Photocromic or Polarised?

[Alexvs]

Hi,

I'm in desperate need of a new pair of sunglasses as my current everyday sunglasses have taken a battering and lenses are just about hanging on. My current ones have brown lenses which I think work pretty well except for in low light conditions.

I'm after a new set upto £60-70 but am undecided on photocromic or polarised. I've never owned a set of either so not sure how well polarised work in low light or at night seeing as the days are getting shorter and I do a bit of evening riding. I like the idea of photocromic being a one set suits all so think I'll probably go down this route but am open to be convinced otherwise.

So far I've looked at:

Specialized Adaptalite range - discontinued so hard to find but was hoping to maybe catch a pair 2nd hand
Uvex Gravity Zero's - can't find the light transmission range on these but seen good reviews?
Endura Angel - think they're 22 - 35 % light transmission so don't seem to go light enough
BBB Impulse/Winner PH Sport - 17 - 85% transmission so seem really good for the price
Tifosi Fototec range with grey light night lenses - 25 - 75% transmission

Can anyone please help with recommendations or reviews of the above?

Thanks

Alex

 

[gaz]

I wouldn't bother with polarised.
My personal choice is to go for a frame which allows me to remove lenses and buy new ones. This means that I can use the same set all year round but get the choice between a heavy tint in bright light, a regular tint for normal light and yellow tint for overcast and night riding.

The DHB glasses with interchangeable lenses are great value

 

[funnymummy]

I had a pair of Specilazed Adaptalites, Miura - I say had, as some toerag stole them off the table outside my tent while I nipped for a shower!
But I can highly recomend them, - didn't realise they'd been discon'ed though. Was looking to replace them come pay day

 

[snailracer]

I wouldn't bother with polarised.
My personal choice is to go for a frame which allows me to remove lenses and buy new ones. This means that I can use the same set all year round but get the choice between a heavy tint in bright light, a regular tint for normal light and yellow tint for overcast and night riding.

The DHB glasses with interchangeable lenses are great value

Polarised lenses have magic properties, though. You can see underneath the surface of puddles for potholes, and through car windows because they block out the glare. Not a great idea for night riding, but if you are suggesting swapping out lenses then a set of polarised has a useful niche.

 

[Alexvs]

I wouldn't bother with polarised.
My personal choice is to go for a frame which allows me to remove lenses and buy new ones. This means that I can use the same set all year round but get the choice between a heavy tint in bright light, a regular tint for normal light and yellow tint for overcast and night riding.

The DHB glasses with interchangeable lenses are great value

I've seen plenty of nice pairs with interchangeable lenses but I was really hoping to avoid this as I ride early morning with rising sun then in late afternoon with decreasing light so wouldn't cater for all instances unless I stop halfway to change from light to darker lenses.

I had a pair of Specilazed Adaptalites, Miura - I say had, as some toerag stole them off the table outside my tent while I nipped for a shower!
But I can highly recomend them, - didn't realise they'd been discon'ed though. Was looking to replace them come pay day

I know was really disappointed seeing they're discontinued everywhere, I thought I'd found a pair as said in stock but then I got a reply to say they can't find the last pair in the warehouse that they thought they had

They get great reviews from pretty much everywhere.

 

[Alexvs]

Well I decided to go for the BBB Winner PH's as seemed best value and light transmission levels so should cover most if not all of my riding conditions. Also found out it only takes 8 seconds from one extreme to the other which also makes it one of the fastest to respond to changing conditions. Unfortunately no one has stock so have a 14 day wait for them to be ordered in but I'm sure will be worth it.

 

[Simon Mason]

I use Rudy Project Ride On with photochromic lenses and would recommend them 100%

I tend to use video recording glasses now though.

 

[Alexvs]

They're the one's I really wanted but couldn't justify nearly triple the price of the BBB's but I guess you get what you pay for and they are high end gear. Think they'll be next year's birthday present to myself

 

[Silver Fox]

Oakley polarised. Tad on the pricey side but simply the best