polarised lenses for fishwatching (1 Viewer)

rozinante

Anarchism is order

• Jul 19, 2007

• #1

Doe anyone carry polarised glasses specificaly to aid underwater viewing?

I was wondering if there was any other features, lens coatings etc that might also help with seeing through surface glare.

I don't normaly wear sunglasses so considerations are purely for underwater viewing.

Any recomendations?

 

Last edited: Jul 19, 2007

Keith Dickinson

Well-known member

Opus Editor

• Jul 19, 2007

• #2

Bog standard polarized lenses are all you need for fish watching. You can put multi layered anti reflection coatings on them if you want but the coatings won't make underwater viewing any easier.

 

rozinante

Anarchism is order

• Jul 19, 2007

• #3

Thanks Keith.

I will try to seek out a pair that don't make me look like another tragic fashion victim.

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Jul 20, 2007

• #4

They're good for a whole day on a sunny pelagic as well, enabling you to scan for birds/cetaceans/fish without going blind.

John

 

michaelmacey

D'oh

• Jul 20, 2007

• #5

Thats right John, i use them fishing and for driving in wet/sunny weather, for looking out to sea for any great time, basically all the time. Iv got a pair of Shimano diaflash glasses, about £25, cheap compared to some and they are really good all round glasses. You can buy ones that let in more light for Dawn and Dusk watching, But a lightish grey lense will do for all round work. Try to avoid the really dark lenses or the cheap ones, a few extra quid makes all the difference. Mick

 

michaelmacey

D'oh

• Jul 20, 2007

• #6

ps, The Shimano ones are quite smart and sporty unlike the £6.99 boots jobs that look like old National health Prescription glasses. Mick

 

souterman

Well-known member

• Jul 21, 2007

• #7

Have a look on ebay there are cheep enough ones there.

 

rozinante

Anarchism is order

• Jul 21, 2007

• #8

While I don't want to spend a lot on them, I think even 1x optics must warrent some consideration of quality if a clear and undistorted view is required.

The problem with items like sunglasses is that fasion considerations seem to vastly outwiegh practical considerations in their marketing and pricing. Even more than with bins! It seems that the fishing fraternity are more concerned than most with effectivnes of designs in this field. As Michael points out, the Shimano range seems worthy of consideration.

Unfortunatly, "smart and sporty" is definatly not my style though. I am more of a "National health Prescription" sort of person, (ah whaterver happened to the National Health Service?) so might well check out Boots first. I suspect the Shimano ones may win out in the durability stakes though, being specificaly designed for more sporting useage.

Some interesting points on tints & coatings here if anyone is interested:-

http://www.fishandfly.co.uk/tledit0403.html

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

Carless

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2007

• #9

I recently bought a pair of polarised sunglasses online. They cost me £10 including p&p. They are a boon for fishwatching. The effect depends on the time of day and the viewing angle. But it varies from a small improvement (in bright sun) to absolute night and day (see nothing .. see everything) difference. I think they were well worth the price.

Boots told me that they won't be selling the £6.99 polarised sunglasses until next year.

 

Steve Dudley

aka The Toadsnatcher

• Sep 4, 2007

• #10

Agree, spend a few quid more than the cheapest - it will be worth it.

And remember that polarized glasses clash with roof prism binos - the phase correction coatings are at odds with the polarization element of the lens and you get all sorts of lovely things going on when combining the two! Reminded me of something from yesteryear . . . .

Steve