High dollar sunglasses

J

Jpull

Member
I always use polarized glasses when I'm fishing but I've been wondering if those $100 plus brands are worth it. I tend to mistreat or lose mine so I generally stick to low dollar Wallyworld polarized. I try on high dollar glasses at Bass Pro, Academy, etc and they look great inside the store but so do the cheap ones so I just can't bring myself to cough up the money.
Is there a big enough difference to make the switch? Any thoughts appreciated.

Jim
 
J

jg1456

Member
No comparison! I have Costas and Oakleys both. I prefer the Costas for fishing and the Oakley's for everything else under the sun. I would recommend going with the polarized 580 glass lense in a Costa. Once you get out on the water and see the difference, you'll be happy you spent the extra money.
 
T

TightlineT

Active member
I wore wallyworlds for years. I got a pair of costas for Christmas (I think like described above) and absolutely love them. I don't know if I can see stuff in the water any better, but at the end of the day my eyes are not near as tired. I had a fit when my wife bought them, but have since had to eat a lot of crow.
 
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lafae7

Member
The best way I can describe it is that it’s just like having an expensive pen. Having a $$$$ pen is really nice and you are more likely going to keep track of it.
 
D

Davo

Active member
I've only used Costas on the water for the past 15 years or so. They used to have an incredible warranty...not so great now, but the difference is huge. I've had one pair for 13 years and had them repaired 3 times. You only have one set of eyes and the glare from the water is brutal. Yes, there are cheaper ones out there....you can also find a $20 baitcaster but it won't work nearly as well as a more expensive one from a good company.
 
J

jb366

Member
Just looking in the store doesn't do good lenses justice. Once you get out in the sun and on the water is where you see the difference. They filter out more of the unwanted light causing less glare and eyestrain plus you don't get any distortion when looking out of the corners of the lenses like with cheaper pairs.
 
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dlsmith6

New member
I have a pair of Costa that I have been wearing for 5 years and they are great. However, the rubber on the inside falls apart easily it seems but I just dab some super glue on them and keep on fishing. I do like the cheaper strike king sun glasses as well.
 
C

Crankinken

New member
I was a cheap sunglasses guy and noticed I always lost them. Finally spent more on a pair of Wiley Xs and Under Armor and noticed I can see significantly better and I tend to keep much better track of them. Will always have a good pair or two for fishing. Worth the money.
 
3

31airborne

Member
No difference in my experience. I use DeWalt polarized safety glasses (the wrap-around style, get'em at Lowe's). No problem seeing stuff under water. The polycarbonate lenses provide a level of impact protection other glasses don't. And at $20 a pop I don't care if I lose or break them.
 
W

wweaver

New member
I can't stand to look through a lens that has a scratch in it so the glass lenses that Costa makes are perfect. I have had mine for 3 years now and I love them. They are so clear its unbelievable. It sounds like a lot of money and it is but when you think about filling your truck and boat up twice you've got hem paid for.
 
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coop

New member
Costa has a green lens color that is for fresh water....i have had mine for 7 years and would not buy anything else.
 
J

Jmax

Active member
Every time I bought a pair of high dollar sunglasses I would loose them or break them. Usually somehow they would find their way into the water. I one day was talking to a doctor who jokingly told me to try a pair of Cataract Glasses that would fit over my regular glasses. He explained to me they were like goggles, protected my eyes from wind and the elements. He said they came in polarized lens and were cheap. I got a pair just to try them out and have used them ever since. emoBigsmile Ugly as sin, yes, not a fashion statement, yes, do they work well, heck yes. emoTongue Jmax
 
D

Dgreen

Member
Jpull - 5/9/2019 7:34 PM

I always use polarized glasses when I'm fishing but I've been wondering if those $100 plus brands are worth it. I tend to mistreat or lose mine so I generally stick to low dollar Wallyworld polarized. I try on high dollar glasses at Bass Pro, Academy, etc and they look great inside the store but so do the cheap ones so I just can't bring myself to cough up the money.
Is there a big enough difference to make the switch? Any thoughts appreciated.

Jim
Click to expand...
I have 2 pair of costa's with glass lenses. One pair is green mirror the other is silver but both are glass. I asked the sales person at Bass Pro to let me take a pair with glass and a pair with the polycarbonate outside in the sun to try them instead of in the store. They had no problem going outside with me to do that. I didn't expect to see much difference in them with both being costa's but there was quite a bit. The glass lenses were much clearer even in the same style and brand. By the way the second pair I bought at cabelas from the bargain cave for about half price. From that point on that was the first place I went in cabelas until they did away with it. Take your wally world glass with you and take a pair of glass lens costas outside at the store and see for yourself. They will gladly go outside with you to sell a $250 pair of glasses. emoDance
 
M

Mudman

New member
My sons came home with a pair of costas about 6 yrs ago and told me how much they spent and I told them they didn’t have to work as hard for their money as I did. Lol Then I put them on????????. A week later I was buying me a pair. I don’t leave the house with out them now. Go to sportsman warehouse and talk to Swain in optics. He is the most informative person on costas or any other optics ( scopes) I have dealt with.
 
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lafae7

Member
Oh most importantly you will need the right size. Just because you find a pair that you like they may not be the style you like. The only bad part about costas is they don’t have different sizes. They sized are differ by the different models. That’s confusing I know. So it’s important you try them on before buying!!!!
 
J

Jpull

Member
This forum's great. Thanks for all of the responses. Looks like I'll be saving up for new glasses. I've always worn amber because of the enhanced colors but I heard Scott Martin in a post Chick FLW interview and he mentioned Costa makes a freshwater version that is amber/green or blue mix for sight fishing. Might look at those to start with. Thanks also for the Bass Pro Shop tip about taking them outside.

Jim
 
B

bullshot

Member
You don't have to worry about loosing them, if you wear straps. Personally, I like CHUMS but there are plenty of options. When not in use, they are out of the way around the neck (and not someplace where they can get scratched, misplaced, stepped or sat on.)
 
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