Anyone have a recomendation for a brand of polarized shades? I know they run from $10 up to $200+. The guys who stole my truck were kind enough to take mine (along with everything else in the rig).

Since this topic is up, while anyone is answering stilly's question, could you comment on the following:

Is there a difference between the polarizing effect achieved with plastic lenses versus glass lenses? Can plastic achieve the same performance as glass. I have a bad perscription, which when corrected with glass lenses, supposedly results in glasses that are too heavy, or something. With Action Optics, I only had the option of plastic lenses with my perscription.

With my plastic lenses, the options for my colors were a sort of a brown (copper?), and a kind of gray. I chose the brown. They take the glare off the water, but the contrast leaves something to be desired. Is there a better color to achieve more contrast?

I really don't know what I should expect out of a good pair of polarized lenses. The ones I have are certainly better than nothing, but it seems that the performance could be better.

Any help you could give me would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tad.

Stilly Bum:
Action Optics are awesome. I've had mine since last summer and they've made fishing a ton of fun. They cut through glare like nothing I've ever had and I've been spotting fish like never before. They're that good! The best color is clearwater copper, according to what I've heard and that's what I have. They're a bit expensive ($140 for mine - and I actually don't have expensive tastes) but well worth it. Also, be sure to get the wrap-around style so that peripheral light doesn't get to your eyes. That's my suggestion. They've worked great on the Stilly for me and they won't be any different for you.

Maui Jim Big Kahonas! These are the best shades, Hands down. They are a semi wrap around style with glass lenses. The lenses are copper colored. Maui jim uses a 7 layer coating process. Check some out. They are kinda pricey, Around $ 230.00.
T-Dodge. Chec into getting some contacts. I have very bad eye sight. I usually wear glasses. I wear contacts when Im out hunting and fishing. With contacts your choice of shades increases dramatically.
When looking for good polarized glasses, try to stay with brown or coppered lenses. Gray is good for overcast days, But not too good for bright days. Glass is better than plastic. Either get wrap around leneses or glasses with side shades. Also when choosing the glasses look athow the overhead lighting in the store reflects in the lens. If the reflection is too distorted stay away from them, This will cause eye strain.

T Dodge:

Glass cannot be polarized. The only "glass" polarzed lenses are two pieces of glass with a layer of polarized plastic in between.

I like the view I get with gray lenses better than the amber, but I can't use them in as low of light conditions as I can use amber. They're too dark.

I use the cheapest, $15, glasses I can find. One, they work pretty well, though they can get uncomfortable if on all day, and two, I lose them and sit on them constantly.
Anything more than that would be a major wast of money for me .

Personally, I really like my Smith Slider SL2's. The very nice feature of these sunglasses are the quick change lenses. The frames, with 3 sets of lenses (brown, orange, yeller) is $100. A set of polarized lenses is $50. I own both the brown and black/grey polarized lenses for different lighting conditions.

Again, like any pair of glasses, be sure to try on a pair before purchasing them. The only "good" glasses are ones that fit my face.

Gregg's Greenlake Cycle in Seattle carries the Smith SL2 glasses.

Parker

Alot of the guys around here use the Hydro Optics H30 glasses, and love them. They have 3 colors of lenses that are interchangeable in seconds. I think they run about $125 per pair. (if you wan the website address, I'll post it for you) I use the Costa Del Mar wraparounds, and like them a lot. I was told, and there was a recent article in fly rod and reel magazine that Costa Del Mar was coming out with a new technology this spring that was going to revolutionize polarized sunglasses. If I hear something, I'll pass it on.

im in the same boat with todd, i usually scratch, break, lose, stand on, sit on,my glasses, i think that sums it up, till i geta lil more responsible then i will go for a nicer pair..

I'm with Todd and Schitzo on the cheap glasses. I am hell on glasses whether fishing or not. I picked up a pair of "fishermans" glasses at Bartells' for $7.50(half off) that have copper lenses and they work great.

I have some Costa del mar in the grey shade and they have worked well for me. I can't remember exact but they were pretty spendy. Anyway, I had to buy those when I took off a pair of Action optics I used to have and set them down on the back of my boat at the lake, told the kids to get in and lets go. Took off on full plane. 30 seconds later I realized the reason it was so bright outside was because I am a dumbass. It costs a lot to be stupid.

Action Optics was bought by Smith, both of whom make great shades. The most optically correct colors are the yellow and the amber polarized. They also will provide the best low light visibility.

I've used Smith Otis amber Polarized for about 5 years, and also get the dumbass award. Mine are currently being used by someone in the greater D.C. area since I left them in my rental car out there.

Just picked up a new pair. $150 mistake. Hey, that means my others only cost me $30/year!

One other thing. If you can afford it, I would recommend glass over polycarb. Glass is much easier to clean. Polycarb seems to smudge and require alot more time when cleaning. My reading glasses are polycarb and I can't stand them.

I've been through a truck-load of polarized, and still have 5-6 pairs that collect dust. The only two I think are quality are Maui Jim, and Costa Del Mar. You need to change lens color for different lighting conditions though.