I need a really nice pair of shooting glasses.

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Chris Rhines

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Okay, so I've finally come to the conclusion that my fashionably small-lensed prescription glasses might not be so hot as protective eyewear. Time for a change. Here's what I need in terms of features - can you guys help me out with some suggestions?

- Durable as all hell. I'm hard on glasses. Scratch-resistant lenses are a must.
- Impact-resistant wrap-around lenses.
- Perfect optical quality.
- Interchangable lenses. I split my shooting between outdoor and indoor ranges, so I like to change lens colors.
- I need prescription lenses, or at least prescription inserts.

Price isn't much of an issue - quality is. What should I be looking at?

Thanks,
Chris
 
I had my optometrist make me a pair with some big lenses and photo gray. The big lens does make them a little heavier. I think the brand name is liberty. The tech said they were about the best safety glasses you could buy without going to the big black plastic frames.
 
I've got a pair of Smith shades that my bro gave me for Christmas. I don't wear them too often because I tend to wear corrective lenses more than contacts. However they should fit the bill nicely.

FWIW, my bro mountain bikes like a mad man, and swears by his Smiths.

http://www.smithsport.com/
 
If you want optically perfect lenses, I think you may be spending about $200 per lens, and they'll have to be glass or possibly Lexan... Now, low-distortion, low-impurity, low-inclusion is another story.

Semantics-Man strikes again!

Seriously, go with Zeiss.
 
ON the range, I really like my Wiley X Saber glasses.

And for OFF the range, it has to be one of my OAKLEYS !!!

As a side note, I think Oakley makes a large selection of "prescription ready" glasses.

:cool: :D :cool:
 
Ok. Here is the best, cheap way.

You have prescription glasses. You want the same in shooting glasses, but you learn that they scratch.

Now, you buy a set of welding goggles for $13, including tax. Your prescription glasses will fit undernearth. Not very fashionable? Right!

Now you put on your thinking cap and realize that the lenses can be replaced for $2 a pop.

Now you think that you want to practice low light shooting. Or you want to practice shooting keeping the threat in sight and not looking at the pistol when reloading. Or you want to be able to do magazine changes without looking like your instructor has admonished you. Or you want to focus on shooting and not looking at bullet holes in the target because you instructor has advised you. So, you realize that you can buy number 7 and number 10 inserts which are progressively darker.

Think about what you have to give up in the name of fashion!
 
The highest optical quality will always go to glass. Look at your quality scopes and binoculars. They are always glass. Scratch resistance will go to glass but it is the heaviest and the least impact resistant of optical lenses.

Lexan (polycarbonate) is by far the most impact resistant but does not have the greatest optics, although it is getting better. Again scratch resistance can be an issue but they are making improvements.

The newest material is called Trivex. It is very thin, light weight, scratch resistant, extremely impact resistant, and best of all the optics are closest to glass. It is starting to be available in the Transitions lens which is the plastic photochromic lens.

You may want a wrap around lens but when dealing with prescription lenses good luck. It is not really all that available since the optics of the wrap may interfere with the optics of the prescription lens. Another solution is wrap around sunglasses with a prescription lens inserts. These are actually very nice. You have the wrap around with polycarbonate offering impact resistance and whatever lenses you want in the insert lenses.
 
Decot Hy-Wides are great glasses. They've been in buisness for a long time. Got my first pair 5 years ago. Two sets of lenses that you can change out in a few seconds.

http://www.sportglasses.com/

My perscription has changed and about time to give them another call. They aren't cheap, but I think worth the price. Service was excellent. Good web site with a lot of information even if you end up buying elsewhere.
 
i like oakleys. they seem to have a very good following and they look cool. my next set of shooting glasses will be oakleys, either M frames or half jackets. lightfighter has a half jacket array in their catalog.

that being said. those lenses scratch like a motherF. especially the iridium ones. now, that 's not a huge deal for me since i would be getting the standard lenses and i can always buy new ones. there expensive to replace, but not crazy expensive. but, if you are getting prescription lenses, what would cost to get new lenses? would you have to have them custom made again? just a few question you should think about.
 
I bought the ESS shooting glasses system from Gunner's Alley.

www.gunnersalley.com

$35, I think for a set of dark, amber and clear lenses. Another $15 or so for the prescription insert kit. The most expensive part was getting the prescription lenses made for it. That cost will depend upon your optometrist.

I think part of what makes polycarbonate material so strong is that is is soft enough to flex a little. This prevents shattering, but does make them a little more prone to scratching.

I'm happy with mine.
 
I decided on the Nano2 from Native Eyewear. Price was a major consideration - I wanted interchangeable lenses (clear or yellow lenses for computer use) and polarized lenses for driving (helps in the rain). The Oakley Half Jacket xlj
was my other alternative.

Bought the Natives (polarized rose, yellow, orange and clear lenses) from Rei with a 15% coupon code ~ 100 + shipping. Now I can say I see the world
thru.... "rose colored glasses"

REI also has the Oakley- ~150 for polarized and 50 for yellow lenses
 
I also wear the ESS glasses. Very nice, I highly recommend them. Good price, quality & prompt, fair shipping.
 
Zeiss
Decot Hy-Wides
Randolph USA

I prefer those that ride a bit high - especially for shotgunning for clays and hunting.

That said...still use my 25+ yr pair of Ray - Ban Sunglasses, and Bushnells Clear- Aviator style of course...I won a ( actually won two pair ) of Protective Optics, one is vermillion the other light bronze....err....long time ago :p Aviator style...

I have been using the static 'scripts for mine ( so I could sign the darn scoresheet) I may have to accept the fact I need 'scripted shooting glasses. My eye doc is a shooter....I'll see what he recommends...
 
here is what I did. I got a pair of ray ban sunglasses (rb4026) and had prescription, brown tinted lenses put into them -- glued in. The frames wrap around on the sides for better protection, the plastic lenses will not break and are glued in so won't pop out if hit by something, the polarized and glared proof coatings help tremendously with contrasting sights and targets, and sharpening red dots like you won't believe. when driving, things look almost like they are in 3-D. It was costly, about $400, but it was worth it and I will NEVER be without a pair of prescription sunglasses for shooting and driving again!
 
Not to hi jack the thread but I've been thinking :uhoh:

I use Wolverine safety glasses for work which double as sunglasses and are wrap around. I have used them for shooting but wonder if they're really acceptable as safe shooting glasses.

Anybody know enough about Wolverines to comment on the applicability of them for shooting?
 
i tried on a pair of half jackets -- too darn narrow. looks like i will be going for the M frames. i wish they made a shooting array for the M frames (not the pro-M frames)
 
Go to www.liveeyewear.com

There are two product lines of interest... EyeSights (ANSI Approved solo shooting glasses with 4 sets of interchnageable lenses.. all UV400, scratch resistant and lifetime warranty...

and better than Fitovers are EyeArmor... can be worn over glasses, three tints available...
 
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