AggieDave 6 #26 June 21, 2005 They are tough, too bad the metal falls apart if you have really acidic sweat. Even washing them every day didn't help, I've had to give up on Gatorz even though I love the glasses, how tough they are to "normal" abuse and the optics are good. They just can't stand up to my sweat. I've had a few pairs of Oakley's in the past. Talk about worthless, sure the optics are good but the lenses scratch if you just look at them funny and the frames suck, break too easily through normal wear. I've had Foagley's (fake oakley's) last MUCH longer then the real things, which is saying something.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #27 June 21, 2005 So, if you can't wear Gatorz and don't like Oakleys....which sunglasses -do- you find you can use? 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
Kris 0 #28 June 21, 2005 I never keep my Minutes in their storage bag, and I abuse the hell out of them, take them on every skydive, have dropped them, sat on them, etc... After two years of abuse, they have one small scratch on the right lens. That's it.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #29 June 21, 2005 I haven't found what I like yet. Right now I've got a cheapo pair from a motorcycle shop. I bought a pair of Spy Optics which I really really liked, good optics, tough frame, but they were too small for my face so I had to return them. When I find something I like that has good optics that you can get with a RX, I'll post.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #30 June 21, 2005 I'm really surprised to hear that you (and Lou) have had bad experiences with Oakley's. They have taken far more abuse than any other brand I've ever tried, and their customer service kicks ass. Would Gatorz give you a brand new pair after 3 or 4 years of beating the hell out of them, and for only $40? Oakley did. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #31 June 21, 2005 QuoteI never keep my Minutes in their storage bag, and I abuse the hell out of them, take them on every skydive, have dropped them, sat on them, etc... After two years of abuse, they have one small scratch on the right lens. That's it. You're lucky. That's been my one gripe with Oakleys too. I really like them except that they scratch SO easily. If Serengeti can make lenses that don't scratch why can't Oakley? linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #32 June 21, 2005 I like my pair of Oakley's of course the ones I own have metal Frames and Glass Lenses. I don't wear them to skydive though... and like AD I sweat a lot and that does tend to tear up glasses. ScottLivin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #33 June 21, 2005 QuoteGatorz on the other hand are made of aircraft aluminum. A surgical grade stainless option would be nice for those of us with allergies who can't wear cheap metal on or close to our skin. In the mean time, I'll stick with plastic frames. I've already got several expensive watches collecting dust because I can't wear them. I don't need to start a similar collection of expensive sunglasses that I can't wear. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #34 June 21, 2005 I voted the Gators only because after wearing them for an extended period, I cound't go back to wearing plastic frames. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdfreefly 1 #35 June 21, 2005 Try these: http://www.nativeyewear.com/lowryder.htm Spend an extra $20 on the strap, and you have a great set of skydive friendly sunglasses. They have a lifetime waranty and are current sponsors of some skydivers I know. I used my set on 300 tandems. I am built similar to you, and I constantly sweat like a whore in church. They sell them at square 3 at Skydive Crosskeys, not sure where else you can get them. Methane Freefly - got stink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foxyroxtail 0 #36 June 21, 2005 Randy has Oakley Rx with red Fire and polarization that he uses for flying. He loves em. He doesn't jump with any lenses, though he does jump with the Mamba!! ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #37 June 21, 2005 You have tons of advice already but i have had and worn both the Minutes and Gatorz. My minutes walked away so i don't have those anymore. I don't wear Rx lenses but, i couldn't ever wear my minutes under my Oxygen cause the ear pieces were round/oval and the gatorz worked cause they were flat. You said they both fit under your mamba so that is a non-issue for you. I do know that you can purchase lenses (only)for the minutes not sure about gatorz. I don't know about replacing lenses on gatorz but on the minutes, it is really simple. I had three sets of lenses for mine and would change them accordingly. I had polarized, yellow tinted, and blue tinted. Viking: Order a new set of lenses from an Oakley dealer mine cost about $30 Kris: I still have two sets of lenses for minutes, one polarized and one blue i think. Send me your addy or i can bring them to skyfest and they are yours along with a case to hold them in. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #38 June 21, 2005 I really recommend the Gatorz. The shape of every head is a little different, and you can bend the Gators to exactly fit your head. Plus, since the earpieces are very flat, they are more comfortable under a helmet than sunglasses that have a rounder or thicker cross section. I wear mine on every skydive, except AFF, so that's about 500 so far this year. I wear polarized Ray Bans for everything else, because I have the Gatorz bent up so that they are very snug on my head. The polarized lenses do really wierd things to the King-air windows, my full-face shield, and the lens on my Neptune, so I wouldn't recommend polarized lenses for skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #39 June 21, 2005 QuoteThe polarized lenses do really wierd things to the King-air windows, my full-face shield, and the lens on my Neptune, so I wouldn't recommend polarized lenses for skydiving. Really? I've jumped with Polarized lenses for the past 3 years and haven't had a problem or even noticed a problem.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #40 June 21, 2005 Yes Dave, but you often forget that, being from another galaxy, your optic nerve system is fundamentally different than that of a human. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #41 June 21, 2005 Quote Yes Dave, but you often forget that, being from another galaxy, your optic nerve system is fundamentally different than that of a human. Bwaahahahaha! Great! That's awesome. I wonder why I never noticed anything but you did, maybe its a difference between lens manufactures or environment or it does effect my vision but I just ignore it?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #42 June 21, 2005 Lots of interesting replies here. I am a diehard Oakley man. I have a pair of polarized Minutes that are nine years old. They have lots of jumps, motorcycle time, waterskiing, been sat on, dropped, kicked, and outwardly abused. Other than the rubber needing to be replaced, they are still in service. That being said, I have to agree with what people are saying about the round arms and the fit inside helmets. Mine were really comfortable in my Aviator, not as comfortable in my open face motorcycle helmet. I just bought a pair of Oakley Valves and that problem is solved. Hope I get nine years out of them as well. My wife just got a pair of prescription Haylons. She ordered a lens not offered on that model and they said no problem. One thing I noticed is that the prescription lenses are noticeably heavier than regular lenses. YMMV Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #43 June 22, 2005 Great replies, guys!! Thanks! I'm even leaning towards the red frames, too! I've called Gatorz and yes, they have you send out to a special service provider for the prescription lenses. They vouch for her work. However, when the Gatorz are altered by doing this (changing the lenses out) it completely voids the warranty. They sent me some more information by e-mail, so I'll have to look it over later. (too late tonight....just got home from the movies...."Mr. and Mrs. Smith". Great flick!) I completely understand about the rounded ear pieces on the Oakleys being a problem. I -can't- wear those kind under my snugged down camera helmet. OUCH! They -do- however feel o.k. under the Mamba. One kink in the system found today, though. They've stopped making red frames for the Gatorz Batray!! They offered me [p]PINK[/p], though! 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
bob.dino 1 #44 June 22, 2005 QuoteThey offered me [p]PINK[/p], though! [Tongue] [Unimpressed] It's a better color for a woman anyway. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #45 June 22, 2005 QuoteQuoteThey offered me [p]PINK[/p], though! [Tongue] [Unimpressed] It's a better color for a woman anyway. . Ya know, bub....the -only- thing I have in pink is a very valuable jumpsuit. Other than that....yeak! Anyone know where I might pick up some red framed Batrays, other than the manufacturer (since they're out and aren't making that color anymore)? They -do- have the "Shadow" frame in red, but I don't have the ability to try them under my helmet. They aren't at Square One. 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
Viking 0 #46 June 22, 2005 QuoteGreat replies, guys!! Thanks! I'm even leaning towards the red frames, too! I've called Gatorz and yes, they have you send out to a special service provider for the prescription lenses. They vouch for her work. However, when the Gatorz are altered by doing this (changing the lenses out) it completely voids the warranty. They sent me some more information by e-mail, so I'll have to look it over later. (too late tonight....just got home from the movies...."Mr. and Mrs. Smith". Great flick!) I completely understand about the rounded ear pieces on the Oakleys being a problem. I -can't- wear those kind under my snugged down camera helmet. OUCH! They -do- however feel o.k. under the Mamba. One kink in the system found today, though. They've stopped making red frames for the Gatorz Batray!! They offered me [p]PINK[/p], though! ltdiver hey if your worried about the ear pieces take a look at the Fives 2.0 they don't have that funky rubber stuff and look like that would slide inside a helmet much better. and you can still get them with polarized lens.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
ltdiver 3 #47 June 23, 2005 Looks like they found some reds Minutes in the back today. I'm still deciding. I really don't like the fact that I lose the warranty of the frame when getting prescription lenses. btw, in my correspondence between the 2 companies, they both use the same polycarbonate lens with prescriptions. Both can be colored. Lens warranties are 1 year for Oakley and Gatorz's contracted lens grinder puts this in their info letter: "CNC Lens Warranty policy is consistent with policies offered at traditional eyecare facilities." I'll have to contact them to find out what exactly this is! 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
Fast 0 #48 June 23, 2005 QuoteI like my pair of Oakley's of course the ones I own have metal Frames and Glass Lenses. I don't wear them to skydive though... and like AD I sweat a lot and that does tend to tear up glasses. Scott Heh yeah, I dont buy plastic framed sunglasses anymore. I break them all, I dont care what brand. That said, I wear Oakleys because of how clear they are. The might be a little scratch prone but if you take care of them (and most people aren't subjecting them to the kind of abuse that those in the military would be doing) they last long enough.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #49 June 24, 2005 QuoteLooks like they found some reds Minutes in the back today. I'm still deciding. I really don't like the fact that I lose the warranty of the frame when getting prescription lenses. Oops. Error while typing yesterday! Its the Gatorz who lose their frame warranty when you get prescription lenses installed. Oakleys keep their 1 year normal warranty, even with prescription lenses installed. On this information, I ordered the Oakley Minutes today. I'll be able to post my own impressions after getting them in the air. The Gatorz look cool....wear well....and might be a pair in the future. Depends on how the Minutes pan out. We'll see. Thanks all for your help! Keep posting here, as the more information will help others as well. 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
