Post by mirvc17 on Jul 18, 2016 19:50:55 GMT -6
Not really...but I got your attention.
The following are just my opinions based on my experiences with two top-brand polarized fishing glasses.
Costa del Mar "Jose" vs Smith Optics "Guide's Choice"
First off, a little background. I've owned the Costa's for about 2 years now. I bought the Smith's last month after seeing my buddy Rob's on our Montana trip--they were intended as a back-up pair and for use when I had to send my Costa's in for repair (more on that in a minute). And I wanted a lens that had better low-light performance.
About the Joses. I have the shiny black frames with polarized gray 580G (glass) lenses (non-mirrored). I got these lenses for everyday use and because they're air force 'legal.' These are some tough glasses. While sprinting down the flight line chasing a piece of paper, I bent over and the glasses departed my sweaty face. Luckily, only one lense barely received some micro scratches that were almost invisible. That is falling a couple of feet onto concrete while running. The frames got a little scratched but nothing overwhelming. They've also fallen off the back of my neck (forgot they were there!) onto stone tile floor with no damage (lucky landing). I kept them until recently some of the rubberized material separated more from the plastic to a point at which I decided it was time for a repair. For a small fee of $11.95, Costa replaced the defective frames. In fact, they replaced them with an updated Jose frame that fits my face better and the ear pieces grip your skull better without being uncomfortable. Customer service was great and fast.
About the Guide's Choice. I bought the black frames with Techlite Polarchromic Copper Mirror glass lenses. The polarchromic lenses will adjust the tint of the glass based on the lighting conditions. With the copper lenses, these glasses definitely much better in low-light conditions. This means they have a sort of yellowish tint to everything. Time will tell about durability. They have a slight mirror to them, but it's not over the top and they're still air force legal (in my interpretation of the regulation). If anyone gives me grief I'll tell them to piss off anyway. I wore them the whole time on my Colorado trip.
Comparing the two. With the updated earpieces, the Costa's feel slightly more secure on my head. However, both glasses 'fall' off my nose at about the same time when bending over. Costa's win (for me) when it comes to nose comfort too. Not to say the Smith's are uncomfortable, but on some days, my nose gets a little fatigued after wearing them for hours on end. On other days, I have no issues. Kind of strange eh? The Smith's are lighter--4 grams lighter to be exact. Smith wins when it comes to coverage--the frames are wider on the sides and the lenses are taller. Unless you have trimmed female eyebrows, Smith wins when it comes to "eyebrow grease" getting on your lenses. If you're a man like the rest of us, more of this grease gets on the Costas. Again, this is a function of the lenses size and how close they impede on your eyebrow space. In that case, a Costa model with larger lenses might be more appropriate. Both come with cases. Smith includes an optional integrated leash but I haven't used them yet. I've been using cloth-style ones with a rainbow trout pattern that fit both glasses.
Costa Jose: Security, proven toughness, nose comfort, best in brighter conditions. Retail price: $239
Smith Guide's Choice: Lighter weight, better coverage, less eyebrow grease on lenses, comes with leashes, better low light performance. Retail price: $249
I was fortunate to purchase both of these glasses for far less than retail. With some looking you can find both brands for much less than retail.
The Winner? Honestly--neither, I'd say. I like them both, but I do find myself wanting to wear the Smith's more lately--probably because they're newer and I like the low-light performance and self-adjusting lenses. They are both good and each has advantages. However, both being glass and polarized, they are awesome at locating fish.
If you've never owned a quality pair of polarized glass lenses I think you are missing out. If you frequently break glasses, then these may not be the choice for you. I take care of mine.
Pictures to follow.
The following are just my opinions based on my experiences with two top-brand polarized fishing glasses.
Costa del Mar "Jose" vs Smith Optics "Guide's Choice"
First off, a little background. I've owned the Costa's for about 2 years now. I bought the Smith's last month after seeing my buddy Rob's on our Montana trip--they were intended as a back-up pair and for use when I had to send my Costa's in for repair (more on that in a minute). And I wanted a lens that had better low-light performance.
About the Joses. I have the shiny black frames with polarized gray 580G (glass) lenses (non-mirrored). I got these lenses for everyday use and because they're air force 'legal.' These are some tough glasses. While sprinting down the flight line chasing a piece of paper, I bent over and the glasses departed my sweaty face. Luckily, only one lense barely received some micro scratches that were almost invisible. That is falling a couple of feet onto concrete while running. The frames got a little scratched but nothing overwhelming. They've also fallen off the back of my neck (forgot they were there!) onto stone tile floor with no damage (lucky landing). I kept them until recently some of the rubberized material separated more from the plastic to a point at which I decided it was time for a repair. For a small fee of $11.95, Costa replaced the defective frames. In fact, they replaced them with an updated Jose frame that fits my face better and the ear pieces grip your skull better without being uncomfortable. Customer service was great and fast.
About the Guide's Choice. I bought the black frames with Techlite Polarchromic Copper Mirror glass lenses. The polarchromic lenses will adjust the tint of the glass based on the lighting conditions. With the copper lenses, these glasses definitely much better in low-light conditions. This means they have a sort of yellowish tint to everything. Time will tell about durability. They have a slight mirror to them, but it's not over the top and they're still air force legal (in my interpretation of the regulation). If anyone gives me grief I'll tell them to piss off anyway. I wore them the whole time on my Colorado trip.
Comparing the two. With the updated earpieces, the Costa's feel slightly more secure on my head. However, both glasses 'fall' off my nose at about the same time when bending over. Costa's win (for me) when it comes to nose comfort too. Not to say the Smith's are uncomfortable, but on some days, my nose gets a little fatigued after wearing them for hours on end. On other days, I have no issues. Kind of strange eh? The Smith's are lighter--4 grams lighter to be exact. Smith wins when it comes to coverage--the frames are wider on the sides and the lenses are taller. Unless you have trimmed female eyebrows, Smith wins when it comes to "eyebrow grease" getting on your lenses. If you're a man like the rest of us, more of this grease gets on the Costas. Again, this is a function of the lenses size and how close they impede on your eyebrow space. In that case, a Costa model with larger lenses might be more appropriate. Both come with cases. Smith includes an optional integrated leash but I haven't used them yet. I've been using cloth-style ones with a rainbow trout pattern that fit both glasses.
Costa Jose: Security, proven toughness, nose comfort, best in brighter conditions. Retail price: $239
Smith Guide's Choice: Lighter weight, better coverage, less eyebrow grease on lenses, comes with leashes, better low light performance. Retail price: $249
I was fortunate to purchase both of these glasses for far less than retail. With some looking you can find both brands for much less than retail.
The Winner? Honestly--neither, I'd say. I like them both, but I do find myself wanting to wear the Smith's more lately--probably because they're newer and I like the low-light performance and self-adjusting lenses. They are both good and each has advantages. However, both being glass and polarized, they are awesome at locating fish.
If you've never owned a quality pair of polarized glass lenses I think you are missing out. If you frequently break glasses, then these may not be the choice for you. I take care of mine.
Pictures to follow.
