Smith goggles

[lerops]

Maybe somebody can help me with this. My current goggles are nothing special, Scott goggles, I don't have a lot of complaints, but in low visibility conditions they don't help at all.

I am looking at Smith's Fuse and Phenom models. Are they good in most conditions (should I go for the mirror lens or regular?) And are they a good fit to Giro G10?

 

[Philpug]

I have the I/O, best goggle I have ever owned.

Review... http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=76654

 

[mondeo]

Have two pairs of Phenoms, one with a Sensor lens and one with a platinum lens. Got em off of Tramdock for $40/pair.

Senor lens is great for flat/low light, the pair I use for night skiing, late day, and overcast. Same light transmission as a yellow lens. Platinum works well for better lighting conditions. Can't really comment on the helmet fit.

 

[MR. evil]

I have the I/O, best goggle I have ever owned.

Review... http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=76654

My wife just got a pair of those goggle and loves them but they are not cheap! They are made to work with Smith Helmets. They actual fit perfectly into the brim of her Smith helmet, and the googles channel air into her helmet vents

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

picked up some bolle yellow lens at TJMAxx for $16/ea...best low light/flat light color lens for me...rose is too dark...

 

[Geoff]

You can buy any of 10 lenses for Smith Phenom googles on the Smith Optics site. I get 'em from my local ski shop because they give me a modest discount and I don't have to pay for shipping.

I have the fan goggle version of the Phenom. It came with a Sensor Mirror lens. I have a replacement for that lens that I should probably pop in, a yellow, and an RC36 for high altitude.

No telling if the goggle will work with your helmet. It works fine for me with a Giro Omen but everybody has a different shaped head.

 

[jaja111]

picked up some bolle yellow lens at TJMAxx for $16/ea...best low light/flat light color lens for me...rose is too dark...

+1. TJMaxx is the shiznit. I also got a pair with a fire orange lens, and an extra goggle bag.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The mirror lens are just a look/style vs the RC36 but it will cost you an extra $20-40$ extra depending on the goggle. Until recently they cut down about 5% of the light transmision but now it's a wash with the better technology. Stoners like them cause you can't see one's eyes. :wink: I think the RC36 is a great lens for all condition if you don't want the hassle of changing lens. They will slightly brighten and increase the contrast on a dark snowy day and they work great on sunny days too. The transmission technology of the RC36 lens has really improved in the last two years. Go to a shop on a dark and snowy day and check them out for yourself. The yellow lens will be painful on those bright sunny days

The Sensor lens is really marketingspeak for the new technology and have a light chrome finish vs the heavy chrome finish like the fire red ones you see on some goggles. . The Scott version is called Amplifier lens. Scott has a new technology out this year called " Natural Light" lens. Awesome for all around light conditions. We checked them out and they work great. Scott also has a new player in the sperhical lens goggle called the Decree at a low pricepoint. They retail for about $60. We sold out of them in less than a month. The I/O is an awesome goggle with the unique way the lens are attached. Kinda like the clips many of us have on our storm windows at home. Easy to remove and change lens. Plus you get a big fancy leather case. There is a turbo fan version which people do say helps with the fogging.

 

[snoseek]

I am a fan of Oakley A-frame these days. They are $$$$ but worth every penney.

 

[Geoff]

The mirror lens are just a look/style vs the RC36 but it will cost you an extra $20-40$ extra depending on the goggle.

Smith has a lot of different mirror lens options with different tinting and darkness. The Sensor lens that I use most of the time lets in way more light than the RC36. 70% vs 36%. I guess you are comparing the RC36 to the Ignitor. The Ignitor lets in roughly the same amount of light as the RC36. I don't think either the Ignitor or RC36 lens is an everyday winter lens on north-facing terrain in Northern New England. Way too dark. YMMV.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I don't think either the Ignitor or RC36 lens is an everyday winter lens on north-facing terrain in Northern New England. Way too dark. YMMV.

From the Smith website
"RC36: The universal lens tint. Combines rose and copper base tints. Provides the absolute best vision in most conditions" Alot of folks don't have multiple goggles or want want to deal with changing lens, especially days when you go thru diferent light conditions.

All of our Smith flat lens models have it and being an on-mountain shop we get alot of same day feedback and it's been very positive on the RC36 even on dark snowy days.