Polarized sunglasses

Yorkee

Yorkee

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I recently purchased a pair of polarized prescription sunglasses. It is a curve lens. When I ride with my shoei faceshield I see blue and purple all over. Anyone have the same problem?

I swear I wasn't on anything!
 
The shield isn't polarized is it? Could also have to do with an antiscratch or antifog coating on the shield...?
 
You'll see the same thing if you look at car windshields, some types of metallic paints on cars, oil slicks on the ground (useful!) etc.

I believe it has something to do with how polarized lens manage light filtration, however I'm too lazy to look up the science on it.

Can someone lmgtfy this for the OP? lol
 
I have the same issue with my polarized lens. Takes a bit of getting used to but after a while you don't even notice it.
 
Common problem, best bet is to avoid polarized lenses for the glasses you will use on the bike (although this advise is a little late...).
 
backmarkerducati said:
Common problem, best bet is to avoid polarized lenses for the glasses you will use on the bike (although this advise is a little late...).
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I would disagree with this. Polarized lens may be a small nuisance, however most people who work in the eyecare field will tell you they are are the best lenses to protect your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun.

I think I can take a little purpling and bluing so that I have my vision in the future thanks.
 
backmarkerducati said:
Common problem, best bet is to avoid polarized lenses for the glasses you will use on the bike (although this advise is a little late...).
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+1. u will always see the colouring effect when u look at any glass, plastic surface when looking through a polarized lenses. even more so on any tinted plastic, glass like tinted windows as an example.

some people are fine with wearing polarized lenses while riding but i dont use them while riding. they are great for when im driving or just walking around. but i find that when im moving at any decent speed on the bike, i would loose some depth perception that i need while going into the turns. also.. u know how polarized lenses cut out the reflections u get from the water surface. although thats of a great benefit, it is not good while u r riding. if there is a puddle of water around the corner, u will want to see its reflection as early as possible so u can steer clear from it.
 
I find the displays on gas pumps are impossible to see with my polarized clip-ons. However, if you look at the display with your head tilted it becomes visible. Since that looks a little odd, it is better to take them off when pumping gas.
 
Any bends or imperfections in a clear surface will cause that discoloration when seen through polarized lenses. I can't be bothered with the scientific background right now, but I know that they use polarized lenses to see imperfections in some high-end manufacturing processes (I'm thinking aerospace, but I'm not sure at the moment).
 
silent_vik said:
+1. u will always see the colouring effect when u look at any glass, plastic surface when looking through a polarized lenses. even more so on any tinted plastic, glass like tinted windows as an example.

some people are fine with wearing polarized lenses while riding but i dont use them while riding. they are great for when im driving or just walking around. but i find that when im moving at any decent speed on the bike, i would loose some depth perception that i need while going into the turns. also.. u know how polarized lenses cut out the reflections u get from the water surface. although thats of a great benefit, it is not good while u r riding. if there is a puddle of water around the corner, u will want to see its reflection as early as possible so u can steer clear from it.
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Just looking at your sig Vik, wouldn't you agree the lenses protect your eyes better? It's what I've always heard.

Doesn't really bother me as I am riding shield up or open face most of the time, but I'm happy to live with it when I am on the highway.
 
I experienced this same problem when I lost my non-polarized clip-ons on my last trip to the BRP. Since the weather was good, I rode with my shield open as much as I could, but once closed I found the rainbow effect of the polarized lenses distracting. It is plain dangerous as far as I'm concerned. After a lot of searching I finally found some non polarized clip-ons and all is well with my world for now. There is another option though. One could always carry a tinted facshield in their tank bag on trips. However, I find it easier to put on clip-ons than a face shield. Yes, polarized lenses filter more uv rays, but the increased safety risk does not merit their consideration.
 
I do not consider polarized lenses a safety issue, I have been using them for years without any problems at all. You may see some funny colors, but that's where it ends for me, a slight change in some colors doesn't distract me in the slightest. I use them all the time. After wearing my polarized shades, I can't even use my much more expensive regular armani, or Ray's.. It lets you see right through glare like on your windshield.. On my bike I just use my mirrored visor, and carry my clear on my shoulder inside my jacket (if I ever need it, thank you 7up for this tip)..
 
They drive me nuts and are very distracting. I have good quality non-polarized for driving and riding (Oakleys) that also fully protect my eyes should I have my visor up.
 
Griffin said:
They drive me nuts and are very distracting. I have good quality non-polarized for driving and riding (Oakleys) that also fully protect my eyes should I have my visor up.
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Oakleys have **** lenses in them from what I'm told. Had mine replaced with a better alternative made by someone else because I love the frame they are in. (Oil drum frames fit me really well for riding)
 
Myztyk said:
Just looking at your sig Vik, wouldn't you agree the lenses protect your eyes better? It's what I've always heard.

Doesn't really bother me as I am riding shield up or open face most of the time, but I'm happy to live with it when I am on the highway.
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lets say we do not take into consideration the funky colours produced when u see through polarized lenses. polarized lenses are better than regular tinted becuase they cut glare. tineted lenses will not do that. BUT polarized lenses also reduce your depth perception. some people are not bothered by it on a bike. some are. im one of the ppl that are.

like i said, in a car or for general use i only wear polarized lenses. but on a bike, for my sake, i can tolerate a bit of glare than loose the depth perception which is more important to me. u may not be bothered by it. but i am.

for this reason, i even keep different sunglasses for using in different lightning conditions.
dark grey/black polarized for car or walking around in sun.
brown tinted, non polarized for when im on bike or when its not so sunny outside but still need sunglasses.
clear anti-glare lenses at night.

this is what works for me.
 
silent_vik said:
lets say we do not take into consideration the funky colours produced when u see through polarized lenses. polarized lenses are better than regular tinted becuase they cut glare. tineted lenses will not do that. BUT polarized lenses also reduce your depth perception. some people are not bothered by it on a bike. some are. im one of the ppl that are.

like i said, in a car or for general use i only wear polarized lenses. but on a bike, for my sake, i can tolerate a bit of glare than loose the depth perception which is more important to me. u may not be bothered by it. but i am.

for this reason, i even keep different sunglasses for using in different lightning conditions.
dark grey/black polarized for car or walking around in sun.
brown tinted, non polarized for when im on bike or when its not so sunny outside but still need sunglasses.
clear anti-glare lenses at night.

this is what works for me.
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Cool man. Good info! :p
 
my experience with oakleys has been the opposite, but then again, i only wear the m-frames for sports, so i can tell you that they have fantastic optics for plastic lenses.

imho, they are on par with the optics that i get from my various ray bans (wayfarer, wayfarer 2, clubmaster, aviator) and serengeti drivers. . .

of course, m frames are terrible for fitting under a full face helmet, as the arms are too chunky and with a properly fitting helmet, they will press against your temples pretty firmly. with a beanie, i imagine they are good, as they also wrap around pretty wide.
 
Malks said:
I find the displays on gas pumps are impossible to see with my polarized clip-ons. However, if you look at the display with your head tilted it becomes visible. Since that looks a little odd, it is better to take them off when pumping gas.
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I thought the pumps at the gas station were defective once when I pulled in...forgot I had my polarised shades on.
 
Myztyk said:
I would disagree with this. Polarized lens may be a small nuisance, however most people who work in the eyecare field will tell you they are are the best lenses to protect your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun.

I think I can take a little purpling and bluing so that I have my vision in the future thanks.
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That's funny, the oakley representative I talked to said the buzzword of "polarized" lenses is taken too far by sales people. I distinctly recall him saying that pilots are not allowed polarized lenses because they interfere with their vision. But I do not recall if this was due to the LCD displays which get blackened or the depth perception issue.

In any case, I saw the purpling on all dark surfaces and windshields of cars. I say it on my bike, on my leathers, on all clear-coats of cars, and especially dark cars. It gave me a headache and I couldn't handle it. I think it has to do with the slight refraction of light through the visor.

Because it affected me so strongly, I will never use polarized lenses while wearing a helmet (that is, operating a motorcycle).

Do you have any references for polarized lenses protecting your eyes better than "simple" UV protected lenses?
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