woodswoman
2011-08-25 18:31:30 UTC
Steven,
Here is my FR for the Costa Tag 580P Sunglasses. Thanks in advance for your time editing. Gail
HTML:
http://tinyurl.com/3l5as2u
Field Report:
August 25, 2011
USA Locations and Conditions
During the field test period, I have worn the Costa Del Mar Tag 580P Sunglasses on a daily basis. Besides two backpacking trips totaling 14 days, I have also worn them during mountain biking, day hiking, trail running and sea kayaking. Locations in Michigan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Maine, USA ranged from and included boreal and deciduous forest communities, islands and rocky mountainous terrain. Elevation ranged from 600 ft (183 m) to over 5,000 ft (1500 m).
Late June-Early July Backpacking Trip
Location: Isle Royale National Park - Michigan, USA
Type of Trip: Trail
Distance: 49.5 mi (80 km)
Length of Trip: 8 days/8 nights
Pack Weight: 30 lb/13.6 kg(including 2 qt/1.89 l of water)
Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy, rain, and sun
Precipitation: 1.53 in (3.89 cm) rain
Temperature Range: 49 F (9 C) to 82 F (28 C)
August Backpacking Trip
Location: White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire, USA
Type of Trip: Trail
Distance: 32 mi (52 km)
Length of Trip: 6 days/5 nights
Pack Weight: 20 lb (9 kg)
Sky and Air Conditions: Cloudy, rain, fog and sun
Precipitation: 0.55 in (1.40 cm) rain
Temperature Range: 45 F (7 C) to 84 F (29 C)
Day Activities
Activities: Mountain biking, day hiking, trail running, and sea kayaking
Distance: Not measured but most activities ran 2 hrs to 4 hrs, some longer.
Performance in the Field
The Costa Tag Sunglasses had arrived not long before an extended backpacking trip. I was able to wear them a few days before the trip for mountain biking and trail running and noted that they were comfortable and allowed good light transmission in the woods.
That gave me the confidence to bring them as my only pair of sunglasses during the backcountry trip of 8 days to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, USA.
I knew that I would be experiencing a variety of conditions as I would be in and out of deep forest as well as along stretches of exposed ridge line. I also would be hiking and camping by many inland lakes on the island as well as hiking the coast itself.
The glasses performed beautifully on that first trip and thereafter. My eyes never seem tired while wearing them and I don't squint even though the sun is often bright. I have often worn them in combination with a sun hat but they have also been worn in bright light without a hat.
People have asked me what makes these glasses different. I have mentioned that the lenses take the yellow light out and this seems to make a huge difference in clarity. Many friends have asked to try them on and they also took note of the difference.
The glasses fit comfortably on my face even while I am heavily sweating. That has often occurred this season with higher temps than normal. When I bend over to tie my shoes or whatever other task, the glasses stay in place and do not attempt to slide down.
The nose piece is very comfortable as well as the ear pieces. On rare occasion I have lifted the glasses to sit on the top of my head and they have stayed there until I was ready to wear them again. The glasses are so lightweight I barely realize they are on my face.
For non-trail usage such as driving I have appreciated the great eye coverage and the fact that the frames don't get in the way of my line of vision. I recently ventured out east for a six-day backpacking trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, USA. After I took a plane there, my sister drove the rental car through a couple of states while I navigated the old fashioned way with state maps and compass. Since I needed both reading glasses and sun glasses to figure out where we should be heading, I put the Costas right over a pair of small reading glasses and it worked just fine. Of course I continued to wear the Costas during my entire backpacking trip in conditions that were from sunny to foggy. Much of the trail was very exposed being above treeline.
I have also worn the glasses for mountain biking. The glasses nest nicely with the side straps of my helmet and they have provided great coverage for my eyes. Biking in and out of shadows in the forest hasn't been a concern as my eyes have adjusted nicely while wearing the Costas. Ditto for trail running.
Near the end of the field test period I participated in a four-day sea kayaking symposium on Lake Superior (Munising, Michigan, USA). Most days I was on the water about five hours and outdoors on the beach for additional training hours.
I did wear a sun hat in combination with the glasses but was pleased with the exceptional vision and lack of eye strain. It was neat to see into the depth of the water for any obstacles that might occur. We were often doing classes close to shore so it gave me the perception I needed to not bottom out or to kayak out deep enough to do a wet exit or other feats comfortably.
When I am not wearing the sunglasses, I have stored them in the provided case. It is especially handy during backpacking trips as I have a safe place to store them until morning.
During all of these activities I experienced temps from near freezing (32 F/0 C) to the low 90's F (33 -35 C). It's actually been a hotter summer than norm here and everywhere I've traveled.
I haven't had any issues with durability or care so far. I wipe them with a small microfiber cloth when needed and have used mild dish soap to clean them when necessary.
General Thoughts on Performance
Overall I have been really pleased with the Costa Tag 580P Sunglasses. My eyes are very sensitive to light and I wear sunglasses in most outdoor conditions. I like how the glasses protect my eyes by having great peripheral coverage . Even though the glasses fit well I have had to get used to liking the appearance of the glasses on my face. (I am used to small lenses on all my glasses so this is just a cosmetic or appearance thing). I am happy to say that I have adjusted readily as the extra protection benefit, and the great clarity are a bonus to me.
Pros So Far
* Great clarity
* Comfortable frames
* Lightweight
* Great eye coverage
* Sturdy glass case
Cons So Far
* Getting used to the appearance of larger lenses on my face
Tester Remarks
Thanks to Costa Del Mar and BackpackGearTest for this opportunity to test the Tag 580P Sunglasses.This concludes my Field Report. The Long Term Report will be appended to this report in approximately two months from the date of this report. Please check back then for more information.
------------------------------------
Here is my FR for the Costa Tag 580P Sunglasses. Thanks in advance for your time editing. Gail
HTML:
http://tinyurl.com/3l5as2u
Field Report:
August 25, 2011
USA Locations and Conditions
During the field test period, I have worn the Costa Del Mar Tag 580P Sunglasses on a daily basis. Besides two backpacking trips totaling 14 days, I have also worn them during mountain biking, day hiking, trail running and sea kayaking. Locations in Michigan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Maine, USA ranged from and included boreal and deciduous forest communities, islands and rocky mountainous terrain. Elevation ranged from 600 ft (183 m) to over 5,000 ft (1500 m).
Late June-Early July Backpacking Trip
Location: Isle Royale National Park - Michigan, USA
Type of Trip: Trail
Distance: 49.5 mi (80 km)
Length of Trip: 8 days/8 nights
Pack Weight: 30 lb/13.6 kg(including 2 qt/1.89 l of water)
Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy, rain, and sun
Precipitation: 1.53 in (3.89 cm) rain
Temperature Range: 49 F (9 C) to 82 F (28 C)
August Backpacking Trip
Location: White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire, USA
Type of Trip: Trail
Distance: 32 mi (52 km)
Length of Trip: 6 days/5 nights
Pack Weight: 20 lb (9 kg)
Sky and Air Conditions: Cloudy, rain, fog and sun
Precipitation: 0.55 in (1.40 cm) rain
Temperature Range: 45 F (7 C) to 84 F (29 C)
Day Activities
Activities: Mountain biking, day hiking, trail running, and sea kayaking
Distance: Not measured but most activities ran 2 hrs to 4 hrs, some longer.
Performance in the Field
The Costa Tag Sunglasses had arrived not long before an extended backpacking trip. I was able to wear them a few days before the trip for mountain biking and trail running and noted that they were comfortable and allowed good light transmission in the woods.
That gave me the confidence to bring them as my only pair of sunglasses during the backcountry trip of 8 days to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, USA.
I knew that I would be experiencing a variety of conditions as I would be in and out of deep forest as well as along stretches of exposed ridge line. I also would be hiking and camping by many inland lakes on the island as well as hiking the coast itself.
The glasses performed beautifully on that first trip and thereafter. My eyes never seem tired while wearing them and I don't squint even though the sun is often bright. I have often worn them in combination with a sun hat but they have also been worn in bright light without a hat.
People have asked me what makes these glasses different. I have mentioned that the lenses take the yellow light out and this seems to make a huge difference in clarity. Many friends have asked to try them on and they also took note of the difference.
The glasses fit comfortably on my face even while I am heavily sweating. That has often occurred this season with higher temps than normal. When I bend over to tie my shoes or whatever other task, the glasses stay in place and do not attempt to slide down.
The nose piece is very comfortable as well as the ear pieces. On rare occasion I have lifted the glasses to sit on the top of my head and they have stayed there until I was ready to wear them again. The glasses are so lightweight I barely realize they are on my face.
For non-trail usage such as driving I have appreciated the great eye coverage and the fact that the frames don't get in the way of my line of vision. I recently ventured out east for a six-day backpacking trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, USA. After I took a plane there, my sister drove the rental car through a couple of states while I navigated the old fashioned way with state maps and compass. Since I needed both reading glasses and sun glasses to figure out where we should be heading, I put the Costas right over a pair of small reading glasses and it worked just fine. Of course I continued to wear the Costas during my entire backpacking trip in conditions that were from sunny to foggy. Much of the trail was very exposed being above treeline.
I have also worn the glasses for mountain biking. The glasses nest nicely with the side straps of my helmet and they have provided great coverage for my eyes. Biking in and out of shadows in the forest hasn't been a concern as my eyes have adjusted nicely while wearing the Costas. Ditto for trail running.
Near the end of the field test period I participated in a four-day sea kayaking symposium on Lake Superior (Munising, Michigan, USA). Most days I was on the water about five hours and outdoors on the beach for additional training hours.
I did wear a sun hat in combination with the glasses but was pleased with the exceptional vision and lack of eye strain. It was neat to see into the depth of the water for any obstacles that might occur. We were often doing classes close to shore so it gave me the perception I needed to not bottom out or to kayak out deep enough to do a wet exit or other feats comfortably.
When I am not wearing the sunglasses, I have stored them in the provided case. It is especially handy during backpacking trips as I have a safe place to store them until morning.
During all of these activities I experienced temps from near freezing (32 F/0 C) to the low 90's F (33 -35 C). It's actually been a hotter summer than norm here and everywhere I've traveled.
I haven't had any issues with durability or care so far. I wipe them with a small microfiber cloth when needed and have used mild dish soap to clean them when necessary.
General Thoughts on Performance
Overall I have been really pleased with the Costa Tag 580P Sunglasses. My eyes are very sensitive to light and I wear sunglasses in most outdoor conditions. I like how the glasses protect my eyes by having great peripheral coverage . Even though the glasses fit well I have had to get used to liking the appearance of the glasses on my face. (I am used to small lenses on all my glasses so this is just a cosmetic or appearance thing). I am happy to say that I have adjusted readily as the extra protection benefit, and the great clarity are a bonus to me.
Pros So Far
* Great clarity
* Comfortable frames
* Lightweight
* Great eye coverage
* Sturdy glass case
Cons So Far
* Getting used to the appearance of larger lenses on my face
Tester Remarks
Thanks to Costa Del Mar and BackpackGearTest for this opportunity to test the Tag 580P Sunglasses.This concludes my Field Report. The Long Term Report will be appended to this report in approximately two months from the date of this report. Please check back then for more information.
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