Sunglasses Are A Snap For Active People
Product: Bolle Edge II RX sunglasses.
Description: An active sport sunglasses system for prescription lens wearers. Basic package comes standard with a Spectra PC blue flash lens, a prescription frame insert that you take to an optical professional to add to the prescription lens, a standard nosepiece, replaceable foam sweat strip, a set of cable temples and a set of standard temples. Numerous frame colors are available.
Pro: No matter how much sweat is generated, glasses refuse to fog. If you sometimes wear contact lenses the same sunglasses system will continue to work - just snap out the prescription insert and snap in a standard nosepiece. Provides 100 percent UV protection. Aerodynamic design sheds wind and debris away from eyes. Polycarbonate lenses are very tough - you can drive a nail through the lens and it won’t shatter. Interchangeable lenses allow you to purchase a basic system and then add different colored lenses depending on your sport preference and weather needs (vermilion or yellow for depth perception, green or gray for all-around, amber for driving, clear for eye protection and low light). Extremely lightweight even with the prescription insert - weigh little more than my regular glasses. All parts of the sunglasses system from the temples to the lenses to the prescription insert to the sweat strip are easily replaceable and interchangeable.
Con: The glasses sit a tad far away from the face and allow more reflective sun in than I would like, especially on bright snow - a disadvantage if you end up wearing them while traversing a snowfield.
Although numerous lenses are available for the Edge II, a polarized lens isn’t. Apparently, this is due to manufacturing design since polarized lenses are not molded and the other polycarbonate lenses are. Still, that means anyone who fishes must buy another glasses system, the 487 RX Polarisant (although the same prescription insert works in both) for $92.50.
Comments: Finally, a sunglasses system that looks cool, works great, is designed with the active prescription eyeglass wearer in mind and doesn’t cost a bundle. Not only do I now have four sunglasses available for little more than the price of one, but should I scratch or break my outer lens from impact or carelessness, I am replacing only $30 of polycarbonate, not my expensive prescription! My only fear is that my daughter will find out how easy it is to snap out my prescription insert and snap in the standard nosepiece, making the glasses hers by default.
Suggested retail: $115 for basic package; $20 to $30 for additional sunglass lenses; $30 for replacement prescription inserts.
Company: Bolle, 3890 Elm St., Denver, Colo. 80207; (303) 321-4300.