sunglasses versus full facial helmets

[Hitcher]

There are many myths and legends promulgated by sunglasses manufacturers, particularly of "name" brands.

Let's consider some facts:
Lenses are made either from glass or polymer material. While glass is hard, polymer can be too. The wear resistance and optical correctness of a lens has little to do with the material from which it is made. Glass should not be worn if there is a risk that it could shatter, but glass can be toughened to reduce this likelihood.
Tints remove things from light -- they cannot add what is not there to start with.
The thing people generally want to remove from normal sunlight is ultraviolet. $20 sunglasses can do this just as well as $200 sunglasses.
Polarising lenses are particularly effective against removing glare, as are umbral lenses. Both come in a range of tints, depending on your preference. Both do their job better than bog-standard UV reducing sunglasses.
The colour of the tint affects the colour of what you observe (surprise, surprise), so choose your tint based on what you prefer to see, not on how you prefer to be seen!
Photochromatic lenses (ones that go darker in UV light) work well when they are directly exposed to UV light. This means they don't make good driving glasses (especially where drivers sit out of the sun). Their effect also diminishes over time -- they increasingly go less dark and less light, eventually stabilising at a mid tint.
You pay a premium for a "name".
A lot of fashion sunglasses (particularly those of the pale pink, pale blue or just plain pale) impart no benefit to the wearer whatsoever, apart from coolness.

[vifferman]

Now I buy the $11.95 jobs off the shelf at Pak 'n' Save and replace them every couple of months when they get munted.

I tried buying cheapies from the gas station or wherever, but couldn't find any that were comfortable enough and/or that fitted under my helmet. It took nearly a day of looking and test-fitting before I found some (the old Bolles) that fitted my face and looked OK, and it was just a happy coincidence (and bonus) that I discovered they fit very well under my helmet. Once I started wearing them, it became such a habit that I wear them even when it's slightly marginal. Mind you, I find going outside even on dull days a bit glary, maybe because of too many years sitting at a PC screen? I dunno.

[Quasievil]

Any one tried those stick on automatic type thingys, look like Fog Sheilds but change ependant on the brightness of the sun, you know photo sensitive

I hate sunglasses or tinted visors in the winterr as you cant tell the road condition as easy ie slippery corners, light gravel etc

[Mongoose]

Any one tried those stick on automatic type thingys, look like Fog Sheilds but change ependant on the brightness of the sun, you know photo sensitive

I hate sunglasses or tinted visors in the winterr as you cant tell the road condition as easy ie slippery corners, light gravel etc

And Quasie, slowing down is just not an option?

[jrandom]

I tried buying cheapies from the gas station or wherever, but couldn't find any that were comfortable enough and/or that fitted under my helmet.

The $11.95 Pak 'n' Save ones to which I refer are surprisingly comfortable, although rather lightly constructed, and of course offer exactly the same level of UV protection as anything I could buy for $300. Can't remember the brand name; I keep them in the cage.

Mind you, I find going outside even on dull days a bit glary, maybe because of too many years sitting at a PC screen? I dunno.

I've *always* worn sunglasses while driving, even on grey days. It just feels better. Ditto for the tinted helmet visor.

I've been sitting staring at a PC screen all day, every day, more or less, for the last decade and a bit. I've managed to avoid any overuse injuries in my arms, and my vision is still perfect, but I don't like bright light. Even bright artificial light. I tend to be at home most evenings with the lights dimmed, or just desk lamps on, etc. Sarah hates it.

[Zed]

...but I don't like the light...I tend to be at home most evenings with the lights dimmed...

Exposed...a child of the dark! :raghead:

[LB]

The thing people generally want to remove from normal sunlight is ultraviolet. $20 sunglasses can do this just as well as $200 sunglasses.

How about $699 ones?

You pay a premium for a "name".

Tell me (or, more the the point, Hamish) about it!!





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[Firefight]

How about $699 ones?





Tell me (or, more the the point, Hamish) about it!!





.

I wondered if anyone would mention those, When I told Mrs F/F about
your NZ$ 699.00 glasses, she said " That womens a Legnd", and then, much to my horror, she went shopping.

F/F

[Drunken Monkey]

Still need another hundy to top my mate's $800 serengeti's...

[LB]

Still need another hundy to top my mate's $800 serengeti's...

Holy shit - where'd he buy them from? A girl could do with a spare pair of sunnies to keep in the LV handbag y'know......



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[Drunken Monkey]

Holy shit - where'd he buy them from? A girl could do with a spare pair of sunnies to keep in the LV handbag y'know......



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LOL...

I think he paid that premium while working in Boston on contract.

[Holy Roller]

Had a look at the Panoptics sunnys the other day in Rotovegas at Kool Stuff formally USA bikers shop. $270 for a flimsy pair of plastic sunnys with some draft stop stuck arouind the edge of the lenses. They looked cool but
Gave me an idea though I'll get some of that 3mm draft stop from the hardware store and stick it on my saftey glasses and see if it works. may have to put some small vents in the draft stop with a stanley knife to reduce fogging. Worth a try its only a couple of bucks a meter for the draft stop.

[festus]

I wear sunnies all the time under my helmet, day & night. At night I change the lenses to an orange set. Reason being lately especially is my visor is scratched to hell, and I've been slack getting it replaced. I did the Brass with my visor up, 2500kms!.
Although in saying that, my face looked like it had done it, was a bit weather/wind blasted.
Also like the visor up when in mono mode, like to see everything around me nice and clearly when on the rear wheel.......

[dhunt]

Any one tried those stick on automatic type thingys, look like Fog Sheilds but change ependant on the brightness of the sun, you know photo sensitive

One of my mates just got one, he's not 100% sure he likes it. A bit dark at night and not dark enough in the day and makes your face look real red. We'll see if it gets any better as they apparently take sometime to settle down.

David

[Al]

I usually ride with sunnies on, I have a pair of Ray Bans for the bike and a pair in the cage too.
I don't really like steel framed sunnies, summertime under a helmet tends to get a tad sweaty and not good for the metal. So saying, I also have a pair of CK stainless frames somewhere....

Al