Eye protection
- Thread starter Pilotscrappy
- Start date
I wear eye protection. Normally, Oakley M frames with clear or amber lenses. I prefer to wear clear while shooting and then grab a normal pair of sunglasses in between stages.
I’ve worn those M-frames for 14 years....I just order lenses every year because I cannot stand scratches.
I’ve worn those M-frames for 14 years....I just order lenses every year because I cannot stand scratches.
I can't stand scratches either which is why I usually don't wear eye pro. I've used the clear safety glasses and they usually get scratches on them after first range trip. I'll have to look into something nicer like the oakleys or something.
Even if I take extreme caution, it seems to still attract scratches on the lenses. So I know I just have to keep an extra set of lenses at the ready. Honestly, weather depending they spend more time in my pack then on my face, but it's a "requirement" where I shoot.
The ranges I go to require it. I bought a pair of Wiley X Sabers off of Amazon as I do not want to use my Oakleys for shooting. Reasonably cheap, and they have a band with it that can replace the ear pieces, so it doesn't interfere with over-ear protection. Only downside is not clear lens (but you can probably get some for them).
I use clear glass unless outdoors on a bright day, just like I do in real life. Wouldn't use yellow or rose unless I knew I'd have time to change glasses before a gunfight. And in that case, I'd just go home...
The Trivex plastic used in some prescription lenses now is quite impact resistant, in many cases they meet the spec for safety glasses. Probably good enough for most accidents, but not all.
The Trivex plastic used in some prescription lenses now is quite impact resistant, in many cases they meet the spec for safety glasses. Probably good enough for most accidents, but not all.
Oakley M Frames for me. Glass looks a lot better without eye pro, but between muzzle brakes, hand loads, and windy days on sandy ranges I find myself a lot more comfortable with eye pro on than off.
These have been the most fog resistant I’ve found - fogging has been a massive issue for me with cheaper eye pro pairs.
These have been the most fog resistant I’ve found - fogging has been a massive issue for me with cheaper eye pro pairs.
I love my Native "silencer" pairs, but they don't make this model anymore. I bought 3 pair a few years back and have been going through them. I like em because of the sunglasses aspect but they also came with clear and amber/yellowish lenses for low light. I've been really happy with native glasses for over 10 years, if there's a style you like. Works well for a shooter or a motorcycle rider, which I do both, but neither as often as I'd like to
I find its really nice to have the thin frames under earpro, something like the ESS crossbow suppressor range - which also has swappable lenses for those that abhor scratches.
I also picked up a set of oakley tombstones with the shotgun lenses a couple years ago for about $100. They look ridiculous, but they're super thin under earpro, they make any orange colour stand out like a beacon, and I usually get pretty good scratch performance from the oak lenses.
I also picked up a set of oakley tombstones with the shotgun lenses a couple years ago for about $100. They look ridiculous, but they're super thin under earpro, they make any orange colour stand out like a beacon, and I usually get pretty good scratch performance from the oak lenses.
You should see how I look without them on haha. I don't have anyone to impress, I'm out there for me.
I use cheap 3M safety glasses for that reason. The round ones that auto part stores have, they are really flat on the sides so they aren't bad fitting between your head and earmuff cups. They come in clear, tinted and I think even amber. Oakleys are awesome tho, got a pair I've had for about 12 years, replaced the lenses but the frames are still going!
you guys running the M frames do you have part numbers to the particular ones your wearing? looking on amazon and there are several different M frames and prices.
I’m a glasses snob...which is to say I have strong opinions. My personal experience includes Shady Rays, Goodr, Smith, ESS, Revision, Wiley-X, Under Armor and probably a few others I’m forgetting. Oh, and Oakley.
Trash tier: anything that says Revision on it, Wiley-X. Crap quality, headache inducing garbage.
Casual Wear: Goodr beats Shady Rays, neither are great for shooting based on lens shape
OK: ESS. They’re not good, but they’re serviceable in lieu of other options (and supply can get them)
Good: Smith/UA - assuming you get a frame and lens option that works under ear pro/comms
...
Oakley - I’ve been wearing these since Glen Plake popularized them and my rich aunt started giving to me for Christmas. Huge variety of lens and frame configurations that are ANSI rated and by far the winners in terms of comfort and functionality.
I was pleasantly surprised by the UA options and my experience with Smith was limited but promising. That said, at some point you just get tired of looking for new things to try.
Oakley are what I reach for when I’m starting to get a headache and I need something to “smooth” my visual inputs. They stay put. They don’t have stupidly placed frame elements that block your vision (unless you buy ‘em that way on purpose). They don’t pressure point the bridge of my nose or my head behind my ears. They sit flat under comms (a fault of the original M frame, though).
I know people have different head shapes and eye positions, so my experience is gonna be somewhat personal. That said, every time I put on glasses without the big “O” on them, it tends to frustrate me. I find myself wondering why, after 40 years, no one else can figure out how to make a decently fitting pair of glasses with a functional design.
You can also rock some $10 cheapos - honestly work just about as well as anything above the O and you won’t feel bad when you throw them out.
Trash tier: anything that says Revision on it, Wiley-X. Crap quality, headache inducing garbage.
Casual Wear: Goodr beats Shady Rays, neither are great for shooting based on lens shape
OK: ESS. They’re not good, but they’re serviceable in lieu of other options (and supply can get them)
Good: Smith/UA - assuming you get a frame and lens option that works under ear pro/comms
...
Oakley - I’ve been wearing these since Glen Plake popularized them and my rich aunt started giving to me for Christmas. Huge variety of lens and frame configurations that are ANSI rated and by far the winners in terms of comfort and functionality.
I was pleasantly surprised by the UA options and my experience with Smith was limited but promising. That said, at some point you just get tired of looking for new things to try.
Oakley are what I reach for when I’m starting to get a headache and I need something to “smooth” my visual inputs. They stay put. They don’t have stupidly placed frame elements that block your vision (unless you buy ‘em that way on purpose). They don’t pressure point the bridge of my nose or my head behind my ears. They sit flat under comms (a fault of the original M frame, though).
I know people have different head shapes and eye positions, so my experience is gonna be somewhat personal. That said, every time I put on glasses without the big “O” on them, it tends to frustrate me. I find myself wondering why, after 40 years, no one else can figure out how to make a decently fitting pair of glasses with a functional design.
You can also rock some $10 cheapos - honestly work just about as well as anything above the O and you won’t feel bad when you throw them out.
So many people think that 'eye-pro' is ugly, inefficient, bulky, obscuring, and "an obstacle to their path of cool'ness".
Eye protection gets in the way:
-of peripheral vision
-of clarity
-of depth-of-field
Eye protection causes you to sweat more, which further erodes/inhibits your view.
Eye protection takes away from how much effort you have put into getting your hair 'cut to look "just so" as well as coiffed/gelled/moussed/bacon-greased comb-over' to be what you've practiced in front of the mirror for days, for.....
Eye protection reduces your masculinity and automatically turns you into a sheeple whom is insignificant to any-and-all.
Eye protection only means that you're letting someone else do your thinking for you, and you "don't have to stand for that because it's Your Right to decide for yourself. You will NOT be "led by a leash" or kneel to someone else's dictatorship.
Have I missed any of the major/current talking points?
Oh yeah, there is one other thing.....
"Eye Protection" (Serengeti sunglasses) saved BOTH my eyes from shrapnel when my bolt-action .22 LR exploded at the chamber. Yeah, I had to go to the hospital to have the 'bits and pieces' pulled out of my forehead. Had I NOT been wearing those sunglasses, I probably wouldn't have either of my eyeballs.
From just a simple little .22 longrifle, bolt action, tubular magazine.
I didn't know it at the time, but there WAS an ammo re-call going on. When my rifle 'grenaded'.... other shooters from all around came running. It garnered THAT much attention. (no, there was no 'barrel obstruction')
Wear eye protection. ALWAYS. When shooting.
Technology just HASN'T been able to invent "prosthetic functioning eyeballs" yet.
Eye protection gets in the way:
-of peripheral vision
-of clarity
-of depth-of-field
Eye protection causes you to sweat more, which further erodes/inhibits your view.
Eye protection takes away from how much effort you have put into getting your hair 'cut to look "just so" as well as coiffed/gelled/moussed/bacon-greased comb-over' to be what you've practiced in front of the mirror for days, for.....
Eye protection reduces your masculinity and automatically turns you into a sheeple whom is insignificant to any-and-all.
Eye protection only means that you're letting someone else do your thinking for you, and you "don't have to stand for that because it's Your Right to decide for yourself. You will NOT be "led by a leash" or kneel to someone else's dictatorship.
Have I missed any of the major/current talking points?
Oh yeah, there is one other thing.....
"Eye Protection" (Serengeti sunglasses) saved BOTH my eyes from shrapnel when my bolt-action .22 LR exploded at the chamber. Yeah, I had to go to the hospital to have the 'bits and pieces' pulled out of my forehead. Had I NOT been wearing those sunglasses, I probably wouldn't have either of my eyeballs.
From just a simple little .22 longrifle, bolt action, tubular magazine.
I didn't know it at the time, but there WAS an ammo re-call going on. When my rifle 'grenaded'.... other shooters from all around came running. It garnered THAT much attention. (no, there was no 'barrel obstruction')
Wear eye protection. ALWAYS. When shooting.
Technology just HASN'T been able to invent "prosthetic functioning eyeballs" yet.
Mister Fuckedup is only a nanosecond away.
One sure way to ruin your daily routine, is to lose an eye.
Padding out somebody's ruined pupil and cornea is not pleasant.
"Yeah mate, you'll be right"
Nup.
One sure way to ruin your daily routine, is to lose an eye.
Padding out somebody's ruined pupil and cornea is not pleasant.
"Yeah mate, you'll be right"
Nup.
So I love my M frames with clear lenses but I don’t wear them anymore because they don’t play well with my ear pro. I’m using Howard Leight Impact Sports.
What are you M frame guys doing for ear pro?
I can already see the “buy a can” replies. I’d love to, not in the budget.
What are you M frame guys doing for ear pro?
I can already see the “buy a can” replies. I’d love to, not in the budget.
Someone makes gel ear pads that are notched for glasses but the gel pads form around the frames pretty good
I tried these, the gel cups and they really do work.
SIGHTLINES | Gel ear pads with a relief cut for glasses
Compatible with hearing protection earmuffs from 3M™, Howard Leight®, Invisio®, Ops-Core®, Peltor™, Sordin®, TCI®, Walker's Game Ear®, and many more.
noisefighters.com
I hate wearing eye pro while looking thru high dollar scopes, so I usually don't, but I do think its a good idea, I always wear eye pro when shooting USPSAish matches, and Oakley polarized M frames rock, as do Mauri Jims, and Bolle Tacticals, I keep hearing about HD Gold, I can't comment on those yet.
I have settled on the amber polarized
Probably gone through 8 sets of lenses and 5 frames over 10 yrs.
Unfortunately I destroy them, or any sunglasses.
I wear ESS roll bar glasses as daily shades and as shooting glasses. They meet/exceed .mil specifications for ballistic eye wear and that is good enough for me. They also have quick change lenses so I can go from polarized smoke for driving to clear/amber/copper for shooting. And, replacing a scratched lens is pretty easy and inexpensive so long as they have them in stock. The legs are wide and thin so that they fit under ear pro without causing a pinch point, which is a definite plus for shooting glasses.
Other than those, I have taken a liking to magpul’s sunglasses, and I wear a couple different styles of oakleys. They all meet/exceed osha requirements for safety glasses, and may even meet the .mil standard. I really like being able to see, so I try to wear sunglasses any time I am outside and active.
On a related note, can someone please make a long eye relief spotter and bino so that I dont have to take off my eye pro to use them? Thanks.
Other than those, I have taken a liking to magpul’s sunglasses, and I wear a couple different styles of oakleys. They all meet/exceed osha requirements for safety glasses, and may even meet the .mil standard. I really like being able to see, so I try to wear sunglasses any time I am outside and active.
On a related note, can someone please make a long eye relief spotter and bino so that I dont have to take off my eye pro to use them? Thanks.
I absolutely do. I have two working eyes and want to keep them that way.
I wear Randolph Rangers in clear. My prescription is light enough that I can correct with the occular so no prescription lens.
I added the hydro stick-on magnifier reading glass type lens to the bottom so as to be able to read the turrets. Works great
www.reranger.com
I wear Randolph Rangers in clear. My prescription is light enough that I can correct with the occular so no prescription lens.
I added the hydro stick-on magnifier reading glass type lens to the bottom so as to be able to read the turrets. Works great
SHOOTING EYEWEAR
www.reranger.com
I don't like the idea of wearing a cheap pair of safety glasses while looking through a $3000 optic and reducing it to less than a Diamondback Tactical, so I got the optometrist to make me a pair, even though I don't need them for distance they do help with close up in case I need to read an aspirin bottle.
Shooting glasses need to ride high in the brow so you don't have to look through the frame.
I also have a pair of these Decots for shot gunning and they are better than most.
Shooting glasses need to ride high in the brow so you don't have to look through the frame.
I also have a pair of these Decots for shot gunning and they are better than most.
I wear these and love them.
www.smithoptics.com
Whatever you get I'd go frameless design - you'll never have an issue with the frame obscuring your view if you get into some awkward shooting positions.
Official Store for Smith Sunglasses, Goggles, Helmets & More | SMITH OPTICS
Smith Optics sets the standard for high performance sunglasses, goggles and helmets. Smith innovations include the patented Regulator lens ventilation system, distortion-free Tapered Lens Technology, and the versatility of the Slider Series.
www.smithoptics.com
Whatever you get I'd go frameless design - you'll never have an issue with the frame obscuring your view if you get into some awkward shooting positions.
Yes
I've had many little pieces of "stuff" come back at me over my course of shooting experiences.
Most have hit me in the chest or arms. With one or to little pieces to the face.
If I have my contacts in, I'm normally either wearing some Oakley M frames or some ESS.
If I am wearing my glasses it's Oakley prescription glasses that offer some ballistic protection.
I've had many little pieces of "stuff" come back at me over my course of shooting experiences.
Most have hit me in the chest or arms. With one or to little pieces to the face.
If I have my contacts in, I'm normally either wearing some Oakley M frames or some ESS.
If I am wearing my glasses it's Oakley prescription glasses that offer some ballistic protection.
I'm pretty picky with my vision.
I hate it when my vision is impaired in any way. Poor optical quality, lenses that scratch, etc. I also hate it when they are not comfortable - which a lot of safety glasses are. They are designed much more from a utilitarian standpoint, not for comfort and quality.
Another thing to consider is protection from the UV rays. Most of us shoot on nice days, when it's generally sunny outside. The sun can be really damaging to your eyes, it's very important to protect them from UV. Polarized glasses do a great job of this.
With all that said, I just wear my regular Costa polarized sunglasses when I'm out shooting. From a risk assessment standpoint, damage from UV rays is going to be more prominent/frequent danger (especially here in AZ), then my rifle blowing up. So that's my primary focus on protection. They are still a barrier, that will prevent gas/small particles from reaching your eyes in the odd event something happens, but they won't protect you from eating a bolt (neither will safety glasses).
I hate it when my vision is impaired in any way. Poor optical quality, lenses that scratch, etc. I also hate it when they are not comfortable - which a lot of safety glasses are. They are designed much more from a utilitarian standpoint, not for comfort and quality.
Another thing to consider is protection from the UV rays. Most of us shoot on nice days, when it's generally sunny outside. The sun can be really damaging to your eyes, it's very important to protect them from UV. Polarized glasses do a great job of this.
With all that said, I just wear my regular Costa polarized sunglasses when I'm out shooting. From a risk assessment standpoint, damage from UV rays is going to be more prominent/frequent danger (especially here in AZ), then my rifle blowing up. So that's my primary focus on protection. They are still a barrier, that will prevent gas/small particles from reaching your eyes in the odd event something happens, but they won't protect you from eating a bolt (neither will safety glasses).
You still need to wear ear pro with suppressors, unless shooting subsonics.
I'm using gel cups with Sordin Supreme-X's. I recommend sourcing gel cups, as a person below also posted
Yep, Decots or Randolph Rangers.
I agree....can't understand paying for a very good scope and then using $10 crappy injection molded glasses.
And, you can get the lens in prescription if you care to as well as easy change of lens for different color/conditions.
AND (haha) they stand well off of the face so they don't fog as badly as less well designed glasses.
From a safety point I completely understand the need for them and my range requires them. I have no problem wearing them when shooting anything that doesn’t have a scope. However they really suck shooting a weapon with a scope. Looking through a $5 pair of safety glasses to look through a $1500 scope seems counterproductive. Maybe I need a better quality pair of glasses.
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