What do you think is the best all around lens color? I really like the wiley x glasses, but I'm also looking at Solar bats. It's hard to find a pair that look good on my tiny, shrunken head. Keep in mind I wear them rain or shine, and can only afford one pair. I got a couple 15$ solar bats from wal-mart, one brown, and one grey. Is it worth the 100$ plus for a good pair? I'm thinking it is.
I prefer brown lenses most days.
I'm using Costa Del Mars because I like them AND I get a deal on them. I'm considering giving the new Smith photochromatic lenses a try as I get a deal on them also. Polarized glasses that change from light to dark seems like a great idea to me.
I've used Solar Bats for a really long time. I have the Tattoo model right now with the Gradient lenses. Honestly, I don't like them (frames or lenses). I have broken 2 frames and have had to send them back (on my dime). I even had one pair sent to me that had a crack already in them. When I wore the mossback lenses, I really liked them. I thought the Gradient lenses would be just as good, but I don't like them. There is a deal going on right now where if you buy a new Revo you get a pair of Wiley Xs for free. I can't remember the minimum price you have to pay for the Revo ($169?).
I used to wear solar bats, liked em for the price ($60-70). Then I went to Smiths(because I could get a deal on them) I loved the glass lenses, as they don't fog up as easily. I have touble with my lenses fogging when sight fishing while it is hot out. I pull my hat down to block outside light and the lenses would fog right up, glass lenses don't do this. The Smiths were nice. My dad still uses the Smiths, he swears by them (I think its the amber or copper base tint). He also had the photochromatic lens (grey base tint) which didn't work so well.
My Favorite pair would have to be my Costas, I have the Fathoms w/580 green mirror lenses. Hands down the best sight fishing glasses I have ever owned, absolutely brilliant. They aren't cheap, but the glass is what its all about. My plastic lenses in my Solar Bats were ruined after one week fishing in saltwater, clearing the water from the lenses scratched them so badly they looked like they slid around on the dash of my truck for a summer. I'm a little more careful now, trying to rinse the salt off with freshwater first. The glass lenses I have had for 2 yrs now and they don't have a scratch on them.
I see alot of people shelling out a lot of money for "scratch resistant coated" plastic lenses, some even with the polarizing film on the outer surface of the lens(???). Their still plastic and won't last as long as glass, yeah they probably look cooler than most of the glass lenses. If you're going to plunk down your hard earned $$$ for a good pair of shades I would seriously consider nothing other than glass.
I have tried several sunglasses over the years. Had the same problems with scratching the inexpensive ones. Finally broke down and spent some money. I got perscription Maui Jims, I love em. With the bifocals I wont have to change glasses to tie a knot. Havent had them on the water yet, but they actually came from Hawaii. They should know how to deal with glare.