[Closed] Speccy four-eyed friends - anyone use photochromic lenses all the time?

Standard STW response to this is that photochromics are only worn by paedophiles. Which is obviously not true but some people find it amusing to say so, I guess.

However, I had photochromics for many years, because I'm pretty hopeless at holding on to things like spare glasses and if I had a separate pair of sunglasses I would lose them pretty quickly. I did find that they made everything a bit gloomy, since they respond to UV and UV can be high even when there is cloud cover. So I gave up on the photochromics at my last prescription change and I don't regret it, I seem to manage OK without sunglasses, although I do still have photochromic lenses in my Rudy Project riding glasses. The world is now a brighter place, and my glasses were a bit cheaper 😎.

And being completely honest, and a touch vain, the ‘half-tinted’ look looks a bit, well, weird.

This!

I did find that they made everything a bit gloomy, since they respond to UV and UV can be high even when there is cloud cover.

And this.

You'll regret getting 'normal glasses' with changing lenses..

DrP

I've been using Oakley photochromics for about 12 years. Any riding, running, walking, paddling, day or night, they're just fine. The only fly in the ointment is for driving.

The specs-for-paedos thing is as pathetic and childish as the homos-wear-lycra comments that (mostly) disappeared years ago.

I had some and when the prescription needed updating I didn’t bother again for the following reasons

They are slow to react so sat in a building still with very dark lenses was a pain

They work off uv levels not brightness so get caught out on some cloudy days or winter sun days

They don’t go dark when driving in the sun because too much of the UV is filtered out by the windscreen so they don’t darken

That was my experience. In the end I took the 2 for 1 offer at spec savers and had the second pair with a tinted lens

I did do many, many years ago when photochromics were not as good as they are now. They were OK but these days I've taken to squinting.

I used to have photochromic as my only glasses. They don't work in cars though as the glass windscreen removes too much UV. I now have dedicated sunglasses as well as photochromic glasses.

I've recently started using photochromics, as I've reached an age where I need varifocals and he cost of those is horrendous. Not yet used them for MTBing, but they've been fine otherwise. I wore OTG goggles for skiing and the lensesin the specs would darken behind the goggles. Driving is an issue, but I've kept my old prescription sunglasses in the car for that bit.

I used old school photochromics, back in the days when lenses were made of glass, and the tint was actually activated by light, rather than just the uv part of natural ligh.
They were better then, because they would still go dark in the car etc.
but, and it’s a big but,
I didn’t bother when i needed new glasses. . .
Although, I’m saying that from the standpoint of someone who can wear contacts.
In the OP’s position, I’d go normal lens plus a spare pair of actual tinted glasses.
And a baseball cap.

i'd really like ELECTRONIC LCD glasses...they existed a few years ago..that would be cool!

DrP

I've got a more recent version of photochromatics that still work in the car because (IIRC) they react to UVB which isn't filtered so readily by the windscreen. They still take too long to lighten when going into a building.

I'm picking up 2 for 1 clear glasses and separate shades this weekend from Specsavers. Seems to be the case you don't bother with them twice.

I find it a strange look on other people who wear them to be honest - makes me think they look like Ray Davies. This may not matter to you.

i’d really like ELECTRONIC LCD glasses

Me too. Customisable dimming profile, or a manual override whenever you want.

I use them. My 2 biggest issues, as others have said,are they don't lighten quickly enough when going indoors and they darken too much on overcast days.

Not sure I'll bother when I get my next set of glasses...

Well, cheers all, I'm sensing a theme 🙂

I use them all the time. I have the newer ones which work whilst driving and find them much quicker to react than the non-driving ones. Work great in winter also and go very dark when required. I wear these 90% of the time and the other 10% of the time I wear contacts (mainly when I am out for a day with the camera or using my telescope).

Wouldn't be without them and wouldn't buy non-transition lenses.

Tried them and ditched them for the cloudy day and not working in a car issues.

For really bright sunny days I have a pair of prescription bifocal sunglasses. Has the downside that I need to carry standard specs as well but is the best solution for bike touring in sunny climes.

Use them all the time in riding and just ordinary seeing glasses and not had any issues with latency to change while riding, perhaps its because I don't ride at warp speed but heh we're all different.

Interesting to note that my non Oakleys changed faster than my previous (and more expensive Oakleys!) & a huge pointer towards the rad8 specs.

James

I use photochromic lenses in a pair of Oakley frames for riding, and they are great.

As for using them in normal glasses; if you have local elections coming up next month, have a look at the political party pamphlets that you are getting through the door. I think there is a 50% chance that it will contain a photo of the candidate pointing at a pot hole and wearing a pair of photochromic lenses.

@peekay +1
Had them in some riding glasses which were ok. Lost them & probably wouldn’t bother again. [i]Definitely[/i] a certain type of person who wears them as normal glasses though! (Not necessarily paedophiles! 😬)

I have photochromic lenses that I use all the time. I'm not good with very bright sunlight and its faff having an extra pair of glasses all the time just in case it gets sunny. I use them for road, mountain and CX without issue.

I don't know where people are getting theirs from but mine are no problem at all in cars, or at night, and other than that 20 second transition from very bright outside to inside, they are rarely noticable for me, and there is certainly no residual 'darkness' to the lens when indoors.

I was not aware that I might have unacceptable tendencies though, and to think that others might think that I find that a bit disturbing.

Got a pair of Oakley's with prescription photochromatics in.

Rarely wear them as they are neither dark enough nor light enough . They don't work at night , they don't go dark enough in the car. They don't change quick enough when cycling.

All in not one of my greatest purchases and I reverted to an old pair of glasses quite quickly.

I use them nowadays because I can't be bothered with carrying two pairs of glasses. One clear, one dark tinted. I have plastic Oakley Crosslink glasses. I'll wear them for everyday usage, and sports with a band popped on the arm ends. Riding a motorbike, I do have a flip down shade in my helmet for my environment. I'm hoping that prevents the lenses activating and limiting my vision.

Given I normally work in desert countries, mountain cities, or tropical areas, their main function changing automatically is in preventing unnecessary eye damage/blindness.

I do sometimes cringe a bit when I see photos of myself, or catch myself in reflective surfaces. But it's rare anyone has said anything to my face.

30+ years no problem ...might go for the contacts if rain expected all day or when skiing...no idea labelled me...once ( literally) bumped into Jimmy Savile in the wee early hours of his portering at Leeds General Infirmary...pleasant enough chat but a bit chilly didn't realise he'd have clocked competition

one small step up from clip on/flip up sunglasses...

I've had them and would probably buy some again for sports use, but only to supplement my normal specs, prescription sunglasses, contact lenses and non-prescription sunglasses.

I use them all the time now. I did go back to standard glasses for a couple of years as the vision is a lot better. However i find they are simply better for me in 90% of circumstances.

I’ve had them before and stopped because of the taking ages to return to normal issue. Seems to get progressively worse over time too.

I decided to keep with the sunglasses route - I got a pair for sports/driving etc and the minimal faff is worth it – especially as I wanted sunglasses with better sun protection than standard glasses with photo chromatic lenses would provide (ie, a pair of Oakleys with more wrap-around side protection). And I also use the sunglasses for sports so snug fitting glasses are better (I chose yellow tints so they could be used year-round in low light conditions too).

Been wearing Transition lenses for 10+ years now

Never been a problem on the MTB or in general day to day life for me, they change back to clear pretty quick, normally buy a new pair every 2-3 years if my prescription changes

Only place they dont work is in the car so i have a pair of prescription sunglasses in the sunglass holder above the rear view mirror

Tend to wear daily disposible contact lenses when riding in a full face helmet 4-5 times a year at BPW as the glasses tend to steam up when wearing googles