Lets Talk Shooting Glasses

It might be OK to go cheap with perfect eyes, as long as the lenses are made from decent safety material. In fact, they last time I read about this some time ago there was quite a bit of variation in this aspect. But it is a far more interesting game when one needs prescription lenses. There is the question of how to set up and locate the magnification for efficiency in shooting for one thing. I have explored Costco, where I got my everyday glasses, and they can't provide the kind of lens set up I want, for example. (They can provide colours but can't change lenses to locate magnification the way I want.) Right now I'm close to needing a new pair, so I've been looking. The last time I bought a pair I went for bifocals with only a small high magnification part at the bottom. I felt it was most important to be able to see at infinity through a fair amount of the lens in case I tilted my head a bit or looked up a bit. They weren't perfect but the glasses have worked pretty well for me even in trap and skeet. (I use the continuously variable lenses in day to day life.) DK what I'm going to do this time around. I do think advice from those who specialize in making lenses for shooters might be very useful and worth the extra buck in my case, or for those in similar situations. Especially when you consider we will probably use the glasses a lot, and for at least a couple of years, if not more. Just my $0.02. fred
 
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After all the cash one puts out for good equipment, I can not understand why one would cheap out on the most important part? You have to to see em to hit em and and protecting your eyes is important. If you shoot a lot buy Decot....or better. I have a set of Decot frames that are over 35 years old. I can not remember how much I paid, but not much compaired to all the other stuff. No matter how much they cost, I think I will spring for another pair. My eyes are worth it.
 
Forget about the lens color for a minute. This biggest advantage with glasses like HyWyds is that the frame doesn't get in the way of shooting at all. There is no big nosepiece or frame component that gets in the line of vision. Once that is out of the way, you lose a lot of distraction especially on those peripheral targets.

Now that you have a clear range of vision, please continue the debate on lens color. For me, reds and vermillions are fine for clay targets. There are differences depending on light, but these are the most resilient colors for me.
 
BerniePEI said:
Forget about the lens color for a minute. This biggest advantage with glasses like HyWyds is that the frame doesn't get in the way of shooting at all. There is no big nosepiece or frame component that gets in the line of vision. Once that is out of the way, you lose a lot of distraction especially on those peripheral targets.

Now that you have a clear range of vision, please continue the debate on lens color. For me, reds and vermillions are fine for clay targets. There are differences depending on light, but these are the most resilient colors for me.
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Good point about the frame or nosepiece getting in the way. I'm definitely going to deal with this problem this time around. Have been using vermillion for many years and agree that it is a resilient colour. I feel it enhances contours a bit. Not sure why. Noticed that red targets at long range bleed a lot too. Maybe the two are connected. Still, it would be nice to try some different colours for clays.
 
Many of us find a light medium target orange to be our "go-to" colour for all but the brightest days. For really bright sunlight, I like "Royal Buds" ... a purple colour variation of target sun purple 70. I have about half a dozen other colours as well, but those two are the most all-around useful.
 
Was at Woodstock Optical on the weekend getting an Rx filled and they now stock RE Ranger glasses, think he said $238 for the rangers and three sets of lenses.
 
mikeyb said:
I have a pair of amber-tinted and polarized Oakleys, they're freaking amazing. They're also prescription, so I kind of have to wear them. Real nice contrast with them though, the orange really "pops" nicely.
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what oakleys are you using and do they smog up
 
beretta boy said:
Or you could order the Blue-blocker specials from the TV ads too ...
they're pretty cheap and they come in two colours.

The stuff from Browning, Cabela's and Remington is basically off-shore junk.

Think your optometrist could fix you up with a pair of non-prescription safety glasses for $ 29.99 ???

.... but it's your eyes, do as you wish !
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well said infact very well said
 
Max Owner said:
Thanx guys.

Picked up a cheap set at Wholesale before hitting the range. The reddy coloured ones. Did high light the birds better but didn't really help in their destruction. :(

I will get a better pair or set as money permits.
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Consider Traininig Instead of Glasses
Good point Max Owner. Glasses are not going to improve your technique. I don't know what your shooting experience is but it sounds like you would like to hit more targets. Training will do this not an expensive set of glasses. Take what you would spend on a good set of target glasses and spend it on lessons before you blow your load. There is a Double ATA Certified Coach at the HGC.

Browning Claymasters
When I came back to the sport, I started with a set of Brownings "Claymaster Shooting Glasses" with about 5 different tints in the pack for about $40.00. You can get them at Bass Pro, best bang for the buck. Then after taking about 10 lessons and increasing my average I went to the Rangers.

My Ranger set up: XLW - wrap frame for increased side protection, adjustable bridge, offset nose pad; optional perscription insert... lucky I don't need perscription.

Lenses: Light Purple - supposed to have good contrast against green and blue backgrounds... I didn't find them to be that great.
Vermillion - this is the colour you see almost everyone with target glasses. This is because they do a good job at highlighting orange targets against green backgrounds... fades the green and highlights the target. Best all round.
ColourMag (CMT) - I love these. There isn't anyone that tries my glasses on and looks at the targets flying and doesn't say, "WOW!" These are Exclusive to the Randolphs line. This lens technology dramatically intensifies orange targets against any background while keeping others neutral, offering the best contrast possible.

Rangers Avail in Oakville
There is a Canadian Distributor of the Rangers: next-optical.ca speak with Bo or Roy. They are located in Oakville. They have a full selection of all the frame styles and lens tints... They also have a full optics lab and a in house Optometrist.

Optical Center Important
Another thing that many don't think about is "Optical Center." This is important when you put your cheek on the comb of your gun, the optical center changes because you are looking up slighly as you put your head down. Big problem with the cheaper glasses (and most expensive non-shooting glasses) is the moment you are ready to shoot you notice that you are looking at the thick frame of your glasses distracting your shot. This is the reason for the adjustable bridge on the Rangers.

Feel free to PM me if you need any additional information.
 
I got ESS ICE from opticsplanet.net. They have many sizes, styles and kits to choose from, color and can fit RX inserts too. Shields can be bought separately.
 
I have the Decots. Couldn't be happier! Price for frames and two sets of tinted prescription lenses was around $220. They are not "High Fashion", but I only wear them for shooting anyways. The beauty of them is that when my prescription changes, I just order new lenses for the frames. My optician is a shooter too, and told me to bring the lenses back if I needed them tinted darker - no extra charge. I've gone with "blue-blocker" which really makes the targets stand out!
 
I have searched high and low for the "right" info on this topic. I needed prescription lenses, but had a budget to work within. I bought bolle vigilante with interchangable lenses, and a prescription insert. I wanted one pair of sunglasses that I could use for driving, shooting, working/safety glasses. what i got was an oversized, uncomfortable set of glasses that didn't look very good, cost too much and the colored lenses wouldn't stay in...
Next I bought a set of Rudy Project glasses with interchangeable lenses. They were reccomended as they have a superior system that holds both the lenses and the insert. Great, but after i ordered them in, and had a prescription ground for them (ie non returnable) I found that the wrap of the lenses made the prescripton for my astigmatism went wonky (clinical term) and had to be reground. Now to get them in focus I have to have them too far down my nose to fit right.
Bottom line. Buy Decot, or Ranger, forget about fashion and get a new set of lenses every couple of years to take advantage of new coating and colour technology.
As a side note, both Rudy and Bolle make you buy target orange lenses extra, neither set of "shooting" glasses came with Orange. Very clever Marketing.
Both sets of glasses were good, neither were good enough
my .02
 
DaveA said:
Was at Woodstock Optical on the weekend getting an Rx filled and they now stock RE Ranger glasses, think he said $238 for the rangers and three sets of lenses.
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My quote for Rangers with an RX by shootersoptometrist.ca was around $500.00.

Please reply to the forum what they cost you after you get set up.

Thanks
 
My Ranger set up: XLW - wrap frame for increased side protection, adjustable bridge, offset nose pad; optional perscription insert... lucky I don't need perscription.

I will not dispute proper training.

Try shooting hard angled sporting presentations with regular prescription glasses.
 
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