Prescription sunnies

crazney

Hey folks,

Being unfortunate enough to have poor eye sight, and unable to wear contact lenses, I have the misfortune of not being able to wear standard sunnies.

So I've been riding for several years with just my standard prescription glasses, but they don't offer nearly as much protection as I'd like - both from the sun and flying debris / insects etc.

I went to my optomotrist the other day to enquire about specific prescription _cycling_ sunnies.. (Cycling sunnies are different in that the wrap around further to protect your eyes from all that debris). Anyhow, the nice lady told showd me what they had available. The cheapest they had would cost me: $300 for the frame + sunglass lenses, $100 for script lenses and another $100 for a clip fixture to set them in. Apparantly these glasses have a system that allows the prescription lense to fit behind the standard lense. That's $500 for a pair of sunglasses. Not what I'm willing to pay.

So, does anyone have any advice for what I'm to do? I don't need any flashy sunglasses, just something that does the job. The cheaper the better.

Thanks folks.

David.

a1086528

g'day
rudy project and oakley make pretty good prescription cycling glasses, they're what most pro riders use these days.
i think most cyclist requiring prescription sunnies opt for rudy project rydon, they're the one with a clip on the inside. what makes these frames particularly good is that the lenses are interchangle for different light conditions, but after buying the frame, the clip-in and prescription lense it can get quite expensive.
i myself opted for a pair of rudy project Kabrio Ti instead of the rydons, i chose the kabrios over the rydons cause they have a more casual look to them, so you can wear it to the beach and stuff like that. whats also good about this pair is that its more like a pair of convertible glasses. the sunglass lens clips onto the standard frame (can get dif. colour lenses too), so you can use it as a prescription sunglass or just as pair of ordinary prescription glasses. i think its actually cheaper than getting a pair of rydons cause you dont need to get the clip-in. i think they're great, heaps comfy, heaps of adjustments and a variety of frame colours.
check it out at rudyproject.com.au

elphyn

My partner has recently got some fit-over sunnies that go over her regular glasses. They actually aren't too bad, quite compact and not like the big bulky ones that many pensioners seem to favour. I think she got them from the optical superstore within Myers, but I'll check. Let me know if you want the brand of the fit-overs.

Also if that isn't any good, some health insurance companies (Medibank private) will give a free pair of prescription glasses per year. I know one year my partner got a pair of prescription sunnies from the optical superstore and they definately were not worth $500, she can only claim up to $200 or so for her free pair.

cheers

The Dubliner

Join a health fund, as you should be able to claim back much of the cost of the glasses.

Rudy's are definately the way to go. Spend the extra and it will be worth it. I had a pair of Rudy Perceptor which were good until hit by a car, but still useable. Santa brought me the new model which has replaced the Perceptor and they are fantastic. You can use them as standard specs, standard sunnies if you had contact lenses in, or prescription sunnies. You don't get blind spots with them (the Perceptors did).

crazney

Well, I have medibank private, but am just about to cancel it.. From their website, I can only get $200 on eyewear each year, only $92 of which can be for frames.. So it's really not worth it.

Poiter

David
Check out the Euosport sunglasses with the RX insert.
http://www.eurooptics.com.au/360.html
http://www.eurooptics.com.au/images.../sport/fire.jpg
the "360" and the "Fire" are cheap and the clip is only $19.
Still have to pay the $100 ransom to optometrists though.
Pete
Canberra

ed073

I wear prescription sunnies too.

Rudy Project or Oakley. Whichever you prefer.

crazney

Hey cool, that looks pretty good. The fire is only $50. Sweet.

Now, can anyone recommend a good optometrist that stocks this stuff? (In Melbourne.)

Thanks!

David

Poiter

Myer, Chemist shops, Rebel Sport, Some bike shops.
Failing that you can buy direct from Euro with a credit card.
Once you get them just rock up to an optometrist.

Not a rep, just someone who has had to chase them down for myself.

Pete

SteveA

I am a 'Blind Bugger on a Bike' too. I currently wear Rudy Perceptions and I am very happy with them but they were quite expensive.

Depending on how blind you are, there are some limitations on the prescription that can be put into your cycling sunnies - all to do with the base curve of the frames. At the limit, using some of the new (ie more expensive) high refractive index lens materials, higher prescriptions can be put into curved frames, but there comes a limit where high prescriptions are not really practical for curved frames.

With the Rudies, only some of their frames can take the really strong prescriptions - Perception is one.

It would pay to ask Euro, or whoever, before you part with the cash.

Alternatively, most optometrists can get in frames on special order for you, and if they are getting the business of doing the lenses, will often be prepared to check these sorts of things with the optical company rep for you.

cheers,
SteveA

SteveA

I have the Perceptions which were not cheap. I'm thinking about a new pair of bike sunnies. What did the Kabrio TI' s cost?

cheers,
SteveA

leerob_52

If you have trouble finding your ones "BBB" brand (make just about every thing in the way of bike accessories and stocked by lots of bike shops have a set with 3 sets of lenses for different lighting conditions at about $120 and you may find you local eye shop already has them - mine did after I purchased mine from Cecil Walkers in Melbourne. Very happy with them.