(Ray Ban, Maui, Persol, Serengetti) vs. $10 street vendors/Exxon sunglasses

[Loathing]

^^^
Those are perfect. I have TF ones that are pretty similar & love them.

 

[604Coast]

Currently sporting these Maui Jim Akoni's:

I wear MJs exclusively, these Akoni's are made in Italy and they have beautiful optics with polarization and UV protection obviously.

 

[Reevolving]

Originally Posted by najpie

I like Raybans and buy them on Amazon. Many different styles, sizes (!) and colors available, and I usually pay around $70. Pretty good deal IMO.

They're more durable too. It's the difference between dropping the frames and having a lens pop out (cheap) vs dropping the frames and nothing happening.

Also, I seem to be more inclined to take care of frames that cost a bit of money vs. el cheapo frames, but in general I take care of my stuff.

I just read a review that some of the 3rd party sellers on Amazon sell fake Raybans for $70.
You sure you have real ones?

 

[franz_sanchez]

Originally Posted by Wideknot

Big difference between the lenses in inexpensive vs. quality sunglasses. While UV protection can be had in the lesser grades, there are other things to take into consideration. Optical clarity across the entire lens is much greater in your higher quality eyewear as is color transmission and polarization. A $15.00 pair of Foster Grants is NOT the optical equivalent of a $250.00 pair of Ray Bans, Maui Jims, or Persols. Upper end eyewear is also repairable. The hinge in my seven year old Maui Jims let go about three weeks ago. For ten bucks MJ replaced both temples. For some reason, they seemed to think they were still under warranty even though I expressly told them the warranty was expired.

My Ray Ban Outdoorsmen (uber big aviators from the '70s) are still going strong, though out of style. I'm a fan of Ray Bans, Maui Jim's, and Serengetti.
Depends on what you mean by Upper End. Are you talking about designer and other higher end brands like Oakley, Ray Bay, Prada, Armani, etc? Or are you talking about Luis Vuitton sunglasses. I noticed at Sunglasses Hut you can get a sporty pair of Prada Sunglasses for around $225 or so. I noticed the sports sunglasses made by Luis Vuitton can cost around $500. $500 is a lot for a pair of sunglasses. I don't know how a $500 pair of Luis Vuitton sunglasses can be any better than a $200-300 pair of Prada Sunglasses. I know the Luis Vuitton sunglasses with metal frames can cost around $600 which even more expensive.

 

[Reevolving]

Franz, in case you missed these 2 links: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=189687 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/opinion/23thomas.html

 

[HughJ]

Originally Posted by Wideknot

Big difference between the lenses in inexpensive vs. quality sunglasses. While UV protection can be had in the lesser grades, there are other things to take into consideration. Optical clarity across the entire lens is much greater in your higher quality eyewear as is color transmission and polarization.

Originally Posted by cptjeff

But I do think polarization is worth it as far as spending a little more goes. Especially since I fish, it's nice to be able to cut past the glare on the water, and they prevent glare from distracting you when driving.
Owning both a pair of cheapos and a pair of Ray Bans, I definitely concur that polarization makes a huge difference (especially when driving). I would go as far as saying that I wouldn't buy a pair that wasn't polarized.

Originally Posted by Reevolving

I don't understand this justification of "my eyes are worth it"
Most segments of the planet (and history) live entire lives and never wear sunglasses, ever.
Yet, I don't see an epidemic of blindness in nursing homes, Ghana, or history books.
Like most things, this just sounds like marketing hype to me...
True, but who enjoys squinting and the associated wrinkling and headaches? It's a comfort thing.

 

[ArliHawk`]

Go Salt Optics and you will never go back. I have the SALT Nicolas, gold & g-15. It's my favorite pair of sunglasses.

 

[Reevolving]

These Salt Adler frames look very cool http://www.contactsandspecs.com/salt...dler-3281.aspx