Bushwalk Australia

Hi

As age is getting the better on me reading glasses are becoming a fact of life but when bushwalking they are a pain in the neck as I tend to carry enough junk and in Australia the cost of "standard" reading glasses from optometrists are ridiculously expensive given the often short lifespan in the pack plus the hassle of accessing them. I do wear sunglasses at times but the mixture of bright light on alpine areas and dappled light with shade and the generally one lens colour/tint (way to dark) fits all solution means frustration. Plus have the issue of sweat build up with poor designed fashion wrap around lenses. Adding to the annoyance is the industry's love of plastic and inflated claims of scratch resistant coatings.

For car use I have had for many years had Randolph military specified aviation mineral glass sunglasses and they have been brilliant. Brought from an army disposal store before the brand got high-jacketed by the high street sunglass stores for eighty dollars. Standard grey tint means no colour distortion and even the fifties aviation styled appearance with flatter lenses works a treat. For bushwalking I use Ray-Ban glass lens sunglasses in the Buddy Holiday style and apart from the too dark and green tint happy with them as they pack up flat.

Anyway thought there must be better out there and noticed the Mauri Jim reader sunglasses but as usual the love affair with plastic lenses abounds along with claims that they are scratch resistance. For a mere $270 I can buy a pair of glasses that would unlikely last to lunch time! But I do like the idea that they would enable me to read maps and gadgets without scrambling around digging out reading glasses.

Has any one come across light cooper tint lens sunglasses with glass lenses and a reading section? If so please post any information on your experience with them.

Cheers

I know it's a pain in the neck but I have a couple of extra pairs of reading glasses and have a super light but strong plastic case to put them in.
Total weight is about 25g.
They go in the top zipper of the pack and all is good.

+1 on the hassles with sunglasses. I have to wear glasses pretty much all of the time and haven't yet found a satisfactory solution with sunglasses. I either have to pay a fortune for prescription sunglasses which increase the contrast so much that they are ineffective in all but the sunniest conditions or I can use clip-ons which are probably worse. I make do with solar tinted glasses which are better than nothing but not as good as sunglasses. They do work best when the weather is cold and sunny which is when they tint up darkest.

Ent a cheaper option would be these http://www.polarizedoptics.com/catalog/ ... 8f01cc250c and or others from this site
Corvus

At that price well worth a try. Thanks for the link Corvus.

Cheers

Ent wrote:At that price well worth a try. Thanks for the link Corvus.

Cheers

Since having my cataracts removed and getting distance sight back I need reading /computer specs and sunnies so these may be the answer to not needing to carry two pairs of specs on a Stroll and
much cheaper than my prescription readers
corvus

I use reading glasses for maps. Knowing my propensity to find new ways to lose / break all forms of glasses when hiking, i take a pair of $5 reading glasses from a chemist. They are good enough.

andrewbish wrote:I use reading glasses for maps. Knowing my propensity to find new ways to lose / break all forms of glasses when hiking, i take a pair of $5 reading glasses from a chemist. They are good enough.

I did think about that however it does mean sunnies + readers which I am hoping to avoid so I like the look of this single combination.
corvus

I use these.. http://www.thesafetyhub.com.au/p/1184723/maxvue-scope-bi-focal-safety-glasses---smoke-lens.html They come in tinted or clear.

Try punching in 'Bifocal sunglasses' or 'Bifocal safety glasses' into google or ebay. Lots of different styles to choose from but trying to find some thing with glass lenses will be difficult.

MotoStv wrote:I use these.. http://www.thesafetyhub.com.au/p/1184723/maxvue-scope-bi-focal-safety-glasses---smoke-lens.html They come in tinted or clear.

Try punching in 'Bifocal sunglasses' or 'Bifocal safety glasses' into google or ebay. Lots of different styles to choose from but trying to find some thing with glass lenses will be difficult.

Thanks for that does the tint have UV protection and are they Polarized ? both features that I require .
corvus

I bought a pair of these a couple of weeks ago. PC polarised lens plus magnifiers. Nice and light. So far so good.
http://derekmckenzie.com.au/Belize%20Po ... *&^%$#@!.html

I hate bi-focals, I get a severe headache when wearing them so went back to separates
Fitovers for me every time and if it really sunny or strong glare off snow sunnies plus Fitovers, my bushwalking readers are the $5- ones from the chemist

Hi

Thanks for all the comments. Been reading up big time and one thing that has come out is how do those with the reading section go walking given that we spend a lot of time looking down to avoid tripping.

Also the importance of anti-reflective coating. I find cheap readers are a pain with reflections while my prescription ones are good. Many economical brands do not mention if they have this coating.

I am working on two approaches. Mega expensive quality glass lenses or cheap and cheerful but with with extra for a decent anti-reflective coating.

I have scratched numerous plastic lens sunglasses so the idea of spending a fortune on them is out. Also too much hassle constantly putting on readers for map and GPS plus camera but might be forced down that path. Actually cameras with settings buried deep in menu settings are a pain so trying a Canon G12 with dedicated controls and good old fashion viewfinder. Given I once had exceptional close in eyesight not adapting well to aging eyes. Better understand why Dad got frustrated with glasses. Yet have since twelve worn long distance glasses and more recently the month wear contacts with success. But reading glasses are a pain more than I expected.

Cheers

corvus wrote:

MotoStv wrote:I use these.. http://www.thesafetyhub.com.au/p/1184723/maxvue-scope-bi-focal-safety-glasses---smoke-lens.html They come in tinted or clear.

Try punching in 'Bifocal sunglasses' or 'Bifocal safety glasses' into google or ebay. Lots of different styles to choose from but trying to find some thing with glass lenses will be difficult.

Thanks for that does the tint have UV protection and are they Polarized ? both features that I require .
corvus

Their not Polarized and nothing on the Scope web site about UV protection. http://www.scopesafetyglasses.com.au/maxvue.html

I wear the clear ones at work when out in the workshop (because i have to) and the tinted while on the motorbike. Unfortunately, i cant use Polarized glasses on the bike as they make the visor look like an oil slick.

Moondog55 wrote:I hate bi-focals, I get a severe headache when wearing them so went back to separates
Fitovers for me every time and if it really sunny or strong glare off snow sunnies plus Fitovers, my bushwalking readers are the $5- ones from the chemist

I dont get headaches but after a few hours, my eyes do get 'tired'.

Ent wrote:Hi
Thanks for all the comments. Been reading up big time and one thing that has come out is how do those with the reading section go walking given that we spend a lot of time looking down to avoid tripping.

Thats one reason i like the 'Scope' glasses. The bifocal area is a bit smaller than most. They do take a bit of getting use to though. You need to learn to move your head more as opposed to looking at things by just moving your eyes.

My eyes do get a bit tired after a few hours but i put a mate onto them (he works as a fencer) & he loves them. The only way to know how you will cope is to just grab a pair & try them out, sorry.

For bushwalking and travel I use generic non-prescription reading glasses that are cheap enough that it doesn't matter if they are lost or damaged. Specifically I use "Flapjacks" glasses made in Italy and bought from US eBay. They fold flat into their own case. The one's I have are something like this but there are also other models:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FLAPJACKS-Fo ... 7216bd8cc3

And dirt cheap delivered from USA.

I have just placed an order for these 2.5 mag had to try them out for under $20.00
http://www.reading-glasses.eyewearer.co ... tml#PB021B
corvus

Ent, I normally wear bifocal glasses and I dont like wearing them when walking. To much ground goes into blurr unless you really tilt your head down. I prefer walking in my prescription sunglasses which only have the one focal length. I would not recommend bifocals for walking.

Roger

Prior to my cataract procedures I wore prescription bifocal specs with photo-chromatic lenses for years and had no problems on any walks so I am prepared to have a go with this cheap version to save the hassle of two sets of specs on walks.
I guess we are all different and time will tell if they are any good
corvus

Ent wrote:Has any one come across light cooper tint lens sunglasses with glass lenses and a reading section? If so please post any information on your experience with them.

Hey Ent,

I gave up on Glass lenses years ago when one shattered cutting my face and narrowly missed damaging my eye. If you take reasonable care, good plastic lenses will last a long time (I get years out of a set) Wouldn't touch a glass lens with a barge pole now. Too heavy and too dangerous, even if they don't shatter they still weigh too much compared to current lens tech.

I specify high diffractive index Nikon lenses in a progressive PX and wear them all the time. My current daily specs weigh 18g total and I have had them since June 2010. No scratches. I have a pair of Rudy Project Rydon specs for more active pursuits with a similar PX lens. For skiing, I use another Rudy goggle with PX inserts. Awesome kit.

Hi Photohiker

Matter of personal preference. Plastic sunglasses have a life expectancy with me of about half a day.

As for impact resistance all depends on the glass used. I have a pair of Randolph Engineering aviation glasses that have survived fifteen years in my cars. Sat on numerous times and rattled around without a case but still optically A1. Used by US military and designed to withstand up to having an aircraft window broken and chucking bits of it back at the pilot. From Vietnam to Afghan war still the preferred aircrew glasses. Can not fault them apart from the tripling in price when they went from army disposal store to fashion house item. Top Gun caused that!

As for safety glasses miss a very old pair of English made glass ones. Shook off grinding waste for many many years while plastic ones stuffed after a week if heavy duty grinding. OH&S Nazis put paid to them despite the fact they managed to stop an exploring cast iron shard. Just goes to prove bureaucrats with no practical understanding can stuff anything up.

Trouble is optical glass us expensive while plastic cheap so trendy brands can make a killing from the gullible. For bike riding if I "lose" my glass ones I use the Cancer Council ones as I will soon destroy them. Oh and yes plastic lenses will shatter as found that out when Ent parted company with MTB.

Cheers

Have a look at local made Spotters.

[/quote ]
Hey Ent,

I gave up on Glass lenses years ago when one shattered cutting my face and narrowly missed damaging my eye. If you take reasonable care, good plastic lenses will last a long time (I get years out of a set) Wouldn't touch a glass lens with a barge pole now. Too heavy and too dangerous, even if they don't shatter they still weigh too much compared to current lens tech.

I specify high diffractive index Nikon lenses in a progressive PX and wear them all the time. My current daily specs weigh 18g total and I have had them since June 2010. No scratches. I have a pair of Rudy Project Rydon specs for more active pursuits with a similar PX lens. For skiing, I use another Rudy goggle with PX inserts. Awesome kit.[/quote]

G'day Photohiker,
Are the "specs" you wear daily prescription eyeglasses or just "sunnies" ? or does that what you mean with PX?
I required prescription eyeglasses from the age of 12 to my 65 years(only readers now ) including prescription "sunnies" and all of them were "glass" and never had a broken lense despite most outdoor pursuits other than skiing and surfing and plenty of youthful drunken revels .
So interested in what happened to you when the lens shattered and as an aside my new reading /computer prescription glass lens" specs" weigh a massive 21g
corvus

corvus wrote:G'day Photohiker,
Are the "specs" you wear daily prescription eyeglasses or just "sunnies" ? or does that what you mean with PX?
I required prescription eyeglasses from the age of 12 to my 65 years(only readers now ) including prescription "sunnies" and all of them were "glass" and never had a broken lense despite most outdoor pursuits other than skiing and surfing and plenty of youthful drunken revels .
So interested in what happened to you when the lens shattered and as an aside my new reading /computer prescription glass lens" specs" weigh a massive 21g
corvus

They are prescription eyeglasses with progressive script and also photochromatic. Can't even see where the prescription changes from distance, but I'm told there are several graduated prescriptions in there that finish at reading strength.

Prescription since about 18. Got a bit to go to catch your 12-65. My left lens shatterred when it hit the steering wheel on the Bass Highway near Deloraine (long story, but farmer had a paddock on either side of the highway and failed to check for traffic!) and I spent some time in Deloraine Hospital (Does it still exist?) several shards were extracted from around my eye, and at the time the Doc said I was very lucky my eye was not involved as the lens had basically exploded. They were standard OPSM specs.

Weights probably depend on prescription and frames, as well as the type of lens. 18g is lighter than any other pair I have had.

Cheers.

[/quote]
They are prescription eyeglasses with progressive script and also photochromatic. Can't even see where the prescription changes from distance, but I'm told there are several graduated prescriptions in there that finish at reading strength.

Prescription since about 18. Got a bit to go to catch your 12-65. My left lens shatterred when it hit the steering wheel on the Bass Highway near Deloraine (long story, but farmer had a paddock on either side of the highway and failed to check for traffic!) and I spent some time in Deloraine Hospital (Does it still exist?) several shards were extracted from around my eye, and at the time the Doc said I was very lucky my eye was not involved as the lens had basically exploded. They were standard OPSM specs.

Thanks for clearing that up photohiker,my old script specs were just that except they had glass lenses.
Since having cataracts removed and new lenses inserted (including one to fix an astigmatism) I dont need specs for other than reading and computer use so having "script sunnies" in addition to my new script specs would be an expensive exercise for me so I will have a go with the el cheapo versions and take the chance on plastic lenses
corvus

corvus wrote:Since having cataracts removed and new lenses inserted (including one to fix an astigmatism) I dont need specs for other than reading and computer use so having "script sunnies" in addition to my new script specs would be an expensive exercise for me so I will have a go with the el cheapo versions and take the chance on plastic lenses
corvus

Hmm. Why am I finding myself hoping I get cataracts? You're the 4th person in the last couple of weeks to tell me they no longer need distance specs since having cataract surgery.

Cheap and cheerful sounds like a good option for reading glasses.

Hi Photohiker

Be careful what you wish for as might already have cataracts forming. I am rather fussy on my vision and have a good optometrist and made a comment that one eye was not as clear as it should be and the white background of the eye chart changed in tone swapping one eye to the other. Yeap, cataract forming. Now the fun and games of having spent a fortune on glasses when to act. Low level at the moment so more a minor hassle as I can still see way above driving standard (me thinks the driving standard is rather shabby) but did explain two shredded tires when I misjudged the apex of a corner by an inch or two a week before the examination.

Best advice is if you have lost the ability to focus close in through age then cataract surgery can correct for distance so goodbye glasses for distance but you will still need them for close in so you are no worst off. The life expectancy of the artificial lens is very good so no need to delay.

Given the above I am more tempted by the cheap option but anti-reflective coating is still a must have in my opinion. At the moment bright daylight means I can read most things but cameras are becoming hit and miss. Me thinks that the trend to older style camera controls might being driven at one level by the aging baby boomers rediscovering what the old time camera makers stumbled across years age, that being, nothing beats big definitive single purpose controls.

Also have not found a single bi-focal sunglasses made of Crown glass. Do like the "brown" tint of the Spotter series in Crown glass but not made as a bi-focal.

Cheers

If I had cataracts (I haven't) I'd get them done immediately. Surgery is routine and very fast these days. Like you say, no reason to delay.

A friend of mine had them diagnosed and fixed at age 40. Couple of hours and job was done. Pretty amazing.