RE VS. AO sunglasses

I would enjoy my AOs more if they weren't so heavy, they slide down my nose. =\\

RE uses real glass as well.

Have a pair, but don't wear them. They look odd on my face for one reason or another.

I tried to search online for a definitive answer of AO vs RE. For the record, RE makes both glass and plastic lenses, and currently has the military contract. AO had it until the 90s I think. I can't really explain why the REs are more -- no one can tell the difference as far as I can tell. I just won a pair of REs on ebay -- air force issue, missing RE's logos and with (a way cool) generic military case. The REs you order from their site come with a (IMHO) boring leather hard case. Oh, but if you order from their site they give you a repair kit and a UPS label to ship back for free if they don't fit. Pretty nice.

So what was the general consensus on this? It seems that other than the pricing the RE vs AO sunglasses are the same thing - same sizes, options, etc. I just ordered a pair of AO Original Pilot - 55mm, chrome, bayonet, true color for $43 on Amazon. If it works out and I like it, will probably order a custom pair with polarized lenses.

I have AO original pilot and RE Intruders. The RE seem a little better quality frame and finish. I went with plastic instead of glass on the REs which I would advise, as they are mucher lighter, the AO with bayonnet temples continually slide down my nose due to weight and the design of the temples (I'd advice skull or comfort cables). I don't think the difference is enough to justify the extra cost of the REs, but I got RE because I like the intruder style.

Try going to a locale surplus store, they should either have RE or AO. There's a good chance they'll be under $50.

I have both Randolph Engineering and and American Optical glasses in the same model and size. The only different option is the frame color, one being black, one chrome. I can't seem to locate the RE version right now, but I've compared them before and have found essentially no difference whatsoever and wouldn't hesitate to get the cheaper American Optical branded version. The only thing different about the RE glasses that I could see was a nicer case and a little box of spare parts. Whether glass quality could be slightly better in the RE, I'm not sure, but I've never noticed difference and have been very happy with both pairs of glasses. Edit: Found the RE glasses. The only difference I can really see is the shape of the small metal piece holding the nose guard (I did buy the glasses a year apart though, so this could have been generaly changed). The frames are almost identical down to small details. The finishing and joining looks a tiny bit different, but I can't tell if that's a brand thing or just due to the fact that one pair is chromed and the other matte black. I'd lean to the latter. I'm not a scholar of optics, but I held one lens above another and looked through them at a straight edge and both had only very minor (and essentially identical) distortion at the very edge of the lenses.

I would like to purchase AO sunglasses but I'm not sure about the sizing. I currently wear a 58mm Ray Ban Aviator so should I go for the 55mm in AO or the 57mm? Please advice. Thanks.

i have a pair of AO sunglasses. had them for a year and theyre holding up very well.

bought them here http://www.opticsplanet.net/ao-origi...unglasses.html

By the way, those sunglasses worn by Draper in MM alot of people were speculating about (including myself), are in fact Randolph, not AO, despite the anachronism. REs got them for sale for an inflated price.

What is the best way to clean the AO sunglasses? I've had mine for a bit and the gold has been flaking out green stuff, not exactly sure what it is, could be from the sale from the beach. Should I just dump them in a bucket of water with dish detergent over night? This has been recommended for me with $400 frames from the retailer.