Oakley Transitions - any good?

sgt822

I bought the rudy projects with transitions lenses are they are superb. Can't fault them

greasedscotsman

Yes, they are very good. I would happily wear them in the dark, but in really bright, sunny conditions, they aren't dark enough.

GeorgeFA

Expensive (Split Jackets) but very very good.

sgt822

I know, but given my track record in losing / sitting on / dropping glasses I thought they were the appropriate balance of cost v performance

magoo289

I have a pair of Oakleys with Transition lenses, as said above they are superb when it gets dark or is dull, but when it is sunny your vision remains clear while the external coating turns grey to protect UV.

For those concerned about breaking should you sit on them or fall, Vision Express have a policy which they will replace broken glasses FOC. Policy is about £20.

gaddster

Go and try them on would be best. I tried some flak jacket transition ones on yesterday, wasn't impressed at all. Sorry guys, just don't get them at all.

moonshine

I've a pair of prescription clear to grey transitions half jackets.
They go from 96% transmission to 16% on full activation.
They are essentially clear on non- activation and I can use them at night or indoors.
I find them perfect all round lenses. They are a bit slow to lighten when coming indoors from bright light. Take about 5 min to fully clear. They are fine for wearing outdoors as ambient light intensity changes reasonably slowly.

I've a set of non prescription vr50 transitions that go from 40% to 16% and I used them skiing in the alps in Feb in bluebird weather... Perfectly fine and dark enough for alpine skiing in brilliant sunshine.

Gerry

Captain Fagor

I have M-Frame Photochromics, and think they're good. They cover a pretty good range of light conditions, but NOT blazing sunshine conditions.

neeb

I have the VR50 photochromic and they are great for evening rides when you are starting out in sunshine and getting back at dusk, or for days when the light is changeable. As said, not as dark as some even when fully darkened, but I'd always rather have something slightly too light than too dark.

Have to say though I'm confused about the various transitions lenses from Oakley - there is the VR50, black persimmon iridium, clear black iridium, and now this new Ruby VR50 Photochromic: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/gear-news/ ... /6896.html

Anyone know how these all compare in terms of how light they get and how dark they get?

schweiz

I know the OP was after specific info on Oakley lenses but for the record, I have Oakley frames with Bollé lenses due to my prescription being outside the range for Oakley Transitions.

They go from 76% to 20% and I use the all year round for cycling and skiing. They go dark quickly but do take a few minutes to clear, although this was made clear by the optician before I bought them. I wouldn't use them for cycling at night but I ride at dusk with no problems.

dawebbo

I have jawbones with iridium black photochromatic - they're fine for riding in the dark. On especially bright days I do tend to swap them out for iridium fire, but that's mainly for the look. Mine are prescription FWIW.

dawebbo

They will certainly be fine for that.

Feetsocks

Yes and I use them every day for my commute. The transitions are fantastic. I have a perscription so have to wear glasses year round to see where I'm going so they have to operate through the bright sunshine and dark winter mornings/evenings - which they have done brilliantly. I only regret I didn't get transition lens sooner than I did.

moonshine

dawebbo wrote:

They will certainly be fine for that.

+1
I like the VR50 transitions as all round lenses. Just checked and the lenses are 50% transmission on deactivation and 10% on full activation. The darkest standard lens is the black polarised iridium which is a 9% tint. Even a standard black iridium lens is 10% transmission.

It depends on which transmission tint you get, but the VR50 transition worked for me on bright alpine snow & from Oakley figures, they should be just as effective as a standard black iridium lens. That was my observation too.

Just out of interest, if you want prescription transitions, oakley do a different set of tints fir prescription lenses - see www.theinternetopticians.co.uk for more info on the prescription Oakley sunglasses lens chooser. I have no afgiliation to this firm, just a happy customer

StillGoing

sgt822 wrote:

I bought the rudy projects with transitions lenses are they are superb. Can't fault them

Yep, I'll 2nd that. Damn sight cheaper than chavy Oakleys too.

BigG67

I've got a bunch of Oakleys (I've a mate who works for them) and on the bike only wear my Jawbones with Transmission lenses simply because they cover every range of light conditions. Living in Scotland that's a godsend....sunshine on leaving the house, rain on getting back! Would not hesitate to recommend them.

To Moonshine, my buddy is a design engineer with them and he told me that they have developed a lens that alters instantly using LCD tech. Problem being that in rapidly changing light - such as riding through trees on a sunny day - they acted like strobes :shock:

moonshine

Non prescription VR50 transitions indoors (50% transmission)


prescription clear (96% transmission) to grey (16%) transition lenses indoors


I've a photo at home of the vr50s in full tint in alpine winter sun
home which I'll post tonight

Clear to grey transitions above outdoors but not on full tint

moonshine

VR50 non prescription transition lenses on me at full activation (10%) tint in the Alps on snow. Helen is wearing standard grey polarised lenses which are 15% transmission

gaddster

Stanley222 wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

sgt822 wrote:

I bought the rudy projects with transitions lenses are they are superb. Can't fault them

Yep, I'll 2nd that. Damn sight cheaper than chavy Oakleys too.

I can have a pair of Oakleys with transition lenses for £77 - are they cheaper than that?!

which ones and where from?

moonshine

That's where I got my VR50 half jackets from, at a similar deal. If you want them buy them before revealing the location ... They only have limited stock and quite s
A regular turnover.... It pays to watch.

My deal was too good to miss too and I've no idea why they were seconds... Absolutely faultless and come with a warranty too