Polarized glasses the same?

[Biglouie]

Have been reading some posts on polarized glasses here.  I've never been able to tell the difference between high end lenses and the $15-20 pairs from Walmart.  Not that I've experimented a lot though.  I would think that if you spend $100+ bucks on glasses they should help you see better into the water.  Or are you paying for comfort, style, name brand etc?  Are there really different levels of polairzation?  I've probably owned 10 different pairs of polarized glasses ranging from $10-$75.  The pair that I could see the best into the water with were a pair of amber tinted el cheapos.  They were very uncomfortable to wear though.   I put these glasses head to head so to speak with a friend who bragged about his $100 polarized glasses and he agreed that el cheapos let him see better into the water.  So whats the deal here?  Can someone explain to me.  Thanks.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

There are no levels of polarization. When youpay more for a pair of shades, youare paying for a better optical quality lens, frame and customer service. The polarization process is the same for a $10 pair or a $200 pair.

The lens color plays a big part in how well you can see in the water.  Matching the right lens for the current condition is key.  If your amber lens could see better than his, I would bet money that his was grey and it was sunny.

I use

Amber

grey

amber/blue mirror

grey/blue mirror

Amber/orange mirror

All are calcutta glasses, $25 avg

[cletus___]

Biglouie,

I found these Polarized glasses made by Tour Vision. I hate spending $70-$120 for a pair too. I got what they call " No-Limit" and the "Angler" series glasses. Being very picky with how they fit and things of that nature, I was a little hesitant. They're awsome...the best part is they were only $44.

So I got two of each blk/blk and blk/amber.

Cletus-

[Cajun1977]

not sure if this is correct but i heard  on the cheapies   the  lens has a polariuzed  film over it  and the good quality glasses  the lens  doesnt have the film  the polarization is put into the lens

[Lightninrod]

How Stuff Works

The biggest problem with cheap sunglasses is in the way the lenses are made. Inexpensive sunglasses have lenses made of ordinary plastic with a thin tinted coating on them. While the tint color and a similar frame design may make them look like Oakley X-Metal Romeos or Ray-Ban Predators, the actual lenses are very different.

Lens quality - Optical-quality polycarbonate and glass lenses are free of distortions, such as blemishes or waves, and have evenly distributed color across each lens. Here's an easy way to tell if the lenses in a pair of sunglasses are of good quality. Find a surface with repeating lines, like a tiled floor. Hold the sunglasses a short distance away from your face and cover one eye. Look through one of the lenses at the lines while moving the sunglasses slowly from left to right and then up and down. The lines should stay straight as you look at them. If they wiggle or waver in any way, then the lenses are not optical quality and will distort your vision. Distortion is extremely common in cheap sunglasses.

Sunglass Technologies

Typical layering used to create a pair of high-grade sunglasses

Dan

[AM]

the cheapies at walmart scratch soo easily. I would imagine a more expensive pair have better quality lenses to prevent to an extent the small scratches that come so easily with the cheap ones. Check out your eye doctor's selection if you have insurance sometimes they have good quality polarized sunglasses that have waranties and whatnot. plus you might be able to discount them on your insurance.

[Zebco202]

Lens quality - Optical-quality polycarbonate and glass lenses are free of distortions, such as blemishes or waves, and have evenly distributed color across each lens. Here's an easy way to tell if the lenses in a pair of sunglasses are of good quality. Find a surface with repeating lines, like a tiled floor. Hold the sunglasses a short distance away from your face and cover one eye. Look through one of the lenses at the lines while moving the sunglasses slowly from left to right and then up and down. The lines should stay straight as you look at them. If they wiggle or waver in any way, then the lenses are not optical quality and will distort your vision. Distortion is extremely common in cheap sunglasses.

Dan

Excellent post L-Rod, I'm going to have to try that with my sunglasses at home with the kitchen floor..

As far as sunglasses go, I've never been one to spend a great deal.  Currently I've got a pair of Renegades (el cheapos from Wal-Mart), I think I paid $11 or $12 for them.  I lose sunglasses, I've managed to keep these for a few months now.  I don't have this problem with anything else, but I can never keep up with my sunglasses.

[BassMaster_1]

I think I have the same pair that zebco, Strikeking cheap($10) glasses from walmart.  I had another pair that I spend $60 on, they are currently at the bottom of the boat launch near my house.  The ones I have now I like more than the more expensive ones.  My buddy has the same pair that I lost and I can't tell any difference in quality.  What I like better is the fit, the lenses on my cheap one come around my face more, shelding out the light from the sides.  Which helps alot!  I haven't experimented with the color lense, so I can't help you there.  I use to never wear them and got by pretty good without them, anything was a step up.  So I think I will stick with the cheap ones, I would rather lose cheap o's than a good pair.  More money for new tackle!   ;D

[chunter_ksu]

I have a pair of Oakley's that I did spend a fair amount on ($159). I have had multiple pairs of cheapos and wanted a good pair. I have had my Oakleys for 2 years now and I couldn't be happier. They are much harder to scratch. The cheap lenses will scratch easy and the polarized coating will wear off. A pair of quality glasses have more protection on the lenses and you can tell. My next pair will probably be about the same price as these. I routinely see things in the water with mine that my friends don't.  Fishing in Kansas you don't get much chance to sight fishing in.  I chose polarized in order to see the stumps and brush under the surface that can't be seen due to the glare.

Lens color plays a large part in being able to see under the surface. Different amounts of light require different shades to get the maximum effect out of polarized glasses.

What really matters though is are you happy. If the cheaper glasses work for you then by all means use them. A $100 pair of glasses that you are afraid of losing and are uncomfortable to boot aren't going to do you much good. Get what you are comfortable with and use them.

JMO though.

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

My wife hates finding my box full of sunglasses, some $20 pairs from Wal Mart, some costing $200, another $150 that lightens up indoors which I wear driving vehicles. Altogether they all might have cost me $600 over the years, few got worn over a week, the most expensive pair giving me a headache from being too heavy and sliding down my nose (requres a head band). Having tried probably every known lens color, amber/copper is the best I've found for spotting bass in water. Green tends to filter out any green in a bass. Yellow lenses filter out yellow & tan colors. My favorite pair so far is a $90 pair of copper colored polarized Lure Eyes. Frame construction is important, FIT, weight, ability to allow air flow, and of course lens quality are all important things to consider. I'm thinking about getting a pair of titanium frames for one pair of "real" copper polarized glasses that the frame is busted on. One quote from an optometrist's clinic store for the titanium frame alone is $135, which would put $225 in that set I bought there, with high optical quality. They always repair the original frame free but it doesn't survive a fishing trip. The titaniums don't warp or break, and are guaranteed for life. That's the way I'll go, the professional route, getting quality and service, no more trial & error glasses.

Jim

[Biglouie]

I routinely see things in the water with mine that my friends don't.

That might not be the glasses, that might be experience/training.  I've been fishing with people who don't have polarized glasses.  When I hand them mine and try to point something out on the bottom, they just can't seem to see it sometimes.  I think you train your eyes to a point to see better into the water.  Same thing with picking out deer in the field.  I have a keen eye for spotting deer where some people just have a really hard time doing that.

[chunter_ksu]

I routinely see things in the water with mine that my friends don't.

That might not be the glasses, that might be experience/training. I've been fishing with people who don't have polarized glasses. When I hand them mine and try to point something out on the bottom, they just can't seem to see it sometimes. I think you train your eyes to a point to see better into the water. Same thing with picking out deer in the field. I have a keen eye for spotting deer where some people just have a really hard time doing that.

That could be true I never thought of it like that.

[tennsopher]

I went looking for apair of sunglasses recently and was interested in Costas.I went to West Marine here in Orlando, and the sales clerk showed me the Native line.Iwent outside carrying both pairs for a comparison.Not only were the Natives as effective blocking glare,they were just as light and come with four sets of lenses.I live in central Florida and the sun is bright here.I also drive an 18 wheeler for a living and its important I see well to keep the directionally impaired tourists safe.These come with a lifetime warranty(20 dollar replacement fee),and are some of the best sight fishing glasses Ive ever used .Also,the rose colored lenses brighten light well during overcast days like flipping a light switch on.Just my two cents.

                                                                                            Tennsopher

                                                                       

[Lightninrod]

tenns:  I agree on the Natives.  I had to have mine replaced and it was no problem.  I still like my Kores better but the Natives are good sunglasses.

Dan

[tennsopher]

Dan,I may have to look into the Kores in the near future.Ive noticed from your previuos posts you are a great sounding board for new products and I thank you.When I first joined this forum,you recommended the Kistler Helium to me and I bought one.Paired with my tdz it has become one of my favorites and I bought another one.On the other hand,Im of limited budget for my equipment,so I want the best I can afford.For those such as myself,Natives and my GLoomis rods justify their cost by performance and warranty factor.

                                            Tennsopher

[Lightninrod]

Thank you Tenn. I do like to experiment around with new-to-me(and sometimes others ) tackle, etc.

No need to quit using your Natives but should you need new sunglasses, don't forget the Kores are at the lowest price I've found here. I didn't know about Campmor when I bought my first pair and I paid $130 for them at Cabelas .

Dan

[Garnet]

Life was great when I bought rake Sunglasses. Remember the raparound In Fisherman Glasses. Now Presripition and only $375-$425. I tried all the overfits clip ons and will buy the visor things.

Had allways worn grey prescripition so it's was a big move to amber but the best move can see way better.

Garnet

[langs15]

Wow, just really getting 'into'' fishing a lot since a while ago. I bought a pair of $20 polarized sunglasses for fishing, and it really makes a differnece in what you can see under water. I have spy optics non-polorized and relaly confortable as they were $100+ and my cheap $20 pair is really uncomfortable.

I have a question...what lens colors goes best with what types of days..

Like orangeish or amber with sunny etc.?

[langs15]

Also...what f=polorized sunglasses would be best from the 100-150ish price range as I have my b-day in about a month..

[Lightninrod]

Amber/yellpw for low-light conditions and dark grey for sunny days.  See my post above for my favorites at $70.

Dan

[BD]

Lightninrod....thanks for that link to the kore's. I got mine in Friday and they are great.

See big bass thread in general for a picture.

[langs15]

Dan,

I know the post you had for the $70 dollar pairs...but wouldn't the more expensive ones make a larger differnce in terms of comfortablility and other things?

[telecaster]

I wear sunglasses,My eyes are light sensative(from too much welding flash),the doc said wear good quality glass lens sunglasses.So I always have. Anyway I wont buy expenesive fishing glasses cuz they get banged up and ya drop em off the boat or whatever.I recently got a pair of PolarEyes,there like 40-45 bucks,I bought a discontinued pair for $25, they are super sunglasses.I like them better than my RayBans.The ones that the fisherman buy at the tackle shop are the big ones with the side protectors and they will fit over your prescription glasses.The stlye they stopped sellin is the wraparond regular sunglass look.For a plastic lens thease are not bad even at 40bucks 8-)

[Lightninrod]

Dan,

I know the post you had for the $70 dollar pairs...but wouldn't the more expensive ones make a larger differnce in terms of comfortablility and other things?

Lang:  I own about a dozen sunglasses from years past;  Costa del Mars, Ocean Waves, Natives, Mauji Jims, and others I don't remember off-hand.  Those Kores are normally $120 or $130 a pair.  Campmor just sell's them for less.  They are comfortable fitting, light-in-weight, and are strong with lens that don't scratch easily.

Dan

[Lightninrod]

Lightninrod....thanks for that link to the kore's. I got mine in Friday and they are great.

See big bass thread in general for a picture.

BD:  You're very welcome.  I looked but didn't see you.................. :-?