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Low light eye protection

stewarba's picture
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started by stewarba on October 16, 2008

This past weekend I was in a Sprint that was thickly overcast so the lighting was fairly dark throughout the race. I wear my sunglasses when I ride my bike outdoors, but it was appearant that it would have been nice with a pair of glasses for the bike that performed better in low light situations.

So a couple of thoughts: I own a pair of Oakley Half Jacket sunglasses with the removable lenses, but I have the standard polarized reflective lense that came with them. Does anyone know the best replacement lense for use in a low light situation? Also is there a pair of glasses that you would recommend for use on the bike in low light conditions if there isn't a suitable lense for my Oakleys?

Pain is the sensation of weakness leaving the body!

brittda's picture
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brittda posted 1 year ago.

hubby has the M Frame , and uses the yellow(amber polarized) lenses for riding in low light/shade when commuting through areas with trees. Really likes them. It looks like the Half Jackets have the "high intensity yellow" lense that is similiar. If you check out their website they have examples of how each lense will look in different light situations. Check this out:

http://oakley.com/pd/2003/5347

Also, we have an Oakley store in our local mall--maybe you have one close by you can check out the different lenses (just did this myself last week) and see how they look in your frames.

CadenceGuy's picture
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CadenceGuy posted 1 year ago.

There is a lens that Oakley offers called the Yellow. It is used for very low/flat light applications but unfortunetly it isnt available for the Half Jacket or the Half Jacket XLJ's yet. I used a pair of sunglasses last year that my roommate got at a motorcycle shop for about 12 bucks. The yellow lenses seems to magnify the low light and brings everything to a level of visibility. Id go that route, good luck.....

lala2021's picture
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lala2021 posted 1 year ago.

Hey i did the same race! I wear sunglasses no matter what the condition. Oakleys suck!
I have a great pair of Nike's that have interchangeable lenses that are lighter just for that
type of condition.They work great!

TriMyBest's picture
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TriMyBest posted 1 year ago.

I use clear glasses that are actually made for motorcycling. You can buy them in almost any motorcycle shop, but I buy mine during York PA's Bike Week. Cheap & effective.

brittda's picture
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brittda posted 1 year ago.

lala2021 wrote:
Hey i did the same race! I wear sunglasses no matter what the condition. Oakleys suck!
I have a great pair of Nike's that have interchangeable lenses that are lighter just for that
type of condition.They work great!

Why on earth would you say they suck when 3 people (including the original OP) have already posted that they wear them? The same could be said about cheapo Nike's .

For the record I like Oakleys, have 3 pair. They have a great array of l quality lenses that can go with most of their frames.

xc800runner's picture
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xc800runner posted 1 year ago.

I have a pair of Spiuk glasses that came with 4 sets of lenses for varying light intensities. Orange/yellow for overcast, clear polarized for night/indoor/rain, and 2 polarized dark lenses depending on what color you want the mirror finish to be (there's a difference in light transmission, but it's hardly noticeable). Regardless of the brand or style you prefer, you should have different lenses for varying weather conditions. Like the posts above, at the very least you need dark for the bright days, and light orange, yellow or clear for the overcast, dark rides. The light lenses are especially important if you'll be doing any rides at night over the coming winter months. My eyes hate me after a ride without the added wind protection.

jsk85's picture
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jsk85 posted 1 year ago.

+1 to the above...I need to get other lenses...I've gone w/o the sunglasses for overcast races since I only have 1 style of lens, but I wear contacts and they dry out and my eyes start watering...not comfortable or safe. I got my Oakley half-jackets before I was a triathlete, more to look cool, but luckily they have retained their functionality since I got into tris...BTW, I love Oakleys in general and would have a collection if I had more disposable income.

As to the OP, let me know what you go with on the lenses and how they work out...I will be looking for similar lenses as well soon.

gfd's picture
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gfd posted 1 year ago.

Oakley VR28 lenses in my M frames for cloudy days. I need to wear them or my contacts dry out in minutes.

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tri-ac's picture
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tri-ac posted 1 year ago.

i've got performance brand glasses with interchangeable lenses...$30

fastdog5's picture
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fastdog5 posted 1 year ago.

A friend of mine has Oakleys he uses for riding that have photo-gray lenses, which automatically adjust their tint to the light conditions, so you never have to switch lenses. I don't have the dough to invest in these now but may do so down the road. They're great if light conditions change while you're on your ride.

Maximized2K's picture
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Maximized2K posted 1 year ago.

That Oakley Half Jacket is a nice frame. I own 2 pair of them and about 6 pair lenses. It now does come with a H.I. Yellow lens, which looks great in low light conditions. We have a local Oakley store and like Brittda stated earlier if possible go in and look at them yourself. Also that Persimmon is great for low light. Hope U find a solution for the overcast.

lala2021's picture
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lala2021 posted 1 year ago.

I new i would get a charge out of someone! That was fun. My Nike sunglasses cost me almost
$200 so they aint cheap and they are worth every penny!

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brittda posted 1 year ago.

lala2021 wrote:
I new i would get a charge out of someone! That was fun. My Nike sunglasses cost me almost
$200 so they aint cheap and they are worth every penny!

Not a charge, more really consideration for everyone else. I would personally choose not to insult people who obviously like something by saying their choice in a product sucks. It would be the same as me saying "X" brand bike you ride sucks, knowing that half the people out there are riding it. Happy you like your Nikes.

lala2021's picture
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lala2021 posted 1 year ago.

Sorry! I think your taking this the wrong way. I truly am not trying to insult you or anyone else.
Really!

cjhoffmn's picture
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cjhoffmn posted 1 year ago.

I got the rudy projects with interchangeable lenses and really like the rose colored lenses for low light conditions.

brittda's picture
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brittda posted 1 year ago.

no worries :)

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Super-Sprint-Fred posted 1 year ago.

I have a pair of Smith Reactor Max...
http://www.smithoptics.com/Reactor-Max_30_41.html

But I never even wear them really, I wear my Oakley Racing Jackets mostly (Like Big George Hincapie back in the day when he put Lance on the podium all those years)
http://oakley.com/pd/2063