Importance of Tint in Polarized Sunglasses

[DawgFishin]

I have heard folks say that getting Amber polarized lenses is the way to go. My question is, does it really matter if the lenses are amber? How about grey or brown? It makes sense to me that polarizing the lenses helps see in the water by reducing glare from reflecting sunlight, but I don't understand the role of the color of the lens. If anyone could help elucidate the reasoning on this I'd greatly appreciate their help. I'm trying to find a pair of polarized sunglasses on REI.com because I have a rather large gift certificate there. If anyone can help out on that I'd appreciate it too.

Jared

[mb90535im]

I prefer grey simply for the reason that it doesn't distort colors.

[vonchim]

I usually use an amber type color. I get cheap glasses at wally world but I get amber lenses cause I can see better in low light with them. I have some gray lens glasses also but when the sun is getting low I they seem to make it too dark. I have heard that a copper color is good for some folks, it has been discussed before here and you could search for it.

[knot trying]

I got a pair of yellow polarized sunglasses at BassPro. They work very well for low light (overcast, early morning, late evening).

[DAWGFISH]

To most people tint does make a difference, but everyone's eyes are different. I have had the best all around luck with copper lenses. Copper, amber, and brown offer better contrast in clear and shallow water than grey lenses. For this reason, to me fish are much more visible in shallow water situations. This is really apparent when fishing in clear trout streams and shallow inshore saltwater situations. A lot of the offshore crowd prefers gray, blue, or green lenses for deeper water. Grey lenses are also better for driving in bright sun, and like others said they don't distort color the way some of the other tints do. I think most people will find coppers, ambers, and browns to be better for trout fishing though. My personal preference is to use the amber in most situations, yellow tints on overcast days on heavily vegetated mountain streams, and brown when fishing in large open rivers on bright sunny days (like the hooch tailwater). The brown tint provides slightly better protection from bright sun while still offering better contrast than the grey lenses. The best thing you could do is try on several different tint glasses and see what is most pleasing to your eyes. It's just too bad they don't have a display stand right next to a river so you could see how they work on the water.

[outdoor7or24]

I have heard folks say that getting Amber polarized lenses is the way to go. My question is, does it really matter if the lenses are amber? How about grey or brown? It makes sense to me that polarizing the lenses helps see in the water by reducing glare from reflecting sunlight, but I don't understand the role of the color of the lens. If anyone could help elucidate the reasoning on this I'd greatly appreciate their help. I'm trying to find a pair of polarized sunglasses on REI.com because I have a rather large gift certificate there. If anyone can help out on that I'd appreciate it too.

Jared

Jared - REI.com has the smith brand, those are good lenses, and you can get the models with the interchangeable lenses. I believe smith makes Action Optics. Hope this helps... Do you go to UGA???

[mmarkey]

I bought a pair of serrengetti's last year the lens was beautiful. It was grey but had a tint of amber in it. Gave things a warm glow, without distorting color. Only problem was they were too small. The sun would stream in around the lens and bother me. I gave them to my wife she loves them. I bought a pair of moue jim Big Kahuna. They fit marvelous but the lenses are not as nice. They are just grey, compared to the Serrengetti's they are bland.

[LineSlinger]

I bought a couple of pair of Kaenon polarized. One Gray. One Amber. The gray is ok for the middle part of a bright sunny day. The amber is FANTASTIC all other times. In early a.m. when light is low, or late evening, the glasses give the illusion of things actually being brighter with the sunglasses than without.
Also, I have found that even at mid-day in some of the more overgrown & dark creeks (e.g. Duke's, Smith, Waters, etc.) it can be darker than ideal when wearing the grays but the amber keep on truckin' during these low light conditions. In short, while there are certainly tons of great quality gray sunglasses made I have found that for me, enough of my fly fishing is done in low light conditions whether caused by the weather or the foliage that the amber in my opinion is a better choice. It is worth mentioning too that the amber glasses that I have by Kaenon still work great at blocking excess light and UV even during high afternoon on a bright day.

[chuckwagon]

Do check and see if those smith's at REI have any tytpe of photochromatic abilities. This lets the lens adjust to the brightness of the lightaround the lenses. Early morning no sun gives you lighter contrast. as the sun comes up and brightens everything the lenses can darken somewhat to give you better sun blocking abilities. The Action Optics Brand give you this feature on most of their Glass Lenses. Photocromatic copper has been the best I have found,but that being said, it is certainly a personal preference. My point about action optics was, they are made by smith. I just don't think that REI sells that line at any of their stores or on-line :bang: . Its worth looking into though.
Good luck on your search.


trey niolon
chuckwagon

[Desil]

I just got a pair of polarized prescription sunglasses from a NGTO member Robert Rodriguez (770-384-8222). He knew a lot and hooked me up with exactly what I needed. You may have perfect vision, but I can't wear contacts when the pollen is this high so I wanted my shades to be presription. I went with brown - it adds contrast. That is what competition sharp shooters wear. The first time I hit up the river I could not believe the difference. I could see rocks on the bottom from the parking lot at the dam on the hootch. As for brand name I would pay attention to who makes the actual lenses. The frames just hold what you look through and as I understand it the name brand is the frames - they all order lenses from just a few companies. Bolle also made the lenses for the Hubble telescope I heard - does anyone know if thats true? My best advice would be to get and always use a strap. My original pair is in Smiths creek.

Desil

[trout_boy II]

They ain't cheap, but the Action Optics All Hour Brown photochromatic lens is the best answer to changing light conditions. It is available in various frames (I got the Guides Choice, I think it's called) and is truely a great lens for fishing in WNC streams with heavy Rhodo coverage one minute, bright sun the next. This particular lens allows more light to penetrate the lenses than all the other photo lenses that AO offers and really lightens up enough for even the darkest streams while still providing plenty of protection in bright, direct sun.

I know I sound like I sell these lens, but they really are that good. You can find them for $100-125 if you look. Ain'y cheap, but worth every penny over the two years I've had them.

TB

[GregLS]

JahLive! Where are you? Your knowledge is needed here! :)

JahLive is in the eye optical biz! He has his own store in Woodstock and has been generous with those Costa's at our FLings.

Some one give him a shout to help clarify here! :)