I'll never buy cheap sunglasses again.
Written: Jan 08 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Stylish and very high quality. Interchangeable lenses. Lightweight, high performance optics.
Cons: Lens changing can be challenging, especially for those lacking hand strength.
The Bottom Line: Get these if you want high performance, high quality sunglasses and you want lots of options for lenses.
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| gurp13's Full Review: Oakley Half Jacket Unisex Sunglasses |
I love Oakley sunglasses. This is my third pair. I'm an avid cycler, both road and mountain biking. Recently, to stay in shape, I've taken to riding when the light out is dim or even when it's dark out. As I wear contacts, it's just not an option to ride without some kind of eye protection. So, I turned to Oakley, my favorite sunglasses, to see what they could do, and I found these glasses.
I bought a Build-To-Order model with carbon fiber frames and gold iridium lenses. I also ordered a pair of clear replacement lenses.
No, Oakley's are not cheap. But, then, next to my ears, my eyes are just too important as sensory organs to put cheap things in front of them. I've owned cheap sunglasses before. I end up throwing them away within six months to a year. You get what you pair for. On the other hand, my first pair of Oakleys were Straight Jackets and I've had them for over 5 years now. Do the math. I paid $80 for those glasses. If I bought cheap $10 glasses every six months then I would have spent almost as much by now. Since I live in Southern California and my eyes are sensitive to light, I wear sunglasses all year round.
Plus, cheap sunglasses are not as good looking as Oakleys, if you ask me. :)
As to the Half Jackets, I love them. They are lightweight and comfortable. They seem to be very flexible and durable like both of the other Oakley's I own. I love being able to change the lenses.
About the lens changing. I would not call it easy. I'm somewhat challenged when it comes to hand strength. You really have to push hard to get the lenses to snap into place. But, it's easier what's you learn that. At first I couldn't get the lenses to snap in because I was afraid to break the lenses. Ha ha! These things are tough! Look at the directions and follow them carefully and push HARD!
Finally, I would say, take care of your Oakleys. Get a case and keep them either on your face or in the case. I bought the Jacket Case because it stores two extra sets of lenses. Clean the lenses carefully. Blow on them to remove grit and then use a microfiber cloth. Do NOT use your t-shirt or a towel paper towels. Dude, you just spent $100 on glasses, don't scratch them! I don't know how easy it is to scratch them because I try to take care of them. I can see tiny scratches on the first pair I own, but they are minimal.
As is said in other reviews, the optical quality is awesome. You WILL forget you are wearing them. If you pick the right lens to match conditions you will have great results. As far as I can see, the gray or "black" lenses are good for general shading. Amber or Yellow lenses tend to block blue light and give greater clarity over distances. I guess the "Fire" or red lenses might do that, too, but I'm not sure. I will admit that the incredible array of lens choices can be bewildering. I wish Oakley would put out a recommendation list and explain what they different lens applications might be.
Unless you're really cheap, you're gonna love these glasses. If you like quality eyewear and want the highest level of performance from you sunglasses, I recommend Oakleys. Oh, yeah, they look cool too. People will stare. In a good way. :D
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gurp13
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Reviews written: 1
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