goggles

[eastcoastpowderhound]

If your goggles fog often, look for a larger frame...the more air space, the less likely they are to fog...assuming you don't pull a neckwarmer right up to your nose and breath hot air right into the lens.
Best lens for night skiing is always clear...sure, the smith sensor, scott amplifier, oakley hi-yellow are all good...because they have a high VLT (visable light transmission), but clear will be the best. Clear lenses are NOT that good for daytime skiing though...even in a blower storm there is natural light and glare...sensor, hi yellow, etc will all work better in the daytime/snow/flat light. All Spherical lenses...Smith, Scott, Oakley, whomever, are designed to mimic the curvature of the eyeball and reduce distortion...they're made through an expensive and time consuming process which is why they cost more. Ski season is too short for crappy goggles.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Best lens for night skiing is always clear...sure, the smith sensor, scott amplifier, oakley hi-yellow are all good...because they have a high VLT (visable light transmission), but clear will be the best.

I am gonna disagree with you there. With the clear lense you just see what is there, nothing more. My old yellow lense and new sensor mirror helped to make it brighter. I dont know how to explain it, But I can see much better with these lenses. There is a reason that very few quality goggles come with a clear lense as a option. Yes you can buy them and put them in, but not with the goggle.

 

[MarkC]

A-Frames here as well. I have fire iridium, blue iridium, and clear lenses for them but 95% of the time i use the blue. I will use the clear on dark nights or midnight runs and the fire in heavy snow.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I am gonna disagree with you there. With the clear lense you just see what is there, nothing more. My old yellow lense and new sensor mirror helped to make it brighter. I dont know how to explain it, But I can see much better with these lenses. There is a reason that very few quality goggles come with a clear lense as a option. Yes you can buy them and put them in, but not with the goggle.

The reason its hard to buy a clear lens already in the goggle is because they aren't the best for all around conditions...ie daytime, when most people are using them. You can disagree with me...I've got sensors, yellow lenses, etc...none of them work better for me at night than clear...but different lens tints work better for some people than others. If you look at most goggle vendors web sites or brochures, they'll usually state that a clear lens is "the ideal choice for night skiing" (quoted from Smith's site and they're the ones who made the sensor and they've got yellow lenses too)...but the important thing is finding what works best for yourself in each condition.

 

[SkiDork]

Spys

Simply for the rubber strip on the inside.

 

[Hawkshot99]

The reason its hard to buy a clear lens already in the goggle is because they aren't the best for all around conditions...ie daytime, when most people are using them. You can disagree with me...I've got sensors, yellow lenses, etc...none of them work better for me at night than clear...but different lens tints work better for some people than others. If you look at most goggle vendors web sites or brochures, they'll usually state that a clear lens is "the ideal choice for night skiing" (quoted from Smith's site and they're the ones who made the sensor and they've got yellow lenses too)...but the important thing is finding what works best for yourself in each condition.

I will agree with you on the personal preference, but companies also make night lenses, such as Scott with the night amplifier. It is a green tinted lens that I feel works pretty good(just don't like the frames I have them in so never wear them) I am sure others make something like this.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I will agree with you on the personal preference, but companies also make night lenses, such as Scott with the night amplifier. It is a green tinted lens that I feel works pretty good(just don't like the frames I have them in so never wear them) I am sure others make something like this.

yup, I know about the Scott...I mentioned it in my earlier post on the subject. I've been partial to Smith and Oakley lately...and they both suggest clear for night skiing. You sound like you work in a shop...so ask the reps what their company's best lens is for night skiing...they might even give you a "test" goggle or two.

 

[Hawkshot99]

yup, I know about the Scott...I mentioned it in my earlier post on the subject. I've been partial to Smith and Oakley lately...and they both suggest clear for night skiing. You sound like you work in a shop...so ask the reps what their company's best lens is for night skiing...they might even give you a "test" goggle or two.

I do, and that is how I have the Scott's.

 

[tomaso12]

I'm looking for a new set of goggles that can handle 'normal' conditions + low/flat light...I think i'm gonna get A-frames w/ the blue irdium lens; but was wondering how much a difference/is it worth the extra cash to get a polarized lens?

fyi: I perfer polarized sunglasses....

 

[wa-loaf]

I'm looking for a new set of goggles that can handle 'normal' conditions + low/flat light...I think i'm gonna get A-frames w/ the blue irdium lens; but was wondering how much a difference/is it worth the extra cash to get a polarized lens?

fyi: I perfer polarized sunglasses....

You can always pick up the polarized lenses later if you are not happy with the blue iridium. I have found that the bi lenses don't provide quite enough protection on really sunny days.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I'm looking for a new set of goggles that can handle 'normal' conditions + low/flat light...I think i'm gonna get A-frames w/ the blue irdium lens; but was wondering how much a difference/is it worth the extra cash to get a polarized lens?

fyi: I perfer polarized sunglasses....

If you're going to get A-Frames you can do better than the blue iridium or polarized for normal to low/flat light. The blue iridium has a VLT (visable light transmission...the amount of light the lens allows) of 30%, acc to Oakley its rated for "medium to bright light" and the brightest polarized, the High Intensity Amber only allows 25%, also rated for medium to bright light. Polarization makes any lens darker than it would be otherwise. Best bets from Oakley would be the VR50, 50% VLT, rated flat to medium light, Pink Iridium, 57% VLT rated flat to medium. If you're not tied to Oakley, the Smith sensor is a 70% VLT but has enough of a blue flash to work on all but the sunniest days in Feb or later.

 

[tomaso12]

thanks for the feed back guys

i currently have the oakly E-frames, with the double persimmon lens (55 vlt)...my only complaint with them is not being able to see the bumps in low light, but i also have never worn a better goggle, so who knows what i may be missing...

after poking around oakley's site, i think getting a-frames with the VR28 polarized lens for normal conditions (14 vlt), and the VR50 lens (50 vlt) for low/flat light might meet my needs best based on the len's ability to bump up the contrast....i think what i really need for low/flat light is something very close to clear on a vlt #, but still can add contrast


hopefully i'll get the chance to look at the other brands tonight

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

thanks for the feed back guys

i currently have the oakly E-frames, with the double persimmon lens (55 vlt)...my only complaint with them is not being able to see the bumps in low light, but i also have never worn a better goggle, so who knows what i may be missing...

after poking around oakley's site, i think getting a-frames with the VR28 polarized lens for normal conditions (14 vlt), and the VR50 lens (50 vlt) for low/flat light might meet my needs best based on the len's ability to bump up the contrast....i think what i really need for low/flat light is something very close to clear on a vlt #, but still can add contrast


hopefully i'll get the chance to look at the other brands tonight

The hi intensity persimmon is a really good bet for low light (better than the VR50)...their best low light lens is the hi yellow...but if the sun pokes its head out you may be squinting pretty bad if you've got sensitive eyes. VR28 polar is a great lens...I've got one in an Aframe. VR28 Polar along and a hi intensity persimmon and you'll have all the bases covered quite well. The A frame is a spherical lens...oakley calls it pollaric ellipsoid..they're marketing geniuses...anyway, the injection molded spherical lens will have much less distortion than the stamped cylindrical lens from the E frame.

 

[Hawkshot99]

The hi intensity persimmon is a really good bet for low light (better than the VR50)...their best low light lens is the hi yellow...but if the sun pokes its head out you may be squinting pretty bad if you've got sensitive eyes. VR28 polar is a great lens...I've got one in an Aframe. VR28 Polar along and a hi intensity persimmon and you'll have all the bases covered quite well. The A frame is a spherical lens...oakley calls it pollaric ellipsoid..they're marketing geniuses...anyway, the injection molded spherical lens will have much less distortion than the stamped cylindrical lens from the E frame.

The A-frames were my absolute favorite goggle that I ever wore. Had a pair with the permission lenses, that were great. Just wished I could get deals like scott/smith on them.

 

[56fish]

I ride primarily in SW PA & Jay. Aframes fit my face very well. Hi-Intensity Persimmon for the white room & Black Iridium for bluebird. These two lenses overlap for conditions in between. Take 'em both to the hill.:beer:

 

[wa-loaf]

A-frames for sale right now on SAC, $45 if you can live w/orange.