I recently bought myself a pair of Smith Optics Precept sunglasses. I have to say these things are sweet. My last pair were Maui Jims and I think these are a bit better fitting and I like the lenses better. They are photochromatic in that they adjust to different light levels. The polarization on these is sick too. Plus they are snazzy. My question is why do they have to cost so damn much?
I hope I don't lose them.

Photochromatic really interests me in a fishing lens. Most are expensive. I did try Tifosi's glasses but they didn't work for me. They are my loaner pair now. Have not tried the Smith's. I did settle on Oakley in brown lenses and am very happy. Why do they have to be soo ugly?

I settled on these . They look good on me but then what doesn't look good on me?

I checked out some oakleys. I would have bought this one pair if they hadn't been grey lenses. The rose lenses are cool

but do they float? I don't know how many pairs of sunglasses I offered as sacrifice to Posideon.

i have some Oakleys im trying to get rid of...

the lenses are interchangeable as well, bunch of different colors/styles, with the HD Optics that Oakley provides (i only have the black)...

i dont even wear sunglasses, i shoulda posted them up here, too late


(i have a pair of Smith's too, not yours, but another series, the Oakleys are far superior, but are 4 times the price)

Oakleys are $800 a pair?

Another fan of Smith (formerly ActionOptics) photochromic lenses.

no, it wasnt your series, they were like 179 but you can find em on sale for 50 now cuz they are discontinued... i actually like yours better, they look like they fit well... mine are like "riding glasses"...


the Oakleys i have are the Flak Jacket series... 2013 with stickers on the lenses still...

There are a lot of comparable shades out there. Like I said I was going with oakley at first but I just liked the fit and feel of these. The frames were better than the oakley pair. I have heard good things about Rudy as well. I had a pair of costas years ago. The lenses were good but the frames were shite

The Iraqis thought our troops had some kind of super vision with their Oakleys. 2003

The Iranians would come from miles away to watch the Americans and their magic disc (Frisbee). 1977


Not much has changed over there.

those are the ones i have... they are extremely clear, so much that it actually enhances my vision, but not enough to render me needing to wear them...

i dont wear glasses fishing because i cant see that great anymore anyways, but i will and have doing other things...

not sure if ill keep em or still try to trade em as planned...

I have both sets you guys are talking about, both seem comprable to me. I liked the oakleys because of comfort and because the oakleys are interchangeable with their lenses I have a pair of amber and a pair of smoke lenses depending on what the conditions are like.

For the Smiths I also got the photochromatic lenses in the smoke which I really liked, the Smiths also had better coverage on the eyes to let less light behind the glasses

I feel like I had better luck matching the conditions with the oakleys and both lenses

Both pairs have their advantages and as for the ability of the polarization I feel that they were matched up equally.

I would not hesitate to purchase another pair of either of the brands when time comes.

I've been wearing Smith / Action Optics for a long time now.
I really like their brown photochromatic lens but have found the best all around lens color for my eyes is amber. The amber seems to cover the most conditions I encounter without wearing out my eyes after a long day on the water.
SF

I broke the frames on my last pair of Smiths on Todd's Murder Van. I sent them back to Smith and got some great customer service. The didn't have replacements but gave me full retail credit to purchase anything else from them.

My wife and I each have a pair of Smiths. Mine are the photochromatic "Guide" model. Hers are slightly smaller and have a lighter-shaded lens. Mine have survived years and my only complaint is that they sit so close to my face that, depending on circumstances, they can fog up. My wife's glasses have actually become my #1 choice because, around here, I think lighter is better than darker in most situations.

I have a set of Maui Jim's that are very nice but only get used on bluebird days due to the darkness of the tint.

I still have a pair of Native's with 2 sets of interchangeable lenses. IMO, they suck. Non-glass lenses that scratched very easily. A horrible value.

Despite my personal experiences, I have to think that the variation within a manufacturer is too great to say something like "Smith's are the best" or "Native's suck". I think there are a lot of great glasses made these days. I also think that the prices on said glasses are absurd.

RobertF,

They cost so damn much for the same reason a Sage rod costs so damn much: the market will bear it. Econ 101. I buy when I find them on sale somewhere.

I have shades by Maui Jim with rose colored lens(my favorite for lightness and comfort), but the non-glass lens have become dulled. I'm gonna' send them back for lens replacement. I also have some by Native, Smith, and Costa del Mar. Glass lens are a lot more durable, but I've become spoiled by the much lighter weight of good optic grade plastic lens, even though they are more susceptible to scratching.

Sg

$40 Bolle's, polarized, have served me well for many years.

I prefer to store my shades in the bottom of lakes for safe keeping, so I usually go for the less expensive variety

Last expensive sunglasses I bought were Ray Bans. I think they might have been polarized, but I didn't care I wanted to look like Maverick motherfvcker! Was sitting in a ski boat one day when the rope shot back into the boat and knocked them off my face into the lake.

Now I go with plastic lensed mid-range sunglasses (whatever is on sale on STP) most recently lost a pair of Smiths which were pretty good overall. Really happy with those glasses, left them on a golf course or on a table at Buzz's Tavern not sure which.

For fishing I wear a pair of plastic shades on a huge frame. They are good for running up the river, keeps stuff out of my eyes. They are 1985 "dad's on vacation" style, with a chunk of fly line tied on them to hold them in place.

Costa del Mar Fathom w/ Black frames and green 580G lenses for the ocean - These things are great on those bright days with water all around.

Costa del Mar Fathom w/ Black frames and gray 580P lenses for driving and the rivers - These seem to be better for everyday use, not so good on the ocean.