Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › Members' Lounge (General Discussion) › The Newbie Sunglass Thread
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The Newbie Sunglass Thread

post #1 of 242
8/11/06 at 10:55am
Thread Starter 
I want to buy my first pair of real sunglasses. I know absolutely nothing, and I was hoping you guys could educate me. Do I want a polarized pair? Are oakleys the way to go, or for the price are there better brands? Can I get a decent pair for $100-200? Should I buy used or new (assuming I don't care if a pair has been used by somebody else.) Are there a lot of fakes floating around? How long should I expect a pair to last me, or the lenses? Thanks!
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 242
8/11/06 at 10:58am
People get Oakley for various reasons but the big one is their quality of the lens, it is second to none. I would get polarized lenses and they really do work.
Reply
post #3 of 242
8/11/06 at 11:03am
Oakley's are fine but I prefer Maui Jim's.
Reply
post #4 of 242
8/11/06 at 11:08am
I have a pair of Oakley polarized and I like them.
Reply
post #5 of 242
8/11/06 at 11:15am
I used to buy Oakleys back in the day when they were the "must own" sunglasses but they all broke or got bent out of shape and I decided to move to a different brand. I now have 4 pair of Revo polarized sunglasses and a pair of Maui Jim Titaniums. They cost a bit more than the average Oakley but they have held up considerably better than the Oakleys and I think I just got too old to wear Oakleys as I see them on mostly teens and early twenty-somethings.
Reply
post #6 of 242
8/11/06 at 12:45pm
I have a nice pair of Revos I have had for about 2 years now. They are high-end metal frame polarized glasses. I paid about $195 for them.

They have one of the clearest nicest lenses I've ever used. The lenses have a slight gradient in the darkness from top to bottom which is hardly noticable and does help seeing things in the car when in bright sunlight. They're two years old and have no scratches on the lenses. They have a little buildup on the frames near the lenses (I use them in a salt water pool a lot so I'm sure it's from there... it does come off I just need to find something to make it easier).

A friend of mine just got some polarized Ray Bans which seem quite nice.

If you use the glasses anywhere near water ever you'll want polarized. They make a HUGE difference.
Reply
post #7 of 242
8/11/06 at 12:54pm
Excuse me, but can someone kindly offer suggestions on the best value metal-framed sunglasses?

stock polarized lenses and wide-frame preferred as well...ty!
Reply
post #8 of 242
8/11/06 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
So if I want to spend $100-200, and don't want too cocky a look, what sunglasses do you recommend, and where can I get them locally or even online maybe?
Reply
post #9 of 242
8/11/06 at 1:35pm
I'd recommend the Oakley Half Jacket. My favorite lens is the fire lens. It's durable, light and a huge lens option. It's not too expensive either. It goes well with formal or informal wear. I like it so much that i bought a second one after i lost the first.

For the record, Oakley lenses are the only ones that do not make me dizzy. For some reason, some others do.
Reply
post #10 of 242
8/11/06 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 
Somebody offered me a pair of oakley platinum frame with gold lense oakley straight jackets for $65, is this an offer worth taking up on?
Reply
post #11 of 242
8/11/06 at 3:10pm
I have had several pairs of Oakleys, back when they first came out. Loved them. Then I bought a pair of Ray-Bans. Loved them also. Over the last year or two I was needing a new pair and kept going back to Oakley and kept noticing that all of there models were to narrow for my face (fat face). I finally settled on a pair of polarized Arnette sunglasses. I love them. These are the first pair of polarized sunglasses I have own. I am now a believer. They took a little of getting used to, put now when I put on non-polarized, they are way to dark.

I would buy new from a reputable store where you can go and try them on.
Reply
post #12 of 242
8/11/06 at 3:22pm
One of the best things about Oakley is that they have such a huge amount of lens options that actually do something different while maintaining crystal clear optics. Sure, you could go with a plain black lens but I totally wouldn't if I could avoid it, and Oakley makes several lenses that look black on the inside but totally look different on the outside. They also make very nice high contrast lenses...gold iridium, VR28, and pretty much my absolute favorite Oakley lens, G30. You owe it to yourself to try out some of these high contrast lens options locally if you can, you may find yourself liking them enough to never want to go back to a plain black lens ever again. All of the high contrast lenses also have a very classy and understated look to them, so they don't make you look like a high school punk either. And if you want an understated frame, try the Square Wires/Big Square Wires...can't go wrong with it regardless of your age.
Reply
post #13 of 242
8/11/06 at 3:50pm
I have several pairs of sunglasses from Maui Jim, Revo, and Oakleys. All of my Maui Jims and Revos have glass lens and can be quite expesive, but their optical clarity are extraordinary. Problem with glass lens is you need to be careful with them because if you drop them they will break and they do scratch. My Oakleys are pretty durable and their polycarbonate lens provides optic clarity near to that of my glass lens Muai Jims and Revos. The Oakley Spike line is a good starting point for your price range.
Reply
post #14 of 242
8/11/06 at 4:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaGWiRE
Somebody offered me a pair of oakley platinum frame with gold lense oakley straight jackets for $65, is this an offer worth taking up on?
If the frame/lens is in good condition, if it fits your face and style, and you like it, go for it. Personal preference is probably the biggest factor for deciding.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nabwong
I'd recommend the Oakley Half Jacket. My favorite lens is the fire lens. It's durable, light and a huge lens option. It's not too expensive either. It goes well with formal or informal wear. I like it so much that i bought a second one after i lost the first.
I have the fire-lens Half Jacket and I love it. That thing is so durable, yet awesome to wear and use for sports. I dislike driving on sunny days without it - wish the lens was polarized though, I got the non-polarized one with my Half-Jacket.
Reply
post #15 of 242
8/11/06 at 4:27pm
There's an Oakley store on Queen St. and Spadina Ave. (I can never go in there and not buy something )

There's also an Oakley Outlet at Vaughan Mills, but they only carry discontinued merchandise.

Oh, and I own a pair of Oakley WHY 8.0's.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › Members' Lounge (General Discussion) › The Newbie Sunglass Thread