What is the best type of sunglasses?

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Mac

.
Jun 7, 2006
436
MacGregor 25 KEUKA lake NY
I just broke my Raybans and I need to get a new pair. I have to squint even on overcast days, so I need the best out there. Is there glass that sailors swear by? Thanks, Mac
 

Mac

.
Jun 7, 2006
436
MacGregor 25 KEUKA lake NY
I just broke my Raybans and I need to get a new pair. I have to squint even on overcast days, so I need the best out there. Is there glass that sailors swear by? Thanks, Mac
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Maui Jim...

Maui Jim's hands down are the best polarized glass you can buy.. Do buy the glass lenses though and don't buy the newer Maui Jim's with the Polycarbonate/plastic lenses. The optical clarity is far better on Maui's than just about any other sunglass manufacturer. I've never lost a pair because the are always hanging off my neck on "leashes" a must have on a boat... My eyes are overly sensitive to lens distortion due to 20/10 vision so I can't wear anything other than glass lenses with very high optical clarity, distortion free lenses without getting a splitting headache. In polarized glass Maui's are the only ones that fit this bill for me..
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Maui Jim...

Maui Jim's hands down are the best polarized glass you can buy.. Do buy the glass lenses though and don't buy the newer Maui Jim's with the Polycarbonate/plastic lenses. The optical clarity is far better on Maui's than just about any other sunglass manufacturer. I've never lost a pair because the are always hanging off my neck on "leashes" a must have on a boat... My eyes are overly sensitive to lens distortion due to 20/10 vision so I can't wear anything other than glass lenses with very high optical clarity, distortion free lenses without getting a splitting headache. In polarized glass Maui's are the only ones that fit this bill for me..
 

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Oakleys

Come spring time I plan on getting a pair of Oakleys wih prescriptive lenses. I like their styles, they're great at blocking glare and the lenses are shatter resistant. I took a zipper pull just off the corner of my eye while trying to get the connector panel up in high winds. Another inch over and I'm afraid I might have had some serious damage to my eye. Think it's time to upgrade my eyewear.
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Oakleys

Come spring time I plan on getting a pair of Oakleys wih prescriptive lenses. I like their styles, they're great at blocking glare and the lenses are shatter resistant. I took a zipper pull just off the corner of my eye while trying to get the connector panel up in high winds. Another inch over and I'm afraid I might have had some serious damage to my eye. Think it's time to upgrade my eyewear.
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,710
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
Cheap ones

As long as they have UV protection - the cheaper the better. I break and lose (despite a strap) several pairs a year.
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,710
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
Cheap ones

As long as they have UV protection - the cheaper the better. I break and lose (despite a strap) several pairs a year.
 
Feb 4, 2005
524
Catalina C-30 Mattituck, NY
Polarized

Just make sure you get polarized lenses. I bought an $18 pair of polarized glasses at the NY Boat show last week and they are better than $100 glasses (non-polarized) I own. Rob
 
Feb 4, 2005
524
Catalina C-30 Mattituck, NY
Polarized

Just make sure you get polarized lenses. I bought an $18 pair of polarized glasses at the NY Boat show last week and they are better than $100 glasses (non-polarized) I own. Rob
 

GuyT

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May 8, 2007
406
Hunter 34 South Amboy, NJ
Maui Jim

I have had my last pair for 10 years. They recently broke at the hinge. I sent the glasses to them and they sent them back at no charge. Great customer service. The polarization is the best. I can see fish in the ocean where everyone else just sees glare.
 

GuyT

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May 8, 2007
406
Hunter 34 South Amboy, NJ
Maui Jim

I have had my last pair for 10 years. They recently broke at the hinge. I sent the glasses to them and they sent them back at no charge. Great customer service. The polarization is the best. I can see fish in the ocean where everyone else just sees glare.
 

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Lots of good ones out there .....

Polarized, **diamond coated** lenses, wrap-around, optically clear. Best bet is to go to a ski shop sometime in late March or early April when the large discounts are applied to clear the stock at the end of the season. Oakley is probably one of the prime suppliers to ski shops.
 

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Lots of good ones out there .....

Polarized, **diamond coated** lenses, wrap-around, optically clear. Best bet is to go to a ski shop sometime in late March or early April when the large discounts are applied to clear the stock at the end of the season. Oakley is probably one of the prime suppliers to ski shops.
 
Jul 8, 2004
361
S2 9.1 chelsea ny
you get what you pay for

I understand the reasoning behind cheap sunglasses.... if (and when) you drop them overboard, you're not out $150...but you get what you pay for. I've owned cheap (under $30) sunglasses and I own 2 pair of more expensive ($150 ) pairs and the echeap pairs do not even compare to the better made sunglasses. When you put on a good pair of shades that are 100% uv and glare resistant then put on a pair of cheap shades you will be able to tell. Currently I wear a pair of Kaenon's in hazy/low light conditions and a pair of Ullman regatta sunglasses in bright sunlight. The Kaenons are scratch resistant, spring loaded and fit like a glove. http://www.kaenon.com/product.cfm?action=show_product&product_id=578 and the Ullman's are made out of brushed aluminum (lightwieght) and totally glare resistant. I can see a bug taking a crap while it is sitting on a breaking wave at mid-day with these on. Just be sure to keep your glasses clean, put croakies on them so you DO NOT lose them overboard and DO NOT sit on them. Sunglasses are as important a piece of equiptment as quality sails, foul weather gear, and good beer.
 
Jul 8, 2004
361
S2 9.1 chelsea ny
you get what you pay for

I understand the reasoning behind cheap sunglasses.... if (and when) you drop them overboard, you're not out $150...but you get what you pay for. I've owned cheap (under $30) sunglasses and I own 2 pair of more expensive ($150 ) pairs and the echeap pairs do not even compare to the better made sunglasses. When you put on a good pair of shades that are 100% uv and glare resistant then put on a pair of cheap shades you will be able to tell. Currently I wear a pair of Kaenon's in hazy/low light conditions and a pair of Ullman regatta sunglasses in bright sunlight. The Kaenons are scratch resistant, spring loaded and fit like a glove. http://www.kaenon.com/product.cfm?action=show_product&product_id=578 and the Ullman's are made out of brushed aluminum (lightwieght) and totally glare resistant. I can see a bug taking a crap while it is sitting on a breaking wave at mid-day with these on. Just be sure to keep your glasses clean, put croakies on them so you DO NOT lose them overboard and DO NOT sit on them. Sunglasses are as important a piece of equiptment as quality sails, foul weather gear, and good beer.
 
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Prescription Wear

I need glasses for distance sight (nothing for reading) and the further I have to look the fuzzier it becomes so I had to pay a bit more. Since I had to get a prescription anyway I got all the UV abc's and more importantly 'Polarized', makes a huge difference. I bought RayBan sport frames with wrap around to cut the side glare and also went for the high quality anti-glare unbreakable plastic sport lenses. I definitely use a croaky, cannot afford to lose them. I also find the use of a peak cap helps to cut back the brigtness, even without the glasses the peak cap helps for reading charts as I have to remove the glasses to look at charts close up. A black one works best or at least a black underside peak.
 
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Prescription Wear

I need glasses for distance sight (nothing for reading) and the further I have to look the fuzzier it becomes so I had to pay a bit more. Since I had to get a prescription anyway I got all the UV abc's and more importantly 'Polarized', makes a huge difference. I bought RayBan sport frames with wrap around to cut the side glare and also went for the high quality anti-glare unbreakable plastic sport lenses. I definitely use a croaky, cannot afford to lose them. I also find the use of a peak cap helps to cut back the brigtness, even without the glasses the peak cap helps for reading charts as I have to remove the glasses to look at charts close up. A black one works best or at least a black underside peak.
 
Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Killer Loop

I have Killer Loops, polarized, wrap around lens, prescription, black polyamide frame that fit tight to my face and don't let in stray light. Only problem now is I need bi-focals to read the paper charts. Luckily I can still see the chart plotter and can wait for the bifocal sunglasses for a bit.
 
Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Killer Loop

I have Killer Loops, polarized, wrap around lens, prescription, black polyamide frame that fit tight to my face and don't let in stray light. Only problem now is I need bi-focals to read the paper charts. Luckily I can still see the chart plotter and can wait for the bifocal sunglasses for a bit.
 
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