Costa Help

[Dypsis]

I got wife approval to grab a nice pair of Costas.   Need some input on those that have them.

 

Thoughts on glass vs plastic?

 

Lense color - I fish mostly rivers that are on the dirty side clarity wise.  Potomac, Chick, Upper Bay, etc.  I was leaning to Green Mirror or Silver Mirror.

 

Best place to buy them from?

 

I am going to go with the 580 either way.

 

Thanks.  

[fishballer06]

Glass is the way to go, and yes, stick with the 580. 

 

I wear the green mirror and it's worked well in all water conditions. I'm no expert on lens colors, but I've been told that any mirrored lens is better for sunny conditions. 

 

I ordered mine through a dealer I found on Facebook, and he was able to save me around $50-60 off retail. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Best advice is to see an optical shop that stocks & sells them. They can help you get the right size frames for your face/head size. I went with a frame that wraps around & fits close to block out wind that dries your eyes after a day on the water. Glass is best for durability & scratch resistance. If your buying prescription lenses you need to chose what material works best for you based on thickness & weight. If you go to their web sites it gives a detailed explanation of what lens colors & finishes work best for blocking rays & getting the best polarization. Happy shopping Matt.  

[Logan S]

Either of those colors would be a good choice.  I have both colors in 580 glass and would be perfectly fine if they were my only pair.  The one difference between the two that I've found is that the green is better if you are looking for fish/objects that are in/around stuff like grass, wood, etc.  Silver is better at spotting fish/objects against more uniform backgrounds like sand, rocks, etc...

 

I think for the fishing you're going to do around here green is the way to go.

[Steveo-1969]

I'm no expert on glass vs. plastic or which color is better in certain conditions.  I have 580G lenses in green mirror and am very happy with them.  I bought mine on Amazon for about $180.

 

Before I ordered them I tried on a bunch of different frames in a BPS until I found one that was comfortable on my head and made me look really cool...

[Allen Der]

Plastic because it is shatterproof.  A MLF cameraman just had a bad accident with glass lenses.  the picture of him is graphic so I wont post it here but you can search for it.

 

http://www.another site.com/docktalk_article/16850/mlf-cameraman-injured-during-filming#.WH6SGVMrJGE

 

[Darren.]

I'm all about glass, the 580G. However, don't sit on them. 

 

Mine have been in a box waiting to be sent in for lens replacement.

Might have to wait till taxes are done. Sigh...

 

I have the amber lens. Oh, and I second the recommendation to 

go in and try several pairs on. I tried some on at BPS, some at a

local shop and found the right fit for me. Ended up buying from a

legit dealer on ebay for much less.... You do have to watch out

for fakes, though.

[Dypsis]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.  Agreed trying on a bunch certainly seems to be smart.  I'll have to see where the nearest dealer to me is.  Looks like as long as I'm careful glass is the way to go.  

 

I'd be curious what would have happen with that cameraman with plastic lenses.

 

@Darren. didn't even think about fakes thank you.

[rippin-lips]

Green mirror is said to be the best all around color. I have the 580 in plastic. I don't feel the need to have a 2nd pair. 

[RyneB]

I got 580Gs and love them. I suggest going through the big auction sight. I got mine for around $160

[gripnrip]

Glass is the way to go.  Just be careful with them.  Any drop can cause a cracked lens.  I know from experience.  So I bought a 580P as well to wear daily. Repair on the glass will run $100. 

[Allen Der]

quality plastic lenses are good enough.  I value my eyesight and it's not worth it to me to get maybe 10% better sight with glass.  If glass lenses can break just dropping them, then what would a 1/2oz lure do? we've all had lures fly back at us freeing them from a snag or a hookset on a phantom bite

 

I got my Costa 580P off Amazon for about $100.  Wiley X are good too and can be had under $100.  I prefer an amber/copper base for all around purposes.

[Jagg]

I've got 580P Silver (copper lenses with mirror front and back) and love them. Had Solar Bats when that meant something. Had a pair of 580G 8 years back, but sold them pretty quick. Had Wiley X in service and now glass just seems heavy and uncomfortable. Getting 580P in Green Mirror this year.

[mwh33]

I actually have Green mirror, blue mirror, and copper in 580. I switch between my green mirror and copper for fishing. My blue mirror lenses have been designated as my driving glasses and are left in my truck. Mine are all plastic because they are lighter and if I drop them they won't shatter.

[gripnrip]

17 hours ago, Allen Der said:

quality plastic lenses are good enough.  I value my eyesight and it's not worth it to me to get maybe 10% better sight with glass.  If glass lenses can break just dropping them, then what would a 1/2oz lure do? we've all had lures fly back at us freeing them from a snag or a hookset on a phantom bite

 

I got my Costa 580P off Amazon for about $100.  Wiley X are good too and can be had under $100.  I prefer an amber/copper base for all around purposes.

True.  There is a distinct difference in Glass vs. Plastic.  And I never would have known had I not purchased the Glass.

[BrackishBassin]

I went with plastic lenses in my Costas for the safety factor. Already had a pair save me once from a jig head that popped free of a tree. Glass might have done the same, but it just as easily could have shattered and sprayed my eye with shards of glass.

 

I also fish dirty water and in low light conditions frequently. I went with an amber base color lens and the green mirror. Supposedly the gray base with a blue mirror is better for really bright conditions, but mine have worked great for me in all conditions. Personally, can't stand how washed out everything looks with the gray lenses. 

[Loomis13]

The copper based lenses are going to better for all conditions (sunny to cloudy) and the green mirror are going to better if its sunny most of the time. At least that is my interpretation...

[Dypsis]

Ended up getting a pair of green mirror glass in Rafael.  Thanks for all the advice, especially to @Dwight Hottle who suggested trying them on and not buying purely based off what I see online (not sure why I thought it was a good idea anyway).  I really liked the the Tuna Alley ones but when I tried them one - hated the nose piece.

[WIGuide]

1 hour ago, Dypsis said:

Ended up getting a pair of green mirror glass in Rafael.  Thanks for all the advice, especially to @Dwight Hottle who suggested trying them on and not buying purely based off what I see online (not sure why I thought it was a good idea anyway).  I really liked the the Tuna Alley ones but when I tried them one - hated the nose piece.

Congrats on the new Costas! I bought a pair a few years ago and I'm really glad I did, I'm sure you will be too!