Oakley decision...

rowlers

Failry sorted on frame after trying a few pairs on in the oakley shop, Flak Jacket XLJs
Now just trying to get the colour & lens right..

Was going to go for blue iridium, but then read that this is a "fashion lens", kind of put me off a bit..
Then I found some black frames with black polarised lenses for less than a normal pair, so then fancied these - so many options....

Use will be road riding/MTBing and general use so need a general purpose lens (will get more lenses in the future I'm sure lol)

rc856

I was looking at the custom ones the other day on suffusion.co.uk
I really like the black with the blue iridium
It's you that's wearing them at the end of the day.

derosa

Black iridium will be far too dark for anything but the brightest of days. They will be useless at this time of year. Go for a lens that lets more light through - G30 is a good general purpose lens or some transitions if you can afford them. Buy the iridium in the spring ready for those hot sunny summer days.

rowlers

Cheers for the info, I'll keep looking, as long as there is nothing "wrong" with the blue iridium, prob just go with them.

Lemond75

I've never heard of blue iridium being a fashion lens. The first Oakley M frames (Mumbo's) were introduced with a blue iridium lens and have been used by a stack of pros over the last two decades.

I recently switched from a blue iridium to a G30 lens and have to say that I prefer the blue. There seems to be a little more distortion and reflection when using the G30.

At the end of the day pick the one you prefer the look of and is going to be most suitable for the conditions you're going to ride in.

ajb72

another vote for blue iridium - had them in M-Frames and Flack Jackets and still my preferred lens colour

rowlers

cool, after spending hours looking through the different lens options on oakleys site, I'm now looking at getting the vr28 black iridium lens, think it will let a little more light through than the blue iridium.
so vr28 black iridium, grey smoke frame, gold ear sock and satin silver/gold icon..

just need to press buy lol!

ajb72

having used both lenses I would have expected the blue to let in more light than the black, but they are all good and you've got plenty of options now!

makes me want more leses for my jawbones now......

Ands

rowlers wrote:

Was going to go for blue iridium, but then read that this is a "fashion lens", kind of put me off a bit..
)

It's the blue tinted lens that is for fashion use, not the blue iridium.

www.richtreen.co.uk

You lens research has been worth while. I have a few pairs of Oakleys, though unfortunately poor eyesight and not being able to wear contact lenses means any lens purchase when in Prescription form has to be a the right one when replacement Oakley lenses cost £150 and not £40.

Blue/Ice Iridium are great for the Pro's riding on sunny days in nice sunny countries but for most days riding here in the UK are to dark. I have some Black Iridium lenses exactly comparable to Ice Iridium in light transmission which are great for sunny days abroad and off the bike stuff here but are to dark on most rides. Oakley list them for Extremely bright light. Hardly ever use them on the bike here in the UK - once or twice this year.

My do it all lens is a Grey Transitions for low use to medium to bright light, lacks the 'bling' look but is so versatile.

For days when I want the funky Oakley lens look - Fire Iridium, for Medium to Bright light, let a little extra light in over the Black Iridiums and are really on bright days.

inseine

So whats good for winter (low light) use, other than clear obviously. Is there a yellow or something than enhances your view?

orbeaorca

derosa wrote:

Black iridium will be far too dark for anything but the brightest of days. They will be useless at this time of year. Go for a lens that lets more light through - G30 is a good general purpose lens or some transitions if you can afford them. Buy the iridium in the spring ready for those hot sunny summer days.

Absolute rubbish , I wear black iridium 99% of the time and they are totally fine on days which are far from bright.

sungod

i've got the "black iridium polarised", fine in sunnier countries, but there are few days they are needed in the uk

here i fnd the "positive red iridium polarised" is better, especially going into shade/tunnels

for dark/winter a clear or "high intensity yellow" or "high intensity persimmon" lens (in decreasing order of light transmission)

inseine

Thanks

cougie

I'm happy with my silver iridium for most days. At night or if its really dull I go with a yellow lens. The yellow tricks you into thinking its far sunnier than it really is - and so its easier to enjoy the ride !

rowlers

Great info here fellas, more research required to get the right balance of versatility and blingness!

glasgowbhoy

Sorry to hijack the thread but how do the Oakley owners find the lenses when they are climbing and working hard on the bike. Ive found that when I'm sweating the
lenses in other glasses just get full of moisture and steam up.

Cheers

hopper1

Glasgowbhoy wrote:

Sorry to hijack the thread but how do the Oakley owners find the lenses when they are climbing and working hard on the bike. Ive found that when I'm sweating the
lenses in other glasses just get full of moisture and steam up.

Cheers

You shouldn't consider an Oakley purchase, until you stop wearing pants under your lycra!...

hopper1

Ands wrote:

rowlers wrote:

Was going to go for blue iridium, but then read that this is a "fashion lens", kind of put me off a bit..
)

It's the blue tinted lens that is for fashion use, not the blue iridium.

Jeez!... Now I need some of them! :oops:

I really want some of the new jade iridium lenses 8) Don't know what conditions they're best suited to, don't really care, either!...

glasgowbhoy

hopper1 wrote:

Glasgowbhoy wrote:

Sorry to hijack the thread but how do the Oakley owners find the lenses when they are climbing and working hard on the bike. Ive found that when I'm sweating the
lenses in other glasses just get full of moisture and steam up.

Cheers

You shouldn't consider an Oakley purchase, until you stop wearing pants under your lycra!...

Don't worry, that all ended this weekend.
Just means more washing and extra bib tights to be purchased before the oakleys .The sun
Won't be back out here for months anyway....

Ands

hopper1 wrote:

Jeez!... Now I need some of them! :oops:

I really want some of the new jade iridium lenses 8) Don't know what conditions they're best suited to, don't really care, either!...

Mmmm, good choice. I tried some limited edition jade iridium ones in the Oakley store and they are pretty cool. They come with a matt white frame but I wasn't sure how well it would keep clean if coming into contact with makeup or sun cream! They're second on my list tho, so might just get the lenses in future (now you can see why I need frames with silver icons and not red icons). http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=24377

Ands

Glasgowbhoy wrote:

Sorry to hijack the thread but how do the Oakley owners find the lenses when they are climbing and working hard on the bike. Ive found that when I'm sweating the
lenses in other glasses just get full of moisture and steam up.

Cheers

I have had this problem with my M frames - sometimes I just have to take them off and stick them in my helmet. I'm looking at getting some vented lenses for my next Oakley purchase. Not sure if they actually work tho.....anyone??

hopper1

I have vented lenses in my Jawbones... Not really effective, though!
I believe the vents were designed for marksmen, so not really applicable to cycling.
I'll get normal lenses next, but the vented do look a little cooler... :roll:

glasgowbhoy

hopper1 wrote:

I have vented lenses in my Jawbones... Not really effective, though!
I believe the vents were designed for marksmen, so not really applicable to cycling.
I'll get normal lenses next, but the vented do look a little cooler... :roll:

So what you're saying is that Oakley lenses steam up the same way other lenses do.

derosa

orbeaorca wrote:

derosa wrote:

Black iridium will be far too dark for anything but the brightest of days. They will be useless at this time of year. Go for a lens that lets more light through - G30 is a good general purpose lens or some transitions if you can afford them. Buy the iridium in the spring ready for those hot sunny summer days.

Absolute rubbish , I wear black iridium 99% of the time and they are totally fine on days which are far from bright.

So why do Oakley bother making any other lens colour then?
Other colours not bling enough for you??

stoobydale

I have had this problem with my M frames - sometimes I just have to take them off and stick them in my helmet. I'm looking at getting some vented lenses for my next Oakley purchase. Not sure if they actually work tho.....anyone??

I have vented and unvented lenses for my M frames (G26) and can't tell the difference between them.

greasedscotsman

stoobydale wrote:

I have had this problem with my M frames - sometimes I just have to take them off and stick them in my helmet. I'm looking at getting some vented lenses for my next Oakley purchase. Not sure if they actually work tho.....anyone??

I have vented and unvented lenses for my M frames (G26) and can't tell the difference between them.

I'd agree with you there. I have vented lenses and unvented on Pro M's and Racing Jackets and don't think it makes any difference. But I find they steam up when I stop and only really during the winter.

sungod

Glasgowbhoy wrote:

Sorry to hijack the thread but how do the Oakley owners find the lenses when they are climbing and working hard on the bike. Ive found that when I'm sweating the
lenses in other glasses just get full of moisture and steam up.

Cheers

i've got the radar paths, never had them steam up in motion, but if it's cold then they can steam when i stop

only happens when i've been going really hard, there's a coating on the lens that minimizes the effect, it always clears in a few seconds after moving off

ventilation does depend on shape of face, so will vary person to person