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Anyone using photochromatic lenses?

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,288
5,028
Ottawa, Canada
I suppose it depends on what your expectations are...

I have the Ryders ones. I got them to use in the fall, when rides start in the day, but quickly fade into night rides (with lights). I'm in the northeast, so in the forest (as opposed to open desert, or high alpine). I found they don't do what I hoped of them, in that they're too dark for dusk. With lights on, they're okay-ish, but still not great. Clear is the only way to go for night riding (d'uh!).

However, I found the glasses I have (the Roam with the FYRE™ Yellow – Brown with Gold MLV lens) to be really good in almost all other conditions. They're great in the forest in the spring, summer and fall, and they're even quite good in the winter. It's not the best lens tint for snow (I like rosé in my ski goggles), but they cut enough of the glare to be useful and prevent aching eye. I also find them good enough to wear when driving to the trail in bright sunshine. They've proven to be quite tough as well. I've had them for a year now, and wear them pretty much every day because I commute to work in them. They don't have scratches yet, which is pretty decent given how much they are used (and I have two young kids who know they shouldn't touch daddy's glasses but still do sometimes :rant:!)
 

oldfart

Turbo Monkey
Jul 5, 2001
1,206
24
North Van
I have the Ryders photochromic lenses and they are fantastic. I don’t notice the lens shade changing or being too dark or too light ever while riding. I live in Whistler and most of the riding is in the forest. But for Nordic skiing they turn dark and stay dark even on cloudy days and don’t work for me in that situation.
 

eric strt6

Resident Curmudgeon
Sep 8, 2001
23,184
13,438
directly above the center of the earth
IMG_20180626_194001406_Fotor_Collage.jpg
I have Rudy Project Rydon's with the Photo Chromatic Lens with prescription inserts. I love em for riding i can keep the same glasses on from bright sunlight to riding into the night. this was less that a minute going from indoors to outdoors for the two pics
 
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mtg

Green with Envy
Sep 21, 2009
1,862
1,604
Denver, CO
I use them and love em. First, there are two kinds of photochromic: one of them gets fully dark in sunshine, and the other gets fully clear at night. Choose wisely.
I strongly prefer the type that get fully clear at night, which looks like what @eric strt6 posted pics above. After a couple pairs of Lazer riding glasses that worked great, but scratched easily, it was time for Rx photochromic Oakleys.

Bottom line: you don’t have to worry about lens tint, you just ride and the lenses adjust themselves.
 

rideit

Bob the Builder
Aug 24, 2004
23,055
11,298
In the cleavage of the Tetons
So, I got the Optic Nerves, and they are just too dark. Still on the hunt for ones that go nearly clear...(the optic nerve ones are great for bright mid day road riding, though..but not what I need). I need dusk oriented versions...

Anyone try the Bolle Vortex? Don't love the roadie-scum shape, but I like the tint if they will go nearly clear...
 
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