View Full Version : Eyeware
schutzhund73
08-25-2005, 17:57
Hello,
I'm brand spanking new, just posted my introductory post in the intro area. I have one quick question and hopefully everyone can give me some great insight.
A good friend of mine is deployed to the mideast. I would like to purchase him a pair of sunglasses or goggles, but I am not sure what most SF prefer. I looked into Oakley sunglasses such as the M Frame Polar, M Frame Heater, M Frame Strike, and also the Halfjacket. I also looked at some Wiley X goggles, but I'm just uncertain as to what would be appropriate. I do not want to ask him as I want to surprise him, so any advice would be appreciated.
thanks in advance!
Personally, I prefer Oakley M-Frames for the optical clarity, ballistic protection and wrap-around fit. Additionally, you can quickly and easily change or replace lenses as they get scratched, or your environment changes. I've been wearing Oakleys (Blades, then Razor Blades, then M-Frames) for over ten years now, and really like them.
+1 on the M-Frames. You can go to Oakley's web site to check on the lens shape but IMO, the hybrids look less "radical" so I like them. Great coverage and optical clarity.
Oakley's gov't sales program is open to individuals, prices are at 1/2 to 2/3 below retail and shipping is a flat $20, to any address including APOs. There is no minimum order quantity (this is a change from their policy from several years ago)0
At the "gov't" prices it's affordable enough to get some extra lenses as backup for when they get too scratched. Grey is a good all-around color and I use my clear lenses a lot too.
schutzhund73
08-25-2005, 21:47
Hi Razor and ABC,
I want to thank you for your quick replies. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Being female (and not really into performance sunglasses) I was really debating what to get him.
Also, thank you very much for letting me know about the discounts, I had no idea. :) I'm going to scout out the website and go from there.
you guys are great!
J
Just a quick question, do you get them in the polarized lenses?
schutzhund73
08-25-2005, 22:21
Hi Maisy,
Great question. I looked at the M Frame Hybrid and you can purchase them either way...the polarized are about 80 more, but with the discount it isn't so bad.
I'm wondering the same thing though...Polarized or not?
I like the look of the jet black with grey polarized lens personally, but I won't be wearing them and I don't know if the polarized have some added benefit or not.
J
Schutzhund73, my personal experience with polarized glasses, (and as I am about the furthest you could get from SF while still remaining in the human race, take it for what it is worth) is that they significantly cut down on glare.
Coming from a relatively hot, glarey country such as Oz it is noticably more comfortable wearing polarized glasses, and much easier to make out distant objects without squinting against the glare. I also find that on days where the glare is intense, the polarized glasses will stop you from getting headaches - lack of squinting=looser facial muscles.
I would assume that for SF people it may be a tad more vital to be able to cut through glare, but am very interested if that has been their experience.
schutzhund73
08-25-2005, 23:58
Hi Maisy,
Thanks for the input. I will probably go with the polarized after reading your information. I received great input that should help me make a more informed choice.
j
These previous threads might be of interest to you:
Sunglasses
Range Lessons Learned Last Week
There might be more.
Martin
schutzhund73
08-26-2005, 12:10
Hi Martin,
I read the posts about the sunglasses that you linked me to....thank you very much. When I searched for appropriate previous threads looking for info, I obviously didn't use good keyword searches because I didn't find these threads. You've been very helpful.
I've read that most do prefer the Oakleys, so now it's just a matter of personal preference re: style. The halfjacket has less coverage area, but looks really good. Looks like the M frames have more coverage area, yet still look good.
J
You will not find the discounts on the oakley website! Contact their government sales folks to get the discount pricing.
Oakley Mil Sales = Oakleygov@aol.com... email them and they will email / fax you a mil order form with the mil pricing.
Re: looking cool vs protection. While it is important to always look cool. Protection wins out when it comes to saving your eyes, IMO the M-frames do the best job of that (while still looking cool)
My advice, to save you hours and hours of time/research once you get the mil order form...
Frame : Folding M-Frames.
Lesns style: Hybrid
Get the shooters array: =Case+grey lens+clear+persimmon (gay word that means shooter's orange)
Get an extra clear lens
Get an extra grey lens (or a polarized lens if you want to spend a few extra $$)
Get an extra nosepiece ($4.50) .... because it sucks if you ever lose yours
Extra lenses are for when they get scratched...
I have taken / will take this setup downrange with me... works well for me.
different strokes for different folks, but at least this will give you an idea of what one person uses and likes.
that's my $.02
NousDefionsDoc
08-26-2005, 21:41
Personally, I prefer Oakley M-Frames for the optical clarity, ballistic protection and wrap-around fit. Additionally, you can quickly and easily change or replace lenses as they get scratched, or your environment changes. I've been wearing Oakleys (Blades, then Razor Blades, then M-Frames) for over ten years now, and really like them.
Is there some other kind?
+1
schutzhund73
08-27-2005, 15:50
Hi ABC,
I contacted Oakley and Brittany emailed me the government/military forms. I cannot get over how much of a savings they offer...excellent!! And thank you for letting me know about it. I'm employed by the government, but wasn't sure if I qualified at first. I was reassured that being in law enforcement I could receive the discount as well. I'm going to get the M frames for my friend and just have them shipped straight to him. Thanks for your time and help. I would have been totally lost in the whole process wondering what would work best for him. You've cleared up a lot of questions for me (I just get my sunglasses at Walmart) haha.
J
After recently learning about the savings we can get (even in Canada) I was wondering if you needed to provide proof of service. Not a problem for me but looking at the order form I can't see any place asking for proof.
schutzhund PM sent.
re: proof of service
I emailed from a .mil address so I figured that's why they didn't ask. You could always ask them?