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Polaroid Glasses???

Fred Bonney said:
"I go through about 3 pairs a season......"

Does that mean you break 3 pairs Andy?

Optilabs for me too, vitually unbreakable.As long as your eyes don't change(prescription) they last for years.
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Sit on them, leave them on my head then loose them on way home, stand on them while taking a picture, leave them on the bar after celebrating a good catch or lend them to mates never to be seen again... You name it lol.

The e.s.p are good and cheap enough to replace:eek:

Andy........
 
Hi Guys

I notice quite a few of you use Optilabs compared to standard angling brands, big difference £200 or £20, are they really worth it, and is it the Ultra 2000 you're using. I too need prescription lenses or have to wear my contacts with standard lenses, I prefer not to wear contacts when out on the bank in case they need realigning or cause me any probs that I'll have to take them out, don't like the thought of using my fingers to adjust them when unless they've been properly cleaned.

Haven't used Optilabs for over 20 years, am tempted by a pair of the Storm or Panther, any other feedback appreciated.

Cheers
Jas
 
Diawa have a new line out at 20.00 but a tenner through BOSFISH , also Rod Hitchinson do a pair for ten quid , always carry a spare pair because you will either brake lose or forget them !
 
Jason i've had Optilabs Blackbirds for over 15 years on my second pair in that time.Not after a fashion statement just a pair of single vision prescription polarised lensed glasses, that are tough as old boots.Good for driving and golf too!!!!

The only reason I changed was that they were wearing a bit thin on the air pieces and I bounced them on the road and smashed a lens, otherwise I'd probably still be on pair one.
Didn't pay £150 15years ago and they are now £154 , so so far they've cost me say £20 a year with plenty of life still in them.
 
jason, similar opinion of optilabs myself too, i have 3 pairs, at 1st i was taken back by the price but looking back now i realise i got real value in both optical value and quality and spares back up and service (always ever helpful staff)
they do all types of prescription lenses BUT! Also a full range of NON-Prescription glasses too, funnily enough i prefer the blackbirds, these have adjustable arms and ear pieces and side sheilds and the frames are almost unbreakable, i prefer these to my other pairs which are more expensive;)
try some mate you,ll never look back....j.w
 
Jason, I've got the panther frames, and older blackbirds (same as Fred). The panthers have the new ultra 2000 lens and it does make a difference in varied light conditions. I haven't used cheaper polarising glasses so I can't compare directly, but as I said, I've been spotting fish with friends and been able to see that bit deeper and with greater clarity than they have. I'd be describing the fish, it's size and behaviour etc and they'd be saying 'Where? Where?'.

Often they've given me cause to stay in a swim others may have walked passed thinking there was nothing to be caught. I've lost count of the number of times this has happened. In the summer months I'm convinced the glasses have helped me get many 'extra' fish. I think I'd go so far as to say I would rather have a budget rod and reel and get these more expensive glasses, than fish with a top of the range rod/reel and have to go for the cheaper eyewear.
 
Well i'v tried a mates optilabs next to my fox, shimano and esp glasses and cant say that there worth that much extra money, they may be of better quality than the fishing brands but in terms of fish spotting I couldn't notice the difference, certainly not 10x the difference.
 
Mark thats good to know i thought i was missing out!!

I bought some glasses which was aimed at sports like cycling.
The make is TIFOSI optics there much better than my dads fox glasses.


cheers jamie
 
Thanks for all the replies guys

David, thats why I like the idea of the Ultra 2000, all round lighting condition, whereas most need different colour lenses for different conditions. I was walking the Trent yesterday and without a contact lens in was struggling to see the far bank clearly. Time for optilabs me thinks ;)

Mark, appreciate your thoughts also, maybe fox/esp will see their way to offering prescription lenses one day for an extra tenner like Optilabs.

Cheers
Jas
 
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Jason Hersey said:
Mark, appreciate your thoughts also, maybe fox/esp will see their way to offering prescription lenses one day for an extra tenner like Optilabs.

Cheers
Jas
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I very much doubt that Jason:)

I do apprieciate that theres not much choice in the way of prescription lenses out there apart from Optilabs so untill there is they can charge what they like. I just think that £200 for the non prescription ultras is a little steep from what iv seen of them, at that price its no wonder they can do prescriptions for only a tenner more.
 
Jason Hersey said:
Hi Guys

I notice quite a few of you use Optilabs compared to standard angling brands, big difference £200 or £20, are they really worth it, and is it the Ultra 2000 you're using. I too need prescription lenses or have to wear my contacts with standard lenses, I prefer not to wear contacts when out on the bank in case they need realigning or cause me any probs that I'll have to take them out, don't like the thought of using my fingers to adjust them when unless they've been properly cleaned.

Haven't used Optilabs for over 20 years, am tempted by a pair of the Storm or Panther, any other feedback appreciated.

Cheers
Jas
Click to expand...
Jas
I use my contacts all the time now matey, but when out fishing I keep a lense cleaning kit in the van along with small amount of soap and water, if need be I pre wash my hands with that alc gel stuff first then soap and water, had no probs with it yet.
 
Rob, touble for me is I suffer from astigmatism (rugby ball shape) in the left eye which causes contacts to not be the most comfy option and if I want a bit of shut eye while chilling on the bank, they get sticky if not taken out. Rather give my eyes a break when I can. Have also used the alc stuff then taken them out without washing with soap/water, boy did it make my eyes sting.

Mark, thats one of the things I can't understand about Optilabs, a tenner for the prescription, it costs a lot more than that for lenses at an optician so I think their non prescription specs are a bit pricey compared to the rest of the market, can't comment on the quality of Ultra 2000 though till I've had a pair. Still got my Blackbirds from years ago and I must admit I never did notice a great deal of difference with standard polarised lenses myself, but liked them more than others in the fact that they kept light out from all angles.

Cheers
Jas
 
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The best sunglasses i have ever used are my oakley canteens absolutely spot on, much cheaper if you get them sent from the states though.
 
Heres a question for prescription glasses wearers

Have you seen the glasses with the small lens inserts which push into the rear of the glasses?

This sort of thing..............

ins1.jpg



ins2.jpg



Anyone ever used them?
 
i bought a pair of optilabs last year expecting them to open up a whole new underwater world, and i was bitterly dissapointed. The lenses are no better than the esp ones i was also using.
 
shaun, my blackbirds are over 10 years old, well used too, the lenses are still unmarked, i wonder how long the cheapies last mate;) also there are several lens colour/contrast options, was yours the standard poloroid lenses?....j.w:)
 
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