twodownzero

As the days get longer, I've been riding in both light and dark in the same ride. It'd sure be nice to have one pair of glasses that worked for this. Has anyone tried a pair of photochromic glasses? Do they get light enough for the dark and dark enough for the light?

I'm currently wearing the Oakley M Frame 2.0 which I have had for many years and I have both clear and gray lenses for them. Supposedly there is a photochromic lens out there for it but I can't find it as a replacement lens. I may just buy another pair of glasses and have options.

Thoughts?

FBinNY 

I've been wearing photochromic prescription glasses for decades. While they're never as clear as plain glasses, nor as dark as dark sunglasses, they're an excellent choice for days where I go in and out often. Plus they spare me the need to carry another set.

twodownzero

I wore prescription glasses for 20 years and had the same experience. I got LASIK in 2011 and so now I have to wear safety/sun glasses and think about protecting my eyes! At least I don't have to worry about the prescription part, the -6/-7ish prescription I had wasn't available in most all prescription sunglasses. That's why I'm hoping to find a pair of sport sunglasses that can offer that same protection.

Shimagnolo

Tifosi Podium with Lite Night lenses.
Best cycling glasses I've ever had.
Dark enough for summer days, light enough to ride at night.
And the Podium lens is tall enough to keep all the wind out of the eyes even on high speed descents.

johnny99

I have Transitions-brand photochromic lenses (made by a local optician). They do get very clear in dark conditions and dark enough for sunny road conditions (but maybe not for skiing or other snow sports where this is a lot more glare). I've heard that lower quality photochromic have a poorer range as well as transitioning more slowly.

TimothyH

@johnny99 is absolutely right about Transition lenses.

I have prescription Oakley Flak 2.0 - progressive bifocals, Transition lenses with frosted edges.

No lab would touch them. Oakley were the only manufacturer able to do something this complex and optical quality is second to none. They are as clear as any glasses I've ever worn. I use them both day and extensively at night.

Transition is very fast. The only time I notice the change is when coming out of a tunnel or garage into bright sunshine and then only for two or three seconds.






-Tim-

dim

I have a few pairs of sunglasses (some are proper cycling sunglasses)

However, my favourite pair for cycling are my old Serengeti drivers which I bought 20 years ago for a lot of money .... They have the glass corning lenses (not plastic) ... work good in the day and good for early evening .... exceptionally good if there is fog (I don't cycle in fog, but have used them in my car on some bad fog days)

they look like these:

Noahma

I have a pair of Tifosi Veloce being made for me (prescription) with their Day &Night contrast lenses, we will see how they do. Should have them in about a week or so.

JonnyHK 

I have some aftermarket lenses (i.e. not original maker) for my Oakley frames.

Perfect for those days you leave home in the dark, but still want anti-bug-in-eye protection, then don't want to have to carry sunglasses for later on when the sun comes up.

Not as dark as my regular sunglasses, and a bit slow to change either way, but still money well spent.

alcjphil

I bought a pair of inexpensive photochromic sunglasses from Nashbar a few years ago. They were great for exactly the sort of conditions the OP is talking about. They were clear enough for low light conditions and worked quite well in bright sunlight, and by bright sunlight I mean a sunny winter day with sun reflecting off snow. However, with time, the lenses did not adapt as well and the frames did not hold up. I would happily buy another pair if I could find one in a style that would suit me. I am willing to pay even a highish price if I can find something that I like, but if I pay a higher price I will be very fussy

fietsbob

I got prescription Trifocals from the VA. they darken in the sun. the frames suppliers support, come and go,
and when the hinges fail there may be no spare parts..

ddub

Tifosi or Rudy Project both make a quality transitional lens glasses (nonprescription).

twodownzero

I can get these with my veteran account from them and I was strongly considering them @ $124. The photochromic lenses for my other Oakleys are $130 just for the lens so no loss getting a second pair of glasses at that price.

I may very well go with these.

Shimagnolo

I had a pair of those (with gold frames) I bought when I was taking flying lessons way back around 1980, give or take a few years.
I had not worn them regularly in years, but kept them in a case in the glove compartment for the occasion when I forgot to bring my regular sunglasses.
Every time I had to use them I'd think: "Damn, these are heavy as hell!"

Finally several years ago I decided to put them on eBay, since they were in mint condition.
IIRC I got about $125 for them.
I have no idea what I paid for them new.

TimothyH

$124 is unheard of.

I was skeptical of the Transition lenses but they are very good. Technology has improved in the 20 years other posters talked about.


-Tim-

GlennR

Rudy Project.

clear


dark


Works for me and I get migraines from bright sun, so i need dark glasses.

John_V 

I'm going to throw in another vote for the Tifosi photochromatic lens. Unless you absolutely have to have prescription lens, for the price, you can't go wrong. I've had the same glasses for almost 4 years and they still work like the day I bought them. And if something does happen to the lens, the replacements are somewhere around $40.00.

Secret Squirrel

I have been very satisfied with the oakley photochromic radarlock lens. I use them for predawn rides that run into morning glare and have not had any issues. The complaints regarding photochromic lenses have been that they don't get dark enough. I was informed and tempered my review to acknowledge that. For harsh lighting I move to the prizm road lens.

bruce19

My GF and I both use these. I like them.

Davos | Race Red Smoke Fototec - Tifosi Optics

a1penguin

Ditto. Overall I'm happy with this arrangement. My prescription is extreme enough that I cannot buy wrap around glasses in my prescription.

Drew Eckhardt 

I've been using Transitions prescription lenses for 20 years. They work great except inside cars where the glass doesn't let enough UV light in to trigger the change.

tgmcmonigle

Tifosi Veloce Matte Black Reader 2.0 Fototec. These do well in all light conditions and even have readers in the bottom to help see your computer. Some of the best money I've spent cycling.

pickettt

There is another brand of photochromatic lens on the market that I've been using of late called Sunsync. They lighten and darken faster than Transitions brand.

JohnDThompson 

Clip-on sunglasses. Light, compact, inexpensive. They just clip onto your regular glasses. When it starts to get dark, take them off (easy while riding, even) and slip them into your jersey pocket.

acuben

Yes they are multiple brands of photochromatic lens. Transition seem to be the most commonly used one.
I have Transition Signature 7, it's probably the darkest of the "classic" photochromatic lens. (and probably most expensive kind, and fastest)
I don't find it that useful. it's not dark enough. I do that JohnDThompson does with solarshield glasses.
Solarshield glasses are great, I like them very much, but other people seem to hate it.

I don't know about transiton xtractive. They say it's darker, i'm interested in trying one of those. But It has more minimum tint than other transition for indoors/night.