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Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 19 Sep 2020, 10:47am
by fastpedaller
TrevA wrote:
cyclop wrote:
TrevA wrote: That was £550 up the Swanny!

Excuse me!!£ 550!!!! for glasses,made of what exactly?


The replacements for the ones I broke were £550. There are Varifocals - not basic frames but not the most expensive either. I don’t think my prescription is particularly complex. This was from Boots Opticians. I’ve since become aware that this was a bit of a rip-off as my wife only paid just over £300 for hers, with a similar prescription, from the local opticians.


I have a high presciption (-7.5) and now also have varifocals, with high index. Boots (over the phone when I read the prescription to them) said roughly £400 each lens, and then add frames! I used a dispensing opticians lab that makes for the highstreet (ie cut out 'endman') for a number of years c£300. Then (on the off-chance) we were in Asda opticians to enquire about contact lenses for our Daughter. Sign said 'just pay for the frames, any lenses are free!' This included varifocal, high index, photocromatic (basically any) Because of my high prescription I need frames not too big, but deep enough for the varifocal, so we chose a suitable frame which we thought was £79 but was in fact £38. The frames aren't the best (but are acceptable) quality, the lenses are the best i've ever had. They are called 'freeform' made by a company called Shamir and are far better than the zeiss and other brand names i've paid fortunes for. Not 'constant radius' on the lenses and the inner/outer surfaces are computer formed to whatever shape to give the least distortions or cromatic issues (all explained on the Shamir website). £38 - the best lenses I've had in 40 years! beggars belief how much profit some opticians must be making.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 19 Sep 2020, 1:32pm
by thelawnet
Shamir are owned by Essilor-Luxotica, along with Oakley, Ray-Ban, who control the global optical industry and have bought up hundreds of companies to help reinforce their gigantic profit margins

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 19 Sep 2020, 6:24pm
by fastpedaller
thelawnet wrote:Shamir are owned by Essilor-Luxotica, along with Oakley, Ray-Ban, who control the global optical industry and have bought up hundreds of companies to help reinforce their gigantic profit margins

That's interesting because I've previously had 2 pair of glasses (at different times) with Esillor lenses, and they both developed vertical 'cracks' in the anti-reflective coatings within a year. The Shamir have been good for nearly 3 years now.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 20 Sep 2020, 11:00am
by LittleGreyCat
TrevA wrote:I used to cycle in my normal glasses, until one day whilst wiping sweat off my brow, I dropped them and the following car ran over them. That was £550 up the Swanny! Cycling sunglasses are a bit more robust if you do drop them and mine are much cheaper than my day to day specs.

[Please not I haven't read all the discussion because life is too short!]

I secure my glasses with a strap around the back of my head.
I originally did this when dinghy sailing (where dropped glasses are even more difficult to retrieve) but it works well with cycling.

I wear photo-chromatic varifocals made of ultra thing glass (otherwise jam jar bottoms) so £400-£500 a pair is the expected price.

I did try standard lenses (cheap offer, 2 for 1 with sunglasses and clear) for watching TV lying down, which is one situation where varifocals don't work well, and I tried the sunglasses for driving but I couldn't read the instruments.

I haven't tried these for riding but I expect that I wouldn't be able to read the Garmin.
[Note to self: check this.]

If anyone has found a good source of varifocal sports/cycling glasses please let me know.

Oh, and I rarely cycle fast enough for air flow around the glasses to be a major issue.
My main issue seems to be flicking salty sweat onto the inside of the glasses with my eyelashes.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 20 Sep 2020, 11:11am
by Navara
tatanab wrote:
Mick F wrote:Mine Optilabs are Driveware.


Not sure that I'd pick them again, as they're tinted even in the dark. Difficult wearing them in the evenings or early mornings on the bike.

I am absolutely certain that recently (within the last 4 or 5 years) the lens option for driving was marked as not suitable for sports e.g cycling. I cannot see that warning on the current Drivewear, so I wonder if their lens has changed.

Drivewear are available on all Optilabs sports glasses.I'd be surprised if they offered it if not suitable?
I had a phone conversation when thinking about these lenses and was assured they are compatible with daytime cycling.If I find otherwise I'll be returning them to go back to standard Photochromic!

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 20 Sep 2020, 11:54am
by LittleGreyCat
Navara wrote:
Mick F wrote:They offered to look at my Optilabs cycling glasses to see if they can put new lenses in them too ...... for half-price.
I'm doubtful they can do it, and I'm doubtful that the frame is worth it as it's sweat-damaged on the arms. Maybe they can.

Optilabs do a reglazing service.
I've just sent mine off to have Variofocal Transitions driveware lenses fitted.I'm upgrading from the standard Photochromic to cut down on glare plus these will darken when driving the car Photochromic won't.It has cost £231.If I had wanted the same in new frame the cost would have been £355.
Worth every penny as I tend to get 4 years out of a pair.I could get longer but as my prescription is getting stronger every 2 years I can get by keeping each pair for two prescription changes.


Puzzled about photochromatic not dimming in the car.
Mine do.
Zeiss lenses, though, which are more expensive.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 20 Sep 2020, 11:59am
by Jdsk
LittleGreyCat wrote:Puzzled about photochromatic not dimming in the car.
Mine do.
Zeiss lenses, though, which are more expensive.

It's variable, but the underlying cause is the partial absorption of UV by the car's glazing.
https://www.google.com/search?q=why+photochromics+don%27t+work+inside+cars

Jonathan

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 20 Sep 2020, 3:01pm
by Mick F
My Driveware Optilabs darken a bit in the car in the sunshine.

Did an experiment some years ago with them, and covered up one lens and left them on the top of the dash in full sun for a while.
After taking them out and removing the cover, there was a difference ....... but not a great deal.
Main issue for me, is that they are tinted to start with. Not good in twilight or even moonlight at night, and in fact I believe illegal to use at night when driving.

The varifocal photochromic glasses I have from Vision Express (Tavistock) for £375 only a fortnight ago and taken delivery only on Thursday last week, are fantastic.
Off on a bike ride tomorrow and I'm going to wear my new Vision Express glasses ............. but take my old Optilabs Driveware Cycing Glasses with me to see if I can get along with "normal" glasses. If not, my Optilabs will be in my saddle bag just in case.

If my new Vision Express glasses are fine for cycling, I won't bother with Optilabs again.

I will report back tomorrow afternoon after a 20mile ride.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 21 Sep 2020, 10:25am
by Navara
Jdsk wrote:
LittleGreyCat wrote:Puzzled about photochromatic not dimming in the car.
Mine do.
Zeiss lenses, though, which are more expensive.

It's variable, but the underlying cause is the partial absorption of UV by the car's glazing.
https://www.google.com/search?q=why+photochromics+don%27t+work+inside+cars
Jonathan

I've always had a 2nd pair of prescription Sunglasses for driving.They're usually free if I just have standard single vision lenses.The only downside with them is I have to take my normal glasses along if I need to read anything.
I was hoping the Drivewear Transitions would be a good all rounder.
Whilst I'm waiting for mine to be reglazed I have been riding in my standard sunglasses.It's OK until I get to a cafe/pub as I can't read the menus!

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 21 Sep 2020, 10:36am
by Brucey
I bought some 'ordinary' photochromic sunglasses (at what seemed like vast expense at the time) over forty years ago, when they were still 'a new thing'. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that they didn't darken appreciably in the car....which is exactly what I'd bought them for... :roll:

The technology has moved on since then but similar problems still exist. I understand it is partial UV absorption by the window glass, as mentioned above.

cheers

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 21 Sep 2020, 12:50pm
by eddyb1988
Out of all my gear, this is the thing i've spent least on. I just dont see them as an item i need to spend a sigifnicant amount of money on.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 21 Sep 2020, 2:19pm
by Navara
eddyb1988 wrote:Out of all my gear, this is the thing i've spent least on. I just dont see them as an item i need to spend a sigifnicant amount of money on.

I suppose it depends on what you think a significant amount is?
If you know a cheaper source for prescription sports glasses then please let us know!

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 21 Sep 2020, 4:42pm
by Mick F
21miles done, and a report as promised.

First thing, is that part of my ride was back to Tavistock along Route27 which includes part of the old Brunel GWR broad gauge through Grenofen Tunnel.
There is lighting inside, an you can walk through without a torch.
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnel ... nofen.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-13829313
https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/3820911
Check out the links! :D

In the past, I have to remove my Optilabs Driveware cycling glasses because they were too dark due to their basic tint.
The railway cutting heading north is dim and dank and out of any sunshine that would make photochromic glasses darken.
Please be aware of this fact.
Please also be aware that I've ridden this route many many times in either and both directions.

Going into the tunnel, with Optilabs Driveware, I need to remove them because the light level - even with my lights on, and even with the tunnel lights on - I can't see well enough.
Today, with photochromic glasses on which are clear out of sunshine, I was fine.
Half-way through, I looked over the top, and also dropped them down lower on my nose, the difference was zero.

IMO, Optilabs Driveware is too dim even without sunshine to ride - or even drive - in fading light.




Meanwhile, the basic Vision Express photochromic varifocals were fine ..............
Only issue was fast downhills where my eyes became cold and draughty and a tad watery due to the fact that they weren't "slipstreamed" and with any wind faring.
The faster I went, the bigger the issue.

Generally ok, but cycling glasses are better .......... but stay away from tinted glasses and Driveware.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 26 Sep 2020, 11:38am
by Navara
The Optilabs Drivewear have just arrived and as MickF stated the lenses have a slight tint.I can see fine indoors with them and I'm going to test them in the car later.So long as I can see to read indoors in low light I think they'll be OK.Optilabs sent me the old Photochromic lenses for so I'll take a photo for comparison and post it up later.

Re: The whole glasses thing

Posted: 26 Sep 2020, 12:28pm
by Navara
OK here are the comparison photos:-
1.Taken inside in low/normal indoor lighting.above is the Transitions Drivewear,below the old Photochromic lenses.As you can see the old lenses are totally clear indoors.

Image

2.Taken outside in the shade Drivewear have only darkened slightly but old lenses have changed considerably.

Image

I would agree with MickF that Transitions Drivewear will not be suitable/safe for riding in the dark whereas the Photochromic are.I will need to test them in really low outdoor light before commenting on the suitability for riding in such conditions.According to the description they should be fine for both driving and riding in low light conditions:-
They combine Transitions® photochromic technology with NuPolar® polarisation technology for the ultimate visual experience, in low light (where other lenses would struggle) and bright sunshine – and even behind your car’s windscreen.


On the plus side Optilabs sent me a brand new "clam" type hard case and a soft case so as usual I am happy with the service.