Playing w/ Zenni Optical – Ideal, cheap glasses for the trail?

I used 39dollarglasses.com which by all reports produces significantly better optics in their lenses but is otherwise similar to Zenni. A bit more expensive.

I got a plastic frame set with regular CR-39 lenses (not Polycarbonate, which has significantly more distortion at lower prescriptions), but coated with Transitions and AR.

Intended use was on the trail, but they have also become my daily-wear pair. Best lenses I've ever had and the frames are great too.

The Transitions effect is useful, but has a tendency to be too dark when walking under canopy before sunset or in bad weather (it responds to UV, which does not always necessarily represent the amount of visible light available).

It'd be nice to have polarized lenses on the trail for reduced glare above the treeline… and it's an old fisherman's trick; allows you to see into streams so you know where the fish are. But AFAIK you can't get polarized Transitions lenses.

I found some years back that Transitions lenses have their problems. First, going from sunlight to shade on forest roads means you drive into every pothole in the shade because the glasses don't lighten swiftly enough going from sunlight to shade. Second, I thought I was losing my night vision until I realized that Transitions lenses (which are a little darker than normal lenses) definitely reduce night vision.

I've tried zenni and eyebuydirect and didn't like their product at all. I guess it is true you get what you pay for.

I like 39DollarGlasses.com not only for their quality but their turn around time is WEEKS faster than the other two. It seems that if you order from a company that gets their glasses made in China, it can take up to 4 weeks to get your glasses.

Personally, I want my glasses now and in good quality!

Yup, I definitely spent a few more dollars but I will not shop anywhere else.

I worked in optometry for 15 years heres some helpful tips on purchasing spectacles or glasses.

Cr39 lens is the closest optical grade quality plastic lens to Glass lens and have less aberration.

Polycarbonate lens are impact resistant but they scratch easier cause visual aberrations than Cr39 lens because polycarb is a softer plastic.

Transition lens are comfort lens to tone down bright sun light but do not block the harmful UV light rays of the sun, they are not a replacement for good quality sunglasses that block harmful UV rays of the sun.
Transitions finally came out a lens that block harmful UV sun rays it their top of the line lens not available from cheap on line spectacle companies.

I owned a pair of Vuarnet expedition sunglasses the frames were round circle around each eye with leather sun side shields. The lens color was almost black to protect from snow blindness when hiking in the snow or glaciers.

Most online companies I found when looking at patient with problems with their spectacles they purchased . They don't make the spectacles with Monocular pupillary distance or AKA as P.D. they use a binocular P.D. and it fine for people with light prescriptions. But it induce vision problems with patients and they are looking through off set P.D. in one eye that cause a prismatic effect.

I also measure monocular pupil height to get optimal vision quality out their spectacles. The online companies fail to use this information.

I have also measured monocular P.D. for patients and segment heights bifocals and progressive lens in their spectacles. It was quite common for patient with heavy prescription to have problems with the mail order specs.
Also most Mail order spectacle manufactures are using older technology or generation in progressive lens that why they can offer the bargain prices.

So I hope this helps everybody out in purchasing their next pair of Spectacles.
Terry

"First, going from sunlight to shade on forest roads means you drive into every pothole in the shade"

I don't really understand this because Transitions do not work inside a car, whose windshield blocks the UV light necessary to turn them dark.

"Second, I thought I was losing my night vision until I realized that Transitions lenses (which are a little darker than normal lenses) definitely reduce night vision."

Also untrue. When they are totally un-activated (like at night), the optical transmission of Transitions is actually slightly *higher* than lenses that do not have Transitions.
I certainly have not experienced either of the things you mention.

"Transition lens are comfort lens to tone down bright sun light but do not block the harmful UV light rays of the sun, they are not a replacement for good quality sunglasses that block harmful UV rays of the sun."

OK, I don't mean to doubt your experience in optometry, but this goes totally against the research I did looking into Transitions. They claim that *all* of their coatings block 100% of UVA and UVB. Actually, that claim is made right on their front page of their website.

"Transitions finally came out a lens that block harmful UV sun rays it their top of the line lens not available from cheap on line spectacle companies."

39dollarglasses.com offers Transitions VI, which from what I can tell is the latest and greatest available, and also specifically mentions total UV protection on the VI datasheet.

Terry said:

"They don't make the spectacles with Monocular pupillary distance or AKA as P.D. they use a binocular P.D. and it fine for people with light prescriptions. But it induce vision problems with patients and they are looking through off set P.D. in one eye that cause a prismatic effect.

I also measure monocular pupil height to get optimal vision quality out their spectacles. The online companies fail to use this information."

I was wondering about this as well. The variances between eyeglass frame shapes and a person's face shape mean that the "sweet spot" of the lens will vary depending on which frame a given person uses. Each lens has an ideal spot near its center where the refraction matches (or should match) what the person needs for corrected vision, and this spot needs to line up well with the pupil. I don't see how a mailorder service can get this correct for someone they haven't personally fitted.

Years ago I got fitted for lenses in new frames and in the right eye they got the sweet spot in the wrong position. My vision through that lens was off and it affected my binocular acuity as well. They had to replace it with a properly ground lens.

I suppose it's not such a big deal with a mild prescription. But if you're 20/200 or worse like me, it becomes a big deal.

Of course, there would be little market for these online providers if the local providers weren't so ridiculously overpriced.

1) My aunt worked at an eyeglass shop years ago. They would buy frames for $10-$30 and sell them for $150+.

2) I had an ultra-thin set of lenses made one time with some additional coatings (anti-scratch, etc). The optical shop simply sent the order out to a lab. When I came in to the shop to get my glasses the technician stepped away for a moment and left the lab's invoice laying out on the table. The lab's fee was around $20 and the shop was charging me $175.

I know, free market and all that. But that's why the online services have an angle to work.

Wow, Thanks for the great replies. Especially from the folks with professional insight.

In-town, I wear glasses I got from my eye car physician and they're great. I just wouldn't want to put $200 glasses through the rigors of a thru-hike. If I can get something reasonable for a good price, I'll use it (Not disregarding the advice of others that suggested that online glasses can be low quality, I'm just trying to work within those constraints). I'll try to get someone to take my measurements professionally before I fit myself with something from the internet.

Given that, I'd be curious to hear opinions on the different variables in choosing glasses.
– large lenses vs small (good coverage vs weight weenie)
– frame materials (stiffer plastic vs lighter metals)
– lens materials(I have definitely had experience with PC lenses scratching more easily but in my severe prescription they're far lighter.)
– lens tints / polarizations (what tints are best for what environments/bioregions? Can you get away with just glasses and no sunglasses by choosing a smart tint? maybe + a hat?)

A smaller lens can work well if it's close to your face, but if it's too close, it'll get sweat on it. Most of the damage to my glasses happens when I take it off, so the biggest factor in protecting my glasses must be having a good case. I would not use permanently tinted glasses because I don't only hike between sunrise and sunset. Do remember that there's plenty of snow before the Sierras, and I've experienced eye pain in those areas without wearing sunglasses. As far as polarized lenses, I noticed that the rattlesnakes in Mission Creek stood out a lot more (more red) while wearing polarized sunglasses, but I can't say why that is.

Oakley prescription lens are great their made out polycarbonate they have the toughest hard coat and anti reflective coating I have found. Most of the time we told patients not to wipe off glasses with T shirts because they will scratch the anti reflective coating . But I have no problem with my Oakley's.

I worked for the largest corporate optometry chain in the nation and the largest world wide because their are so many optical retail companies, designer frames, lens they manufacture and own.

When I first started working for them you could get a top of the line prescription glasses for about $175.00 to $200.00 .
But now it ridiculous you will spend a minimum of $400.00 to $800.00 patient would have to get a company credit card just to get a pair of glasses it kind of sad. The profit margin is about 500 to 600% profit on a pair glasses from optometrist and retail optometry store. Even cost Costco and Walmart are make about 300 % profit.
I can see why people are going to mail order for their glasses but what's the kicker is optometrist and retail optometry could sell at 200 to 300 % profit margin and still make a large profit.
Terry

I ordered some glasses from Zenni. Got the cheap $6.95 for hiking and some goggles for trail work and such.

My biggest concern while ordering is that the Frame Fit feature didn't allow me to select my pupils. I don't know if it automatically figures that out. Hopefully my glasses fit like they show on the website.

It worked out. I got some safety glasses too.

A year ago I decided to save myself some weight with my glasses by getting transitions lenses.

No need to carry two pairs simply because the transition lenses would pull double duty.

However, my experience has shown me that on overcast days, the transition lenses darken up due to the UV exposure.

On those overcast days, I really wish I had regular, clear lenses to hike in so I could see the trail more clearly.

Nothing super hazardous, but definitely annoying.

I now chose to carry two pairs of glasses.

I tell myself that if I manage to break one pair, at least I have the other as a backup.

Guess that only works if I break the sunglasses….would hate to rely on sunglasses all day and night.

-Tony

I believe most of Zenni's eyeglasses have optional clip on shades. They're cut to fit, so they don't look that bad. Good enough for the trail I would think.

Terry I sold glasses for 4 years and we never sold a pair that didn't have UV protection.

I have been very satisfied with 39ollarglasses.com. Both in service, warranty, turnaround,etc. All top notch.

When I started wearing glasses again, instead of my contacts, I complained to the eyedoctor that lights at night were fuzzy, especially red. No help. Even my alarm clock from across the bedroom was fuzzy.

One day some years ago I took a pair of lightly scratched older glasses, I wanted to use for yardwork, etc. The AR coating was scratched so it was annoying. These were expensive Trivex, not cheap lenses. So I polished the lenses , this removed the AntiReflective coating. I learned a few things. 1) the AR coating makes glasses much more enjoyable to wear. 2) It is the AR coating that causes light aberration at night .

I've been very happy with my Zenni glasses for three years now. I am due to get some replacements soon as my prescription has changed a little. I am very nearsighted, along the lines of -6.0 in both eyes, and have a little astigmatism in both eyes…so my prescription is not a super simple one.

I got the higher index lenses, titanium frames and scratch/AR coating with polarized clip-ons for around $70. Had the glasses in 3-4 weeks. The coating is just now starting to wear noticeably after three years of daily wear and cleaning with my t-shirt the majority of the time.

Two pairs from Zenni. Both very good.
If anything, my Zenni driving glasses have marginaly better performance (acuity?) than my optometrist ones, with the same scrip. Very marginal, but…

Cheers

I suspect both are made in China anyway. I was going to get glasses at the optometrist that did my prescription, but found that it would take a couple weeks to receive my eyeglasses. It takes the same amount of time to have them made in China by Zenni? Coincidence? Probably not. Even if it is an American business that makes the eyeglasses for my optometrist, I expect them to provide faster service than a factory in China, especially when I'm paying many times more.