Polarized Sunglasses
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 861
Likes: 11
From: Wichita, KS.
Polarized Sunglasses
Ok, so I had to abandon persecution sunglasses because they would be too thick. My eye doctor has given me some daily contacts to try out and I can see fine (except very close up) so, I have decided to try contacts this year for cycling. The options seem seem plentiful but, I think I have decided on frames with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. My only other thought is whether to get polarized lenses so, what the thoughts on polarized sunglasses?
Oh and,
I know brand and style has been beat to death on this forum but, if any of you would like to make recommendations that would be great (I am leaning toward Tifosi Tyrant or Slip).
Oh and,
I know brand and style has been beat to death on this forum but, if any of you would like to make recommendations that would be great (I am leaning toward Tifosi Tyrant or Slip).
#2
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
I thought round lenses and using a polarizing filter you could rotate (camera lens filter)
would be a Cool Thing..
since polarizing is all about the parallel lines so light waves are only coming through on one axis
and you would choose the axis.. rather than the maker of the glasses ..
would be a Cool Thing..
since polarizing is all about the parallel lines so light waves are only coming through on one axis
and you would choose the axis.. rather than the maker of the glasses ..
#3
Senior Member



Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 572
From: Eastern PA
Bikes: Trek 4900, Hetchins Italia, Falcon San Remo, Peugeot PX-10LE
I use polarized glasses since they were recommended by my doctor. The big difference is they reduce glare and reflection which makes it easier on the eye. I also need to carry regular reading glasses.
__________________
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the former."
― Albert Einstein
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the former."
― Albert Einstein
#4
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
Likes: 122
From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Ok, so I had to abandon persecution sunglasses because they would be too thick. My eye doctor has given me some daily contacts to try out and I can see fine (except very close up) so, I have decided to try contacts this year for cycling. The options seem seem plentiful but, I think I have decided on frames with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. My only other thought is whether to get polarized lenses so, what the thoughts on polarized sunglasses?
Oh and,
I know brand and style has been beat to death on this forum but, if any of you would like to make recommendations that would be great (I am leaning toward Tifosi Tyrant or Slip).
Oh and,
I know brand and style has been beat to death on this forum but, if any of you would like to make recommendations that would be great (I am leaning toward Tifosi Tyrant or Slip).
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#5
I use the Tifosi Tyrant with the "Light Night Fototec" lens.
It has a wide enough range that I can start a ride in bright sunlight, and finish well after dark, running lights, and I don't need to change glasses.
My past experience with interchangeable lenses was:
1. Every time you change lenses on the road, you have newly installed lenses with fingerprint smudges.
2. The flexing of lens and/or frame to make the change will soon result in one of them breaking.
BTW LCD screens (e.g. Garmin Edge) are polarized, so if the sunglasses have polarization that does not match the device, you have not be able to read it unless you turn it sideways. Cellphones normally use OLED screens, so they do not have the issue.
It has a wide enough range that I can start a ride in bright sunlight, and finish well after dark, running lights, and I don't need to change glasses.
My past experience with interchangeable lenses was:
1. Every time you change lenses on the road, you have newly installed lenses with fingerprint smudges.
2. The flexing of lens and/or frame to make the change will soon result in one of them breaking.
BTW LCD screens (e.g. Garmin Edge) are polarized, so if the sunglasses have polarization that does not match the device, you have not be able to read it unless you turn it sideways. Cellphones normally use OLED screens, so they do not have the issue.
Last edited by Shimagnolo; 12-25-13 at 06:51 PM.
#7
I have a pair of Ray Ban prescription sunglasses that are great - except the polarized element - can't read the car digital display... great for biking, bad for car driving.
Last edited by gary245; 12-25-13 at 08:00 PM. Reason: typo
#8
My Rudy Project Rydons have polarized lenses. They are really good when the setting sun is glaring off the road, and useful whenever it's sunny. I don't have any problem seeing my Garmin, or my older Sigma bike computer, but I've seen others complain that their polarized lenses blocked the display. I've seen posters on BF say that polarized lenses make it hard to see wet spots on the pavement, but it seems okay to me.
#9
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 16
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
My prescription sunnies are polarized. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Don't dither, just do it.
Don't dither, just do it.
#11
Senior Member



Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 822
From: in a house
Bikes: Specialized Aethos, Specialized Diverge Comp E5 and 2025 Spesh Tarmac SL8 Expert
I have been very happy with the polarized glasses I recently bought at Gander Mtn...they were around $25, fit very well, comfortable and light weight.
I'm an Oakley fan boy and have been since their Factory Pilots a long time ago...but there are some very nice glasses out there at very good prices.
I'm an Oakley fan boy and have been since their Factory Pilots a long time ago...but there are some very nice glasses out there at very good prices.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 6
From: Hills of Iowa
Bikes: all diamond frames
I have been very happy with the polarized glasses I recently bought at Gander Mtn...they were around $25, fit very well, comfortable and light weight.
I'm an Oakley fan boy and have been since their Factory Pilots a long time ago...but there are some very nice glasses out there at very good prices.
I'm an Oakley fan boy and have been since their Factory Pilots a long time ago...but there are some very nice glasses out there at very good prices.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 108
From: Middle of the road, NJ
I have the same issue with reading the screen of my cat eye with polarized lenses. Something the op may want to consider.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,392
Likes: 2
From: Central Coast, CA
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
Back in the day I used to choose polarized sunglasses over others. On a recent tour I did what I often do - broke or lost my sunglasses. I stopped at Fred Meyer for provisions, including a replacement pair. I saw some polarized ones that looked good. I bought some. It turned out the plastic face on my bike computer was also polarized and the combination meant that I couldn't read the numbers - unacceptable. I stopped again and bought another, unpolarized pair.
My 2 cents is that before buying polarized you should check them out with your bike computer, gps, and any other device you might be reading as you're riding along.
My 2 cents is that before buying polarized you should check them out with your bike computer, gps, and any other device you might be reading as you're riding along.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: I reside with my wife "Cindy" in Fairborn, OH
Bikes: 2014 ICE Spring FSX
Ok, so I had to abandon persecution sunglasses because they would be too thick. My eye doctor has given me some daily contacts to try out and I can see fine (except very close up) so, I have decided to try contacts this year for cycling. The options seem seem plentiful but, I think I have decided on frames with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. My only other thought is whether to get polarized lenses so, what the thoughts on polarized sunglasses?
Oh and,
I know brand and style has been beat to death on this forum but, if any of you would like to make recommendations that would be great (I am leaning toward Tifosi Tyrant or Slip).
Oh and,
I know brand and style has been beat to death on this forum but, if any of you would like to make recommendations that would be great (I am leaning toward Tifosi Tyrant or Slip).
#16
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Saddle Bunch Key
Bikes: the 2 wheeled kind
I was using some Costa Del Mars on the bike. Could barely see my computer with deep water blue lenses. Back water green lenses were better, but not much. I broke down and got some sunglasses to just use on the bike. Ended up getting Oakley half jackets because of the fit. Had to have the girl at the store come outside with me to look at my computer before I would buy them.
They came with the iridium black polarized lenses and I've had no issue with my bike computer. They fit pretty tight on my face so they are good with the wind. I wear one contact lens, so that was pretty important. The lenses change pretty easily and after changing them out for almost a year now, zero problems. I have two sets of the OEM Oakley lenses and three sets of the cheap copies, all polarized, and I can't tell the difference, except for the price.
They came with the iridium black polarized lenses and I've had no issue with my bike computer. They fit pretty tight on my face so they are good with the wind. I wear one contact lens, so that was pretty important. The lenses change pretty easily and after changing them out for almost a year now, zero problems. I have two sets of the OEM Oakley lenses and three sets of the cheap copies, all polarized, and I can't tell the difference, except for the price.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: SW Florida
Bikes: Focus Cayo Evo , Cannondale Adventure
I was using some Costa Del Mars on the bike. Could barely see my computer with deep water blue lenses. Back water green lenses were better, but not much. I broke down and got some sunglasses to just use on the bike. Ended up getting Oakley half jackets because of the fit. Had to have the girl at the store come outside with me to look at my computer before I would buy them.
They came with the iridium black polarized lenses and I've had no issue with my bike computer. They fit pretty tight on my face so they are good with the wind. I wear one contact lens, so that was pretty important. The lenses change pretty easily and after changing them out for almost a year now, zero problems. I have two sets of the OEM Oakley lenses and three sets of the cheap copies, all polarized, and I can't tell the difference, except for the price.
They came with the iridium black polarized lenses and I've had no issue with my bike computer. They fit pretty tight on my face so they are good with the wind. I wear one contact lens, so that was pretty important. The lenses change pretty easily and after changing them out for almost a year now, zero problems. I have two sets of the OEM Oakley lenses and three sets of the cheap copies, all polarized, and I can't tell the difference, except for the price.
#18
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Saddle Bunch Key
Bikes: the 2 wheeled kind
I got mine on e-bay. It was quite a while ago, but I think it was three pair for around $50. I can't tell them from the originals.
Recently heard of a company named Revant that does the replacement lenses. They have a photochromic lens that goes from yellow to smoke that I'm thinking of trying out.
Recently heard of a company named Revant that does the replacement lenses. They have a photochromic lens that goes from yellow to smoke that I'm thinking of trying out.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I would not recommend Polarized sunglasses for cycling. The polarization makes it difficult to read your computer and doesn't help enough glare to make them worth the extra cost. A better upgrade, IMHO, is Transition lenses -- which are clear in low light and turn darker as it brightens. I ride a lot in the dark while commuting, and Transition lenses are a real benefit.
#20
I had Lasik surgery almost 15 years ago went from 20/575 to 20/18. Fantastic. BUT now I have the sunglasses issue. I prefer a brown/orange lens to gray or green. I have several pairs of sunglasses - one in each car and one in my helmet that is strapped to the bike. And yes - get polarized. Then again, I don't have a computer on my bike. I even found a pair of polarized sun readers - polarized sunglasses with a reading 'bifocal' part.
__________________
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bfuser284953024
General Cycling Discussion
66
06-21-22 08:11 PM







