sunglasses?p=brand%3ACosta&nf=1

buzzed bait reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 10:11 PM, loudcherokee said:

Are the plastic lenses better than the glass? I was opting for glass due to the claim that it's their clearest lense.

Is it safe to purchase glasses from eBay without risk of getting a counterfeit pair of glasses?

LC

i've had both and prefer the glass lenses. they are crazy clear and MUCH harder to scratch. if buying on ebay i'd opt for a seller with a lot of history and top ratings.

loudcherokee reply :

How is the warranty in these big brand sunglasses? Do they offer any kind of breakage protection or anything like that?

One of the reasons I've always stayed away from expensive glasses is that I'm pretty rough on them. Either sit on them, crush them somehow, drop them, bend them, etc.

Ski reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 10:11 PM, loudcherokee said:

Are the plastic lenses better than the glass?

I prefer the plastic (580P), They are lighter scratch resistand and reviews which are many, say they out perform the glass.

Research 580 p costa

PM sent

Ski reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 2:07 AM, Scott F said:

I'm looking for an independent observer to explain that there are differences but I can't find one. Can anyone provide a link that explains if there are really different levels of polarization?

http://www.gearreview.com/Costa_580.php

loudcherokee reply :

I just left Sunglass Hut. They don't carry Costas but I tried on several pair of Oakleys. Seems the Flak Jacket 2.0 fits my face pretty well. They didn't have any prizm or polarized lenses though, but I understand the lenses are easily changed?

Still researching lol.

Luna2406 reply :

What's the best way to get some polorized lenses with prescription?

r3825 reply :

On 6/7/2016 at 12:41 AM, loudcherokee said:

I just left Sunglass Hut. They don't carry Costas but I tried on several pair of Oakleys. Seems the Flak Jacket 2.0 fits my face pretty well. They didn't have any prizm or polarized lenses though, but I understand the lenses are easily changed?

Still researching lol.

LC

The lenses are easily changed but if you're looking for the prizm lenses it would be cheaper to order them the way you want them than to buy a pair then buy additional lenses. You can get them direct from Oakley in a couple of days.

Fisher-O-men reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 1:19 AM, Onvacation said:

Plus, this frame makes me look all pretty.

Miracle shades! Gotta get some! My wife will be sooo happy!

GetBent reply :

LC I sent you a message about Conch glasses. As far as costas warranty it depends. I paid as much as $85 for a new pair and different model after mine were broken via my fault. Other claims average about $20 with shipping. Not bad. I get bad migraines from sunlight so I am never without a pair. I haven't lost any glasses. My first pair of glasses were Ray Bans I got when I was 14. I got them as a gift for working cotton all summer. Still have them.

fissure_man reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 9:24 AM, Onvacation said:

You might want to take a look at the glasses I recommended before you completely disregard everything I posted. I think you might be surprised. I was.

It's fair to be skeptical of the claim that the Oakley polarized lenses stop issues with viewing LCD screens at different angles. Especially if the OP is asking whether spending more will fix the issue.

When polarized glasses "black" out an LCD screen at a particular angle, it means they are working. That's what they do, and it's not a matter of cheap vs. expensive. LCD screens emit linearly polarized light, and polarized glasses filter out that light at particular angles. For most/all polarized glasses lenses, horizontally polarized light is filtered, as that is the type of light reflected as glare from horizontal surfaces (water, roads). Whether or not an LCD screen is visible with a set of polarized glasses depends on the design of the screen (polarization orientation), and the angle from which you are looking at it.

I haven't used the glasses you recommended, but it would be very unusual if they had anything other than a filter for horizontally polarized light, and if they did it would make the lenses less effective at blocking glare from the water. "Shallow" vs "Deep" lenses sounds like a gimmick or something to do with lens color, not polarization.

I've got sunglasses on and I'm tilting my head back and forth as I type this

Edited to add:

You can fix the issue by applying a circular polarizing filter to the LCD screen; I think some have this built in. The trade-off is you will lose some screen brightness.

Onvacation reply :

Somewhere along the line, my attempt to offer a suggestion to a board member turned into me being confused with an Oakley pro staff member who is married to the marketing director. I posted my experience for the OP based on other polarized glasses (all high end including Oakley) that I have owned over many, many years.

Anyone near St. Louis is free to try them out. I just want to make sure we spend a full day fishing on your boat so we get a good assessment.

J Francho reply :

Get some blu-blockers!

mojojojo reply :

Whats the difference between the Oakley Prizm deep water vs shallow water? Now Im interested in getting a pair of these.

Im sick of always buying cheap polarized glasses.

Are the shallow water lenses better at looking into the water than the deep version?

Onvacation reply :

No idea at all. I have the deep water but rarely find myself peering into anything deeper then ten feet. Even when I fish inshore its rarely much deeper than that.

BassThumb reply :

On 6/6/2016 at 4:51 AM, loudcherokee said:

Looking at the Costa website I really like the style of the Conch, but dang! $279?!?!? Is there a good place to get these a little cheaper?

LC

eBay is loaded with legit Costa dealers selling them at half that price. Just make sure their approval ratings are near-perfect and you won't get knock-offs.

Avalonjohn44 reply :

On 6/7/2016 at 12:41 AM, loudcherokee said:

I just left Sunglass Hut. They don't carry Costas but I tried on several pair of Oakleys. Seems the Flak Jacket 2.0 fits my face pretty well. They didn't have any prizm or polarized lenses though, but I understand the lenses are easily changed?

Still researching lol.

LC

Good choice in frames, and yes the lenses are easily swapped. I have both Oakley and Costa, and much prefer the Oakley's. Fit is better, they are not loose, and not heavy either. A lot of folks think Costa lenses are vastly superior, however I have not found this to be the case at all. I will be buying Oakley Prizm's from here on out.

burrows reply :

deleted

7889

Polarized Glasses 2024

related Fishing Tackle topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Tackle topic