Do Expensive Polarized Glasses Make a Difference?

[llPa1nll]

A quick summary to recognize cheap over quality.

Lenses are made of polycarbonate (plastic) or glass, glass is the #1 choice and will carry the higher price.

Glass protects better from flying objects as well.    Glass doe not scratch as fast as plastic.

if they don't say 100% UV protection, move on.   Also, the top of the line models will also have 99% infared protection as well.

Grey is best overall color for bright and sunny days for a variety of waters and conditions to fish.

Brown lenses are for medium to bright colors.   Best lense for sensitive eyes.

Tan/Copper  are great for overcast days and most widely used by sight fishermen.

Yellow lenses enhance light better at dawn and dusk times.   To simplify that, they draw more light.

Each lense does specific things.    

Learn not to use your fishing glasses as your normal sun glasses, this will increase the longivity of them.

I am the worlds worst on polarized glasses.

I have numerous pairs.   I bought cheap copper lenses because sight fishing is short period of the year and I dn't persue alot of bedders.

The grey is the best all round pair, and those are the ones I will wear most of the year, and thats why I'll spend the money on grays.   They are the primary glasses all year.

Hookem

protect those eyes.

   

The man speaks the truth. I agree totally with him..

[Fish Man]

im in love with my natives.

one question i have is that i looked at the after reading this thread and the box says 100% u.v protection and polarized. it doesnt say anything about optically perfect. can i find out if they are anywere or are the not

thanks

p.s. not trying to hijack the thread

[Guest muddy]

Excellent Matt!  What he and Dr.Gil said 8-)

[surfer]

im in love with my natives.

one question i have is that i looked at the after reading this thread and the box says 100% u.v protection and polarized. it doesnt say anything about optically perfect. can i find out if they are anywere or are the not

thanks

p.s. not trying to hijack the thread

This is my take on optically perfect. With your naked eye focus on the farthest object you can see clearly. Really focus on the details. Now put the glasses on and look at the same details. If they are distorted or can't be focused on then the glasses are imperfect. That being said no glasses are 100.00% perfect, but many are close enough that I can't see any imperfections. Using this technique has allowed me to rule out most $40 polycarbonate lenses for myself.

PS. I have a pair of Natives and cant find any imperfections with them.

[Tpayneful]

Bill Dance recommended these clip on polarized glasses that clip on your prescription glasses on his TV show about 18 years ago. They are the only ones I use and I buy everything that he suggests on his show! I just don't know why I don't catch as many fish or as many big fish as he does on his show

[BassFishingMachine]

Wow, great responses, the Costa seems to be the fav. Anyways, I'll probably go with the grey if I get a pair as that was stated to be the best overall lense color.

Oh, and I took a look on ***, and can't seem to find the costas, they don't sell them?

I was on the site roadwarrior listed taking a look at them, and there are many many different versions, which one do you prefer? Take into consideration im fishing from the bank pretty much 95% of the time.

[VA BassHound]

I have the Maui Jim Kapalua Titanium sport.  The best thing about these glasses are how lightweight they are.  Other glasses have given me headaches after extended wear.  These do not.  You will forget they are even on your face.

[armesjr]

BASSFishingMachine your going to have to go try them on.  Dicks Sporting Goods has a limited selection.  Basspro has some i believe.  Also try boating stores, they usually have a really good selection Some sunglass shops at the mall carry them.  i know sunglass hut doesnt carry Costas though.  If i were you i wouldnt purchase a pair before i tried them on.  Everyone's face is differently shaped, so what one person likes you may hate.  If your gonna drop money on glasses, you might as well look your best in them too.  While the frames are different, the lenses are the same.  So one pair isnt any better than another pair.    Go to www.costadelmar.com  Click the "view sunglasses" tab> then click the "our technology" tab> in this section it will cover what lenses color works the best for what conditions you will be fishing the most.  I have the MP2's with the Green Mirror Glass Lens, which i really like.  The green mirror glass lens (which is essentially an amber lens that looks better) or the amber glass or CR39 lens seems like the best lens colors for the conditions you decribed.  Once again your best bet is to go try a bunch on and decide for yourself.  

[Rob G.]

Yes, they do.  Any polarized are better than no polarized.  Regular sunglasses do not work at all.  Just like everything else, you get what you pay for.

[Bass XL]

What about Solar Bat? What do you guys think of those?

[MALTESE FALCON]

Last year I got my first pair of prescription sunglasses. I always used the fit-overs and they were a pain. I spent a small fortune for these glasses, but they were worth every penny.

armesjr brought up a good point. Make sure you try on the glasses before you buy them. If they don't fit you properly they are no good to you.

Falcon

[ba7ss3in]

Hey has anyone tried Oakley? I know they are around $225....I notice KVD wearin em....

yes, I've worn oakley's for years on the water and I could tell a big difference between the cheaper brands

[Munkin]

While I am not as technical as some of the previous posts for years I wore the $10 Wal-Mart glasses. I was always squinting and at the end of a long day of fishing my eyes hurt. A buddy of mine talked me into buying some Costa Del Mars at BPS that were about $100 and I can say that I will not be without good glasses again! I would rather leave all my electronics at home than my good glasses that is how important they are.

Allen

[Big-O]

YES!

[mike bat]

last season i used the smith action optics ... i loved them ,,, i have a big mug so i have trouble finding shades that fit right .... smith has a pair called the shelter ,,, they fit me great .... now this season i was looking around and saw a pair of oakleys called the oil drums ... i had to buy them .... i love the color tint and they offer great coverage on the sides ....  the lenses are called amber black iridium .... they are sweet ///

[KevO]

It will definately make a difference.  I got a pair of oakley polarized sunglasses from x-mas and they were great until my dog ate them last month.  There went $150!  Luckily my girlfriend replaced them for valentines day.  In the mean time though I was using my cheap unpolarized back-ups and it was horrible.  The glare off the water was so bad I couldnt even find my lure when I was casting.  Take the plunge it is worth it.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Wow, great responses, the Costa seems to be the fav. Anyways, I'll probably go with the grey if I get a pair as that was stated to be the best overall lense color.

Oh, and I took a look on ***, and can't seem to find the costas, they don't sell them?

I was on the site roadwarrior listed taking a look at them, and there are many many different versions, which one do you prefer? Take into consideration im fishing from the bank pretty much 95% of the time.

If your going to invest in a quality pair of sunglasses, be sure to try them on PERSONALLY.  Make sure they fit your face right.  Costa designs them that way.  The different models are different sizes and are designed to fit different size faces.  So my favorite model might not be the best for you and vice versa.

IMO sunglasses are the single most important piece of fishing gear!!!!!  Invest in your eye sight!!!!!!!!

[Loudy]

i have the 150 $ oakley monster dog polarized ( the same as kvd wears ) and they are much clearer and duller than the cheap angler eyes i have. The only promblem with the expensive ones is that every time you wear them your paranoid of scratching them so i only where them for a fashion statement anymore. Im scared to use them since i already ruined my other pair of oakley flak jackets.