Wearing eyeglasses/safety glasses while shooting

Denys

Turbulent Optics Student
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Mar 26, 2012
    1,378
    816
    Texas
    I hate wearing glasses when I shoot with a riflescope. After paying multi kilobucks for top-of-the-line optics, even the most expensive fancy coated polycarbonate eyeglasses make the picture coming out of the eyepiece look dull. Therefore, I usually shoot without my glasses. This is NOT an ideal situation. I would like eye protection, but it’s insulting that the IQ from the scope is impacted by my glasses.

    The problem with polycarbonate lenses is that it has a very low Abbe number, meaning that it creates CA, (Chromatic Aberration.) Your high dollar riflescope can control CA very well, but you just created some with your polycarb lenses. This is with eyeglasses, safety glasses, etc. Trivex has a much higher Abbe number compared to polycarbonate, it’s not Super ED or CaF2 numbers, but it’s much better than the polycarb. I found an outfit called Zenni.com that produces all types of eyewear, and you can upgrade the lens material to Trivex for $30. I went ahead and ordered a pair of safety glasses made with Trivex.

    When I wear these safety glasses, I cannot tell the difference between having them on and naked eye. I can sure tell the difference between naked eye and my polycarb prescription glasses, they make everything duller, the colors are less vivid.

    If I have the story straight, a company called PPG developed Trivex around the turn of the millennium, to be used as a form of transparent armor. This Trivex was for helicopter windshields and fighter jet canopies, and so on. Its characteristics are high impact resistance, optical clarity and light weight.

    It seems that after its success in such applications, PPG adapted Trivex for the optical lens market, with an eye to be premium lens material for eyeglasses.

    At the last match, I wore my Trivex safety glasses the entire time and the image from the riflescope was just as if I didn’t have them on at all. I ordered a pair of Trivex glasses with my prescription, and I have been wearing them since they arrived. It’s as if they were not there. The colors are fine, and they weigh next to nothing.

    As stated earlier, Zenni.com is where got my Trivex safety glasses and my Trivex prescription eyeglasses. It's a little tricky when you order the glasses, but you must remember to specify the premium lens material and be sure it says 1.53 index or 1.53 Blockz. There are other numbers, but the Trivex is 1.53.

    There are other places that have Trivex, such as RX Safety and others. I have only purchased from Zenni and I am very pleased with the results. The Trivex safety glasses with plastic frame were $60. The Trivex prescription glasses with titanium frame were $120.
     
    They tested some cheap so-called protective filters which were clear uncoated glass or clear plastic as opposed to a mc b-270 Schott glass UV filter, and the difference in transmission worked out to something like 99% and change for the Schott glass filter to 89% which means the uncoated cheap glass/clear plastic was reflecting 11% away from the back end of whatever optic it was mounted on.

    It would seem to me unless I'm missing something, that the same issue would apply to whatever makes up the specs worn between your eyes and the back end of the scope.

    It may not make a difference to some folks, it did make a difference to you and like you it would bother me paying a fortune for an optic and using it w/cheap specs on.


    The only thing worse is buying cheap shoes.
     
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    It’s not just lower image quality, but you also now have some refraction through the eye pro lens. So you can experience POI shifts from wearing it vs not, or even just changing to a different eye pro. Minor shifts, but shifts nonetheless.

    Unfortunately, some ranges and competitions require them. I am curious about the Fort Knight glasses with their Zeiss glass. But I haven’t tried them yet.
     
    Very good info… going to have to try some. Looking through cheap safety glasses and then the scope, especially all day, is a guaranteed recipe for eyestrain and a headache for me.

    So far the best I’ve found and have been using for several years now is ESS, specifically the crossbow and suppressor models. They’re still polycarbonate, but higher quality and clear enough that I don’t get eyestrain or headaches. However, I can definitely tell they’re not as clear as not wearing them when behind the scope, but the distortion is minimal.

    The ESS Suppressor frame has really thin flexible ear pieces and are comfortable all day under gel cup sordins… anything with thicker ear pieces creates pressure points under my ears when I’m wearing the sordins over them and gets uncomfortable after a while, so while I want to try Trivex lenses they have to be in a frame with very thin earpieces for all-day comfort.

    I wonder if RX Safety can make a set of non-prescription trivex replacement lenses for the ESS Crossbow / Suppressor frames. If they can’t, maybe Zenni or RX Safety offers a comparable frame with a trivex lens option that has similar ultra-thin and flexible earpieces designed to be worn under ear protection muffs.

    @Denys -- what safety glasses frames did you choose, and are the ear pieces thin enough to be comfortable with hearing protection muffs over them?
     
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    I have to wear prescription long distance glasses when I shoot. Not only am I cross-eye dominant but I Have a 1.25 diopter astigmatism in the Rt. Eye (partially why I'm cross-eye dominant). my Left eye is the better of the two for aiming, etc. But it's hard when I have to use my RPR .308 as it's totally Rt. hand based. Pistols aren't that big a deal, even my AR-15 I can use ambidextrously. Not my bolt action RPR. So, I do the best I can shooting lefty, although I'm a righty.
     
    Yes, and it's adding the 2 problems together...

    The amount of dispersion (isn't being transmitted becaue it doesn't make it to the back end or as CA) Denys is talking via the abbe number, and the illumination being reflected the wrong way by uncoated glass.
     
    I hate wearing glasses when I shoot with a riflescope. After paying multi kilobucks for top-of-the-line optics, even the most expensive fancy coated polycarbonate eyeglasses make the picture coming out of the eyepiece look dull. Therefore, I usually shoot without my glasses. This is NOT an ideal situation. I would like eye protection, but it’s insulting that the IQ from the scope is impacted by my glasses.

    The problem with polycarbonate lenses is that it has a very low Abbe number, meaning that it creates CA, (Chromatic Aberration.) Your high dollar riflescope can control CA very well, but you just created some with your polycarb lenses. This is with eyeglasses, safety glasses, etc. Trivex has a much higher Abbe number compared to polycarbonate, it’s not Super ED or CaF2 numbers, but it’s much better than the polycarb. I found an outfit called Zenni.com that produces all types of eyewear, and you can upgrade the lens material to Trivex for $30. I went ahead and ordered a pair of safety glasses made with Trivex.

    When I wear these safety glasses, I cannot tell the difference between having them on and naked eye. I can sure tell the difference between naked eye and my polycarb prescription glasses, they make everything duller, the colors are less vivid.

    If I have the story straight, a company called PPG developed Trivex around the turn of the millennium, to be used as a form of transparent armor. This Trivex was for helicopter windshields and fighter jet canopies, and so on. Its characteristics are high impact resistance, optical clarity and light weight.

    It seems that after its success in such applications, PPG adapted Trivex for the optical lens market, with an eye to be premium lens material for eyeglasses.

    At the last match, I wore my Trivex safety glasses the entire time and the image from the riflescope was just as if I didn’t have them on at all. I ordered a pair of Trivex glasses with my prescription, and I have been wearing them since they arrived. It’s as if they were not there. The colors are fine, and they weigh next to nothing.

    As stated earlier, Zenni.com is where got my Trivex safety glasses and my Trivex prescription eyeglasses. It's a little tricky when you order the glasses, but you must remember to specify the premium lens material and be sure it says 1.53 index or 1.53 Blockz. There are other numbers, but the Trivex is 1.53.

    There are other places that have Trivex, such as RX Safety and others. I have only purchased from Zenni and I am very pleased with the results. The Trivex safety glasses with plastic frame were $60. The Trivex prescription glasses with titanium frame were $120.

    Nice to know, been thinking of going up on the ladder for better eye protection.
     
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    Sorry to be so late coming back here. I'm traveling this week and life gets in the way.
    All I'm talking about is greatly reducing the CA that is created by polycarbonate lenses. When looking through a riflescope, you are using your far vision; a riflescope is an afocal device. The "diopter" setting is really just a fine tuning mechanism, if you think you're seeing the reticle better because of your near vision prescription, you're wrong and you're doing something incorrectly.
    I forget which frame I got for my safety glasses, but they are very thin. Zenni.com has a huge selection of frames. My prescription Trivex glasses have a very thin flexible titanium frame. They weigh next to nothing with the Trivex progressive lenses.
     
    Is there any objective, neutral testing data between quality Polycarbonate lenses and Trivex? Does Trivex pass all the MIL testing and certification? How does Trivex do with UV spectrum rays when compared to PolyCarb?
     
    I can tell you, that as you get older, you may need bifocals to see the lines on your turrets. The time to NOT figure that out is at a PRS match, when you put your tacticool non bifocal prescription sunglasses on, and your regular glasses are back at the truck, and you are in the middle of a stage trying to dial your scope. Don’t ask me how I know this.
     
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    What if you need bifocals--I assume far on top and near on bottom (to to able to read turrets). Can the trivex lenses be ordered as bifocals?
    Yes, of course. I'm 70 years old and I've been wearing glasses for almost 60 years. I've had progressive bifocals for over 20 years. I ordered a pair of progressively bifocals with my exact prescription in Trivex and when they came in, I retired my still new polycarbonate prescription progressive bifocals.

    I discovered that I can read finer print with my Trivex glasses than with my polycarbs, especially black print on white paper. (That's where you will experience the most CA). I can discern small artifacts on my smartphone better with the Trivex glasses.

    If you have a strong prescription, say something greater that 3 diopters to correct, Trivex may jot work for you.

    For me, Trivex made a sizable difference in my viewing experience. Colors pop more, life is not as dull. I enjoy great IQ from my Majesta with them on. As with everything, the novelty of seeing colors better will wear off, until you put your polycarbs back on. You will wonder how you put up with that crap for so long,
    Trivex. Look it up. It's $30, for gosh sakes. It's definitely not going to be worse than your polycarbs.
     
    Yes, of course. I'm 70 years old and I've been wearing glasses for almost 60 years. I've had progressive bifocals for over 20 years. I ordered a pair of progressively bifocals with my exact prescription in Trivex and when they came in, I retired my still new polycarbonate prescription progressive bifocals.

    I discovered that I can read finer print with my Trivex glasses than with my polycarbs, especially black print on white paper. (That's where you will experience the most CA). I can discern small artifacts on my smartphone better with the Trivex glasses.

    If you have a strong prescription, say something greater that 3 diopters to correct, Trivex may jot work for you.

    For me, Trivex made a sizable difference in my viewing experience. Colors pop more, life is not as dull. I enjoy great IQ from my Majesta with them on. As with everything, the novelty of seeing colors better will wear off, until you put your polycarbs back on. You will wonder how you put up with that crap for so long,
    Trivex. Look it up. It's $30, for gosh sakes. It's definitely not going to be worse than your polycarbs.
    Thx. I guess I’ll call Zenni to ask. I haven’t found a way to select Trivex lenses for bifocals; I have for single Rx and progressives.
     
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    I forget which frame I got for my safety glasses, but they are very thin. Zenni.com has a huge selection of frames. My prescription Trivex glasses have a very thin flexible titanium frame. They weigh next to nothing with the Trivex progressive lenses.

    If you could check your invoice at some point and find out which exact frame you ordered I'd appreciate it. I would rather not order a set based on pictures only to find out when they arrive the ear pieces are too thick to be all day comfortable under ear muffs.
     
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    If you could check your invoice at some point and find out which exact frame you ordered I'd appreciate it. I would rather not order a set based on pictures only to find out when they arrive the ear pieces are too thick to be all day comfortable under ear muffs.
    Ditto - same sentiment. Thank you for the recommendation!
     
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    How much did you spend for a pair?
    I've had 3 pair over the years, average around $150-220. My latest pair I bought because I left my Rydon's at my gf's house, and purchased a set of Nyad's. They are Z87.1+, and my Rydon's were only Z87, I believe, and I had had them for a decade or so and the lenses were pretty messed up from various wear and tear, so it was time it get a new pair anyway.

    I picked the Nyad's because they lack nose pieces, and are Z87.1+ rated. The nose pieces always concerned me because I use them as driving glasses also, and an air-bag would blast that right into your eyes, while the Nyad presents much less of a hazard, due to not having the nose-piece, IMO. I also like the lens stability provided by the full-perimeter frame. The Nyad's are a newer design.
     
    I've had 3 pair over the years, average around $150-220. My latest pair I bought because I left my Rydon's at my gf's house, and purchased a set of Nyad's. They are Z87.1+, and my Rydon's were only Z87, I believe, and I had had them for a decade or so and the lenses were pretty messed up from various wear and tear, so it was time it get a new pair anyway.

    Are their lenses glass?

    I’m new to looking up protective eyewear.

    Trying to find something better than your usual Walmart / Home Depot 3Ms.
     
    Never noticed this. Probably because I've always used Rudy Project for eye pro. For the past 20 years almost.

    They mention Abbe number being high. That may very well be Trivex or equivalent. Good find.
     
    They mention Abbe number being high. That may very well be Trivex or equivalent. Good find.

    Rudy says they primarily use their own proprietary impactX material which is a urethane... Trivex is also urethane. Possibly a derivative. However, Rudy says they also use polycarbonate or trivex depending on the specific application or prescription.
     
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    Are their lenses glass?

    I’m new to looking up protective eyewear.

    Trying to find something better than your usual Walmart / Home Depot 3Ms.
    No:

    ImpactX Lens Technology
    Since the development of CR-39 and polycarbonate over 40 years ago, there have been few advances and innovations in high impact-resistant optical polymer development. NXT® is a family of patented polyurethane optical polymers, transparent and virtually unbreakable, originally developed for the military to provide superior protection and performance. NXT was born in the USA in the early 1990's when the US Government contracted Simula Technologies to develop bullet proof, transparent, and light weight material capable of providing superior protection, reliability and longer lasting performance than polycarbonate. This material is also used in the windows in post Sept. 11 cockpit doors being installed on airplanes and Apache helicopter windshields panels; it is today available for Rudy Project Technically cool eyewear under a unique and unparalleled lens program: ImpactX. ImpactX represents today the most advanced technological solution in the field of vision protection. Thanks to their transparency and superior optical quality, lenses made in NXT ensure sharp vision and unbeatable comfort: they are made by casting, a process which ensures lower internal stress, higher optical homogeneity and mechanical stability compared to traditional polycarbonate.

    Why ImpactX:
    1. Guaranteed unbreakable for life: ImpactX NXT is stronger than any other lens material, guaranteed not to break or crack, even in complex rimless frames. ImpactX NXT impact resistance is higher than polycarbonate and passes all impact resistance standards.
    2. Superior Optics: ImpactX NXT has lower refractive index, internal stress and chromatic dispersion than polycarbonate, resulting in sharper images, higher definition, reduces "rainbowing", and more visual comfort.
    3. Superior Anti-Scratch Properties: ImpactX NXT lenses feature a superior Quartz scratch resistant antistatic coatings, which doesn't attract dust.
    4. Lightweight: ImpactX NXT is 20% lighter than CR-39 and 10% lighter than polycarbonate.
    5. Exclusive Semi-Rigid Platform: Tailor made ImpactX NXT formula for superior safety and unparalleled protection.
    6. Cutting Edge Photochromic and Polarized Technology: Enhanced visual acuity for any climatic conditions.
     
    Rudy says they primarily use their own proprietary impactX material which is a urethane... Trivex is also urethane. Possibly a derivative. However, Rudy says they also use polycarbonate or trivex depending on the specific application or prescription.
    Correct. I use ImpactX2, which are RP's proprietary derivative with photochromic feature.

    This was in my first pair years ago.
     
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    The range where i shoot faces primarily south. But there are also target in a southeast and southwest direction. These shooting positions are not covered so having some type of sunglasses is almost a requirement.

    Aside from the lens materials, what lens color works best for identifying targets at distance?

    Polarized? Seems to help with reflections but may add some distortion.