Transitions lenses
#1
Transitions lenses
After too many years of painfully wind blown eyes from winter riding I am looking at a pair of Wiley X Gravity sunglasses. They have a removable foam gasket to better reduce air flow. One option is transitions lenses. Curious what the experience is for those who use them. It could make them much more useful. My concern is going from shaded to open areas.
Thanks
Thanks
#2
After too many years of painfully wind blown eyes from winter riding I am looking at a pair of Wiley X Gravity sunglasses. They have a removable foam gasket to better reduce air flow. One option is transitions lenses.
Curious what the experience is for those who use them. It could make them much more useful. My concern is going from shaded to open areas.
Curious what the experience is for those who use them. It could make them much more useful. My concern is going from shaded to open areas.
"Photochromic Sunglasses - thoughts?"
I don't like them, and I wear my non-tinted glasses when riding in bright sunlight. I never wore sunglasses anyways before I got them. I find they diminish contrast on bright days. In particular when riding into the sun,
I especially lose contrast when looking into my rearview mirror. I think it's because my pupils constrict even with the photochromes on, yet the lenses are already darkened.
My preference is for a billed baseball cap under my helmet.
I don't like them, and I wear my non-tinted glasses when riding in bright sunlight. I never wore sunglasses anyways before I got them. I find they diminish contrast on bright days. In particular when riding into the sun,
I especially lose contrast when looking into my rearview mirror. I think it's because my pupils constrict even with the photochromes on, yet the lenses are already darkened.
My preference is for a billed baseball cap under my helmet.
#3
After too many years of painfully wind blown eyes from winter riding I am looking at a pair of Wiley X Gravity sunglasses. They have a removable foam gasket to better reduce air flow. One option is transitions lenses. Curious what the experience is for those who use them. It could make them much more useful. My concern is going from shaded to open areas.
Thanks
Thanks
#4
Licensed Bike Geek

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 92
From: Los Barriles, Baja Sur, Mexico
Bikes: Look 585, Kirk Terraplane, Serotta Ottrott, Spectrum Super Custom, Hampsten Carbon Leger Tournesol
The transition time from full light to full dark or full dark to full light is more than 10 seconds. I feel that transition lenses aren’t good for cycling glasses, there’s not enough darkness in sunlight and they lack contrast.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 657
From: Québec, Canada
Bikes: SL8 Pro, Pink Crux Lady, TCR Beater
IMO it takes too much time to go back to clear. Not worth it.
I ride with sunglasses that have very low tint (I like Oakley's Prizm technology). I don't have any issues keeping them on even in the shade.
I ride with sunglasses that have very low tint (I like Oakley's Prizm technology). I don't have any issues keeping them on even in the shade.
Last edited by eduskator; 05-13-20 at 09:07 AM.
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 1,379
From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
I have been wearing Transition since the '80's and they have most definitely improved. Now wearing Progressive Transition when awake and even sleeping at times. What ever floats your boat.
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 2,335
From: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana
I don't like transitions either but I haven't had any for about 20 years and I hear they are better now. I have fairly dark tinted oakley's and I have no problems going from bright sunlight to shade or vice versa so just don't see a need.
#9
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 70
Likes: 19
work for me?
I often use a pair of Oakley transition glasses, I find them very useful. After reading an article on a British site about their favorite kit items and these glasses being mentioned I decided to take the leap. I tend to get dry eyes while riding and being light blue eyed the sun can give me headaches,especially in the winter when the sun is filtering through the trees almost strobe like in areas. These Oakleys seem to do everything I could want. Going through heavily shaded areas between the hills to the brighter flats the glasses never miss a beat. While they may not be perfect for extreme bright days they are extremely versatile. I have even used them for night rides. Much like the opinions of the British site I find these glasses quite useful for a great variety of rides. I am amazed by some of the negative reviews? Possibly much earlier versions? All I can say is I love mine.
#10
.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 26
From: Dallas, TX
I think modern photo-chromatic lenses made with for sports activities have come a long way. I bought a pair of Julbo sunglasses about a year ago. They are AMAZING. The advertised Visible Light Transmission range is 12%-87%. To my un-scientific eye it looks like they go from nearly clear to nearly black. I can put them on in the garage and ride out into a bright sunny afternoon with no problem so I guess they transition pretty quickly. They are certainly able to keep up with the setting sun.
Link, if you’re interested. They’re pricey but I fully expect to get many years out of them. You want the Translucent Black/Gray with the 0-3 lens.https://www.julbo.com/en_us/sunglass...6=159&318=4928
Link, if you’re interested. They’re pricey but I fully expect to get many years out of them. You want the Translucent Black/Gray with the 0-3 lens.https://www.julbo.com/en_us/sunglass...6=159&318=4928
#12
Thanks for the replies. Based on the first few I was inclined against, but those from current wearers got me to go for them. I have situations where it is early morning or dark enough that having variable tint can make the glasses much more useful. I am also looking forward to winter rides without painfully windburned eyes!
#13
I've been around people who have about 5 pairs of glasses, and are constantly changing from clear to sunglasses. What a pain.
The photogrey lenses work for me. Been using them for decades.
Now, one pair to rule them all.
Photogrey, progressive, glass safety glasses (although I have learned to wear goggles when grinding to prevent metal pock marks in the lenses).
The photogrey lenses work for me. Been using them for decades.
Now, one pair to rule them all.
Photogrey, progressive, glass safety glasses (although I have learned to wear goggles when grinding to prevent metal pock marks in the lenses).
#14
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 203
From: San Francisco, CA and Treasure Island, FL
I got a pair of Oakley transitions (Flak Jacket 2 XL) and they're perfect for me. Just dark enough for comfort (most sunglasses are way too dark IMO), and perfectly clear when cleared up. Sure they take maybe 5-10 seconds to respond, but what is this compared to? Glasses that don't change at all? Stopping and changing? Faffing about with flip ups and clip ons? Photochromics are a massive win IMO. It's much worse to me to be caught out after dark or in deep forested shade with dark glasses than squinting a little in sunlight for a few seconds.
In fact, I liked them so much I got another pair of regular, progressive photochromic glasses for everyday wear. Not so great for cycling or motorcycling though (unlike the Flak Jackets they're not ballistic rated). But I'm never again caught out without reading glasses and unable to even read a menu! Outdoors or indoors. Night or day.
In fact, I liked them so much I got another pair of regular, progressive photochromic glasses for everyday wear. Not so great for cycling or motorcycling though (unlike the Flak Jackets they're not ballistic rated). But I'm never again caught out without reading glasses and unable to even read a menu! Outdoors or indoors. Night or day.
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 302
From: location location
Bikes: MBK Super Mirage 1991, CAAD10, Yuba Mundo Lux, and a Cannondale Criterium Single Speed
I agree about the transition time. The tech needs work before it gets to the stage of a true reacting lens.







