What do folks around here wear when driving? Have been looking at Reactorlite, polarizing and Drivewear. Anyone have experience of these particularly Drivewear? I ideally want a pair I can just keep in the car and put on when I’m out and about. Would like to avoid having to take a second pair with me if for example Drivewear aren’t particularly good indoors.
I don’t have any prescription sunglasses at the mo and am fed up of my retinas being burned out particularly when the sun is a bit lower and shining about an inch above the windscreen.
For maybe forty years I was using Zeiss photo-grey (glass) lenses in my prescription glasses, they adapted perfectly to whatever conditions I was in, indoors, outdoors, driving, walking etc. I did not need to change glasses. They were triggered by UV, so you knew they were protecting the eyes. (We changed some of the flu tubes at work when my glasses went fully dark indoors - far too much UV for H&S) I could not use the Reactolites because they go brown and I needed perfect colour vision for my work. Also the Zeiss were quicker to change than the ‘Rapides’ although about 10% more expensive in D&A.
But with increasing age I’m no longer short sighted and now just use ordinary sunglasses that live in the car.
Edit. Before the Photo-grey I used Polaroid clip-ons. Avoid using polarising lenses with a laminated or tempered screen, there are too many patterns produced getting in the way of seeing well in a car.
I use Transition lens sunglasses. Perfect for driving as they go clear to dark depending on the light conditions. (a lot of light sensative glasses have a tint to start with so can’t be used in dark light). Also, Transition are a grey tint so they won’t affect colour rendition. About £50/60 on ebay.
Not everybodys cup of tea, but if you’re looking to protect your eyes, a peaked cap is essential.
I find that the peaked cap stops the sun just above the windscreen problem. When I do wear sunglasses I use tinted prescription glasses, neither myself or my wife could not get on with wearing Reactalite. When I buy my glasses I go for the 2 for 1 offer with one pair plain glass and the other tinted. Tinted pair are then kept in the car.
Varifocal reactalites and a peak cap but use plain non tints at night personal pref , I found if glasses are kept in the car the gradually fall to bits when a lens falls out it can be a little disconcerting esp if its the only one you use !!!
For me in the UK the peaked hat is just about all I need along with my normal prescription glasses. I made the mistake of going out without the hat earlier this year and it was a nightmare keeping my eyes open and couldn’t wait to get home…
In sunnier climes I have some prescription varifocal sunglasses which are fine until the light level drops (such as in tunnels etc) when I wish I had light sensitive lenses of some sort, which i will get next time I need to change the prescription!
My last two pairs of sunglasses have come from OP, I’ve not yet found anyone in the UK offering the variety available. The Bolle ones are made so that they’re not thicker at the side of the lens in wrap around models.
I wear my prescription varifocals with reactolite. They don’t go dark in a normal car, but they will when I have the top down in the MX5, which is pretty handy. I don’t need to take them off if conditions darken as they react fairly quickly. I do, however, usually carry in the car a pair of prescription sunglasses for when it’s really bright, as they are much darker than my reactolites.
well thanks for all the replies. I’ve gone with a pair of reactorlites and a pair with standard lenses and a non-reflective coating. Reactorlites should be fine most of the time with the hood down and I’ve got the others in case I don’t get on with them driving and for other conditions. I tried a couple of opticians yesterday to see if I can look at the drivewear lenses but they didne have them in, so will hold off on those until I can see them up close.
Baseball cap with big peak. My optician says I need to wear sunglasses more and/or a wide-brim hat, I go for the hat (in or out of the car) Reason? - I have a concern that dark lenses will simply cause my iris to open more, letting more light in around the sides!
Vari focal reacto lite perscription glasses and base ball cap has served me well over the last 10/15 years and if driving at night clear perscriptions ,I orig had tinted and non tinted but it meant carrying 2 pairs [not good in a works van!] so went for vari focals reactos , I a ma bit picky as to lenses ,no glass and windscreens have to be laminated { I lost 1 eye 45 + years ago through a non laminated screen ]