Options for Glasses Wearers

[clumpyedge]

Antiscratch coating and UV protection, the lenses aren't particularly thin but then my prescription isn't either!

I don't have a very thin prescription either which in some insert cases has been in pain for them to fit nicely. I've got three sets of prescription shooting glasses and each has its pros and con ( i have three because for one reason or another each has slight differences that set them apart) so far the only way i have found to combat fog having 2 layers rather than a person with a single layer (20/20 vision) is to either use cat crap (the anti fogging scream before the jokes start) or the tried and tested washing up liquid trick. The only annoyance is obviously having two layers to apply anti fog to rather than just a quick wipe of one. I've never liked the way goggles look and personally make my head look about 5x larger than it actually is but i guess that's just down to preference.

 

[Spectre77]

Already quite a few options been discussed, but since i'm here I may as well throw in my two cents. I'm a member of a fairly large team and we've got a couple of glasses wearers among us. Most of the guys use ESS Land Warrior goggles, they are fairly roomy and fit right over the top of most perscription glasses. In my case, I use ESS Profile googles with an insert that holds perscription lenses. I found that in my case I had fogging issues with the original lens though, and ended up opting to get a custom mesh screen cut. if you want to go with profiles, I would reccomend getting the turbofan variety.

Didn't have any issues getting the lenses made for them at a regular optomotrist, just took the insert in as though it was a pair of glasses frames.

 

[AshOnSnow]

I use Bolle Raider glasses/goggles, with a prescription insert. You take them into an opticians and they make up lenses for the inserts for you. I did mine at vision express.

 

[proffrink]

To the both of you: How much did your glazing cost and how long did it take? High street opticians are notorious for inflating their reglazing prices to make the cost of new frames look more appealing (which is where the real money is for them). Withholding pupillary distance if you don't explicitly ask for it (even though it's recorded during your eye test) is a big indicator that they want to keep your business in house and acknowledge that it's probably cheaper elsewhere.

For example, I was quoted £95 for a simple reglaze on a basic prescription in Boots just last month. A very high spec. set of lenses (ultra thin, UV, anti-scratch) from an online reglazer cost me £45 for the same prescription and was done quicker (at least from my experience of buying new frames and having them glazed in store). For the people I went with this included me sending the frames in, having them glazed and then sent back (I did none of the fitting myself other than putting the inserts back into the goggles when it arrived).

My position on all of this is that prescription glazing is - for obvious reasons - tightly controlled in the UK (in the same way that drug distribution is) as the wrong prescription can have significantly detrimental health implications for those wearing them. As such, it makes no sense to go to a high street brand who have considerably higher overheads when it comes to a simple glazing. Actually getting your prescription/eye test? That's another matter and needs to be done at a shop in person of course.

 

[Lozart]

Just one thing to remember - if you're getting a prescription to have someone else glaze an insert you will need to get the PD measurement. It's not normally on the prescription if you buy your glasses from the same optician, just in your notes. PD is the Pupillary Distance, if this isn't correct your lenses won't work properly.

 

[proffrink]

I mean I've only said that 3 times in this thread

your opticians of choice, get your prescription*
or

• Phone/email and ask them to print and post you a past one
• Measure your pupillary distance with the help of someone (some opticians will even do it for you if you ask)
• Fill out a form online and send in your inserts to be glazed*
  

The only difference could be the pupillary distance, as many high street opticians won't disclose that (even though it's recorded) because they know it can be used online to have a prescription filled out by a third party. They will give it if asked, however.

To the both of you: How much did your glazing cost and how long did it take? High street opticians are notorious for inflating their reglazing prices to make the cost of new frames look more appealing (which is where the real money is for them). Withholding pupillary distance if you don't explicitly ask for it (even though it's recorded during your eye test) is a big indicator that they want to keep your business in house and acknowledge that it's probably cheaper elsewhere.

Online glazers will accept an old pair of glasses and take the pupillary distance from them for a small fee, or you can measure it yourself (in a pinch).

 

[Lozart]

I mean I've only said that 3 times in this thread

Online glazers will accept an old pair of glasses and take the pupillary distance from them for a small fee, or you can measure it yourself (in a pinch).

Ah, fair play. I have to admit to skimming most of it. I am Captain TLDR.

 

[proffrink]

Heh, fair enough

 

[PopRocket123]

Thanks guys I didn't even realise you could get the inserts. I like the look of the Bolle Raiders. How would you get them sorted? Buy the goggles and get the inserts fitted after or are there places that do the whole package?

 

[proffrink]

• Buy goggles/shooting glasses
• Buy inserts (the Bolle Raider sets I've seen come with them)
• Take the inserts and send them to any number of glazers to be fitted with your included prescription (this is what we've discussed at length previously in the thread)
• Get the inserts back and fit them into your goggles

The inserts themselves are made to be removable by the user. The prescription lenses that are fitted into the inserts by a professional optical glazing company or opticians are not. You can freely add or remove the inserts as you see fit and this typically takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes (depending on the brand).

The one thing you want to consider is the eyepro itself - the inserts matter little from brand to brand and from product to product (they're basically all identical in functionality, though some are just a little easier to remove than others). If you're new to this then you need to figure out if you want mesh or polycarbonate; shooting glasses or full seal goggles (or hybrid sealed glasses like the Raiders are) as these factors will contribute far more towards how comfortable, safe and fog-free they are for you.

My opinion is to avoid the hybrid types like the Raiders as they tend to have poor ventilation and are prone to fogging. If you play outdoors a lot then shooting glasses are generally fine and get the best ventilation, whereas goggles offer the best possible protection (at the cost of some ventilation). Again, brand and product matters here, and there are plenty of reviews out on eyepro that fall into all those categories so you'll want to do some hunting.

As stated before: All the name brands and decent product lines have inserts available for holding a prescription. If they don't then the chances are that it's not a brand worth considering.

 

[PopRocket123]

Ok thanks for condensing that all down. That's really cleared that up

 

[SgtTalbert]

It seems he has deleted FB. Our PM is down and his page is no longer accessible

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=411327232217480&ref=ts&fref=ts

 

[springs]

it does seem that tactical opticians has stopped trading.. his fb has gone and my previous messages have all changed.

the other option which ive just had but for other reasons is laser eye surgery and get rid of the glasses.. not a cheap option tho

 

[twchdyn]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/uvex-ultrasonic-sports-style-safety-goggles/36877

Got these the other day, they fit over my specs are super comfy. all the usual anti fog and anti scratch. Used them for some chainsawing in the cold and they were great. didnt fog at all and it was -1 out. They are super clear and really lightweight too.

 

[Finius]

Bolle Rush Plus Glasses + Accessory Kit (lanyard and lens insert) (£15 total)

Lenses from cilaryblue.co.uk (£15)

No idea if they'll be any good but cheap enough that I've got to try.

 

[jcheeseright]

it does seem that tactical opticians has stopped trading.. his fb has gone and my previous messages have all changed.

the other option which ive just had but for other reasons is laser eye surgery and get rid of the glasses.. not a cheap option tho

He hasn't stopped trading permanently, he's just dealing with some health issues and has closed his page temporarily as a result.

 

[PopRocket123]

Bolle Rush Plus Glasses + Accessory Kit (lanyard and lens insert) (£15 total)

Lenses from cilaryblue.co.uk (£15)

No idea if they'll be any good but cheap enough that I've got to try.

They look like they could work. I want to get into milsims so they'd be perfect