Sunglasses are not as simple as many people think. As such, it’s important that you get “briefed" before you buy.
The different parts to sunglasses will have a great impact on the look
and feel of the pair. Different parts can also affect UV protection,
glare resistance, and what sports the sunglasses would best be used
for. With this in mind, it is important to consider each of the
different options available for sunglasses.
Different sunglass lenses, tints, and coatings will be beneficial
depending on the intended use. Lens materials also serve different
purposes. The best lenses to use are glass lenses, because they are of
the highest quality and most scratch resistant. Unfortunately, the
glass lenses are also the most expensive. Acrylic plastic lenses are
the least expensive and weigh less. As a result, they are not of the
highest quality and therefore scratch extremely easily. For casual
ware, less expensive glasses may be preferred. For sports,
higher-quality lenses should probably be considered.
Sunglass tints also serve different purposes. The common tints are
amber and orange, brown, gray, green, rose, vermilion, and yellow.
Amber and orange tints reduce blue light, which is a chief component of
glare. This tint is ideal for high glare sports like fishing, boating,
skiing, and flying. Brown tints are good for variable light conditions.
The dark tint reduces eyestrain, making it an ideal tint for driving,
cycling, and running. Gray and green tints are good tints for many
purposes. Rose, vermillion, and yellow are all solid daytime tints.
Certain tints work best for certain needs, but the best way to find out
is to try different tints. If the tint fits your needs, than it is a
good option. There are also several different coatings for lenses. Some
coatings are anti-reflective, while others have mirrors.
The frame of the glasses is very important. There are several materials
for frames. Plastic frames are the cheapest and therefore not of as
high quality. Plastic frames also crack easily. Nylon and metal frames
are both good choices. However, nylon is flexible and stronger than
metal. The hinge can also have metal and nylon. Again, in this
instance, nylon is stronger and therefore probably the better choice.
Whichever pair you choose, I’d like to leave you with a bit of advice:
remember you’re your lenses should be cleaned often. For cleaning
sunglass lenses, mild soap and warm water should be used. Cleaning
lenses removes dirt and oil and helps avoid buildup of debris, which
can cloud vision or scratch lenses. After washing lenses, one should
dry them with a lens cloth or non-abrasive cotton in order to prevent
scratching. You can also buff the lens by holding the frame firmly and
moving in a gentle, circular motion.
Nathan Sauer enjoys outdoor sports and prefers to wear custom Oakley sunglasses. To learn more about sunglasses, visit
http://www.technical-gear.com .
