Smith Sunglasses: Leading the way in UV Protection and Vision Enhancements for Today’s Anglers
As an angler you not only want to be able to see where the fish are hiding and feeding you will want UV protection for your eyes. For these reasons you need to have a pair of quality polarized sunglasses. This is an item often over looked by the average angler; however fly anglers know the importance of a good pair of polarized fishing sunglasses. Very seldom will you catch a fly angler on the water without a pair.
Polarized Lenses: how they work and perform
UV Protection
UV Rays have been linked to eye diseases, cataracts, and temporary conditions such as “snow blindness,”
Ultraviolet Radiation (UV A/B/C) is magnified by snow-covered surfaces and the reflection off water. All Smith lens tints protect your eyes from 100% of these harmful forms of solar radiation. At the same time the allow for the full spectrum of colors pass through the lens.
Light reflected from surfaces like a flat road surface, the hood of a car, or water, is generally horizontally polarized. This horizontally polarized light is blocked by the vertically oriented polarizer’s you can think of these as tiny mirrors in the lenses. The result is a reduction in glare that is not only annoying it can sometimes be dangerous.
Polarized lenses may also react negatively with liquid crystal displays (LCDs) found on the dashboards of some cars and boats or on the displays of many of today’s fish-finders. The problem with LCDs is that when viewed through polarized lenses at certain angles, they can become invisible
Just having a pair of sunglasses does not mean that they will give you the optimum visibility you need to locate fish and structures in the water. That is why if you are serious about finding the right shade of sunglasses you need to know what each shade and style is designed for. Here is a quick list of lens options that Smith has available and under what conditions they provide their optimum performance.
Lens Options:
Polarchromic Yellow — Allows 21-31% light transmission. A higher contrast photochromic lens. The “yellowish” tint enhances depth perception and helps gather available light in lower light conditions. Optimum performance for this lens is in medium to low light conditions.
Polarchromic Brown — Allows 18-28% light transmission. A lighter density brown photochromic lens that will transmit ample light during lower light conditions and darken with increasing brightness. Performs well for user seeking a lighter density all around lens. Optimum performance is in low to medium bright conditions.
Polarized Gray — Allows 14% light transmission. A constant density medium dark gray lens. This lens provides the truest of color transmissions with no contrast. Excellent for driving and blue water applications. Optimum performance is in medium to bright conditions.
Polarized Brown — Allows 14% light transmission. An excellent all around constant density lens. With a hint of yellow in this medium dark brown lens, it provides a great combination of contrast and true color transmission. Optimum performance is in medium to bright conditions.
Polarchromic Copper — Allows 13-23% light transmission. An exceptional general purpose photochromic lens. Copper provides medium contrast with increased definition and is very comfortable and soothing on the eyes. Optimum performance is in medium to bright conditions.
Polarized Blue Mirror – Allows 9% light transmission. A constant density dark, natural gray lens combined with a blue mirror treatment. It preserves natural hues and color relationships. This lens is the preference for anglers and boaters on open oceans. Optimum performance is in bright conditions.
Polarized Green Mirror — Allows 9% light transmission. A constant density dark brown lens combined with a stylish green mirror treatment. Designed for flats fishing and high-glare conditions on rivers and streams. Optimum performance is in bright conditions.
Polarchromic Copper Mirror — Allows 13-20% light transmission. Copper tint combined with a subtle silver flash mirror coating creates a performance bases, esthetically appealing lens. Medium contrast while very comfortable and soothing on the eyes. Optimum performance is in medium to bright conditions.
Polarchromic:
Is a new technology that Smith developed and owns, and it is well worth the cost. The unique feature is that it incorporates the polarize features of reducing glare, but also allows the lens to adjust to the lighting as it changes. If it is really bright the lens will essentially darken to give you more protection. If it is dark, than the lens will adjust to lighten and give you the ability to see well.
It is revolutionary technology and if you plan to wear sunglasses a lot and be by the water it is well worth the investment.
Being able to see into the water you are fishing is a key to every angler’s success. You need to seriously think about the benefits of owning a pair of polarized fishing sunglasses before you head out on you next fishing trip. Owning a pair of polarized sunglasses in the right shade is guaranteed to have you catching more fish!
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