ltdiver 3 #1 June 20, 2005 So....getting a full face helmet and need to put prescription glasses underneath. Why not go with sunglasses, I say.... I've tried the Gatorz Batray and the Oakley Minute as well as the Nike Tarj underneath the new Bonehead Mamba and all 3 fit great! All three take prescription lenses. All 3 tout their quality and customer service. All 3 look and feel great. What I'm needing to do now is gather personal information from those of you who have experience with these (or other quality prescription available) sunglasses. Only those who fit nicely under a full face. Also, do any of these three have any difficulty with fogging under a full face. It would suck big time if I had to ditch the helmet in freefall and lose not only the prescription sunglasses but also (for those who know me) my prosthetic eye! Any and all advice welcome. (and no, I cannot wear contacts or get lasik surgery). Thanks! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #2 June 20, 2005 I like the Gatorz...they stay on with a frap hat. I had a pair of the Nikes that developed legs... didn't seem to fit as well as the Gatorz anyway... But I gotta BIG head! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #3 June 20, 2005 I have Oakley Minutes and I absolutely love them. They're O-matter frames with poly lenses and the optics are incredible. This pair has lasted me 2 years and is going strong. The pair before that went 2 years until a riser strike whipped across my face and melted the lens and part of the frame with the friction. They didn't break or shatter though.I've also had extremely good luck with Oakley customer service as well. My only complaint is that they don't offer the ice polarized lens in the Minute line.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #4 June 20, 2005 QuoteBut I gotta BIG head! Thanks! Guess I need to add that I have a small noggin... ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #5 June 20, 2005 QuoteQuoteBut I gotta BIG head! Thanks! Guess I need to add that I have a small noggin... ltdiver *** They make 'em in both fat head and pin head sizes from what I recall.... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #6 June 20, 2005 Do you wear prescription lenses with the Minute? Do you wear the polarized lens? If so, does it interfere with the visual? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #7 June 20, 2005 QuoteThey make 'em in both fat head and pin head sizes from what I recall.... Pin head? Pin head?! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #8 June 20, 2005 I'm partial to the Oakleys and the Mamba. Got ~125 jumps on the Mamba and am due for a new lens. Other than that, I love it! Oh, and get the Oaks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #9 June 20, 2005 QuoteI'm partial to the Oakleys and the Mamba. Got ~125 jumps on the Mamba and am due for a new lens. Other than that, I love it! Oh, and get the Oaks. Do you jump the 2 together? If so, have you had any problem with fogging on the glasses' lens? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #10 June 20, 2005 Nope. Normally just the Mamba so you can see that I'm awake. Lately been using my MindWarp with tinted gogs on those warm SoCal days. Oh, ya.... the dusties are all over the place! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #11 June 20, 2005 QuoteNope. Normally just the Mamba so you can see that I'm awake. Lately been using my MindWarp with tinted gogs on those warm SoCal days. Oh, ya.... the dusties are all over the place! Yeah, the tinted goggles and Mind Warp is what I've been using for the past couple of years. Works great. However, since I'll be front floater in the left, rear rear trail plane in JFTC (read: looking -over- the plane at the Sky Van), I thought a full face might be nice. 3 years ago on JFTC 2002 it was Butt COLD on some of the jumps. I was a middle floater and froze out there....now with a front float position I want a little face protection this time around! Heard they shut down 'Snore for a few today because of those 'dusty open wind tunnel thingies' propagating themselves! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #12 June 20, 2005 QuoteDo you wear prescription lenses with the Minute? Do you wear the polarized lens? If so, does it interfere with the visual? ltdiver Don't get polarised lens if you are using the visor it distorts the colour spectrum, and can fugg you up. (at least it does on all my motorbike helmets, not game to try my Oxygn) As to the prescription issure, be carful if you have a high script (like mine) a lot of the frames that they say will take a script won't take MY script.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #13 June 20, 2005 I like Kris have a pair of Oakley Minutes. I got the polarized lens and LOVE them!!! I think the only glass' i will wear while driving are oakley due to the optics. To put it simply they are the best on the market. I'v been trying to decide what pair to replace my aging minutes with as the lens are getting dinged up after two years of abuse (i don't pamper my glass') I can't speak about the gatorz or the nike's but I don't care b/c i'll always be an oakley fan.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #14 June 20, 2005 QuoteDo you wear prescription lenses with the Minute? Do you wear the polarized lens? If so, does it interfere with the visual? I don't wear polarized now, but my old pair was. Polarized under a visor gives a really odd rainbow/shimmer effect, so not really recommended. I haven't noticed any problems with my depth perception but it did take a couple of jumps to get used to. However, I have two eyes, so I don't know about polarized and a single eye and couldn't say if it would affect you.Like Viking said, the Oakley optics really are some of the best on the planet and the reason I'll gladly pay so much for them, especially with as light-sensitive as I am.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #15 June 20, 2005 I have only worn the Oakleys, but their quality and customer service are better than any other product I have ever owned. I've owned several pairs of Oakleys over the years, both polarized and non polarized. I have never tried the minutes, but my current pair are E-wires (I believe) that I originally purchassed about 4 or 5 years ago when I was in the Army. I beat the hell out of those, including dropping them out of a helicopter at 120ft. They survived everything I threw at them. Last year, I sent them in to Oakley to have the lenses replaced and new ear pads installed, which they said they could do for something like $40 (I paid almost $200 originally, so that sounded like a great bargain). I also included a short letter explaining how much I loved the product and how durable it was, with a long list of all the horrible things it had been through. When I got them back, I found that they did not in fact put in new lenses. Instead, they gave me a brand new pair that was actually a slight step up over the ones I had originally sent in, along with a simple note thanking me for my business. I will never buy anything other than Oakley ever again. That being said, I have never used mine while skydiving (I have a cheap pair I use, because I am afraid of losing my Oakleys), and I do not have experience with their prescription lenses. If the polarized lens might cause an issue with the visor of the helmet, bring the helmet into an Oakley dealer and try them on together. The only difference will be the prescription, but I don't think that will affect them that much (as far as colors, depth distortion, etc). I personally prefer polarized lenses, and Oakley makes the best lenses I've ever worn. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #16 June 20, 2005 Thanks for all the excellent replies so far today! It's almost a virtual tie between the Minutes and the Batray right now. 6:5. I'm hearing really nice things about the Minutes, however....whoever's voting for the Gatorz isn't letting me know -why- they are voting for them. :^( I'd like to know what's so great about the Gatorz as well! Also, in doing a search I found that a few people -are- putting sunglasses under a full face, but those posts were clear back in 2001-2002. I'd like to hear more about the issue currently as well. :^) And about the polarization. I, personally, wasn't going to get the polarized lens...for reasons stated above. It was interesting to hear, however, how much people love them (outside of skydiving), though! Keep it coming, guys! The more information the better! :^) ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #17 June 20, 2005 The cheap pair that I use (both with my fullface and when jumping an open face) sometimes fogs in the plane, but always clears instantly out the door (if not before exit, once the door is opened). I've found that keeping the lenses warm (I just leave them on my head) helps a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #18 June 20, 2005 I love my BatRays - they're comfortable, look sharp and stand up well to the abuse I put sunglasses through (18 months so far on this pair). I was impressed with the service I got as a dealer for Gatorz. It's about time to send them in for a tuneup; I'll be able to comment on customer service from Gatorz after I get them back. You have an advantage as far as customer service goes with either Gatorz or Oakley as they are both located near you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #19 June 21, 2005 QuoteHeard they shut down 'Snore for a few today because of those 'dusty open wind tunnel thingies' propagating themselves! Only fer a 1/2 hour or so. A lot of people re-learned (the hard way) what the dust devil signal is. Yep, we covered it on Safety Day, and Bridge the Gap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #20 June 21, 2005 The local grocery store carries Foster & Grants $12.95 work great under my full-face. Sorry, I don't have that kind of money to burn...but if I DID, I think it'd be Oakley's. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #21 June 21, 2005 Quote The local grocery store carries Foster & Grants $12.95 work great under my full-face. Sorry, I don't have that kind of money to burn...but if I DID, I think it'd be Oakley's. I SO wish that I could just grab a pair of sunglasses off the shelf and have at it. I need prescription, thus the expense. I envy you! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #22 June 21, 2005 Remember that famous outline from the Shroud of Turin ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #23 June 21, 2005 I tend to shy away from anything Oakley when it involves MY cash. I have had enough Oakley products issued to me in the Military from eye protection/glasses to boots. I have also broken more pairs of Oakleys doing everyday mundane things that one does with a pair of sunglasses. IMO the quality is for shit as they tend to break the first time you don't treat them with kid gloves. Gatorz on the otherhand are metal and stand up to the abuses of hard use, like sitting on them or dropping them. My black convertors made it through the whole time I was in Afghanistan with out even getting scratched up lenses which is short of a miracle considering the amount of dust and abuse they were subjected to. If your going to pay more than 20 bucks for a pair of sunglasses it should be on a pair of sunglasses made to take the rigors of use for more than just a few months IMO."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #24 June 21, 2005 QuoteQuote The local grocery store carries Foster & Grants $12.95 work great under my full-face. Sorry, I don't have that kind of money to burn...but if I DID, I think it'd be Oakley's. I SO wish that I could just grab a pair of sunglasses off the shelf and have at it. I need prescription, thus the expense. I envy you! ltdiver Oh dang...yeah you said that in the original post, didn't ya? ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jose 0 #25 June 21, 2005 Yeah, what Lou Diamond said. I have had many many pairs of Oakleys, and paid alot for them. Every....count EVERY one of them have failed in some way. Plastic is plastic......it breaks. Gatorz on the other hand are made of aircraft aluminum. Tough as nails. Riveted hinges, not screws that come out. Adjustable to fit the face...just bend them to your liking. Try doing that with a plastic pair of glasses. They are also completely customizable. You can choose your frame style, frame color and lens color. Tons of choices to make your shit unique. Hell, you can even have them engraved with your own design or logo on the sides. Try getting Mr. Oakley to give a shit about your personal style. If you need a hand with picking your pair out......drop me a PM. I can defitinely take care of you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
