• Welcome to Jetboaters.net!

    We are delighted you have found your way to the best Jet Boaters Forum on the internet! Please consider Signing Up so that you can enjoy all the features and offers on the forum. We have members with boats from all the major manufacturers including Yamaha, Seadoo, Scarab and Chaparral. We don't email you SPAM, and the site is totally non-commercial. So what's to lose? IT IS FREE!

    Membership allows you to ask questions (no matter how mundane), meet up with other jet boaters, see full images (not just thumbnails), browse the member map and qualifies you for members only discounts offered by vendors who run specials for our members only! (It also gets rid of this banner!)

    free hit counter

The officially unofficial performance sunglasses thread

OK, I'm WAY WAY WAY on the other end of this spectrum. My "go to" sunglasses are $3 3M Tinted Safety Glasses.

$3 3M Tinted Lenses on Amazon

How does one compare these to a set of Oakleys that are literally 100x the cost?

Having had both the Oakleys and the 3M's side by side, I prefer the fit, lightness, and the amount of coverage from the 3M's. When the Oakleys got ruined I moved on to cheap gas station/drug store lenses for a number of years. Found these 3M glasses in the back of a truck on a jobsite one day when I needed safety lenses, and it was bright as dammit. Haven't looked back. I buy a 3-pack at Home depot for $9 once a year and I feel like I'm in a pretty good place. If I lose a set of 3M's, well, I'm out $3. Toddler broke a set last summer attempting to put them on his head. 8yr old ran over a set on his bike. I took much better care of my Oakleys when I had them, but it was a constant stress to manage the location and condition of my sunglasses, now I DGAF about them because I have a backup pair in every vehicle, on the workbench, and they only cost $3.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but what am I missing here? I'm honestly curious what the extra $297 buys me. Clearly we have some people from the industry in here, what are the real differences in terms of eye protection? Assuming clarity is subjective (if you have bad eyes to begin with seeing something "clearer" isn't really a benefit), and quality is relative (You get the quality you pay for), protection is the name of the game right? Do the nicer lenses block more UV? Broader spectrum of light? Am I going to damage my eyes with prolonged use of "cheap" sunglasses? How does wearing a pair of cheap sunglasses compare to no sunglasses at all, compared with a set of "high end" sunglasses?

Again, not attempting to be a dick or stir the pot, just genuinely curious to get some insight from industry insiders.
 
while actually driving the boat, I use padded motorcycle glasses. keeps wind out of my eyes perfectly at any speed. 3 for $15 on Amazon multiple colors.
 
I started out in the premium sunglass game many years ago with a pair of low end Ray Bans. They were more for fashion or style then anything else. I then moved to a pair of wire framed Oakley's. Those were cool! I wore them forever. Even when the frames got a little bent I still wore the hell out of them. There were quality or durability issues that started to really show that I felt shouldn't have happened with $100+ pair of shades. The tint or film started peeling off the lenses where they touched my face between my eyebrows. The rubber pieces on the frame were really deteriorating pretty badly too so it was time for a new pair. I went with another pair of Oakley's, this time around with plastic frames and polarized lenses. These were a great pair and they were tough as nails. My only worry was scratching the red mirrored lenses. After a few years these lenses started peeling the same way the previous pair did. I contacted Oakley's customer service and the only thing they would do is sell me some new lenses for my frames. The kicker was the red idirums(sp) that I had were discontinued for my frames. So if I wanted polarized I had to get amber tinted without mirroring. Not the same look at all. The clarity in the amber lense was pretty good, but for the look I liked, not so much. By this point I was fed up with Oakley. Their basic lack of customer service with the same product quality issue pushed me to change brands.

I went to Costa del mar this time. I got a pair of matte black Fantails with 580 blue glass lenses. These are by far the best sunglasses that I've ever worn. The clarity in the lenses is so good you can see the fish in some charity's of water. Which is what they are known for. They have a lifetime warranty! I can send them to their factory in Florida and with a small processing fee they will either repair or replace them. I've sent mine back twice, both frame related. Last time I got a whole new frame. My lenses were in great shape, because they're glass, so they just polished them. They retailed for $250 and I got them on sale for $200. I take care of my things and can keep up with stuff. So spending that kind of coin on a quality product doesn't bother me a bit. Especially with a company that will stand behind it.
 
I can only wear polarized sunglasses and some still give me a headache. I have owned a lot of sunglasses through the years. Ray ban, Oakley, Maui Jims and ect … I have been wearing Spy lenses for the last couple of years and love the happy lens. Also they are around 100 dollars , so the are not the 350 dollar glasses like the maui jims that they frame broke. They lost shape and broke while trying to reshape them.20200623_112249.jpg
 
Last edited:
2kwik4u said:
OK, I'm WAY WAY WAY on the other end of this spectrum. My "go to" sunglasses are $3 3M Tinted Safety Glasses.

$3 3M Tinted Lenses on Amazon

How does one compare these to a set of Oakleys that are literally 100x the cost?

Having had both the Oakleys and the 3M's side by side, I prefer the fit, lightness, and the amount of coverage from the 3M's. When the Oakleys got ruined I moved on to cheap gas station/drug store lenses for a number of years. Found these 3M glasses in the back of a truck on a jobsite one day when I needed safety lenses, and it was bright as dammit. Haven't looked back. I buy a 3-pack at Home depot for $9 once a year and I feel like I'm in a pretty good place. If I lose a set of 3M's, well, I'm out $3. Toddler broke a set last summer attempting to put them on his head. 8yr old ran over a set on his bike. I took much better care of my Oakleys when I had them, but it was a constant stress to manage the location and condition of my sunglasses, now I DGAF about them because I have a backup pair in every vehicle, on the workbench, and they only cost $3.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but what am I missing here? I'm honestly curious what the extra $297 buys me. Clearly we have some people from the industry in here, what are the real differences in terms of eye protection? Assuming clarity is subjective (if you have bad eyes to begin with seeing something "clearer" isn't really a benefit), and quality is relative (You get the quality you pay for), protection is the name of the game right? Do the nicer lenses block more UV? Broader spectrum of light? Am I going to damage my eyes with prolonged use of "cheap" sunglasses? How does wearing a pair of cheap sunglasses compare to no sunglasses at all, compared with a set of "high end" sunglasses?

Again, not attempting to be a dick or stir the pot, just genuinely curious to get some insight from industry insiders.
Click to expand...

The first time that I lose a pair of $270 Costa's I may get onboard with these!!!

All kidding aside, these tinted safety glasses are basically just tinted polycarbonate lenses. I carry an un-tinted pair of these in my backpack when I travel - most optical labs that I go into require safety eye wear to be worn when on the production floor.

The main difference is that these tinted safety glasses don't have a polarized filter that eliminates glares off of horizontal surfaces - in our case water. Many people that spend a of of time on water, without polarized lenses, complain of eye fatigue because you're constantly battling glare. The polarized filter is part of the technology package that companies like Oakley (Prizm) and Costa (580) use to create their lenses. The additional advantages are enhanced clarity, blocking UV light, more vivid colors, and in the case of glass lenses, much better optics. As I mentioned before, there is a certain amount of marketing fluff involved with the high end sunglass companies but if you were to compare low cost sunglasses side by side with high end sunglasses the differences are very apparent - both cosmetically and optically.

Buying low cost sunglasses for everyday use isn't that big a deal to me (I have a pair of $10 cheapies that I keep in my travel backpack) but eliminating glare and enhancing contrast/color when you're on the water is a completely different animal - in my opinion.

Here is some additional info on polarized lenses and the tech that goes into some of the more high-end sunglass companies that make water-sport specific eyewear:

Polarized lenses - explained:
What Are Polarized Lenses For?

Ray-Ban - Chromance:

Maui Jim - PolarizedPlus2:

PolarizedPlus2® Lens Technology | Maui Jim®

Learn more about the proprietary PolarizedPlus2® technology that Maui Jim uses to not only protect your eyes from harmful UV, but show all colors in true, vivid detail.
www.mauijim.com www.mauijim.com

Costa - 580
www.costadelmar.com

Costa 580® Lens Technology

Costa Sunglasses patented 580® lens technology was designed to block harsh yellow light and naturally enhance color while cutting haze and blur for greater clarity. Our polarized polycarbonate and glass lenses absorb harmful HEV light known to cause eye disease while providing 100% UVA/UVB...
www.costadelmar.com www.costadelmar.com

Oakley - Prizm (deep water):

Oakley - Prizm (shallow water):

Oakley - Prizm Deep/Shallow water review from SportRX:

Real vs fake Costa sunglasses:
 
I will tell you why I will be a Costa fan for life...
In 2018 I won a trip with my husband from work. We went to Cancun for winning with about 250 other employees and their guest. When we arrived at the resort you were allowed to select a welcome gift. They had fancy sandels, purses for the ladies, or sunglasses. Some from different brands. I chose a pair of Costa's with grey lenses and a brown frame. I liked em. They were free so yayyyy!
I owned them and wore them daily, I recently noticed they were starting to wear on the frames. Like the coating was coming off. Flaking off. I thought, welp its time for a new pair of glasses. Maybe after so much use and water and sand etc.
I bought a new pair of glasses with their 30% off sale. 580P glass with blue lenses for water. Love em. Then read that they have a lifetime warranty.

So i decided to file a claim for my "old" glasses that I was given for free as a gift. So no receipt or anything.
I filed a claim online and took pictures. Within 48 hours I was approved and emailed a pre-paid label within 2 business days. Sent off the glasses. @ weeks later received a BRAND NEW pair of a similar style glasses with upgraded 580P plastic green lenses.
Super impressed with the turn around time and brand new glasses. No questions asked.
 
ummmm

hello thread for me. I could talk on this subject for DAYS. lol

my wife and I own a collection of at least 50 "babies" as we call them. I took us 15 minutes to decide which ones to bring to the Ozarks with us last week, finally settling on 6 pairs each! lol

mostly ray ban, many of those custom made!. some oakley, and some maui jim. Expensive, but its our "guilty pleasure" if there is such a thing.... So far maui jim have the best lenses Ive experienced. particularly. the rose mirror. Women. get yourself this pair for boating.. Im crazy jealous of my wifes sunglasses and steal them when driving on the water. lol see below.

go get yourself a pair of these "sugar cane". in THIS color. Lilac rose with maui rose lens. the world looks totally different though them. Stunning lenses. (it will make you look more tan lol) seriously though. I was shocked by how great the lenses are. If I find a mens style with them Im gettin em

Sugar Cane Polarized Sunglasses | Maui Jim®

Sugar Cane features a classic silhouette matched with a lightweight nylon frame.
www.mauijim.com www.mauijim.com

I have the Pokowai Arch and Kawika. The latter being my favorite "go to" pair..

Pokowai Arch Polarized Sunglasses | Maui Jim®

Pokowai Arch polarized sunglasses from Maui Jim can’t be beat when it comes to durable frames and trusted vibrancy with patented lens technology.
www.mauijim.com www.mauijim.com

Kawika Polarized Sunglasses | Maui Jim®

Durability, clarity, and vibrancy are all guaranteed when you purchase a pair of Kawika polarized sunglasses from Maui Jim. Try a pair today!
www.mauijim.com www.mauijim.com



havent found a Costa pair i dig yet. but their lenses are amazing as well! Hoping to find a style I like.


thanks for starting the thread!
 
Last edited:
WiskyDan said:
The first time that I lose a pair of $270 Costa's I may get onboard with these!!!

All kidding aside, these tinted safety glasses are basically just tinted polycarbonate lenses. I carry an un-tinted pair of these in my backpack when I travel - most optical labs that I go into require safety eye wear to be worn when on the production floor.

The main difference is that these tinted safety glasses don't have a polarized filter that eliminates glares off of horizontal surfaces - in our case water. Many people that spend a of of time on water, without polarized lenses, complain of eye fatigue because you're constantly battling glare. The polarized filter is part of the technology package that companies like Oakley (Prizm) and Costa (580) use to create their lenses. The additional advantages are enhanced clarity, blocking UV light, more vivid colors, and in the case of glass lenses, much better optics. As I mentioned before, there is a certain amount of marketing fluff involved with the high end sunglass companies but if you were to compare low cost sunglasses side by side with high end sunglasses the differences are very apparent - both cosmetically and optically.

Buying low cost sunglasses for everyday use isn't that big a deal to me (I have a pair of $10 cheapies that I keep in my travel backpack) but eliminating glare and enhancing contrast/color when you're on the water is a completely different animal - in my opinion.

Here is some additional info on polarized lenses and the tech that goes into some of the more high-end sunglass companies that make water-sport specific eyewear:

Polarized lenses - explained:
What Are Polarized Lenses For?

Ray-Ban - Chromance:

Maui Jim - PolarizedPlus2:

PolarizedPlus2® Lens Technology | Maui Jim®

Learn more about the proprietary PolarizedPlus2® technology that Maui Jim uses to not only protect your eyes from harmful UV, but show all colors in true, vivid detail.
www.mauijim.com www.mauijim.com

Costa - 580
www.costadelmar.com

Costa 580® Lens Technology

Costa Sunglasses patented 580® lens technology was designed to block harsh yellow light and naturally enhance color while cutting haze and blur for greater clarity. Our polarized polycarbonate and glass lenses absorb harmful HEV light known to cause eye disease while providing 100% UVA/UVB...
www.costadelmar.com www.costadelmar.com

Oakley - Prizm (deep water):

Oakley - Prizm (shallow water):

Oakley - Prizm Deep/Shallow water review from SportRX:

Real vs fake Costa sunglasses:
Click to expand...

greatt post!

the oakley Prizm truly are excellent. My wife has a pair of latch with rose prizm. GREATfor overcast, or low light, evening sun.

I have a blue mirror prizm "Holston" I absolutely love them on the water, and in the motorcycle helmet. Probably my most comfortable pair.
 
Giant head here really puts my choices almost to zero...only glasses I've found (and I have tried a lot at a lot of cost) that are comfortable and don't squish my head are Maui Jim Big Wave.
They are also really really light, I can wear them all day long and great lens quality. Maui Jim have also replaced a pair at no cost to me because one of the arms was peeling.
 
Chevyguy2021 said:
I will tell you why I will be a Costa fan for life...
In 2018 I won a trip with my husband from work. We went to Cancun for winning with about 250 other employees and their guest. When we arrived at the resort you were allowed to select a welcome gift. They had fancy sandels, purses for the ladies, or sunglasses. Some from different brands. I chose a pair of Costa's with grey lenses and a brown frame. I liked em. They were free so yayyyy!
I owned them and wore them daily, I recently noticed they were starting to wear on the frames. Like the coating was coming off. Flaking off. I thought, welp its time for a new pair of glasses. Maybe after so much use and water and sand etc.
I bought a new pair of glasses with their 30% off sale. 580P glass with blue lenses for water. Love em. Then read that they have a lifetime warranty.

So i decided to file a claim for my "old" glasses that I was given for free as a gift. So no receipt or anything.
I filed a claim online and took pictures. Within 48 hours I was approved and emailed a pre-paid label within 2 business days. Sent off the glasses. @ weeks later received a BRAND NEW pair of a similar style glasses with upgraded 580P plastic green lenses.
Super impressed with the turn around time and brand new glasses. No questions asked.
Click to expand...

I’ve heard this before about Costa and mentioned it in my Jose first impressions. Why can’t more companies stand behind their products with great customer service? They create life-long customers and as these stories spread it strengthens their brand.
 
Peelz said:
ummmm

hello thread for me. I could talk on this subject for DAYS. lol

my wife and I own a collection of at least 50 "babies" as we call them. I took us 15 minutes to decide which ones to bring to the Ozarks with us last week, finally settling on 6 pairs each! lol

mostly ray ban, many of those custom made!. some oakley, and some maui jim. Expensive, but its our "guilty pleasure" if there is such a thing.... So far maui jim have the best lenses Ive experienced. particularly. the rose mirror. Women. get yourself this pair for boating.. Im crazy jealous of my wifes sunglasses and steal them when driving on the water. lol see below.

go get yourself a pair of these "sugar cane". in THIS color. Lilac rose with maui rose lens. the world looks totally different though them. Stunning lenses. (it will make you look more tan lol) seriously though. I was shocked by how great the lenses are. If I find a mens style with them Im gettin em

havent found a Costa pair i dig yet. but their lenses are amazing as well! Hoping to find a style I like.


thanks for starting the thread!
Click to expand...

I don’t have that many in my collection, jealous!! I have maybe five pair of Oakley’s and the new pair of Costa’s. The Oakley Split Shot’s that I just bought also use a lens with a rose tint - the color is very effective when it comes to enhancing contrast.

Glad you like the thread!!

My favorite pair of sunglasses are an Oakley Straight Jacket (I think that’s what they are) that I bought as “new, old stock” a few years ago. Oakley doesn’t make the silver frame with blue mirror anymore and the styling of the older frames is a bit different than their current offerings.

D79D09D1-DE66-4BFD-BCA7-F1841838C80D.jpeg

61E8C3AD-C578-47A7-A043-5740B814BC1A.jpeg
 
@Peelz: I’m not familiar with the Holston, I’ll have to look that up. I got a free pair of Maui Jim’s as a gift but decided to swap them for a female model for my girlfriend - the Nalani - and she loves them.

@Chaunceybland: I like the Holbrook and another vote for Revo. I haven’t seem Revo’s in quite some time but I think I owned a pair at one time.

@LeeFlan7: I think that Costa has several options for wide heads.

@ZippyBoater: Familiar with the Crankshaft as well, very cool color combo. :)
 
Like you I’ve been into sunglasses for over 30 years now. Oakley always has and will be my go to. I was going to recommend the poker used prizim deep water lenses on whichever frames you prefer. They are amazing on the water. I personally order the Carbon Blade, Flak 2.0 XL’s, or the Radar Paths. My Maui’s are a close 2nd but I think the deep water prizim lenses make it on the water
 
WiskyDan said:
@Peelz: I’m not familiar with the Holston, I’ll have to look that up. I got a free pair of Maui Jim’s as a gift but decided to swap them for a female model for my girlfriend - the Nalani - and she loves them.

@Chaunceybland: I like the Holbrook and another vote for Revo. I haven’t seem Revo’s in quite some time but I think I owned a pair at one time.

@LeeFlan7: I think that Costa has several options for wide heads.

@ZippyBoater: Familiar with the Crankshaft as well, very cool color combo. :)
Click to expand...

bought them when my wife and i decided to get ourselves a new pair for our 20th anniversary last year :) id never heard of them either.

but i love them. probably my most "pretend to still be young" pair too lol the first expensive sunglasses I bought were a pair of m-frames in the same color WAY back when with my first detassling check lol!



 
WiskyDan said:
I don’t have that many in my collection, jealous!! I have maybe five pair of Oakley’s and the new pair of Costa’s. The Oakley Split Shot’s that I just bought also use a lens with a rose tint - the color is very effective when it comes to enhancing contrast.

Glad you like the thread!!

My favorite pair of sunglasses are an Oakley Straight Jacket (I think that’s what they are) that I bought as “new, old stock” a few years ago. Oakley doesn’t make the silver frame with blue mirror anymore and the styling of the older frames is a bit different than their current offerings.

View attachment 123807

View attachment 123810
Click to expand...

for YEARS i wore nothing but Oakley fives! followed by fives 2.0. ultimately i wore 4-5 consecutive pairs of five squared. Always lost them then bought a new pair. My wife gave me crap for years for spending so much on sunglasses... then took her shopping and I bought her her first pair of oakleys, and a true sunglass nut was born. Shes way worse than me!

My last pair of fives squared I wore so much they were beat up bad... I ended up replacing the lenses after the flew off my face riding my sons moped and scraped em. lol Kept them mainly for yard work.

I lost them recently and i'm sad.

my collection(we have a problem, but its a fun one)

rayban: think I have 6 pairs of "new" wayfarer, 4 standard aviators. 2 3543 "chromance"- they're a square aviator, I suggest trying these-great lens and style.

oakley: crosshair, 2 jupiters, holston, 2 holbrook, 2 frogskins, tincan (I believe are fake but not sure, paint peeled so I stripped them to bare metal, if fake they worked really hard at it lol)

maui jim: Kawika(clear and blue) and Pokowai Arch (Manchester United special edition)

feel like im missing something HA!
 
OK, so my on-water review of the Costa Jose and Oakley Split Shot is a few days late but it's been a busy week.

I had the boat out on Sunday and split my time between both of them pretty equally. They both performed as I expected - no glare whatsoever, enhanced contrast, enhanced colors, the whole nine yards. I know some people don't like the extra weight of glass lenses (they're roughly twice the weight of polycarbonate) but I like how they feel more substantial. The Jose fit my face perfectly while the Split Shot was a bit larger than what I normally wear. Not crazy big, but bigger than what I'm used to. One of the kids that work at the place wear I dry-stack my boat had the exact same Oakleys on. He's maybe 5'5" and skinny as a rail but they looked fine on him from a size perspective.

I really like the way the lanyard attaches to the Split Shot but if I had to pick which one I like better I think I would have to give the slightest edge to the Jose. You can't go wrong with either of these and now I'm looking forward to getting a pair of Maui's and a pair of Ray Bans to compare them as well. I may be on my way to developing an obsession like Peelz..........
 
I've had several of pairs of Oakleys with the colored prizm coatings and they always seem to end up scratched very easily. The coatings are awesome out on water, driving, golfing, etc. but the durability is too low for something that costs that much. I've given up and gone to straight black polarized without any of the colored or mirrored coating.
Do you think the glass ones are any more durable or does the coating scratch just as easy?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

xoomer
Sunglasses recommendation?
2 3
Replies
52
Views
8K
TonkaTuff
TonkaTuff
Back
Top