Buyer's
Guide to Shooting Glasses
by: Brad Justus
Shooters of all kinds require eye protection,
whether at the range or in the field. The majority of
shooting activities take place in close proximity to the
face. Facing the possibility of ricochets, flying objects
(ejecting shells, etc), wind, sun and dust, it only makes
sense to use good eye protection. Although everyday
sunglasses are better than nothing, you're much better off
with a pair of protective glasses specifically designed for
shooting activities.
But when searching for a quality pair of
shooting glasses, what factors do you look at to help make
an educated purchase?
For some additional in-depth information on
shooting glasses, you might want to check out
http://www.shooting-glasses-guide.com.
We'd recommend evaluating the following
components when making your decision:
·
Lens
·
Lens Impact Resistance
·
Lens UV protection
·
Frame Coverage
Let's look at each one in more detail:
Lens:
A very important important feature to consider. For shooting
applications, Polycarbonate is the best lens material
available on the market today. Polycarbonate is a type of
LEXAN® from G.E., the same material used for bullet
resistant glass in autos. It's such hard material that a
special diamond grinding wheel must be used to cut the lens.
In comparison, Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, more
durable, more impact-resistant and more scratch-resistant
than any other lens material in today's market.
Lens Impact Resistance:
In light of the application, this is probably the most
important feature to be concerned with. Lens color, fit,
etc. are all important, but they become a mute point if the
lens won't properly protect the eye. Impact resistance
ratings are typically standardized through agencies and
groups like Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OHSA),
American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the U.S.
Military. These standardized rating provide the minimum
recommended impact resistance for safety based lens. Some
rating information from each group:
* OHSA Safety Standard 1910.133(a)(2) requires impact
resistant lens AND "eye protection that provides side
protection when there is a hazard from flying objects."
* ANSI standards for impact resistance are outlined in
article Z87.1 and Z87.3. These standards were provided to
ANSI by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and
specifically focus on eye safety.
* U.S. Military - The U.S. Military uses a testing standard
called MIL-V-43511C, which is a .22 caliber ballistics
impact test. U.S. Military eyewear must pass this standard
before being issued to any U.S. military personnel.
We'd suggest choosing shooting glasses with
lens that meet or exceed all three standards. If not all
three, at least two. We wouldn't take a chance with any
less.
Lens UV Protection:
UV radiation is the low frequency light waves produced by
the sun. To provide adequate protection, look for shooting
glasses that absorb at least 99% of UV radiation. Choose
shooting glasses with one of the following labels: "Blocks
99% or 100% of UV rays", "UV absorption up to 400nm", or
"meets ANSI UV requirements." It should be noted that even
clear Polycarbonate lens will block or absorb UV rays, so
don't become focused on the tint as playing a role in the
level of protection.
Lens Coverage:
Another crucial element to consider. It's imperative that
the lens adequately cover enough of the eye area to provide
proper protection (See OHSA Standard above). This is
especially important for the side areas of the eye. Look for
lens that wrap around past the sides of the eye for complete
coverage.
What about brands and pricing? You will find
several shooting glasses manufacturers on the market today.
They will cover a very broad range of pricing that will
range from $30.00 - $200.00 for non-prescription, and
$200-$450 for prescription lens glasses. We'd encourage you
to shop around and make an educated decision.
For additional information and a
recommendation on shooting glasses, please consider visiting
Shooting Glasses Guide
http://www.shooting-glasses-guide.com.
About The Author:
Brad Justus is the co-founder of Gunner's Alley, LLC (www.gunnersalley.com),
which is an online retailer of gun holsters and shooting
supplies. Let Brad or another of the experienced staff at
Gunner's Alley help with your shooting glasses needs.
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