Apr

23

The Best Military Eyewear

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses, Fun with Eyewear, International Designer Glasses Blogs | View Comments



Tested by the Israeli military, Rudy Project eyewear is the best in the business for police and snipers in training. Naturally, the brand is advertised for extreme sporting, but various militaries have picked up the brand because of its adaptability, long-range focus capability and snug fit. Additionally, the eyewear brand is as technologically advanced and aerodynamic as any pair of sunglasses can be. While they are a bit spendy, for the professionally there are fewer pieces of equipment more important than eyewear for long range shooting. For modern hunters and riflemen, Rudy Project eyewear is a creative way to up your game.


Oakley is well known for its performance enhancing capabilities like snug fit and high-impact resistance. While everyone knows Oakley makes the best in extreme sporting eyewear, few are aware that the designs are also being used by the military for their winter warfare training. Oakley goggles (with prescription inlets) are perfect for snowmobiling, skiing and winter survival where snow blindness is an unfortunate likelihood. Similarly, with tinted lenses, Oakley goggles are perfect for increasing contrast (making shapes in the snow appear more visible) and decreasing glare from snow and ice.


Ray Ban’s are used in the military for various low impact activities, including workmen in the air force and navy whose goals are scouting and reconnaissance. While also stylish, Ray Ban’s have a military tradition that make them a must-have for the career officer. Gen. Douglas McArthur was photographed in Aviators in WWII and their popularity on military bases has skyrocketed since.

Apr

17

Update on the Go West Rowing Team Sponsored by Vision Direct

Filed Under Community Outreach, Vision Direct Sponsorship | View Comments


The Go West team has completed their first round of compulsory equipment testing for the pan-Indian race set to launch later this month. The boat, named the “Whatever it Takes” will complete its inspection phase soon and needs to be in top condition to handle the rough waters ahead.


After passing their RYA Yacht master Theory courses on the 1st of April the crew have given several interviews and have now begun to mentally prepare themselves for the arduous task ahead. While training has dwindled in intensity due to boat preparations and yacht theory training courses, the crew feels they are ready to take on the Indian Ocean.


Vision Direct sponsors the Go West team and applauds their dedication to extreme sporting. Vision Direct has also supplied the four crew members with the best in designer sporting eyewear, including Rudy Project, Oakley, Burberry and more.

Apr

14

Australians Hoping to Keep Aussie Sunnie Laws

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses, Eyewear Knowledge | View Comments


Australia is one of the few countries still defying international sunglasses standards that would, if enacted, actually lower the sunnie standards in Australia. Australia has labels on deep red, yellow and brown tinted sunglasses that warn consumers of the danger of driving in these tinted sunglasses. Under current standards, blue-light blocking sunglasses are labeled unsuitable for driving if they block over 30% of blue light, because they block much of the blue-green light emitted from traffic lights.


Because a sizable percentage of the population suffers some sort of color blindness or color dulling (over 8% in men and 1 in 200 for women) the traffic lights have been imbibed with a subtle blue tint, which is easier for color blind or deficient people to see than green. The dark red, brown and yellow sunglasses that block over 30% of blue light are dangerous in driving situations and are thus properly labeled. In a study performed recently many color blind/deficient test subjects wearing the European standard 60% blue block sunglasses could not distinguish light colors varying from yellow, green, blue and in some cases red. The dangers pointed out by this study are obvious for color deficient citizens wearing the international standard sunglasses while driving.


If Australia were to adopt international safety standards it would mean dropping the warning labels off of the potentially dangerous eyewear. Many Australians are unhappy with the European pressure to change the warning from all 30% blue blockaded eyewear to a drastic 60% blue-block. While the economic crisis worsens, some Australians see the pressure to change warning labels as a sign that manufacturers in Europe see the labels as hampering sales in Australia.

Apr

12

What the Pros Wear, the Indian Ocean Rowing Race

Filed Under Community Outreach, Designer Sunglasses, Fun with Eyewear, Vision Direct Sponsorship | View Comments


Four lads from Perth set out across the Indian Ocean with little more than food, water, a firm boat and the best gear in the industry (provided by Vision Direct) to protect their bodies. With extreme sporting, such as this, protecting one’s eyes is of the utmost importance. Here is how two of the team mates protect themselves in style. The Go West team is comprised of Andrew, Pete, Matt and Dave.


Like his teammates Andrew and Pete, Matt has chosen his eyewear for the Indian Ocean race very carefully. After carefully perusing through Vision Direct’s vast collection, Matt settled on two pairs of sunglasses – Serenget Bromo’s and Oakley Radar Range sunglasses. The Serengeti Bromo’s are perfect for low hassle eyewear across multiple weather and terrain conditions while the Oakley Radar Range sunglasses will be donned whenever Matt encounters rough waters. With rimless bottoms and a firm fit, the Radar’s stay in place and allow optimal peripheral vision in dangerous situations.

3l.JPG


Dave, perhaps, chose his eyewear the most carefully, for he ultimately went with a pair of the finest eyewear in the industry, something spoken of only in whispers by athletes lucky enough to land a pair- Rudy Project Zyon’s. These sunglasses have experienced more stages of R&D than some space shuttles, their designs are simple in their intricacy, and leave nothing to chance. The very shape of the lenses was designed for optimal speed, safety and performance enhancement. Dave will not be disappointed to find these bad boys carrying their share. For a back up pair, Dave is bringing Oakley Conducts, which are stylish and cool for light rowing in minimal sunlight or clam waters.


The Go West team launches their boat April 19th, keep checking back for further updates as the team pushes out into the great wide beyond!

Apr

10

Conflicting Sunnies for Driving

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses, Eyewear Knowledge | View Comments


When browsing for a new pair of sunnies, be it Ray Ban sunglasses or Nike sunglasses, you would have noticed warning labels stating that models in certain tints are unsuitable for driving. New international standards are proposing to lower the standards for sunglasses worn by motorists. Of course, we Aussies are aware our standards are set the way they are for a reason, and are currently fighting against this new proposal.


At the moment, sunnies with yellow, brown and deep red tints are considered unsuitable for driving. You’re probably wondering why? Let me fill you in. Green traffic lights are actually green-blue in colour because “colour-deficient” drivers find it easier to recognise the colour blue. Sunglasses with deep red, yellow and brown tints absorb the blue light from the green traffic lights making it difficult for “colour-deficient” drivers to determine the correct traffic light colour.

3.JPG


According to Australian standards, sunglasses are labelled unsuitable for driving if they prevent over 30 percent of blue light from reaching the eye. However, European countries want to change the international standard and allow sunglasses blocking 60 percent of blue light to be sold without warning labels. Imagine the consequences that would have on a road filled with “colour-deficient” drivers.


Perhaps you’re thinking, “So, what sunglasses can I wear for driving?” There are still a great variety of suitable designer sunglasses out there you can choose from. We recommend our unisex Silhouette 8561 sunglasses for its lightweight, classic appeal. The grey lens colour is also a good choice for driving as it cuts out glare. Sunglasses with polarised lenses are effective in reducing glare from flat surfaces such as the car bonnet and great for blocking out reflections from road surfaces to make your drive as smooth and easy as possible. Take a look at our Oakley Fives 3.0 Polarized sunglasses for the men and Oakley Speechless Polarized sunglasses for the ladies.


If the standards for sunglasses are eventually lowered, it’s probably best to stick with the current Aussie rules.

Apr

1

Australia’s Best Gear up for Serious Rowing

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses, Fun with Eyewear, Vision Direct Sponsorship | View Comments


For the toughest rowing race in the world the Perth team has chosen the best of the competitive sunglasses designs for intense sporting. From Adidas to Serengeti to Armani, the team has decked themselves out in style, athleticism and protection. Throughout the 6000k race the team of four will be confronted with variations in weather, intensity and jarring. They have chosen their sunglasses with precision and care. Here is what the best of the best are wearing for eyewear protection while rowing across the Indian Ocean.

2l.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

Pete, who has been rowing since age 14, has chosen the extreme sporting designs of Adidas to optimize his performance in the trans Indian voyage. Adidas Elevation Climacool sunglasses are perfect for Pete, who is powered by passion, determination and facing rough challenges head on. With a thin foam layer similar to ski goggles (and an optional head strap to keep these bad boys in place) the Climacool are a smart choice. With additional inserts for those in need of prescription lenses, the Climacool’s are perfect for protection and vision on long rowing races across rough waters, and can come with various coatings like rain proofing and anti-scratch for extremely rough terrain. For security, Pete has chosen to bring along three pairs of eyewear for the race, his second choice- the Adidas Ramone sunglasses, which are perfect for calmer waters and dawn/dusk rowing. For photo ops and other moments where the team will want to look their finest, Pete chose a third pair of eyewear, Giorgio Armani GA’s, sunglasses with definite style! This design features thick temple bars that will be perfect for rowing in calm water when the sun is at its strongest and Pete will want his peripheral vision protected from reflection and glare.


Andrew, a rowing coach and lifelong rower, chose one pair of sunglasses that are stylish, protective, sporty and practical. Serengeti Bromo’s offer the best of all worlds, and Andrew will be wearing them through some of the roughest ocean waters on the planet. These prescription ready sunglasses have great athletic reviews and allow optimal vision with minimal weight and discomfort.


Matt and Dave have also decked themselves out in Vision Direct eyewear, for more on what the rowing pros choose, check back next week! Meanwhile, the Go West team launched April 19th and we’ll be there to follow along with updates and eyewear gear reviews.