Need prescription sunglass recommendation

[moucheur2003]

I visited the eye doctor yesterday, and it turns out that my prescription for my beloved old Smith photochromic copper sunglasses that darken in bright light has to be changed. However, when I go to the Smith website, I can't find the photochromic lenses listed any more. Their current premium lenses are called "Chromapop".

I don't know whether Smith still makes the lenses I like, and I don't know much about Chromapop, and I know a lot of people prefer Costa to Smith. My doctor can order ordinary prescription polarized lenses in a range of colors from her usual optical lab. She doesn't carry Smiths, but I can get them online or from another dealer. She does carry Costas, but the range of lens colors they offer is daunting, and she doesn't know anything about using them in fishing situations, so she's no help with selection.

I fish under a wide range of light conditions -- from woodsy trout streams at dawn and dusk to the bright glare of the Carribbean flats. So, what are the pros and cons of the different choices, and what brand and color of prescription sunglasses should I get?

 

[karstopo]

I have Costa Prescription lenses. Mine are the 580g, copper base, green mirror. They really are great out in the saltwater bay and cut down on the glare tremendously and help to see fish and structure under the surface of the water. I only got mine to correct for my nearsightedness, but if I look over them I don’t have enough farsightedness to cause any issues tying knots.

I wear them to drive and when I do a variety of activities outside including fishing. I’ve traveled to the northeast and the west coast and the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico and they seem good everywhere except at dawn and dusk and on real low light days. They block too much light then and I go with my regular glasses.

They are the only Rx sunglasses I’ve had. I did have some non prescription Revo and Maui Jim’s back when I wore contact lenses, but soft contact lenses were never as in focus or sharp as a good prescription glass lens. You can’t beat glass over plastic for sharpness or lack of distortion.

I couldn’t imagine fly fishing without something like the Costa lenses I have. I know they enable me to see fish I couldn’t have otherwise with my regular glass. I’ve done a quick experiment once to prove it.

 

[bob3700]

Use the search function as there are several extended threads on sunglasses. The Smith vs Costa goes on for pages. It is a Chevy vs Ford type of thread but still contains a bunch of good info. Worthwhile.

 

[scoutm]

I have a pair of Costa with prescription lenses that have a progressive (bifocal) portion as well. They are awesome. My optometrist said he works with a lenses lab that could also make custom lenses for them which opened up options Costa didn't have. You may want to see if you can take your Smith frames and see if they can be fitted with updated lenses.

 

[bonefish41]

I primarily fish flats. But also Michigan Rivers and offshore. I have been nearsighted for 60 plus years...All the hype and marketing of fishing polar lenses is plastic in general and polycarbonate specifically including prescription lenses. Glass scripts are limited in color choices and when you go to Costas or Maui Jims for glass it will cost you 600 plus...best available for flats and all-round is the brown base green or gold mirror...My suggestions assuming your script is not "coke bottle thick": 1/ get a pair of clear glass script lenses no coatings (I get mine online at the Lens Factory in Louisville Ky) then get three Cocoon overs in Yellow, Blue Mirror grey base, and Green Mirror brown base. 2/ Essilor the French giant essentially owns the world of 'script lenses...own Costa and KbCo lens out of Colorado to name a few KbCo/Essilor have extensive color choices in plastic...I prefer old time plastic CR 39 which is optically better than polycarb..now latest plastic TriVex/or NXT while better than poly but not better than CR39 assuming quality lens mfg such as Essilor...but what you get in KbCo CR39 is multiple colors...downside plastic scratches upside its lighter glass is heavy ...polyc and Trivex are touted as nearly bullet proof but we don't get bullets and a big lead eye clouser did not shatter my old glass Costa 400 before they had 580s. My go to polars for the flats are these are the old Julbo French Classic Glacier frames now called Julbo Vermont Classic with replaceable leather side shields and nose strap. The lenses are KbCo CR39 in Copper with solid gold mirror with the very effective side shields I did not put any anti glare coating...those old time cable ear pieces hold the glasses on the face even in heat sweat...not as fashionable as Costa, Maui, Oakley, Smith etc...but very function-able. 3/ If your script is not "coke bottle" and your flush then Costa 580g in brown base and green or gold mirror for inshore and grey base blue mirror ...remember those of us four eyes are cursed with limited color choices in glass and weight...I just had my cats removed from both eyes and my 'script is real thin essentially just my astigmatism... no Sphere and -1.50 Cylinder

 

[bonefish41]

Forgot to add...if you select a color you want(other than brown or grey) and select glass polar, script lens have whoever you order from sign in their blood and affirm or swear under penalties of perjury that you will receive that color in glass if not no pay

 

[sweetandsalt]

I just visited Smiths site and though confusing, click on sunglasses and Techlite (glass) Polarchromic Cooper. I need a new pair too. I intend to visit both Smith and Costa assuming they each have a booth at the NJ Show.

 

[bonefish41]

SS: That's why I added the addendum "blood signature" I don't believe Smith is doing 'script glass polars anymore and yes most brand name sites are confusing for us four eyes who want glass and those that do have glass are priced absured...eg Costa Maui

 

[clsmith131]

It's funny you posted this today, I just got back from the eye doc. I ended up with a pair of Costas with copper base green mirror, and was able to order copper silver lenses for another pair of costas I bought last year off Steep and Cheap for $80. The lenses themselves, (my Rx was very similar to Bonefish41), were around $200 which I thought was relatively painless. I noticed that the copper silver allow 12% transmission, the green allow 10% (which means the green will be a little darker). I've had good luck with Revo and Costa in the past, so I'm looking forward to it.

 

[yikes]

In 2015, I bought Smith Optics Tenet frames with Chromapop lenses in polarized brown, with a prescription for distance vision. I love them!
I based my purchase on the recommendation here.

I prefer to have a single prescription rather than progressive, and on the brim of my hat I have a flip-down magnifier that I use (even while still wearing the Smiths) for tying knots.

 

[kevind62]

For me, the progressives give me a major headache. Most folks who engage in outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting, inadvertently use their peripheral vision quite a bit without ever realizing it. This is what causes the headaches. The progressives blur your peripheral vision causing your eyes to strain without knowing it's going on. I have a pair of prescription polarized RayBan's that I love. I like the traditional bi-focal in them since all I really use it for is to tie flies or look at my phone (not while driving of course ) The larger lens keeps the bi-focal line out of my line of site too. I wear low profile clear glasses also.

 

[moucheur2003]

I just visited Smiths site and though confusing, click on sunglasses and Techlite (glass) Polarchromic Cooper. I need a new pair too. I intend to visit both Smith and Costa assuming they each have a booth at the NJ Show.

I am hoping to do the same at Marlboro, although it looks as though Smith may not have a booth there. At least the Costa rep will be able to advise me what I might like best out of their offerings.

Techlite Polarchromic Copper is what I think I have on my current Smiths. It is very difficult to tell from the Smith website what the available options for prescription bifocals are, though.

 

[sweetandsalt]

I had to do an on-line "chat" with a Smith tech person to ascertain availability...but it apparently exists with the only limitation the frame styles they offer Rx in.

 

[gpwhitejr]

) then get three Cocoon overs in Yellow, Blue Mirror grey base, and Green Mirror brown base.

I tried Cocoons also and I like them. They really work too. I was walking along the lake with my daughter and and I said, "Look at all the fish right here by the bank." She replied, "What fish?" I gave her the Cocoons and her response was "Wow!"

 

[moucheur2003]

So what I ended up getting were Drivewear by Transitions progressive lenses in some basic frames from Costco for about $250. Like my previous Smiths, they are polarized and photochromic. I normally wear progressives and don't have a problem with headaches. I went for a walk around a local pond to peer into the water, and was quite pleased with their glare penetration. Costco's frame selection may not be as cool as Smith's or Costa's, but at that price I'm not complaining.

Transitions Drivewear | Driving Sunglasses | Polarized Lenses | Transitions

 

[play fair]

I went through the same dilemma last year. I searched and searched, read and read. So........

I went through an on-line service, Prescription Sunglasses, Rx Goggles & Glasses Online | SportRx I had my concerns, too but dare I say, it turned out 100% Perfect. I went with Smith 'Guide' Frames, ChromaPop Lens, Progressive Rx, too. What I received was 100% Smith .. Frames, Lens (Logo etched on the top.), etc.

I'm very skeptical about doing such things on-line, but I couldn't have asked for anything better. If you go this route, I hope you have the same results.

Oh.....it wasn't cheap either, but I use my eye's everyday and I have several rods that cost more; I consider my vision equally as important as my rods, reels, etc.

 

[play fair]

One more tidbit of information.

Back in my younger mountaineering days, I also used a company based out of Lyons, CO. Home - Opticus You, talking about high quality lens and customer service. Wow, they know what they are doing. But also remember the environment for which they make lenses for, too. You don't want to be stuck on the side of a mountain in a far away land and have a problem.....

Personally, I haven't used them lately......ONLY because of the frame selections. Ask...they may be able to make lens to your frame?

 

[bonefish41]

My last purchase...after Cat surgery...new lenses achieved 20/40 and 20/30 uncorrected whereas before 20/200...
so it was glass...and it was Smith photochromic glass copper in a closeout frame single vision $336 ordered direct with my 'script sent....I can see...caught last Thursday Key West and the lenses worked...glass is heavy so if you have aggressive script then plastic

 

[azflyrodder]

My go to polars for the flats are View attachment 9228 these are the old Julbo French Classic Glacier frames now called Julbo Vermont Classic with replaceable leather side shields and nose strap. The lenses are KbCo CR39 in Copper with solid gold mirror with the very effective side shields I did not put any anti glare coating...those old time cable ear pieces hold the glasses on the face even in heat sweat...not as fashionable as Costa, Maui, Oakley, Smith etc...but very function-able.

"Not fashionable"? Those are the coolest shades I've ever seen!

 

[lightline]

So what I ended up getting were Drivewear by Transitions progressive lenses in some basic frames from Costco for about $250. Like my previous Smiths, they are polarized and photochromic. I normally wear progressives and don't have a problem with headaches. I went for a walk around a local pond to peer into the water, and was quite pleased with their glare penetration. Costco's frame selection may not be as cool as Smith's or Costa's, but at that price I'm not complaining.

Transitions Drivewear | Driving Sunglasses | Polarized Lenses | Transitions

I too have worn Drivewear Transitions for a couple decades now, and they are my "magic" glasses. Day, night, rain, June sun, on the flats, in a flats boat, on the western rivers, on a wide open lake, driving in anything, just everywhere! Mine are on Habervision frames out of Golden Colorado. Price is right, quality is top notch. Don't ever miss Costa or Smith.