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I’m thinking about getting some photocromatic lenses for my Oakley Jawbreakers.
I have clear and Road Prizm lenses and was wondering if people have found photocromatic good for autumn, winter and spring riding with the low glaring sun that comes out one min then disappears the next?
I ride road and off road.
Thanks in advance.
Prepared for the haters here, but I wasn’t a fan of my Oakley Jawbreaker Photochromic lenses. Three issues, first they look weird in clear lens, second they were very slow to change, third I never found the clear was ever really clear enough for dark wooded winter rides. They weren’t rubbish, just not ideal.
Switched to 100% and they have so far been very good. Mainly used on road, they don’t instantly switch from dark to light, but they do go light enough to give good vision. Also they start clear so good for dark woods/forests.
Yes, photocromatic lenses are great.
I use Prizm Trail in summer but too dark for winter. Old Specialized off road ones were great, never got on with my Oakleys - the black/persimmon didn't got light enough but there are a lot of different Oakley Photocromatic lenses with different shade ranges.
Currently have Rad8's which work well.
They're never going to be fast enough going from bright sunlight to dark woods but in most conditions they 'just work' and you don't notice them changing.
I have Jawbreaker Photochromic, bought recently.
I like them a lot. They change fairly quickly, but not instantly of course - quicker than the old photochromic lenses I had. They don't go that dark, at least not from September onwards since that's when I got them - but it's dark enough to do its job. But they go very clear indeed, so that I can continue to wear them into dusk. Which is a good thing because the frames don't fit in my helmet mounts like my Jawbones did 🙁
Thanks all.
@molgrips is there just one type of photocromatic jawbreaker lenses do you know? Or do you have a link to yours please?
+1 for rad8 here, I really like mine.
As mentioned before, you probably need to decide if you want clear glasses that go dark or dark glasses that lighten up to choose between lenses.
I've been using Jawbreakers exclusively on road (don't want to ruin the lenses with mud) since spring and have found them fantastic, they just seem to work.
I may get another lens for summer use, but only if I can get one at a good price, as it would be more of a vanity thing (ie nice colour) than something needed.
Another nice feature of the jawbreakers is that the arms length can be adjusted, so they didn't catch the cradle on my Kask Mojito like other pairs of glasses did. In terms of stashing the glasses, I've just got a POC helmet for road riding which has a great little rubber grippers to hold the glasses in the vents.
@molgrips is there just one type of photocromatic jawbreaker lenses do you know? Or do you have a link to yours please?
I think there is only one type these days
They are pretty good - side visibility is much better than Jawbones. But if I'm honest, they are a little heavy.
Flak 2.0 photochromic prescription here.
Excellent. Just excellent.
Radar photochromic here, they don’t change instantly, but you don’t really notice them changing.
They never go absolutely clear, and, in Scotland at least, they don’t go all that dark either.
When we went out in snowy conditions they went fantastically dark however, so where you live will make a difference (latitude)
Would i buy them again? Yes.
I've been using Half Jacket XLJs for over 10 years now. I'm on my second set of lenses because my prescription changed 4 years ago. Grey Transition lenses. I ride all times of day/night with them and find them ideal (if expensive).
I can heartily recommend the BBB ones, especially with the small +2 reader portion at the bottom. Brilliant!
Just changed from Prizm to photochromatic in my Field Jackets. I didn't notice them on a 4+ hr ride yesterday. Sun was in and out, and some riding through woods. Must be good?
I have some jawbreaker photochromatics, had them about 18 months and they are the best all year round riding glasses I have ever owned.
I have the ones from that link. They are really good, but IME not great when it's actually sunny. Good enough, but not great.
Will happily wear them at night though.
I bought some eBay cheap for my Oakleys from the US. I ride rainforests in Queensland with extreme light changes and honestly forget I'm wearing them they're so effective.
I got some photochromic glasses from amazon, some sort of cheapo chinese model, about 20 quid
They look VERY similar to Oakleys, including the case and the bag. They are excellent, completely clear so you can use them at night, and a decent amount of tint in the sunshine. They change very quickly.
I also bought an even cheaper pair - they're rubbish, hardly change tint, and switch very slowly.
I'd read the reviews carefully - I did for the first pair, not the second - and give them try.
I’ve got Clear Black Iridium lenses in Radars and Jawbones. I use them exactly as you say, in low light rides, including full dark night riding. I never use them in summer, as I prefer a ‘proper’ tint. They’re useful to have though.
They don’t work in cars FWIW, the UV filter on the glass stops them changing.
@easily - do you have a link to the Amazon ones you found that worked? I have a Christmas voucher to use up that's not going to stretch to Oakleys.
first they look weird in clear lens,
Not sure so much an issue with riding glasses but photochromic lenses do lend a seedy air to the wearer!
I’m still pleased with them
I got some of the cheap Rockbros ones as a Christmas present from Amazon. Seeing as they're going to get regularly covered in crap, I didn't fancy expensive ones as they'd likely get ruined.
I have to say they're superb. They go totally clear for night riding, which I do a fair bit of. And for the daytime they have a nice tint on them. Build quality seems easily as good as other Oakleys I've owned. Can't recommend them enough.
I got some Carnac ones from Planet X which have been great, good value too.
For some reason I’m having trouble linking to the item.
Try searching for ‘WXGZS Sports Sunglasses’ on Amazon. That should get you there.
Found them, thanks.