Super User WIGuide Posted February 19, 2015 Super User Posted February 19, 2015 Used nothing but cheap ones until I splurged on a pair of Costas that I ran across on the bay for less than half price. Although I haven't got to use them on water yet, they definitely seem to be worth the investment.
Blues19 Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 I would probably suggest trying to find a used pair of the higher end glasses if possible. If not, Solar Bats have great reviews and aren't terribly expensive. The Strike King S11s are very popular with some guys as well. I have a pair of Costa Fathoms I bought used for $100 so if you keep your eyes open you can get some really nice glasses for a reasonable price. I have some Solar Bats and they are nice but they fit soooo tight! I know it was made to stay on and stay tight, but it hurts after a while. That being said, they are nice sun glasses
Super User Teal Posted February 19, 2015 Super User Posted February 19, 2015 Costas. Wiley X is pretty good too for a fraction of the price
wytstang Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I really like my Maui Jim Peahi glasses (bronze lens) but I am really interested in buying a pair of Costa's Fisch in Blue mirror (grey tint) for those long summer days when the sun is super bright and my eyes need maximum shade. Everyone needs to keep in mind that the suns reflection of the water is just as eye damaging as starring into the sun itself. I want to keep my eye sight strong well into my golden years, I want/need the best protection I can afford. If I have to save then so be it but I'm not trusting my eyes to $10 glasses.
Super User Teal Posted February 20, 2015 Super User Posted February 20, 2015 I am shopping for some Costas. I am thinking about going with the gray 580P lens. Any experience with those lens for fishing? I have a pair of Man o wars in 580p with an amber lens. Awesome clarity. Strong frames. Lens have been beat all the crap over last 4 years. Still good tho. Amber lenses are great with fishing moderately shallow water because it's perfect for the bottom sediment color. 1
Super User Master Bait'r Posted February 20, 2015 Super User Posted February 20, 2015 I don't have a choice. I have to have prescription lenses. I have my indoor glasses and I have a set of polarized lenses for outdoor wear. In prescription lenses, dark grey or dark green are your options, I went with the dark grey. If I'm outside, I've got my sunglasses on, I get a headache if I don't. Polarized prescription lenses cost me on the order of $500 more or less. I get the highest tech ones available, with the spring back frames, the largest tear drop size available and whatnot. Check out Smith Optics. They usually range about $300 for a pair of KILLER polarized prescription sunnies. I love love love Smith. No idea why they don't advertise to the fishing market more, they really are awesome.
andrew_t_moran Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Dunno if you're still in the market or not but I love my Oakley RadarLocks. They have interchangeable lenses. Not completely necessary but for a guy like me who likes to golf AND fish, I just switch to my G30 colored lenses on the course and use the HDPolarized lenses for everything else. Super comfortable and very lightweight. They're worth checking out! 1
Xped Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Maui Jims in the HCL bronze polarized lens. The Super Thin (ST) glass is superb...much better than the polycarbonate lenses. Very clear, great contrast...but they risk breaking if dropped on a hard surface. Being a glasses wearer all my life, I'm pretty careful with my specs so that doesn't concern me much. Not cheap for sure...but then neither are my eyes! 1
S. Sass Posted July 19, 2016 Posted July 19, 2016 d**n you guys I have to have Rx glasses as well and every pair I look at is over $500 Its about time I got new ones anyway and these Oakley's were almost that much when I got them. I'll look at the Coastas but I sure like the comfort of my Oakleys. 1
Avalonjohn44 Posted July 19, 2016 Posted July 19, 2016 I prefer Oakleys, my G30 lenses are the best I've ever looked through. There are tons of lens options for Oakley too, and their new Prizm Shallow lenses and Prizm Deep water lenses are so close to Costa Green and Blue respectively that I cannot tell the difference... The area where Oakleys shine is gripping your head. This factor ought to get more consideration, yet I see little talk about it... Flak Jackets and Half Jackets stay on in all conditions, even when I tip my kayak or when I jump off my boat to cool off... I would never try that with other glasses... My costas are slippery as heck, and I am forced to use sunglasses savers around my neck which I find annoying and distracting as hell. Another issue I have with Costas is that mine (Tuna Alley Frames) fog up all the time... Drives me batty. 1
Super User FryDog62 Posted July 19, 2016 Super User Posted July 19, 2016 At $700 a pop for prescription/progressive polarized sunglasses from either Oakley or Costa... its gotta be right. I've had the Oakleys for 4.5 years now and honestly, I jus think they are "ok." I'm pretty sure the glass lenses on the Costa's have better visual acuity, but I'm with one of the posters above in that I just haven't found a Costa style I like.
r3825 Posted July 19, 2016 Posted July 19, 2016 I love the costa lenses, great clarity but they fog up so bad and getting a response from their customer service department doesn't happen. I returned them and went with the Oakley Prizm shallow water in the flak jacket 2.0 frame, no fog and good lenses. 2
Super User FryDog62 Posted July 20, 2016 Super User Posted July 20, 2016 3 hours ago, r3825 said: I love the costa lenses, great clarity but they fog up so bad and getting a response from their customer service department doesn't happen. I returned them and went with the Oakley Prizm shallow water in the flak jacket 2.0 frame, no fog and good lenses. I've considered that exact Oakley frame and lens... I haven't been that crazy about my current Oakley's but part of it is because I think I got too dark of a lens (Black Iridium). How are the Prizm shallow water lenses in either bright or low light conditions? Low light is probably more important than bright to me. And I assume they are nothing short of absolutely phenomenal for site fishing? 1
Avalonjohn44 Posted July 20, 2016 Posted July 20, 2016 33 minutes ago, FryDog62 said: I've considered that exact Oakley frame and lens... I haven't been that crazy about my current Oakley's but part of it is because I think I got too dark of a lens (Black Iridium). How are the Prizm shallow water lenses in either bright or low light conditions? Low light is probably more important than bright to me. And I assume they are nothing short of absolutely phenomenal for site fishing? I find the the two prizm lenses are nearly identical to the Costa lenses. Prizm Shallow = Costa Green, Prizm Deep = Costa Blue. I've found all four lenses to be too dark in low light for my eyes. That might not be the case for you. For a while I was using my Oakley G30s in the mornings and evenings and the Costa Greens during the brighter hours. Then it got to bee too much of a PIA to carry two sets of glasses and I just use the G30s all day now. I would urge you to go to BPS or Cabelas (or wherever) and try on every lens you can. Sometimes they will let you go outside with the glasses to really get a feel for them. The big stores will also let you return/exchange glasses if you get on the water and you find they don't suit you. This helps save a ton of money... 1
S. Sass Posted July 20, 2016 Posted July 20, 2016 So how deep are the Prizm Shallow / Costa Green good for? And how deep are the Prizm Deep / Costa Blue good for?
FordsnFishin Posted July 20, 2016 Posted July 20, 2016 I have 2 pairs of costas. Make a huge difference to me. Much easier to spot bait fish. Also I'd imagine it's saved me from buying a trolling motor several times. Able to see tree stumps and logs that are near the surface. I do have a pair of Costa 580 hammerhead series, silver and black in color, for sale if anyone is interested. I found I didn't like how they fit my face after I got them. Worn once, still has cleaning towel in original package and comes with Costa sunglasses case.
nhpleasantlakebass Posted July 20, 2016 Posted July 20, 2016 I have tried prescription costa, Oakley, Wiley x and maui jims . for me the maui jims are the best rx polarized glasses you can get. the hcl bronze lens is outstanding. and they are super comfortable.
Djf3864 Posted July 20, 2016 Posted July 20, 2016 I have a pair of Strike King glasses which have served me well over the past two year, however just got a pair of Maui Jims for my birthday and have to say it is a big leap forward in quality and sun mitigation while on the water. I am keeping the SK for back-ups now, the MJ's are my new go to glasses for fishing and driving for that matter.
r3825 Posted July 20, 2016 Posted July 20, 2016 I've considered that exact Oakley frame and lens... I haven't been that crazy about my current Oakley's but part of it is because I think I got too dark of a lens (Black Iridium). How are the Prizm shallow water lenses in either bright or low light conditions? Low light is probably more important than bright to me. And I assume they are nothing short of absolutely phenomenal for site fishing? They work great in all lights for me, the shallow water is an amber base I believe so definitely not too dark like a black iridium. They definitely allow you to see what's going on in the water. So how deep are the Prizm Shallow / Costa Green good for? And how deep are the Prizm Deep / Costa Blue good for? The way I understand it the Prizm Shallow/ Costa Green are a lake/river lense, The Prizm Deep/ Costa Blue are a deep sea lense. Both the Prizm Shallow and the Costa Green are an amber base, I can't remember what the deep/blue ones are now as I don't do that type of fishing. 2
JDNKC Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 I have a collection of costas. Love them and converted from Oakley. I have tuna alleys in blue and salt break in silver and copper. All 580 in glass. Amazing glasses and very resistant to scratches.
Super User fishwizzard Posted February 25, 2017 Super User Posted February 25, 2017 I have got a wide fat head so it is hard to find glasses that fit. I also must have humid eyes as anything remotely wraparound will fog up even in perfect weather. From various internet deal sites I have picked up both a pair of Costas w/ yellow plastic lenses and a pair of Smith w/ pink lenses. I love the lenses in both but for different reasons. The Smiths are super clear and really let me see deep in the water, but are a bit too dark for overcast days or for use as dusk approaches. The Costas don't let me see as far into the water with the clarity of the Smiths, but they let me see movement far far better, even if I can't really tell what's down there. They are also great for over overcast days as they let a ton of light through. Sadly neither pair fits me with a d**n so if anyone can recommend non-wraparound frames to fit a fat head, let me know.
Super User NYWayfarer Posted February 26, 2017 Super User Posted February 26, 2017 My sunglasses are insanely expensive as I have to have my signature rayban wayfarer with polarized prescription lenses made. Worth it it to me.
Super User fishwizzard Posted February 26, 2017 Super User Posted February 26, 2017 2 hours ago, Finesse Wayfarer said: My sunglasses are insanely expensive as I have to have my signature rayban wayfarer with polarized prescription lenses made. Worth it it to me. That is close to what I want, wayfarers with like Costa/Smith grade lenses.
punch Posted July 6, 2017 Posted July 6, 2017 Yes I know they are overpriced and Yes I know there are better/cheaper options.. but man I'm a homer for Costa glasses. I have a few pairs and I think I'll keep buying them for a long time. I've been able to find NEW pairs off eBay for steep discounts over the years if you keep your eye out.
MPM IV Posted September 17, 2017 Posted September 17, 2017 I recently lost my glasses at the beach and had to get a new pair. After looking around I ended up with two. I got the Oakley shallow water prizm for fishing, and a pair of Suncloud made by Smith just for wearing around. I agree with going somewhere that you can try on a variety before you buy. I like that I can swap lenses in the Oakley's, and they do stay on well. The Suncloud are also nice and cost significantly less, so my next poor decision won't hurt as much. I'd recommend them if budget is a concern.
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