Lens, sunglasses and goggle research

Lenses bought, measured, photographed through, and compared on real trails. Frames bought, worn, and scored against published anchors. Stated numbers checked against a camera that cannot flatter. Goggles tried with the prescription insert, model by model.

Start here

The Prizm lens reference Every specimen outside and through, stated against measured, side by side. How we test The bench, the seven field scenes, and what the numbers mean.
The technical notes Two short papers: the measurement, and the eye adaptation maths. Note I, measurement (PDF) Note II, compensation (PDF)

Head to head

When two or three lenses answer the same question, the comparison gets its own page: same scenes, same locked exposure, one verdict at the end.

Prizm Low Light vs Clear vs Photochromic Four rounds, from a bright town street down to pitch black under a helmet lamp. With the walkthrough video. Prizm Trail vs Trail Torch Two trail tints separated by colour rather than darkness, and where Prizm Road sits.

The lenses

Every review carries measurements, photography on seven scenes, an interactive comparison, and a verdict once the lens has earned one.

Clear, through-lens view Clear, exterior view Clear 93% VLT Verdict pending Prizm Low Light, through-lens view Prizm Low Light, exterior view Prizm Low Light 75% VLT Recommended Prizm Trail, through-lens view Prizm Trail, exterior view Prizm Trail 36% VLT Avoid Prizm Trail Torch, through-lens view Prizm Trail Torch, exterior view Prizm Trail Torch 35% VLT It depends Prizm Road, through-lens view Prizm Road, exterior view Prizm Road 20% VLT Recommended Prizm Ruby, through-lens view Prizm Ruby, exterior view Prizm Ruby 17% VLT Verdict pending Prizm Road Jade, through-lens view Prizm Road Jade, exterior view Prizm Road Jade 15% VLT Verdict pending Prizm Tungsten, through-lens view Prizm Tungsten, exterior view Prizm Tungsten 14% VLT Verdict pending Prizm Sapphire, through-lens view Prizm Sapphire, exterior view Prizm Sapphire 12% VLT Verdict pending Prizm 24K, through-lens view Prizm 24K, exterior view Prizm 24K 11% VLT Verdict pending Prizm Road Black, through-lens view Prizm Road Black, exterior view Prizm Road Black 11% VLT It depends Prizm Black, through-lens view Prizm Black, exterior view Prizm Black 11% VLT Recommended Photochromic, through-lens view Photochromic, exterior view Photochromic VLT varies Verdict pending

The sunglasses

Every frame I own and have worn, scored on eight criteria against published anchors, on one face. Two reviews are still being photographed, so they hold a rank on the board without a page to read yet.

The Sunglasses Score board Every frame ranked out of 80. Sort by any criterion, filter by brand, lens curve or temple type. How the frames are scored Eight criteria, the published anchors, and the disclosure that comes with them. Frame size comparison Overlay any two frames at true scale, in five views.
Oakley Radar EV Path Oakley Radar EV Path #1 · 65/80 Oakley Jawbreaker Oakley Jawbreaker #3 · 60/80 Oakley Sutro Lite Oakley Sutro Lite #4 · 60/80 Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep #5 · 59/80 Oakley Sutro Lite S Oakley Sutro Lite S #6 · 54/80 Oakley Sutro Oakley Sutro #7 · 52/80 Oakley Sphaera Slash Oakley Sphaera Slash #8 · 49/80 SunGod Velans SunGod Velans #9 · 49/80 Oakley Sutro S #10 · 48/80

The goggles

Ski, snowboard and motocross goggles tried with the prescription insert, one row per model and size, and the optics of a strong prescription behind a goggle lens.

Which goggles fit the prescription insert Every goggle tested, by brand, size and result. Larger sizes fit by rule, smaller sizes get tested first. How high a prescription can a goggle take Vertex distance, fitting height and what each millimetre costs in dioptres, with the formulas.

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