What lens tint for low light/night

thefd

I have a pair of Oakley racing jackets - and I am contemplating getting some lenses for lower light and I wondered what peoples view of persimmons lenses compared to clear are?

I feel that persimmons are a better all round, but if I was to do some night riding under street lights are they too dark or would they be ok? (I don't do much night riding, would only be the occasional outing)

Any advice would be appreciated!

jordan_217

Get yourself some cheap and cheerful glasses with clear lenses. They don't have to be cycling specific, you'd be surprised how smart some safety specs from Screw Fix look. It'll be dark so nobody will even know

If you're only planning the occasional outing then buy some cheap specs and spend the money you've saved on some new Winter clothing or some decent lights, etc.

ugo.santalucia

clear or yellow

ai_1

Yep. Clear or yellow. I find yellow seems to reduce headlight glare from oncoming traffic.

diy

Having worn yellow inserts on my motorbike visors for many years and always felt they increased vision at night as well as taking some of the glare off, I'm reliably informed that they make night vision worse. Clear lenses are better at night apparently, though I too felt that yellow tint lenses make a difference.

Yellow tint is good on dull overcast days in low light.

andy9964

diy wrote:

Yellow tint is good on dull overcast days in low light.

But be prepared for disappointment when you take them off, and it isn't as nice a day as you thought it was.

Brailsford Bad

Clear lenses.

veronese68

Andy9964 wrote:

diy wrote:

Yellow tint is good on dull overcast days in low light.

But be prepared for disappointment when you take them off, and it isn't as nice a day as you thought it was.

This is very true. When it's completely dark on unlit roads or parks I find yellow lenses cut too much light so I use completely clear at night now.

me-109

A yellow tint will provide a better contrast in lower light conditions, but when it is low light, like night, then any colouring will obstruct what little light is available, so clear lenses are better.

Even the Frenchies dropped yellow car lights because all they are doing is dropping the actual light output, not reducing glare.

trooperk

TheFD wrote:

but if I was to do some night riding under street lights are they too dark or would they be ok? (I don't do much night riding, would only be the occasional outing)

No it’s not too dark as I’ve been using Oakley persimmon lens for 2 years for commuting, I leave the house in the dark at 6am and including using a short cut along a path that is only lit by my torch.
Oakley yellow lens let in 90% of light compare 61% for persimmon and I prefer latter as I found the yellow a bit too bright for me when the sun shine though, but it’s your choice

LegendLust

Andy9964 wrote:

diy wrote:

Yellow tint is good on dull overcast days in low light.

But be prepared for disappointment when you take them off, and it isn't as nice a day as you thought it was.

I find this with rose tinted specs

thegreatdivide

LegendLust wrote:

Andy9964 wrote:

diy wrote:

Yellow tint is good on dull overcast days in low light.

But be prepared for disappointment when you take them off, and it isn't as nice a day as you thought it was.

I find this with rose tinted specs

keith57

I normally ride with the Oakley Transition (prescription) lenses for all of my outings on the bike. I can ride with them in the dark, but they still block out some of the light. In winter I often swap the lenses for a completely clear pair and they work really well for night-time, (obviously!), but are also pretty good for the very dull days too. Just like having a pair of safety glasses really, with a really wide field of view.

arthur_scrimshaw

Veronese68 wrote:

Andy9964 wrote:

diy wrote:

Yellow tint is good on dull overcast days in low light.

But be prepared for disappointment when you take them off, and it isn't as nice a day as you thought it was.

This is very true. When it's completely dark on unlit roads or parks I find yellow lenses cut too much light so I use completely clear at night now.

+1 to these statements, clear for night, orange tint for cloudy days.

hanhamreds

yellow - increases clarity.

otherwise clear.

Bordersroadie

I'm sure some physicists will chip in but in my experience the alleged benefits of yellow lenses are just marketing bollox.

Most of my riding from now until spring is on pitch dark back roads (occasionally dusk/dawn) and I use clear lenses all the way.

More important is that they're kept pristine, super clean and smudge free. Bolle safety glasses are cheap and as optically excellent as the wallet-lightening cool-brands. It's dark, who gives a #~*% what you look like?

postie90

As the nights are drawing in now, and also working nights, after reading this thread ive bought some clear lens for my oakley flak jackets...