How Much Better Are Glass Lenses Over Plastic?

[tcbass]

I've read that the clarity with glass lenses is much better then plastic lenses in sunglasses.

Is that true?

Is the improved clarity of glass lenses worth the additional weight of glass, cost, and durability?

[georgeyew]

I'd like to know also. I just splurged on a pair of Costa 580 plastic lens glasses. One of the fishing pros that I know wears plastic lens. I figured if it is good enough for him, then it is good enough for me. I heard that the plastic lens have better impact resistance whereas the glass will shatter on impact (for example a jig or lure hitting it).

[Darren.]

I think the difference between the two

is enough to make the jump to glass.

But this is MY feeling having had poly

style lenses and dealing with scratches

and such.

My Costas with 580G lenses have been

the best glasses I've ever owned. After 3

or 4 years now, no scratches. I do take

better care of them which is probably a

byproduct of their cost! Which could be

the same if I had expensive poly glasses.

But I'd still pick glass if I were to buy another

pair...

[5fishlimit]

While I have no scientific data to back up my claim I feel that plastic lenses have improved over the years to the point that a higher end (not talking about gas station $5 sunglasses) manufacturer has plastic lenses that are almost as good as glass.

 

I personally prefer plastic lenses over glass for 2 reasons.  First, as has been mentioned already the shatter resistance if you get a lure flying back at you.  Second, is the weight.  Glass weights a lot more, and over the course of the day it is much more comfortable to wear plastic lenses.

[Dylcook91]

I just picked up another pair of Berkley glasses(plastic) at Walmart lastnight for $4.99. I buy a pair every year for the start of the season and I love em. The waters I fish dont justify expensive glasses, they are all mostly shallow and muddy. At that cost I also dont worry about them, if they break its no biggie...though I have yet to do so.

[Master Bait'r]

Glass is best in terms of clarity and tolerances, but "plastic" is getting better and better and most would never notice- also plastic lenses are better for high impact concerns such as safety glasses.  (Glass can shatter)

 

 

For the money, I'm sticking with plastics.  My eyes are terrible and just about anything is better than what I was born with lol

[junyer357]

I agree with 5fishlimit that when you get in to the higher end companies like costa or oakley the clarity diffrence between glass and poly lenses is negligble for most people. Some rx require glass though due to strenth not being available in poly.

Ive never had costas so i cant say on them (all i hear is they are great except prices though) since ive always had oakleys myself. I will say this about mine. I left a pair out at home and my lab got them and used them as a chewtoy. Boy was i ticked. And suprised. As strong of a chewer as she is the lenses were still in whole pieces. There were deeeeep tooth indentions and scratched up but not in peices. Frames not so much. My lenses before and since on the poly have been very tough as far as scratches go. Not impervious but harder than i figured.

[WIGuide]

I can't attest to the high end poly lenses, but I just bought a pair of Costas with the 580G lenses about a month ago, and I can say that they are crystal clear and that the weight of the glass isn't a whole lot. You can tell they weight a bit more in your hand, but once you put them on you don't even notice it. 

[tstone]

I went from polarized oakleys to 580g costas and the clarity was a little better, but the big difference was the amount of glare they cut. I can see in the water much much better with the costas.

[corn-on-the-rob]

I haven't tried glass lenses though I have heard they are nice. I buy $27 (the $40 strike kings) glasses because I can't justify buying anything more expensive even though I would love to have them. Sunglasses are an item for me that get used and get used hard, and if I have to baby them they lose the appeal. I still treat my stuff nicely I just don't want to suffer losing an expensive pair due to accidents that frequently enough happen in summer sports/fishing/boating.

 

Now once I get a full-time engineering job by next season I might start upping my glasses budget (the bait monkey waits eagerly).

[bigfishbk86]

Switched from Oakley shallow blues to Costa Green 580g's last year and the difference is night and day, glass is far superior.

[plumworm]

Had 2 eye surgeries in Jan. Asked my eye doctor about what sunglasses for fishing? His quote " the best utv blocker you can buy,end of subject" His quote.

[Jrob78]

It sounds like the people saying that poly lenses are just as good don't own glass lenses, correct me if I'm wrong.  I've always worn polarized Oakleys but really want to try a pair of the glass Costas.  It's hard to justify an extra $50-$75 on what is already expensive though.

[pghgeorge]

Sunglass Lens Materials

The material used in your sunglass lenses will affect their clarity, weight, durability and cost.

Glass offers superior optical clarity and superior scratch-resistance. However, it’s heavier than other materials and expensive. Glass will "spider" when impacted (but not chip or shatter).

Polyurethane provides superior impact-resistance and excellent optical clarity. It’s flexible and lightweight, but expensive.

Polycarbonate has excellent impact-resistance and very good optical clarity. It’s affordable, lightweight and low-bulk, but less scratch-resistant.

Acrylic is an inexpensive alternative to polycarbonate, best suited for casual or occasional-use sunglasses. It’s less durable and optically clear than polycarbonate or glass with some image distortion.

[tennsopher]

I bought Costa580g about two years ago .Have owned several high end sunglasses but nothing compares.Lifetime warranty keeps the worries away.

[THE_Vue's]

I see much clearer in my 580p compare to my 580g for sight fishing

[amac44kc]

i agree. i sold all but one pair of 580g glasses. all 580p or smith chromapop. i must say i do love the only glass lens costas i have left as everyday glasses. when fishing though it is no question, 580p in amber. inshore or on the lake these are my go to lenses. i like the grey w/ mirror mid day as well. save the money, get 580p off ebay. the lifetime warranty is transferable and costa stands by it 10000000% i've sent stuff to daytona, fl (there home office) from kansas, louisiana and here in fl and everytime they come back faster than i had hoped. if they don't make a certain style they will upgrade you for free. i've had this happen twice. 

[WRB]

Today's light weight thin glass lenses have excellent clarity, impact, chemical and scratch resistance compared to various plastic lens, however fewer colors available. I have owned Costa's for years and now use Maui Jim Polarized Plus2 prescription light weight glass lens sunglasses. The big reason for me to use light weight glass is scratch resistance from dropping or knocking the glasses off something, clarity is excellent for both high quality glass or plastic lens today.

Tom

[SirSnookalot]

Glass is a little clearer but heavier.  I wear plastic about the time a scratch or 2 appear it's time for a new script, I wear glasses full time, last 25 years progressive lenses.