|
Post by livingproof on Feb 11, 2014 7:30:37 GMT -7
A major learning from 10 days in the west is that I need to get better goggles for flat light conditions. My present low light Oakley's were not a problem at my home mountain, but, the terrain there is groomed. We spent a day at Snowbasin where the entire group commented that poor visibility was the issue of the day. Some trails were groomed, but, due to the width of the trails, the very wide edges were left natural. I could not visually distinguish between the two, and, it was some fun skiing from one to another (not)! The soft bump runs available were equally bad. Throughout the week, the same weather systems that produced great snow, also, produced very flat light. Such a waste to have just ok goggles. It's very hard to be aggressive when terrain changes can't be distinguished...and dangerous to this aging body. Whatever the cost, it's worth getting the best technology. I'm kicking my butt for not asking to try a run or two goggle exchange with friends who had better low light goggles so that I could get some real feedback.
So, what's out there? I read reviews stating Smith Sensor Blue lenses are as good as it gets. Any thoughts?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2014 7:44:37 GMT -7
Hey LP, I asked this very same question a few years ago, and the consensus from the gang here was that the Smith Sensor Mirror lens was the best for flat light. We all equipped ourselves with those, and have been very happy with them. Our goggles are now a few years old, and at the time of purchase there was only the plain Sensor Mirror. Now it seems there are several -- Blue, Red and Gold Sensor Mirror. Red and Blue seem to be the ones for flat light. FWIW, our old Sensor Mirrors have a light tint of blue in them. I think you're on the right track with Smith. Hope this helps....
|
|
|
Post by JimRatliff on Feb 11, 2014 10:17:25 GMT -7
I too have heard that the Smith lenses are top notch. I'm not sure how much difference the mirror color makes, but I think a base color of yellow or rose allows the most light (this is the color that the lense shows looking at it from the inside). Smith is also good at showing the light transmission percentages on their website, and maybe even on the boxes. Also, the Smith IOX lenses are spherical, which I understand means less distortion due to the lense itself. Some of the IOX models also come with a sweet quick change system and two lenses.
|
|
|
Post by meput on Feb 11, 2014 16:59:06 GMT -7
Recently bought Smith IO/X Elite (fan) goggles. They came with the Red sensor mirror. So far a very good low/flat light lens. My daughter Kristin is liking her Smith IO/S goggles, with the Blue sensor mirror that she likes in low light. Good review of the Smith line of goggle lenses: blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/smith-goggle-lens-guide
|
|
|
Post by smackboy1 on Feb 11, 2014 18:10:33 GMT -7
My present low light Oakley's were not a problem at my home mountain, but, the terrain there is groomed. Which Oakley lenses do you have? I have the High Intensity Persimmon for my flat/low light lens. It's OK, but after skiing A-Basin in the fog, I got the H.I. Yellow lens because I've been told it's the best Oakley lens for flat/low light. I haven't used them yet, but maybe if the VT weather cooperates I will be able to ski them through snow/freezing rain next week.
|
|
|
Post by JimRatliff on Feb 11, 2014 21:25:18 GMT -7
Meput: Very informative review. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by livingproof on Feb 12, 2014 17:44:28 GMT -7
My present low light Oakley's were not a problem at my home mountain, but, the terrain there is groomed. Which Oakley lenses do you have? I have the High Intensity Persimmon for my flat/low light lens. It's OK, but after skiing A-Basin in the fog, I got the H.I. Yellow lens because I've been told it's the best Oakley lens for flat/low light. I haven't used them yet, but maybe if the VT weather cooperates I will be able to ski them through snow/freezing rain next week. I have an older pair of Oakley's and not the HI Yellow. One of the people I skied with most of the week just bought the Oakley HI Yellow and said good things about them, but, his other lens was pretty dark. He is the person that I should have asked to swap lenses with for a run.
|
|
|
Post by livingproof on Feb 12, 2014 17:48:36 GMT -7
Recently bought Smith IO/X Elite (fan) goggles. They came with the Red sensor mirror. So far a very good low/flat light lens. My daughter Kristin is liking her Smith IO/S goggles, with the Blue sensor mirror that she likes in low light. Good review of the Smith line of goggle lenses: blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/smith-goggle-lens-guideThere is an interesting thread in Epic where the difference between the blue and red sensor Smith lens is discussed. The light transmission appears very similar but many give a slight edge to the blue sensor mirror. Do you notice any difference, assuming you've looked through your daughters?
|
|
|
Post by meput on Feb 12, 2014 20:52:40 GMT -7
Recently bought Smith IO/X Elite (fan) goggles. They came with the Red sensor mirror. So far a very good low/flat light lens. My daughter Kristin is liking her Smith IO/S goggles, with the Blue sensor mirror that she likes in low light. Good review of the Smith line of goggle lenses: blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/smith-goggle-lens-guideThere is an interesting thread in Epic where the difference between the blue and red sensor Smith lens is discussed. The light transmission appears very similar but many give a slight edge to the blue sensor mirror. Do you notice any difference, assuming you've looked through your daughters? I have only looked through my daughter's goggles with the blue sensor mirror indoors. Slightly more rose tint which I have liked for biking in some Rudy Project biking glasses I used to use. I have checked to see if the blue sensor mirror is available as a single lens to purchase for the IO/X - currently out of stock on the Smith web site. Right now the red sensor mirror is meeting my needs for low/flat light. Will probably get a blue sensor if they become available.
|
|
|
Post by smackboy1 on Feb 22, 2014 11:44:55 GMT -7
My present low light Oakley's were not a problem at my home mountain, but, the terrain there is groomed. Which Oakley lenses do you have? I have the High Intensity Persimmon for my flat/low light lens. It's OK, but after skiing A-Basin in the fog, I got the H.I. Yellow lens because I've been told it's the best Oakley lens for flat/low light. I haven't used them yet, but maybe if the VT weather cooperates I will be able to ski them through snow/freezing rain next week. After skiing with HI Yellow I can confirm that they are better than HI Persimmon in the snow and fog we had at Stratton last week. Better light transmission and contrast. Never tried Smith so can't compare.
|
|