I’m purchasing Jawbone black matte (custom) .
My concern is, I’m trying to figure out what the difference between the two are in terms of features. Meaning, I don’t want a mirrored look. Which one, polarized or iridium does not have a mirrored look? I’m looking for something, whereas you can see through the lens more, and see your eyes. Trying to figure this out, but it’s not that easy. Thanks
All the iridium lenes are going to have the “mirrored” look. Go for the black polarized.
X2 on polarized. Iridium is really a cosmetic rather than functional feature. You’ll get excellent glare reduction and removal of reflections from non metallic objects with polarized lenses. They’ll protect your eyes from strong UV better too. I live in NZ and wouldn’t ever wear non polarized lenses for that reason alone.
So I originally purchased a pair of polarized Oakley Radar Path sunglasses. I also have a Garmin 310xt that I wear on the underside of my wrist. When I’m riding my bike, I can’t see the numbers on the watch! If I rotate my wrist 90 degrees I can see the numbers, but that’s not aero. It was so annoying that I returned the polarized and got black iridium. They don’t look mirrored to me at all, especially not compared to my “creeper mirrored aviators” 
Polarized is the way to go, in my opinion. Every pair of sunglasses I own is polarized. Then again, I live in Chicago, and most of my activity is near water.
As an aside, my favorite Oakley lenses to date are the polarized Postive Red Iridium.
but that is a mirrored look, I don’t like colors on my sunglasses or shinny/glaring things…I’m looking for a lens like this, flat, plain and boring. https://www.facebook.com/...p;type=3&theater
I’m looking for a lens like this, flat, plain and boring.
I’m purchasing Jawbone
Error…
Oakley really doesn’t make any lenses that come in a “flat, plain, and boring” finish. They’re loud and in-your-face, or subtly badass. If you’re looking for boring you should probably be looking at some tifosi’s…
For the record, the “mirror” has a purpose…it protects you from haters.
You obviously didn’t look at the picture posted.
Nope. But now that I have, you shouldn’t want those because those do not offer 100% Hater protection.
Seriously though…
Whether or not you can see your eyes through the lens depends on the relative amount of light “inside” your sunglasses (i.e how bright it is between your eyes and the lens). If you’re looking into a well-lit house at night then you can see right through the windows, but the same house during broad daylight with zero indoor lighting will appear from the outside to have reflections on the windows.
In the case of sunglasses, the extent to which the lens will appear mirrored seems to depend on the percent light transmission of the lens–the lighter the lens, the more light gets through. Also, the more “loosely” the frame of the sunglasses fits around your face, the brighter it will be inside the sunglasses. Both of these will affect the extent to which someone can see your eyes. The coating seems to contribute to this to a certain extent (Iridium), but the polarization (not a coating…a lens property) shouldn’t directly result in a mirrored look except in that it reduces the light transmission by a factor of 2.
So far I’ve had the following lenses:
Titanium Iridium (Half Jackets)
They all looked mirrored, but they’re also all very dark lenses. The Titanium Iridium and Black Iridium are are ~9% IIRC (don’t give a shit if I’m off by a % or two), and the + Red Iridiums are ~14 or 16%. If I were you I would definitely be looking for lenses somewhere in the range of 40%.
I have ridiculously sensitive eyes and sometimes squint under normal sunlight even with my darkest lenses on so I can’t fathom why you’d want to get sunglasses light enough that anyone could see your eyes. It’s your money and your call I guess. Perhaps I’m the only one disappointed that Oakley got rid of its 8% polarized lens? Seriously…I’d wear welding goggle lenses if Oakley made them for the Jury or Path. 9-10% is barely dark enough on the brightest days here in NC, and I’ve been known to go 2-ply on sunglasses when I’m at the beach or pool. Going outside without sunglasses on a sunny day is absolutely out of the question.
but that is a mirrored look, I don’t like colors on my sunglasses or shinny/glaring things…I’m looking for a lens like this, flat, plain and boring.https://www.facebook.com/...p;type=3&theater
Go with the vr28 polarized lenses like in your linked picture. I have them on my Oakley Radar. They are not mirrored …
Thanks for the reply. Isn’t the vr28 black polarized lenses more of a brown color? Shows here when you apply the application, it’s more brown?
http://ca.oakley.com/custom/jawbone
Thanks for the reply. Isn’t the vr28 black polarized lenses more of a brown color? Shows here when you apply the application, it’s more brown?
You need to distinguish between the vr28 black iridium polarized and the vr28 polarized: http://www.oakley.com/products/6273/22888 these are very different lenses
The guy in the picture, just messaged me and said they’re grey lenses. But, didn’t tell me whether they are polarized of iridium.
I can’t remember the name of it, but… Oakley has a discount program for Military, Police, etc. that offers only select glasses and they’re almost all in flat black, grey, etc. with plain lenses, just like the ones in the pic you posted. I’d bet good money that’s where those glasses came from.
You’re probably right Steve. But, you can custom your own Oakleys online, to be all flat back. The only problem is getting the grey lens, which I think may be a discontinued lens.
https://secure.usstandardissue.com/
No Jawbones, but you can see the lenses.
https://secure.usstandardissue.com/
No Jawbones, but you can see the lenses.
+1, if you are Military/Police/other Gov’t affiliated, this is the way to go. I got a pair of Half-Jackets for less than $60
#1, I’m not in the military. #2, they don’t list prices. #3, I am always suspicious of ordering from a no Oakley store.
#1, I’m not in the military. #2, they don’t list prices. #3, I am always suspicious of ordering from a no Oakley store.
#1, What is a “no Oakley store”? #2, Did you see the big “Official Site for Oakley Military & Government Sales” banner at the top of the page?
I forgot to add in my PM - the best polarized glasses I have EVER had (and just lost after about 8 years grrr) were Kaenon Rhinos. A smaller company which I think was started by Oakley staff. Absolutely superb sunglasses. Much tougher lenses than any Oakleys I’ve had and after years of use at sea, running and on the bike there wasn’t a mark on them. Highly recommended.