Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Shifting gears (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/)

-   -   Sunglasses you own and wear thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/53834-sunglasses-you-own-wear-thread-18.html)

You seem to know something no one other than Ray Ban knows. What is it?

Depends on the purpose a person chooses a brand.

Its the result of a recent survey conducted in Asian countries that most users choose an eye wear mainly based on the design and a minisucle amount are bothered about the lens technology. This is not right, atleast according to me. Whats the point hiding behind a brand? Get the point.

In places like India where the sun is really sharp - it is useful to get a pair of sunglasses with UV400 or maximum possible UV protection. This is especially so when one goes higher up the hills in summer - Ooty Sun can be really sharp and on account of the thinner atmosphere one can get affected by UV radiation to a greater extent.
Same story in a place like Madras, say if one is sitting on a beach.

The colour of the lenses can be Green, Greeny Grey, Light Grey, Dark Grey, Smoke Grey or Amber and in varying tones of lightness/darkness depending on one's needs.

It is considered that Amber is usually very good for driving glasses because it enhances clarity of vision. For sports usage also UV400 protection would really be helpful.

It is certainly important to have stylish frames and thus conform to one's fashion aspirations - but I would certainly recommend that greater weightage is given to the lens technology, quality and the way the glasses fit on one's face, more than anything else. The fit of the sunglasses is very important for comfort and to protect the sides (peripherals) of one's vision.

It is also true that most of the first class fashion sunglass brands conform to very high quality standards. Most of the well known fashion brands have anyway licensed out the sunglass category of their brands to world-renowned sunglass companies such as Luxottica and Safilo - so one cant go far wrong with any of these in terms of the quality aspects.

Rightly said,in higher altitude areas you also risk skin problems. A UV filter is normally mandatory for across all sunglass manufacturers, so its not somthing that they offer, yet are forced to offer.

With respect to Luxottica and Safilo and their adherence to quality standards.
It varies across brands. Its not common technology or QC for all brands.

Agree design is an important factor, yet its always best to focus more on the lenses. Just my thought.

Agreed. Which is why it is better in my opinion while buying sunglasses, to focus on a "core" sunglass brand rather than a fashion brand. The same logic applies (atleast in my opinion) for watches or any other specialist "function" oriented product, where function supercedes "form".

For example I would consider sunglass brands like the following to be "safe" from a QC point of view; (This is not intended as a "definitive list" or anything because there would certainly be other brands that can find a place here)

1. Serengeti
2. Ray-ban
3. Carrera
4. Polaroid
5. Oakley
6. Bolle
7. Tag Heuer
8. Persol
etc etc

Rayban. Well, to each his own.

All the brands mentioned by you are good at lens technology, 7 and 9 I am not sure. Also, Sundog is a good brand and one of my favourites.

I broke one pair of old Rayban Aviators I had and lost the other having foolishly left them behind in a taxi - these were manufactured in Rochester (NY) when Rayban was still Rayban by Bausch & Lomb and before they sold out to Luxottica. I can vouch for those as also the couple of pairs of Wayfarers that I bought subsequently and which also I lost later.

As per my observation and research Tag Heuer Sunglasses are amongst the best in terms of tech - titanium frames and superb lenses. They dont compromise on their quality one bit. Also considering their overall reputation for very high quality and precision engineering, they cannot afford to do so.

Persol is a very old brand - established in 1915-1917 or so. Italian - means 'for the sun'. Reputation for "Bespoke levels" of quality.

But to me the dream would be the Serengeti Drivers - didnt buy them on a recent trip because Im waiting for the real need to arise before I splurge. Lovely stylish and functional classics, those sunglasses.

I had an opportunity to visit the RayBan plant in Rochester some two decades ago. It used to be amongst the largest employers in town. I recall they had clean rooms not just for grinding the lenses but also for assembly of some of their high end products.

BTW thanks for information on Persol and the Serengeti Drivers, I will look these up.

Persol is available in India. Serengetti is not.

Serengetti is a good brand, the other house brand of Serengetti is Bolle. Both are not available here.

@khoj - a personal favourite for years has been Serengeti - amber lenses - aviator frame or green lenses and tortoiseshell frame - very very classy indeed.
@ beejay - the range of Persol available here is a bit constrained. I am sure that one or other master franchisee/ licensee will bring in both Serengeti and Bolle in the near future. Personally I would not buy these in the grey market - much rather buy either when visiting abroad somewhere, but as I said, I am waiting for the "need" to arise before splurging.

i am owning four sets of sun-glasses.

1. Polo Club --- Presented by Wifey on Birthday.
2. Fast track -- Blue and White combination escpecially for night drivings.
3. Reebok -- These set is for bike driving.
4.Polaroid -- has one more set received as gift.

and several other models which are not so famous.

Bolle is coming for sure. In fact I was offered a role, however it was with the distributor and not direct, and I was not looking to get employed too.

Serengetti, will take some time. They compete directly with Maui Jim and Im sure they will enter soon, keeping in mind the quick growth of Maui Jim.

If you want to have a look at the entire collection of Persol. let me know and I will see if I can have the Bangalore sales rep who handles the same show it to you. This will be entire collection. Of course when you want to splurge.

interesting.thanks. perhaps you can pm me the Persol local rep details so I can take a view sometime soon.
look forward to Serengeti coming in - considering that the meat of their range is priced anywhere between 150-250 USD, they will perforce fall into the Premium-Luxe category here. But those classic Amber Aviators are really the best I ve seen - excellent glasses indeed.

Have owned the following sunglasses, Oakley full metal jacket, Fastrack, RayBan Aviator and Serengeti Nuvola PolarPhd Drivers lens. Serengeti is the newest of the lot and of this lot Serengeti's are on a class of their own, its a pleasure driving with these on!

Ray Ban Aviator, the only 1 i have and ofcourse will have