Oakley Radars

giant_man

Hi - I always wanted a pair of Oakley Radars, believed them to be a quality pair of shades. Tried some on at the weekend and couldn't believe how plasticky they are, the actual frame. I thought really? Are they that good, and still cheap and plasticky looking?

Not so sure I want some now gotta say ... anyone else feel the same way or is it just me?

Pokerface

I have several pairs of Oakleys.

The 'sports' models are indeed plasticy feeling - as they are extremely lightweight. You'll appreciate it when you're on a long ride - they don't feel heavy on your face at all.

I also have their metal framed glasses which feel MUCH sturdier - but I wouldn't want to ride with them.


I think if you try most high-end cycling glasses, you'll find them light and they won't feel like they are a quality product - but you are paying for the lenses more than the frame - and light weight has to come from somewhere...

greasedscotsman

Don't buy them then

Radar's are good, but I reckon that Pro M's are the best. They feel much more secure and give a wider, less obstucted view. But they are still plastic and lightweight, not sure what else you could get as an alternative though...

giant_man

Yeah fair enough, just that I guess I expected more for the money, you know? I suppose I'm paying for LESS as in the weight, thanks guys

greasedscotsman

What type of lens were you looking at getting? The Iridium or Polarized lens really ramps up the cost. But you can get a plain black lens pair of Radars for about £90? Doesn't seem too much to me, but then I am stupid enough to spend over £200 on a pair of their magnesium M Frames!

I would check out some different makes, like Rudy Project to see if you like them any better? You do pay for the name with Oakleys, but they are good. Trust me

aarw

I have a pair of m-frames and a pair of radars. the m-frames have the chrome finish, the radars are polished white. subtle, i know.

the radars are about a year old, the m-frames maybe 3 or 4. when new, the chrome finish looked great. Now that they've been used for a few of years though the coating is all over the place and flaking off at sharp edges. Teh polished finish on the radars still looks like new, it doesn't have any sort of coating - it's basically polished plastic. it does feel plasticy but they look as good as they day i bought them and they feel great on. the lense coating on the radars has been what has impressed me the most. nothing sticks to it, even when racing on wet and dirty roads the spray doesn't stick and vision remains very good. they don't steam up either. the m-frames steamed up occasionaly.

i've been meaning to send the mframes off to oakley to see if they'll fix them on the cheap, just havn't got round to it.

Paul 8v

I doubt I'd buy sunglasses from another brand after owning Oakleys to be fair.

giant_man

Lens wise I'm not sure. I prefer the look of Radars to M frames must admit, tried them on and they were a little too wide for my face but not that much. But to choose which black tinted lenses to go for is a problem, which ones are for strong sun? Which ones are the darkest looking? Black iridium or grey or another?

Paul 8v say hello to Maldon for me, I was born in Braintree so an Essex lad by heart ...

greasedscotsman

Check this out for lens tints...

http://www.oakley.com/innovation/optica ... lens_tints

But I think from memory it's black or postive red that are best for bright conditions 8)

bendertherobot

I have the alu look ones. If you store them carefully they never flake. Love them. But I love my Jawbones even more.

cougie

I have some old M frames with yellow lenses in for the winter riding, and some dark lensed Radars for the nicer weather. I love the oakleys - and I'd not bother with any other make now.

My mates metal paint came off on his M frames and Oakley did replace them. He'd also managed to crack his lenses with the swapping over of them all the time and they replaced those. I dont bother swapping lenses so mines been fine.

spanielsson

I've used Oakley for over ten years, they are bombproof. In the unlikely event you should damage any part, each piece is easily available and often in stock with the dealer. I regularly use Radar Paths and a pair of Flakjacket XLJ's.

Very comfy and do the job very well indeed. The bonus nowadays is the case that is provided as standard, this always used to be an extra.

I have a black Radar frame and 3 different lenses, changing them is very. I was told if any parts wear out or break by changing the lens the dealer would replace the frame free of charge. I have a clear lens, Black Iridium and a transitional that all get used.

Buy a pair, you will never look back.

Gazzaputt

I once read, and I can't remember where, that Oakley cost around $5 to produce. A lot of the cost is marketing.

STEFANOS4784

That's probably right, after paying for research, equipment, blah blah blah

Beatmaker

I had a set of Eye Jackets many moons ago which I fell on and cracked the frame. I sent them to Oakley with a letter explaining I had purchased them second hand, was honest about how they broke and asked how much it would be for a repair. A week later I received my glasses back repaired with no charge.

I would rather pay the little extra for Oakley's over other brands such as Smith (who were appalling in terms of customer service) knowing they back up their product, even when they would be justified in not doing so.

Percy Vera

Beatmaker wrote:

I had a set of Eye Jackets many moons ago which I fell on and cracked the frame. I sent them to Oakley with a letter explaining I had purchased them second hand, was honest about how they broke and asked how much it would be for a repair. A week later I received my glasses back repaired with no charge.

I would rather pay the little extra for Oakley's over other brands such as Smith (who were appalling in terms of customer service) knowing they back up their product, even when they would be justified in not doing so.

I had a similar experience.
I had a pair of Eye Jackets also - I broke the frame - they lay in a drawer for a few years then I was about to bin them and decided to send them to Oakley instead with a badly hand written letter basically saying I was disappointed with them - no receipt. They sent them back with a new frame - well happy!

trtimothy

Got to say I love my Oakley kit, not just because its of a good quality, nice to wear and looks good but:

have broken 1 pair Oakley ski google frames
3 Oakley ski google lenses
1 pair Oakley Radar's

and every time have just sent them back to Oakley and got new ones in return....their customer service is unbelievably good!

seven7faces

I won the custom jawbones in the team sky competition. sorry just felt like bragging

greasedscotsman

seven7faces wrote:

I won the custom jawbones in the team sky competition. sorry just felt like bragging

What colours did you go for?

parryman

i have the livestrong jawbones.
i likes them alot.

Kentrider

If you go on the Oakley website you can also customise every part (within reason) of the glasses to the colour/style you want. You can also get vented lenses, which I've found to be brilliant for not fogging up. Only had them a few months, but I'm v v impressed so far.

giant_man

Went on there to see about customisation, good instant previews, might give it a go.

Wappygixer

I have Radars after my M frames broke.
I think they are a much nicer pair of glasses to wear.
Oakleys in my opinion are certainly the clearest optic of all sunglasses.
I wear prescription glasses most of the time so really notice poor optics.
With the Radars you can get different lense shapes.I went for the streamlined paths.
Expensive yes, quality also but excellent custoemr service as mentioned before.
I got mine from Ebay from a local seller in Macclesfield.Came with all warranty info and box etc but saved about £60 on CRC prices.

giant_man

thanks wappy I shall take a look ....

seven7faces

greasedscotsman wrote:

seven7faces wrote:

I won the custom jawbones in the team sky competition. sorry just felt like bragging

What colours did you go for?

pearl frame, team red jaw,polarised fire iridium lens. matches the bike really pleased with them. obviously, they were free

Wappygixer

This is the Ebay seller I used http://shop.ebay.co.uk/1shadetrader/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340
I was a bit wary about giving so much cash to an Ebay seller.But then I thought about it a little.Someone selling so many Oakley glasses sur edoes stand out and if they were fake would be investigated pretty quick.
Look at the feedback to, pretty good really.

greasedscotsman

seven7faces wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

seven7faces wrote:

I won the custom jawbones in the team sky competition. sorry just felt like bragging

What colours did you go for?

pearl frame, team red jaw,polarised fire iridium lens. matches the bike really pleased with them. obviously, they were free

Cool 8) Free is good!

Paul 8v

giant mancp wrote:

Lens wise I'm not sure. I prefer the look of Radars to M frames must admit, tried them on and they were a little too wide for my face but not that much. But to choose which black tinted lenses to go for is a problem, which ones are for strong sun? Which ones are the darkest looking? Black iridium or grey or another?

Paul 8v say hello to Maldon for me, I was born in Braintree so an Essex lad by heart ...

Will do! There was a massive fire on the causeway toda in Maldon, not good :-(

Wheelspinner

Oakley's are okay, although I much prefer the Rudy Projects. Frames are definitely better made than the Oakleys, and the lens is excellent, and slightly thicker too, whether that's significant or not.

giant_man

Paul 8v wrote:

giant mancp wrote:

Lens wise I'm not sure. I prefer the look of Radars to M frames must admit, tried them on and they were a little too wide for my face but not that much. But to choose which black tinted lenses to go for is a problem, which ones are for strong sun? Which ones are the darkest looking? Black iridium or grey or another?

Paul 8v say hello to Maldon for me, I was born in Braintree so an Essex lad by heart ...

Will do! There was a massive fire on the causeway toda in Maldon, not good :-(

'Causeway toda'? Do you mean on the promenade? omg love that place in the summer, took my daughter there in the summer ....... very sad

Paul 8v

giant mancp wrote:

Paul 8v wrote:

giant mancp wrote:

Lens wise I'm not sure. I prefer the look of Radars to M frames must admit, tried them on and they were a little too wide for my face but not that much. But to choose which black tinted lenses to go for is a problem, which ones are for strong sun? Which ones are the darkest looking? Black iridium or grey or another?

Paul 8v say hello to Maldon for me, I was born in Braintree so an Essex lad by heart ...

Will do! There was a massive fire on the causeway toda in Maldon, not good :-(

'Causeway toda'? Do you mean on the promenade? omg love that place in the summer, took my daughter there in the summer ....... very sad

No they call the road between Maldon and Heybridge the causeway but it isn't actually a causeway if that makes sense! It was at the calorex heating pump factory, apparently someone left polystyrene in front of a heater :roll: