photochromic sunglasses

[you]

I recently bought a pair of Bolle Falco sunglasses on deep discount. They are polarized and photochromic, so they get darker in brighter conditions (product info claims a range of 13-31% light transmission, same tech as ‘transition’ glasses).

 

I figured these would be perfect for fishing because they let more light through during morning or evening hours. Unfortunately, the polarization is not nearly as complete as my other sunglasses. They do reduce glare, but maybe 2/3 as well as the pair I usually use.

 

Has anyone else tried photochromic, polarized sunglasses for fishing? Does the photochromic technology necessarily interfere with polarization? I love the concept, and everything else about the Falcos (fit, design, tint), but it’s hard to use them for fishing without good polarization. I'd love to know if there are better options.

[Fishin Dad]

I have a pair of Smith photochromic sunglasses.  The polarization seemed fine to me.  I have a lot of different sunglasses I wear and these seemed to work just fine.  I have to wear these again and see if I notice anything different.  I have t worn them yet this year.   I just didn’t get them into the boat.  No other reason. 

[Msl819]

Same here. The Smith photochromic lens are great for me. I wonder if it is the difference of a lens made for fishing that is photochromic vs. a casual sunglass.

[flyfisher]

polarization should have zero impact on the properties of a sunglass lens.  All polarization uses a film and you can have an almost clear lns be polarized.  What you are experiencing is probably the lens itself.  I have a cheap pair of polarized sunglasses to wear around a pair of costa 580 g and 580p lenses and they are way better than the cheapos but it isn't he polarization, it is the lens quality itself.

[fin]

My understanding is that polarization is pretty much standard, across the board.

 

Polarization is not going to help much if there's not a glare on the water, so in low light it doesn't help, sometimes it makes it worse.

 

Also your position relative to the sun and to the glare has a huge effect. For example, if the sun is behind you, and high, and the glare is in front of you, that is optimum to get a good effect from polarization. If the sun is in front of you, it doesn't help as much.

 

If you are comparing them side by side with your old glasses as you said, then maybe it is the photochromism, I don't know anything about it, but I do have a lot of experience with polarization from old-school photography.

 

[you]

Thanks for the info, y'all. I'll look into the Smiths next time I'm in the market for a new pair.

 

Bolle lists these under their "water sports" sports category. Figured that would include fishing and prioritize polarization. It's not just the lenses--when you do the trick of lining them up with another pair of polarized glasses and rotating them, they don't get as dark, even accounting for lens coloration. It's quite noticable during high light conditions on the water, too

 

12 hours ago, fin said:

Polarization is not going to help much if there's not a glare on the water, so in low light it doesn't help, sometimes it makes it worse.

 

Totally agree, and that is the one application where these are fantastic. I like to wear glasses at all times while fishing to protect against splashes, jigheads that the snag decides to return, etc. I was just hoping they would be a great all-in-one pair for higher light, too.

 

[scaleface]

I've been looking into getting some too . The only place around here that can acquire them was going to charge 500 dollars for the lens only . I said no thank you . The Wal Mart here  cannot get them . Mobasser has a pair.

[BC VC basser]

I recently bought some DriveWear photochromic lenses.

I purchased them at a local Walmart vision center.

Have no complaints about the polarization on them and photochromic option