Sunglasses recommendation?

[xoomer]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good pair of sunglasses to be used on the water? What color is best, polarized or not, gradient lenses, mirror lenses?. I have a new Lowrance GPS and it was sometimes hard to see in the bright sun with the polarized, amber, sunglasses I have.

I was reading that a blue tint with mirror lenses could be best for the water on one site; however, other sites suggest different tints and features. Has anyone found the best combination of features to see your instruments as well as reducing the glare from the sun on the water?

 

[smthng]

Polarized is a must if you ever need to see below the water. They can make some GPS screens hard to read, but that's something you'll just have to test... each screen and sunglasses seem different. Personally, I like Peppers and Gargoyles... they tend to deal with the abuse they get on the boat and aren't too ridiculously pricey, although neither float. :S Correction: Some Pepper's float... just not the ones I had.

 

[SCSTWG]

Hope I am not hijacking, but can anyone suggest a good place to purchase (and brand) for prescription sunglasses?

 

[Andy S]

I prefer Costa Del Mar, https://www.costadelmar.com/, and I currently wear Ansil with black frames and blue lenses, https://www.costadelmar.com/shop/sunglasses/ansil/13089. These have been the best sunglasses I have purchase to date, great fit, great optics, and very durable. While looking at the Costa's I noticed many of their styles are named after places on or around Bimini. My glasses are named after Ansil Saunders a famous boat builder on North Bimini. Others with Bimini ties are Tuna Alley, Cat Cay, and Conch.

Hope I am not hijacking, but can anyone suggest a good place to purchase (and brand) for prescription sunglasses?

Here is some info on Costa and prescription, https://www.costadelmar.com/shop/sunglasses/prescription . Most sunglass lines also do prescription just not sure on where is the best place to purchase. If your health insurance cover eyewear that might a good place to start.

 

[PEARCE]

I've recently switched from Oakley polarized to Costas which are all polarized and the difference is impressive. My Oakley lenses were the red iridium which had a red mirrored finish. The finish began to flake off around the edges next to the frame. I always cleaned them well after a weekend on the lake and in the sun with the cleaning kit from Oakley. The clarity of their optics is pretty good and their frames are quite durable, but the lenses wouldn't hold up for more then 4 years. Being in a saltwater environment they may not last that long. I switched to Costas for their optics and their reputation for being made for the water/saltwater environment. I got the blue mirrored lenses which are the darkest that they offer and are preferred by boaters and fisherman because of being in bright sunlight most of the time. I got the glass lenses because they are much more scratch resistant then the plastic ones. The only drawback to glass is that they are slightly heavier. They're not cheap either. Expect to pay $200+.

As far as looking at a digital screen through them, the only screen I have is a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I just turn up the brightness a little and I can see it fine. It might be a little easier to see a chart plotter screen with a lighter tented lens, which would be the green mirrored, but then you may be squentin more due to less glare being blocked. Being in the Florida sun you probably want as them as dark as possible. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Andy S]

One thing I found with my previously owned Oakley's is similar to what @PEARCE said is that the tint might flack/peel off over time. What I found that caused the issue with my pair was suntan lotion, it will eat the tint off. So far after 3 years with my Costa's they I have not had one single issue.

 

[thcole]

I am a fan of peppers as well. and some float and are reasonably priced

 

[octavio3311]

I like Oakleys - I have like 7 pairs of them. I use my oldest polarized blue lenses on the boat. I've never had an issue with the tint flaking. They do not float, so I keep them attached to floating croakies.

 

[Jim Robeson]

I don't use anything that doesn't cost over $20 around the water.... I have a knack for having them go overboard!! I will use polarized but just cheap ones that you can get from Walmart. Sunglasses of choice are Ray Ban.

 

[jcyamaharider]

I have Oakley but do not take them on the boat after I lost the first pair. I wear these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003CN33YW/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1428343501&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=floating sunglasses&dpPl=1&dpID=21TYLCq6-qL&ref=plSrch


They float look great and aren't too bad on the mod money. I even surf and wake board with these on.

 

[octavio3311]

After losing the 1st good pair - you won't do that again. That's why I only use my oldest beaters attached to croakies.

 

[redthumper9]

X2 for Costa. I am currently wearing the Costa "Corbina" My wife wears Maui Jims and they are fantastic......Some of the best lenses in the business IMO, but they are pricy.

 

[Shuck Water]

I've owned plenty of high priced sunglasses until I saw this 60 minutes episode a few years ago. http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/sticker-shock-why-are-glasses-so-expensive-50132676/

Now I just go to sunglasswarehouse.com. Never again will I pay that much.

 

[CAM212SS]

Maui Jim

 

[PEARCE]

My Costas are the Fantail's.

 

[albett3]

I just got a pair of Maui Jims for Christmas that replaced a pair of Ray Bans. So far am very happy with them. I also wear a neck strap when around water since a pair of Oakleys fell off and sank in the San Franciso Bay while on vacation.

 

[soggyshoes]

Those Pepper's look very interesting. Does anyone know it they tend to run narrow or wide?

 

[cozilla]

Check out my buddies company FarOut Sunglasses. I just got a pair of clear frame with blue polarized reflective lens wayfarer style glasses for 27 shipped. I have lost a few pair of expensive sunglasses in the lake. Polarized it definitely the way to go. Check them out http://www.faroutsunglasses.com/

 

[Paulie]

Maui Jim's are my favorite so far. Great lens quality.

 

[Ronald]

Costas del mar