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:
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:
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.