Hello everyone - I'm new here!

I'm looking to get a pair of Polaroids (I should have bought some 15 years ago) and I'm confused about the different coloured lenses.

Can someone shed some light (haha) on what the differences are - some have amber, some have grey etc.

I've read conflicting advice on this - 'grey are for bright conditions' on one website and on another - 'grey are for overcast conditions'.

Help!!

TIA

Welcome magicdog.

Personally I only wear grey lenses as I can't stand any of the other tints. Shakespeare do a good range of cheap polaroid sunglasses from £10 - £15 and most, if not all have grey lenses.

I had a pair from Shimano last year with brown lenses. I managed to lose them so I bought a pair from Shakespeare this year. The lense colour does not seem to make any difference to me anyway.

Does anyone do a decent CASE for polaroids ?

Most are sold in a poncy plastic slip wallet that does not protect the glasses at all.

When not wearing them, polaroids travel in a pocket or fishing bag, and I've lost count of the number of polaroid specs I've inadvertantly crunched :mad: :mad: :mad:

Boots do hard spectacle cases, most of which are far too small for the specs they are supposed to protect :mad:

I have to trawl charity shops to find decent spectacle cases from the 50s and 60s, after which it seems nobody made any.

I prefer the brown 'high contrast' lenses for spotting fish and underwater features.

Tight Lines - leon

This might sound very nancy but I like the wear poloroids that don't make me think the sun has gone in - I prefer nice warm amber to cool grey. You can buy spefic lenses for use in low light conditions mainly for trout fishing, they mostly seem to be yellowish but I'm not sure if that means anything. I think I'm rambling, just buy something that is designed for the conditions you want to use them in, and go for a colour only if it is a personal preference.

vagabond - pop into poundland and have a look at theirs.

The only advice I can offer when purchasing is above all to make sure certain the glasses float! I use very cheap fly fisherman glasses from Snowbee and they work fine and come in a decent clip on case. I had an expensive Shimano paid (gift) and the wee lad (18 months) decided they looked interesting...

Thanks for the advice so far!

I'm still in the dark (hoho) as to the reason behind the different coloured lenses - Salar may have hit it on the head suggesting that maybe grey lenses are better in bright sunlight...?

Anyone else got an idea?

TIA

Welcome Magicdog,

Polaroids are easy enough to split up into two groups. Those with Grey darker lenses and those with Yellow, Amber or Light Brown.

Basically the Darker Grey models are designed for full-on sunny conditions, these will greatly reduce glare and ambient light to help your eyes cope with the bright conditions.

If you wear these same 'dark grey' glasses into the evening you'll end up having to take them off to see what you're doing!!! ...which defeats the object...and looses your protection if you're saltwater flyfishing for instance.

This is where the amber and yellow lenses come in. They greatly enhance contrast, so as light fades they give you a distinct advantage.

The confusion you speak of is due to the introduction of light grey lenses which have no contrast enhancing ability but do let through more light to enable you to wear them on into the evening.

I've got both Dark Grey and Amber/Brown from shimano and they work well. However if I had to choose one pair I'd go with an amber or brown like Leon. You might squint a bit in the brightest conditions but lets face it the best fishing tends to be at either end of the day!

Furthermore there was a recent test in Trout Fisherman Magazine...which I have in front of me...15 pairs tested from £10.95 to £130 and the winner was the Flying Fisherman - Calcutta at £26.95 available from St George Sporting on 01933 412211. These are available in grey or amber..but it looks like they tested the amber version.

As I said I've got the shimano models...Exage is the amber/brown version at £22.99...they are very light and comfortable and do the job well although I think the lenses on the Calcutta above look a better size.

Either way, try some out if you can at your local tackle shop, you'll soon see the difference and may prefer one more strongly.

Happy shopping and once you've got them enjoy your fishing!

Oh...and Vagabond...Titelines.co.uk do a polaroid case for £10.99. It's a Bolle case so should be well made. It's metal too, but might rust in the salt! Airflo do a fantastic case which came with some cheap polaroids my wife bought, but I can't seem to find a case for sale seperately.

Tite Lines

Art