Lets Talk Optics

[fishballer06]

Lets take a minute to talk about sunglasses. I'm looking to upgrade my optics for next season. I have always been one to just use cheap $15-20 polarized glasses from wherever I could find a pair that said "Polarized" on it. This past season, I stepped up a little bit and bought the Strike King S11's, which put me in the $40 range. I could definitely tell a difference between using this glass and a cheap pair from WalMart. Clarity under the water was noticeably better and I was pretty happy with them. However, I feel like there is still room for improvement. 

 

Now that this season has basically ended, I'm considering taking the final plunge into high quality optics for next season. What I want to know is will I see an even bigger improvement going from my S11's to something along the lines of Costa, Oakley, or what have you? I have no problem paying $150-200 for a good pair of glasses if I am going to get a big upgrade in my vision and clarity on the water. 

 

So my question is for the guys who are using high end glasses, is will I see an improvement? What are some things to look for when choosing a glass? What do you recommend? 

[Jtrout]

I got the oakley valve polarized made for fishing they seem pretty good, better than the 10 dollar Berkeleys i used to use. They were around 250. Havent tried any others since the matco man only sells oakleys and i can just put them on the truck account and pay weekly

[buzzed bait]

i went from the $5 or $10 specials to a solid pair of glass lens Costas....  super hard to cough up the money when i did it, but i have ZERO regrets about it.  i'm no guru on glasses, but i noticed a huge difference myself.  and i tried both the plastic and glass lenses and the glass were a slight improvement IMO

[flyfisher]

I have owned glasses from just about every manufacturer out there in both glass and plastic lenses.  My last pair of Costas i broke the lenses and replaced them with a decent pair of plastic lenses.  I was then gifted a pair of costa 580G sunglasses for my birthday and i can say that they are by far the nicest sunglasses i have owned.  My previous Costas were the 400G which were great but these beat out any plastic lens i have seen by a longshot and any of the glass ones i have worn from Smith, Native, Maui Jims etc...

 

you can find them on various auction sites for big discounts too...my pair i got for about 85 off retail.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Costa is the way to go. 580G is the best stuff out there, bar none. I've tried and sold all major brands, Costa is the best.

[fishinfiend]

 Costa is the best.

 

 

totally agree. its like HD vision by comparison 

[Logan S]

I'm another Costa 580G fan...I've used many other 'good' brands and the 580G wins hands down to my eyes.  If you're going to spend a chunk of money, go all the way.  

 

Another thing to take into consideration is lens color.  There are some good all-around options, like the Sliver Mirror 580s (IMO the best all-around bass fishing lens).  In lowlight or overcast conditions I'd take a copper or amber colored 'normal' lens over a mirror-finished 580G.  I've got the Silver Mirror 580s on my head most of the time, but keep a few other pairs in the boat with different lens colors to cover all my bases...Not all 580s though, I wish they were .  

 

 

[flyfisher]

i am a big green mirror fan from costa....i like a lighter lens color though than most.

[zeth]

#1 dont buy online - try on in store to get proper fit.  all brands/models within those brands fit differently. really try on a bunch and pay attention.

#2 brand doesnt matter. absolutely ignore everyones opinions. get what's best for you not what's best for joe schmo.

#3 get glass lenses because you wont scratch them and they will last a lot longer.  your gonna feel pretty stupid if you buy a plastic lense for 200 bucks and drop them and scratch them up. It will happen. Theres no avoiding it.  I prefer copper all around for lense color.

#4 I love my Maui Jim's but they cost me $300

#5 don't drop them in the lake.

[jbw252]

Zeth gave you some good advice.  Try them on & get a feel for what you like ( or don't like).  And remember to get eyewear retainers or keepers, so your expensive optics don't go swimming.

[tander]

Anyone ever tried SolarBats, seems like some good glasses at a lower price. I am sure also they will have a black Friday Sale.

[fishballer06]

I'm going to see what my local Field and Stream has in stock. With the suggestions here, I'm leaning toward Costa 580G's.