Ballistic sunglasses?

[Maynard]

I read the AO safety rules section about eyewear-and I understand that any eyewear has to be full sealing, and be able to take a 500 fps shot from point blank.

But I ran across some nice "ballistic" sunglasses at lightfighter's, and I was wondering if anyone knew right off as to what these things were rated to...and if they would be allowed.

Most state they are full sealing, it'd be nice to try a pair on beforehand to make sure...but it is the internet. They are made by Wiley, and they look to be alright...the best pair runs $80, while the average pair runs $40. I'm leary of the $40 ones, but if the best pair was good to use, I wouldn't mind shelling out $80 on them, to not look like a swat team member with the alternative (goggles).

http://www.lightfighter.com/generic.html?pid=223

http://www.lightfighter.com/item.html?PRID=1339036

suppose I'd link to the things as well- the bottom link is for the most expensive pair there.

[Agent 47]

yes, im curious as well, Has anyone used these?

[nextmayor]

I use the Wiley X Saber ($34) shooting glasses.

http://www.lightfighter.com/item.html?PRID=1339047

I do not use these for skirmishing, but I do use them for real steel shooting and airsoft plinking.

While the lens is ANSI Z-87.1, ANSI Z-80.3, and Military Fragmentation Standard MIL-STD-662 certified, I would not use the Wiley Saber for skirmishing. They are a excellent pair of glasses for their intended use though and will offer good eye protection. Shooting glasses are designed to protect the eye against the dust and debris caused from out going fire and were not designed to protect against incoming bb's.

The problem with the Wiley Saber is that they are not "full seal", so there is a chance an errant bb could enter behind the lens. I saw some of the other Wiley glasses claim to be full seal, but I have never seen this "in person".

The Wiley shooting glasses are fairly common and can be found at most good gun shops and some sporting good stores. As I said, the lens meets AO standards but I do not know if any of these sunglasses style shooting glasses will provied a tight enough seal to protect against incoming bb's.

These glasses are available with many differnet tints. Here is a list of the tints and their uses should you decide to go that direction (I wouldn't).

Pale Yellow -- Best suited for use in low light conditions where enhancement is needed.
Light Rust -- Filters out blue light waves which are the chief components of glare and haze. These lenses provide contrast enhancements in medium to low light conditions.
Neutral Slate -- Great for general purpose use. These lenses will provide maximum glare reduction without distorting colors.
Clear As Crystal -- Allows maximum light transmission without changing the value of colors.
Pale Rose -- Will improve details and enhance depth perception when encountering low or artificial light conditions.
Emerald Green -- Provides glare reduction, sharpens vision and detail, through enhancement of neutral colors like brown, and green.
Blue Lunar -- Diminishes glare by absorbing reflection across the mirror face.
Silver Steel -- Diminishes glare by absorbing reflection across the mirror face.

I hope this helps, here is another link that talks about the use of shooting glasses too. The thread starts about talking about a team or team website and then moves into the shooting glasses issue about halfway down:

http://www.airsoftohio.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1056

[Nitrous]

I haven't actually skirmished with a pair, but I have worn them, and they are indeed fully sealing. They are also very comfortable to use, and they look like normal sunglasses, so you can wear them as such.

[Maynard]

hmm...I would really like to grab a pair, and have certified goggles as well, just in case. I like wearing a M43 flec hat, and stuff that looks either dumb or doesn't fit with my goggles on.

But I was trying out choices, and realised sunglasses looked great with the M43, and although the ones I tried were just fokely's, I could still tell how it was going to look. Just for reference...I would NEVER use the foakley's in airsoft. Anyways, I plinked them and cracked the lenses...I did get them for free.

I suppose I would use an elastic strap to keep them sealed and on, that would be useful...but it would come off the second the game was over, heheh. It would probably be hidden under the back of any headwear anyhow.

Not completely convinced they are safe, however...anyone else have any experiences? I would rather look dumb that lose an eye.

[Locutus2999]

Maynard,

We (Airsoft Arms) are an authorized Wiley X Dealer, and I can confirm that ALL Wiley X glasses are ANSI z87.1 rated.

We just received a shipment of them in the other day, but we haven't gotten around to getting them up on the website yet.

[Agent 47]

Locutus, in your personal opinion, are the full seal versions safe for skirmishing? Looks like i will purchase some from you when the site goes up...

[Locutus2999]

I can honestly say the SG1's are safe for skirmishing as they are full seal and use a strap to keep them snug.

http://www.airsoftarms.com/viewproductdetail.php?ProdID=1940

The XL-1's are also fullseal but use a strap that attaches to the arms, so not quite as secure, but servicable.

http://www.wileyx.com/eyewear/xl1.html (we are selling these for $64.99)

The others I would only recommend using for target practice or messing around. Such as the Romers seen here:

http://www.wileyx.com/eyewear/romer.html ($34.99)

The first two actually do fully seal to the face, and as long as they are secure, they are just safe as any tactical goggles.

[Maynard]

sweet-Locotus, you've made me happy

M43 + sunglasses = great posing capability/ability to play in AO games/not lose eye or two, heheh.

But seriously, I take the camoflauge and headgear I wear seriously, and don't want protective gear completely screwing it up, i.e., bulky goggles- military headgear has always been something I've wanted to collect (clocking in at two USAF flight caps/envelope hats, two US style boonies-different patterns, 1 woodland summer weight ranger cap, my flec M43 which I really like, balaclava, and some other old junk for cold weather that I picked up for next to nothing)

I like WWII german uniforms, where the garrison/flight/envelope hat was still a combat-type headgear piece-I'd like to pick up a modern german army one, in green, and maybe skirmish it...maybe...it could look stupid

But back on topic, I can't wait to buy some, it'll be the next thing besides gas and bbs on my list.

(I need to start an M43 fan club, heheh. There'd be like, one member, but still...)

[Maynard]

Something I need to ask now just to be safe...

If I showed up at an AO skirmish with the XL-1 ballistic sunglasses...I would be allowed to play-correct?

I suppose thats what you mean by they are serviceable-but I want to make sure so I don't miss out on participating in my first skirmish.

Just want to make absolute-thanks.

[Locutus2999]

Yes, they easily exceed AO requirements for eye protection.

[Fluffy_Bunny]

I have an SG1, with perscription lenses that I use for soccer, and they are evtremely comfortable to wear, causing little to no irritation to the eyes. However, the strap is a bit of a hassle, and I don't really like the feeling of it against my ears. It also tends to fog up (maybe it's the perscription lenses, who knows), so I have to clean it's inside every 30 seconds or so.

Would you happen to seel anti-fog thingys to use on goggles Locutus? And I also lost the side frames, so would you happen to have them for sale as well?

[Locutus2999]

http://www.airsoftarms.com/viewproductdetail.php?ProdID=3201

I believe we have some of the sideframes at the store, let me check on the price and get back to you.

[Jacko]

About the SG-1's, here's a quote from Lightfighter:

tried out the Wiley X SG-1 goggles for the first time this week while I was a student at the FBI SWAT school. The immediate impression I got when wearing them in 'goggle'; mode was FOG-O-RAMMA. I tried to tweak them by fiddling with the tension on the straps (trying to get more air to flow by not having them as tight); but no matter what I did, visibility was easily and quickly impaired by using them. In 'sunglass' mode, they did perform well enough for our static firing range training, but during anything dynamic (e.g heavy breathing); the SG-1 are worthless.

I am going to stick to my T-800 Bolle goggles.

And another from Newman, a mod over at Michigan Airsoft:

They're worthless. I'm eBaying them...I didn't even wear them in a game they were so bad. I guess they're not "new" anymore, either, but pretty dang close to it.

Before I sell them, though, I'll try out my anti-fog spray and see if they work OK...I mean, come on, they are the PERFECT sniper goggles since they are the lowest profile ever.

Fogging galore.

So... You guys let us know if you find any different results, hmm? :)

[Fluffy_Bunny]

Yea, as I've said before, fogging is a major problem. When I get those anti-fog wipes Loctus mentioned above and try them out, I'll tell you the results. Also, finding the sweet spot between a perfect fit, too tight, or too loose is a bit of a hassle. Put them on too loose, and they just hang there on your nose, with a gap at the top. Too tight, and they hurt your eye socket and upper cheek bone.