Polarized Sunglasses - glass or plastic

[TXRIGGED]

I was curious so I thought I'd send out a blast and see your opinions.

I'm looking at buying some new polarized sunglasses. I've got some good ones now (Maui Jim), but I'm liking the Costa Del Mar PERMIT sunglasses.

BPS has two pair in stock. One pair has a glass lens and has that blueish color to them. The other pair is $50 less and is not glass (plastic lense) and has the black/grey color to the lens.

What's the difference? What would you go for? The dude behind the counter said they both will allow you to see in the water just the same. But, he's just a dude working at BPS.

Thanks for posting and taking the time to respond.

[Skunkedagain]

I'd say it's just the quality of the lenses....like any pair of sunglasses, glass is clearer than plastic. Both are polarized so they should cut the glare.

[BassManDan]

Glass is going to be higher quality, more scratch resistant and often a little better clarity. And you're gonna shell out $100+ on a pair.

Polycarbonate lenses, are gonna scratch, no matter how good you take care of them, eventually you're gonna scratch them.

I like the Eye Surrenders. I'm tough on my glasses, I wear them where them pretty much 24/7. Great clarity for a poly lens, good color selection and a lifetime no questions asked warranty and only $40 out the door.

Just my 2,

[ASD]

Glass

[jazzwannabe]

I know a guy who had a snagged lure come loose on a tight line and zing him right in the glasses at about 9000 mph. Cracked the plastic, but glass lenses would have shattered into his eyes and face. Something to think about.

[acm95301]

How often do you use them? I don't need them on most trips.

How often will you lose them? I lose mine every once in awhile.

What color...I like yellow, copper, or amber, and maybe green....I don't think grey or blue are very helpful.

....so I vote plastic.

[gofish42189]

I prefer the poly lenses and I'll second that recommendation on the eye surrender's. For $40 you can't lose. As stated before, the polycarbonate lenses are more safe because they they won't shatter like glass.

[Spookin'Em43]

I like the Eye Surrenders. I'm tough on my glasses, I wear them where them pretty much 24/7. Great clarity for a poly lens, good color selection and a lifetime no questions asked warranty and only $40 out the door.

Just my 2,

+1, I too like Eye Surrender

[TXRIGGED]

Thanks everyone for posting your thoughts. I've looked at the eye surrender, and every other brand, and finally found the right pair that fits my big melon and looks pretty cool.

I will go with the poly lens. It's $50 less than the glass, noticeably lighter in weight, and I'll risk the scratches. As long as they are equal in vision quality.

I'd love to have a pair of amber lenses, but it just isn't foggy enough out here in the desert.

Thanks again!

[JohnMarino]

I have 2 pairs of the maui jim's, and the Eye Surrender's are not to bad either. And I just bought a $5 pair of berkley Polarized glasses at walmart LMAO not bad for an extra to keep in the boat for an extra person or you forget your's. Anyway Both of the material's arent bad, as long as they are comfortable for you to wear all day of fishing, Im Happy. Im not to picky glass or poly. Aint nothing like glasses hurting your face all day.

[DAN]

39.99 Eyesurrender from Basstackle Depot. Nylon frames tac lenses and super high performance in the price range you are looking for with new, clearer TAC lense to provide even more visibility! Also has nylon I-Flex TR90 Frames. Available in five different lens colors for a variety of lighting conditions and both black and gun metal frames. Our sunglasses are made with a lightweight nylon frame, scratch resistant polarized lens, 400% UV rating and have a lifetime warranty.
Green Lens:

Great sight fishing lens for spring time during the spawn. Enhances the black lateral line of bass, improving visibility of the fish. Soothing to the eyes in bright conditions

[Ringer]

Action Optics guide model in glass with an amber lens. My last pair lated 22 years until my 350 pound buddy stepped on them in Alaska. Cost $230 but worth every penny and plastic always gets scratched.

[BassinAz]

Action Optics guide model in glass with an amber lens. My last pair lated 22 years until my 350 pound buddy stepped on them in Alaska. Cost $230 but worth every penny and plastic always gets scratched.

I got a pair of polarized prescription sunglasses with glass lenses from a flyfishing catalog years ago (forget which). I was up in Alaska and they fell off my face lenses-down in the bottom of an aluminum skiff. Just then my buddy stepped on them and the glass lenses were slippery so he skidded a foot or two across the bottom of the boat, surfing on my brand-new glasses!!! I picked them up expecting them to be a lost cause. There was a big flake of aluminum mashed onto one lens, like the lens scratched that flake of aluminum off the bottom of the boat. I picked that flake off with my fingernail and the lenses were untouched. In fact, there are no visible scratches on those things and I've had them 12 years or so.

The impact resistance of polycarbonate lenses would make me rest a bit easier though...

Oh yeah, the glass lenses are kinda heavy too.

[cib11b]

I use Oakley's and they are plastic but balistic rated, Oakley glasses saved my eyes from a massive IED in Mosul, Iraq. I owe a ton to Oakley.

[492slayer]

I have Kaenon Kore Polarized... own 4 pair in 4 different shades. They run $200+. I bought 3 pair used for a bargain, and am set. Copper, Yellow and two shades of Gray. They have some of the best optics you can buy.