Goggle lens color

#1

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3/25/02 at 10:14am

NewHampie
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Joined: March 2001
Location: Concord, MA / Lyman, NH
Post Count: 317

In eastern low-light conditions under gray skies, flat light is the rule not the exception. I've always tried to ski with faith that whatever I couldn't see my skis would blast through and iron out. Works most of the time but has ended up in some epic crashes! I use Smith goggles with some kind of amber lens because they never fog but I wonder if my lens color is the best for the flat light that is so common here.

#2

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3/25/02 at 10:32am

HeluvaSkier
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Joined: August 2000
Location: Buffalo, NY
Post Count: 6,507

Hey i use Smith Triad Regulator goggles. They work the best for flat light because they have a yellow lens. the yellow lens enhances terrain features, even more than using a clear lens. They work when it is snowing, raining, foggy, dark, low light... etc, pretty much the worst possible conditions you can think of. Granted you dont have to buy the expensive triad regulator (although it will probly never fog or ice up on you - not to mention they look really cool) you should look into getting some sort of a yellow lens goggle. I also have Smith Regulator goggles that have an orange lens for sunny conditions (because the yellow will fry your retinas off in the sun). Try the yellow lens though and see if it brings out the terrain features. I have found that it works great, and have spoken wiht many others that swear by the triad regulator.
Later
GREG

I Ski.

All-Mountain: A common descriptive term for boots or skis that are designed to perform equally poorly under a variety of conditions and over many different types of terrain.

The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.

#3

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3/25/02 at 11:13am

Gill
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Joined: September 2001
Location: Northern Virginia
Post Count: 361

I've found that either a light yellow or rose lens works best in low or flat light conditions.

The Smith amber lens is just a bit too dark for me when in flat light.

#4

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3/25/02 at 11:35am

6781
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Joined: November 2001
Location: Lafayette, New York
Post Count: 105

Yah, I agree with Gill. I've found that a yellow lens and vermilion work the best in flat light.

CERAF

:

#5

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3/25/02 at 12:27pm

Lostboy
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Joined: January 2001
Location: PNW
Post Count: 2,663

Smith makes a lot of different colored lenses. For flat light the yellows or rose seem to work best. It is something of an individual preference. For me rose produces better contrast, amber more brightness but less contrast.

P.S. You can get different color replacement lenses fro your shop or if they don't carry replacements then you can purchase lenses on line for your goggle model and experiment.

[ March 25, 2002 12:30 PM: Message edited 1 time, by Lostboy ]

#6

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3/25/02 at 9:00pm

Mike B
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Joined: September 2001
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Post Count: 250

I've got some Mantra goggles with yellow lenses, no fog and I can always see in flat light. Anyhow I find yellow lenses are the most versatile, good even in regular light.

#7

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3/26/02 at 4:39pm

worldfishnski
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Joined: February 2000
Location: all over the place
Post Count: 228

I noticed in the Olympics that alot of the skiers were using blue. Has anyone ever used that color? I don't ever recall even seeing them for sale.

I am completely convinced that vermillion is best. In the Smith goggle box, they included some little graphs that show which colors let which kinds of light through. Vermillion was the only one that was significantly different. It worked with blue light better than any other color.

[ March 27, 2002 07:39 AM: Message edited 1 time, by worldfishnski ]

#8

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3/27/02 at 9:23am

martini
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Joined: January 2002
Location: New Jersey
Post Count: 361

This year, I bought a pair of clear goggles for night skiing. But y'know what? I like them for those overcast dark Eastern days. And they're good for the late afternoon in the winter when the sun goes behind the mountain. Not high tech, not expensive, but it seems like nothing is blocking my view and I feel, well, "clear".

#9

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4/1/02 at 8:11pm

t roller
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Joined: September 2001
Location: nh
Post Count: 37

oakley h.i.

#10

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4/2/02 at 6:26am

jyarddog
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Joined: April 2001
Location: Oregon City, OR. USA
Post Count: 711

Here's a useful list.

Lenses come in a variety of colors and tints that will aid vision in specific light conditions.

Gold filters out blue light and is suitable for a wide range of light conditions
Black Iridium has a mirrored coating that helps reduce glare, and won't distort colors. Best for bright, sunny days.
Bronze offers good protection for bright, clear days
Silver/green is a good general-purpose lens because it enhances contrast in diffused light
Rose is best suited for low-light conditions
Purple is good in low-light conditions, such as overcast and snowy days, because it brings out shadows and contours in flat light
Clear is best suited for skiing or riding at night or on cloudy days

#11

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4/4/02 at 8:19am

HaveSkisWillClimb
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Joined: December 2001
Location: central Maine
Post Count: 950

Hi,
I just picked up a pair of those Bolle rose lenses...for $15 (new) on the last day at a small shop down heah in Mass...my god, what
deals I could have gotten had I have had the
$$$

...hey I absolutely LUV EM'!!!!..non-polarized...they're fine.
Head & Tails above my brown lenses

#12

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4/4/02 at 1:49pm

TooSteep
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Joined: March 2002
Location: Vancouver
Post Count: 79

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by worldfishnski:
I noticed in the Olympics that alot of the skiers were using blue. Has anyone ever used that color? I don't ever recall even seeing them for sale.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have googles with blue lenses. I thought I was the only person on the planet - I bought 'em many years ago after destroying my old ones in a crash - the blue ones were the only ones on sale at the bottom of the hill at the time [img]smile.gif[/img]

I find them to be extremely dark compared to any other lens - they are excellent in very bright conditions. In poor light, they make you think it is nighttime. I was at Whistler a few weeks ago in dense fog, and stopped at the top of a run where you couldn't see 6 feet in front of you. I tried on a few friends goggles to see if they were significantly better - to my surprise, they were not. None of the other colours I tried (all variations of orange, amber, yellow) offered any better contrast - but they were much, much brighter - which kind of gives more of an illusion of being able to see. I would have liked to try red in those conditions.

#13

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4/4/02 at 7:28pm

BobT
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Joined: March 2000
Location: Olympia, Washington, USA
Post Count: 90

Never liked the looks of the rose (vermillon) color but now that I've used several different colors I find it works best in flat light, which we've had a lot of this year.

#14

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2/4/03 at 5:40am

mirek
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Joined: April 2002
Location: Birmingham, UK
Post Count: 51

Bolle is producing Vermillon lens and it is said to be for low to medium light conditions. They also produce Lemon lens which should be for very low light conditions. Has anybody tried the lemon one or compared the two?

#15

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2/4/03 at 10:31am

Adema
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Joined: April 2002
Location: Denver, CO
Post Count: 173

Quote:

Originally posted by t roller:
oakley h.i.

i also use the oakley high intensity blue lens (which is actually yellowish). it RULES for low light - great contrast, much better than clear.

it's not so fun in bright light but it's bearable.

#16

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2/4/03 at 8:39pm

DarylB
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Joined: October 2002
Location: Milton, ON, Canada
Post Count: 238

The best way to go is with a clear lens and 12 felt tip markers of different colors and a few soft cloths. That way you just paint the color you want and when you want to change it, just wipe it off with the cloth and paint on a new color.

#17

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2/4/03 at 11:32pm

vail snopro
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Joined: April 2002
Location: Vail, Co
Post Count: 1,868

NH-
The number and variety of replies posted here seem to bear out what I'm about to suggest.

There is no ONE RIGHT color for everybody. Each persons eyes react differently to light, so it's up to you to test and evaluate how your eyes react to the various lens colors available. Some colors will highlight variations of light and ground shadings, some will subdue them. If this wasn't so, why do the manufacturers make so many different models/colors?

Even more importantly- you must train yourself to INTERPRET light variations accurately. The difference between identifying rolls and dips from clumps is darned important! But mis-interpreting the information your eyes give you is a greater issue than just the color of a lens. Spending a little time focussing on this aspect can go a long way to improving your vision on those flat light days!

Here's to safe skiing!

:

[ February 04, 2003, 11:34 PM: Message edited by: vail snopro ]

#18

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2/5/03 at 8:47am

Lucky
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Joined: November 1999
Location: Crystal Mountain WA
Post Count: 3,638

Brikos work best for me in flat or low light.

#19

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9/21/09 at 9:07am

jando5
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Joined: February 2009
Post Count: 6

Help me choose my lens replacement for low light on my Oakley a-frames. Seems like most people prefer yellow type goggles when in low light conditions, maybe even more so than clear. looking at prolens.com it seems like high intensity yellow is the most popular as well. which one would you get?

http://www.prolens.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_36&products_id=408

#20

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9/21/09 at 9:25am

GarryZ
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Joined: February 2006
Location: Lake of Liberty in the GNW
Post Count: 7,163

Quote:

Originally Posted by jando5

Help me choose my lens replacement for low light on my Oakley a-frames. Seems like most people prefer yellow type goggles when in low light conditions, maybe even more so than clear. looking at prolens.com it seems like high intensity yellow is the most popular as well. which one would you get?

http://www.prolens.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_36&products_id=408

I'd buy the Hi intensity persimmon. I have that lens and like it very much .

#21

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9/21/09 at 4:26pm

Spongeworthy
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Joined: October 2008
Location: New York
Post Count: 35

Agreed on the Hi intensity persimmon. I went to that from the regular persimmon last season and it made a world of difference. I find that it's fine in bright light also, which may not be the case with a yellow lens.

#22

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9/22/09 at 9:40am

aschick
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Joined: November 2004
Location: SE MI
Post Count: 307

I have very sun-sensitive eyes, so I really do need two different lenses for different conditions. I also wear contacts so I can't ski without goggles under most conditions. At this point I'm using The Smith Prodigy with their older amber lens for bright conditions and their sensor mirror for flat and lower light conditions and have been very happy.

#23

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9/22/09 at 10:13am

GarryZ
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Joined: February 2006
Location: Lake of Liberty in the GNW
Post Count: 7,163

aschick makes a good point for Smith wearers.

For Smiths their sensor mirror is their best multi purpose lens. I use Smiths the most . This lens isn't a good choice for bright days but all others it's a good one and it's the one I rely on . I will replace this lens when I ruin it as it's my best choice for Smith products.

#24

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9/22/09 at 10:25am

Wags
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Joined: November 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Post Count: 176

Earlier this year, I did a lot of research on the science behind this topic for a 2-part article I wrote. (Part 2 is all about tints) Here's the link to the articles http://tr.im/ziTW

I still haven't figured out the blue lenses. It doesn't make sense from a scientific standpoint. I had a chance to speak the other day with Ted Ligety of the U.S. Ski Team and co-owner of Shred goggles. He uses the blue lenses when racing and just said it was a matter of personal preference.

#25

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9/22/09 at 12:06pm

Do Work
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Joined: January 2008
Location: Springfield, MA
Post Count: 1,499

The blue Smith Sensor lens. Bar none, it's the best damn lens for flat light/night skiing into partly cloudy days, and I've tried a bunch.

#26

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9/22/09 at 12:59pm

volantaddict
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Joined: May 2005
Location: Missoula, MT
Post Count: 6,602

Quote:

Originally Posted by Do Work

The blue Smith Sensor lens. Bar none, it's the best damn lens for flat light/night skiing into partly cloudy days, and I've tried a bunch.

I agree that the blues Sensor Mirrors are exceptional, and I recommend them.

Have you tried the gold sensor mirrors? I'm curious about them. They have the same % of visible light transmission, but different tint.

The heaviness of the complexity fuels the force behind the dart that hits the mark.

#27

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9/22/09 at 1:11pm

epic
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Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 6,747

Quote:

Originally Posted by jando5

Help me choose my lens replacement for low light on my Oakley a-frames. Seems like most people prefer yellow type goggles when in low light conditions, maybe even more so than clear. looking at prolens.com it seems like high intensity yellow is the most popular as well. which one would you get?

http://www.prolens.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_36&products_id=408

I have the HI yellow and the HI Persimmon. I can only wear the HI yellow when it's cloudy and will always use it when it's snowing. I can wear the HI persimmon any day.

#28

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9/23/09 at 7:52am

Jimski
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Joined: January 2008
Location: DC suburbs (Maryland)
Post Count: 387

Has photochromic technology advanced far enough to consider getting photochromic lens goggles? Or is it still better to go with a lens-swap frame and 2-3 lenses? When photochromic was first invented (the 1970's?), the problem was that over time they got darker and darker and didn't revert back to non-tint.

Enjoy every sandwich.

#29

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9/24/09 at 9:13pm

aschick
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Joined: November 2004
Location: SE MI
Post Count: 307

My impression is that the technology is fine, but not that useful. The problem is that for flat light conditions you don't just need greater light transmission, you need a different color tint. The second issue is that people have different needs and preferences in terms of light transmission (as I mentioned, I have very sensitive eyes) and they don't necessarily match what the engineers where able to accomplish. But that doesn't mean that you need a lens-swap frame. In fact, most inner lens coatings are so delicate, that its best not to have to handle the lens at all. I have two identical frames with different lenses. Keep your eye out for what comes up on tramdock or coupons for STP and you should be able to get a good goggle for ~45. Multiply by two and you're still spending way less than on a Smith IO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimski

Has photochromic technology advanced far enough to consider getting photochromic lens goggles? Or is it still better to go with a lens-swap frame and 2-3 lenses? When photochromic was first invented (the 1970's?), the problem was that over time they got darker and darker and didn't revert back to non-tint.

#30

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9/25/09 at 7:51am

Jimski
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Joined: January 2008
Location: DC suburbs (Maryland)
Post Count: 387

aschick -- thanks, and good advice. In fact, my current goggles are fine in full sunlight, so all I need is a second goggle for low/flat light.

Enjoy every sandwich.

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