asklarry99
2009-11-30 03:34:29 UTC
Hi Tom-
Slightly late but none the worse for wear (except maybe with some extra turkey to work off on the trail) is my IR for the Tifosi glasses. I struggled a little with this review, since I think we are mostly reviewing the lenses, but I have tried to include a bit of everything. See what you think.
Html is at: http://tinyurl.com/ycr8wsg
Thanks!
-larry
------------------------
Tifosi Optics Backcountry Orange Fototec Lens Sunglasses
TEST SERIES BY LARRY KIRSCHNER
INITIAL REPORT - November 29, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
NAME: Larry Kirschner
EMAIL: asklarry98 at hotmail dot com
AGE: 45
LOCATION: Columbus, OH
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 205 lb (92 kg)
I've been an intermittent camper/paddler since my teens, but now that my kids are avid Boy Scouts, I've caught the backpacking bug. I typically do 8-10 weekend hikes per year, and have spent time over the past few years backpacking the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and canoeing the Atikaki wilderness of Canada. I like to travel "in comfort", but I've shrunk to medium weight, and continue to work toward going lighter and longer. With all of my investment into these ventures, I expect my wife and I will continue to trek long after the kids are goneĀ
---------------------------------------------------------------------
INITIAL REPORT
November 29, 2009
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Tifosi Optics
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Country of Manufacture: Taiwan
Manufacturer's Website: www.tifosioptics.com
MSRP: $59.95 USD
Listed Weight: 25 g (0.88 oz)
Measured weight:
Glasses: 26 g (0.92 oz)
Glasses + Case + cloth: 97 g (3.4 oz)
ITEM DESCRIPTION
The Tifosi Optics Backcountry Orange Fototec lenses are sunglass lenses designed for backcountry hikers. They are made from polycarbonate to resist shattering. According to the 2010 Product Catalog, Fototec lenses "adjust rapidly for superior clarity and protection". The lenses are made with "microscopic photochromic particles" which absorb UV rays and undergo a reversible state change to become darker in the sunlight. Once the light goes away, the particles revert to their basal state and become clearer, thus allowing more light through. According to the product literature, the lenses can make this transition in either direction in under 12 seconds, which seems pretty fast to me.
The base color of the lenses is a medium orange, which provides for 45% light transmission. When exposed to bright sunlight, the lenses turn a much darker reddish-brown, which only allows 15% light transmission. The lenses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection, although they are not polarized. I believe the orange base was chosen to provide optimal visibility in the backcountry, in order to allow "a backpacker to be prepared for all weather conditions with just one frame and lens set". Exactly why orange is better than other colors is never stated in the Tifosi literature, but there seems to be sentiment on the internet that it enhances contrast in average to low light. In the past I owned orange-tinted ski goggles, and my recollection is that the color is similar to these glasses. As shown in the photo, the lenses have a Tifosi imprint on the top of the left lens.
For this test, I will be testing the Fototec lenses in a Ventoux frame, which is fairly simple plastic style. The frames are made from a material called "Grilamid TR-90", which is a "homopolyamide nylon characterized by an extremely high alternative bending strength, low density, and a high resistance to chemical and UV damage." The frames I received have a very snappy "Gloss Wood" finish, although the same frame comes in a variety of other colors, including Laser Silver, Gloss Black, Matte Black, and many others. The frames are designed to fit medium-large faces, and I definitely qualify as having a large face (if not extra large). The frames have a hydrophilic black rubber nose piece which has some flexibility at its bottom. The temples (what I would call the ear pieces) have a slight inward curve and the last 2.75 in (70 mm) is covered with the same rubber as the nose piece.
The hydrophilic rubber is designed to increase its grip when it is wet and/or sweaty. There is some give to the frame such that the temples could be bent in or out slightly if needed. The front part of the frame appears to be a single molded piece of plastic, and the hinges for the Ventoux temples are actually embedded inside the front part of the frame. On the inside of the right temple is the Tifosi website, and on the inside of the right is the model number (which in this case is Ventoux T-V520).
The glasses come with a very nice hard, zippered case, which the company calls an "Eclipse case". The case measures 6.5 x 3.25 x 2.25 in (L x W x H, 165 x 83 x 57 mm) and is in the approximate shape of a half-circle. The glasses also came with a microfiber cleaning cloth bag.
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARRANTY
No instructions accompanied the glasses, other than a sewn tag on the microfiber bag stating "Tifosi lenses should be cleaned with thte provided sunglass bag." However, since they are sunglasses, I think I can figure out the rest.
In terms of a warranty, there was nothing that accompanied the glasses, but the website describes a lifetime limited warranty, which indicates that "Tifosi Optics will warranty any sunglass against manufactuer's defects for the life of the product." Glasses will be replaced or repaired as needed, and there is a form with which to make a claim, which must be submitted with a USD $10 processing fee. However, the warranty does not cover "normal wear and tear including but not limited to scratched lenses." Further, "Tifosi Optics has the sole discretion to decide what constitutes a manufacturer's defect and what constitutes normal wear and tear." After reading this, I hope that the glasses hold up well!
TRYING IT OUT
I was a little concerned about the fit of the glasses, since my face (actually my nose) is quite wide across the bridge. Although the fit is not great, I think there is enough play in the nose piece that the glasses will work for me. To test them out, I wore the glasses on a short car ride on a sunny day. Consistent with the light color of the frames, I found that colors and contrast seemed to be enhanced when I put them on outside. I did not notice the glasses becoming obviously darker but I didn't have much trouble with the sun, either.
THE STORY SO FAR
Impressive
Orange lenses seem to enhance contrast
Frames seem sturdy and well-made
Fit is ok so far
Concerns
Will they stay on my face?
How will they function in the bright sunlight?
This concludes my Initial Report on the Tifosi Optics Backcountry Orange Fototec Sunglasses. Please check back in 2 months for my Field Report on this item. Thanks to Tifosi Optics for providing these shades for testing, and to BackpackGearTest.org for giving me the chance to participate in the evaluation process.
-larry kirschner
------------------------------------
Slightly late but none the worse for wear (except maybe with some extra turkey to work off on the trail) is my IR for the Tifosi glasses. I struggled a little with this review, since I think we are mostly reviewing the lenses, but I have tried to include a bit of everything. See what you think.
Html is at: http://tinyurl.com/ycr8wsg
Thanks!
-larry
------------------------
Tifosi Optics Backcountry Orange Fototec Lens Sunglasses
TEST SERIES BY LARRY KIRSCHNER
INITIAL REPORT - November 29, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
NAME: Larry Kirschner
EMAIL: asklarry98 at hotmail dot com
AGE: 45
LOCATION: Columbus, OH
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 205 lb (92 kg)
I've been an intermittent camper/paddler since my teens, but now that my kids are avid Boy Scouts, I've caught the backpacking bug. I typically do 8-10 weekend hikes per year, and have spent time over the past few years backpacking the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and canoeing the Atikaki wilderness of Canada. I like to travel "in comfort", but I've shrunk to medium weight, and continue to work toward going lighter and longer. With all of my investment into these ventures, I expect my wife and I will continue to trek long after the kids are goneĀ
---------------------------------------------------------------------
INITIAL REPORT
November 29, 2009
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Tifosi Optics
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Country of Manufacture: Taiwan
Manufacturer's Website: www.tifosioptics.com
MSRP: $59.95 USD
Listed Weight: 25 g (0.88 oz)
Measured weight:
Glasses: 26 g (0.92 oz)
Glasses + Case + cloth: 97 g (3.4 oz)
ITEM DESCRIPTION
The Tifosi Optics Backcountry Orange Fototec lenses are sunglass lenses designed for backcountry hikers. They are made from polycarbonate to resist shattering. According to the 2010 Product Catalog, Fototec lenses "adjust rapidly for superior clarity and protection". The lenses are made with "microscopic photochromic particles" which absorb UV rays and undergo a reversible state change to become darker in the sunlight. Once the light goes away, the particles revert to their basal state and become clearer, thus allowing more light through. According to the product literature, the lenses can make this transition in either direction in under 12 seconds, which seems pretty fast to me.
The base color of the lenses is a medium orange, which provides for 45% light transmission. When exposed to bright sunlight, the lenses turn a much darker reddish-brown, which only allows 15% light transmission. The lenses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection, although they are not polarized. I believe the orange base was chosen to provide optimal visibility in the backcountry, in order to allow "a backpacker to be prepared for all weather conditions with just one frame and lens set". Exactly why orange is better than other colors is never stated in the Tifosi literature, but there seems to be sentiment on the internet that it enhances contrast in average to low light. In the past I owned orange-tinted ski goggles, and my recollection is that the color is similar to these glasses. As shown in the photo, the lenses have a Tifosi imprint on the top of the left lens.
For this test, I will be testing the Fototec lenses in a Ventoux frame, which is fairly simple plastic style. The frames are made from a material called "Grilamid TR-90", which is a "homopolyamide nylon characterized by an extremely high alternative bending strength, low density, and a high resistance to chemical and UV damage." The frames I received have a very snappy "Gloss Wood" finish, although the same frame comes in a variety of other colors, including Laser Silver, Gloss Black, Matte Black, and many others. The frames are designed to fit medium-large faces, and I definitely qualify as having a large face (if not extra large). The frames have a hydrophilic black rubber nose piece which has some flexibility at its bottom. The temples (what I would call the ear pieces) have a slight inward curve and the last 2.75 in (70 mm) is covered with the same rubber as the nose piece.
The hydrophilic rubber is designed to increase its grip when it is wet and/or sweaty. There is some give to the frame such that the temples could be bent in or out slightly if needed. The front part of the frame appears to be a single molded piece of plastic, and the hinges for the Ventoux temples are actually embedded inside the front part of the frame. On the inside of the right temple is the Tifosi website, and on the inside of the right is the model number (which in this case is Ventoux T-V520).
The glasses come with a very nice hard, zippered case, which the company calls an "Eclipse case". The case measures 6.5 x 3.25 x 2.25 in (L x W x H, 165 x 83 x 57 mm) and is in the approximate shape of a half-circle. The glasses also came with a microfiber cleaning cloth bag.
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARRANTY
No instructions accompanied the glasses, other than a sewn tag on the microfiber bag stating "Tifosi lenses should be cleaned with thte provided sunglass bag." However, since they are sunglasses, I think I can figure out the rest.
In terms of a warranty, there was nothing that accompanied the glasses, but the website describes a lifetime limited warranty, which indicates that "Tifosi Optics will warranty any sunglass against manufactuer's defects for the life of the product." Glasses will be replaced or repaired as needed, and there is a form with which to make a claim, which must be submitted with a USD $10 processing fee. However, the warranty does not cover "normal wear and tear including but not limited to scratched lenses." Further, "Tifosi Optics has the sole discretion to decide what constitutes a manufacturer's defect and what constitutes normal wear and tear." After reading this, I hope that the glasses hold up well!
TRYING IT OUT
I was a little concerned about the fit of the glasses, since my face (actually my nose) is quite wide across the bridge. Although the fit is not great, I think there is enough play in the nose piece that the glasses will work for me. To test them out, I wore the glasses on a short car ride on a sunny day. Consistent with the light color of the frames, I found that colors and contrast seemed to be enhanced when I put them on outside. I did not notice the glasses becoming obviously darker but I didn't have much trouble with the sun, either.
THE STORY SO FAR
Impressive
Orange lenses seem to enhance contrast
Frames seem sturdy and well-made
Fit is ok so far
Concerns
Will they stay on my face?
How will they function in the bright sunlight?
This concludes my Initial Report on the Tifosi Optics Backcountry Orange Fototec Sunglasses. Please check back in 2 months for my Field Report on this item. Thanks to Tifosi Optics for providing these shades for testing, and to BackpackGearTest.org for giving me the chance to participate in the evaluation process.
-larry kirschner
------------------------------------