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Post by JimRatliff on Dec 6, 2014 19:02:12 GMT -7
No, that's not me. I think my login there is just my name, but i haven't done anything except lurk over there. Lynn reads PMTS forum regularly and tutors me. Interesting about Tito. I had his "Introduction to Shaped Skis" video and it both helped my early skiing and introduced and credited HH for much of the technique, and so i signed up for a PMTS camp. However, skiing blind would be a challenge. Glad you can chuckle about it now.
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Post by livingproof on Dec 8, 2014 17:06:53 GMT -7
When it comes to changing goggle lenses, I'm too stupid to remember to pack them, too lazy to dig them out if I remember, and too clumsy to change them if I dig them out. Sorta like General Sherman ("If nominated I will not run, if elected..."). Like HighAngles, I use Zeal goggles: photochromic, polarized, spherical. One lens, imperfect for all conditions! I like them. Used to have Smiths with 3 lenses... gave them to a friend when I got the Zeals. YMMV of course. So far as I know, there's no Book1, Book2 and Essentials for goggles! Hi Doug and welcome to the Real Skiers forum. I'm the OP in this thread, and in retrospect, the main driver for new goggles was comfort as both my Oakley and Zeal goggles contact the brim of my helmet causing pressure to my nose. I've put up with that much too long, but, as long as I'm getting new, I really want a very good low light lens..would disagree that visibility is overrated, especially in the western big mountains. I did bring my helmet when trying on the Smith's IOX so conflict is gone and field of vision is wider. Most would argue that skiing is so much easier in good light. Bob Barnes of Epic has a saying "There is good skiing and then there is skiing that is good for your skiing". Flat light is good for your skiing as it forces us to balance better. There may not be a goggle book, but, internet reviews are for more informative than manufacturer advertising. I like my Zeal photochromic lens 98% of the time. But, we skiers are equipment specialists wanting to match the days conditions to skis and goggles. If you are going to hang out in this forum, equipment love rules more than technique in discussions, or at least as long as we all agree not to be the PMTS vs PSIA battlefield. For years, I've just put on one pair at days start, I'm hoping just to go with the low light lens on very poor days only. I would agree that skiers should spend more time trying to ski "blind", concentrating on feel. Damn analytic thinker that resides between my ears always resists this good advice. I remember when HH had his Achlies injury, it occurred in a white out and he could not see a hole in the snow until he was on top of it. Ouch! Jump in on any topic of interest.
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Post by dougdeacon on Dec 9, 2014 7:45:41 GMT -7
Thanks for the welcome, LP.
Pressure to the nose is indeed annoying. Bad enough when due to nose-google contact, even worse when due to nose-snow contact!
My Zeals happen to fit my (Smith) helmet pretty well. Unlike yours, mine actually leave a tiny gap. That can frost my forehead on truly frigid days, so I carry a balaclava with a helmet liner. Keeps the noggin toasty. Anyway, fully agree that the helmet/goggle interface should be checked before purchasing either.
"Vision is over-rated" was meant as a bit of hyperbole. Sorry if that didn't come through.
I'm an over-analytic sort too. Intentionally skiing "blind" as a learning exercise wouldn't get past that side of my brain either. It was only Dan Egan's spontaneous, jaw-dropping demonstration (and being compelled to follow it) that kicked the mental door open for me. I like good vision as much as anyone, but when the weather truly socks in that experience just pops into my head, puts a wry smile on my face and helps me ski better.
One day last season, no goggle lens would have helped. In addition to a dense ground fog, the snowfall was so fast, thick and gloppy that it glued itself to everything, including lenses. My normally bulletproof Arc'Teryx hardshell was actually damp inside, which has never happened before or since. I adopted a rhythm of swiping the lens with my inside hand on every turn... yet it still glopped up before the next turn. Good lenses? We needed windshield wipers!
Keeping it gear-centric, the best tool I know for such conditions is the "SkiGee". Google it. I keep one in my pocket. For that crazy blizzard I needed two, one on each thumb.
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Post by gary on Dec 29, 2014 9:04:38 GMT -7
A few weeks ago I purchased a pair of Anon Magnetic Goggles....I have to say their Blue Lagoon lens for cloudy and low light days is....TOTALLY REMARKABLE...The fit on the face is excellent, the frame foam is more hearty than the Smith and the fit with the Smith helmet is perfect.
The past 5 years I've used Smith IO and have been super happy with the peripheral vision....started to get foam rot and after gluing here and there...I figured it was time to replace.
The new Anon has great peripheral along with a great low light lens. Also super easy to change out the lens for brighter days....I've used it on partial sunny days and complete overcast...very very good. Really helps seeing the undulations in 3D snow.
Check out their web site. You can see the different color lenses in action.
G
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Post by livingproof on Jan 22, 2015 14:46:01 GMT -7
Today, I used my low light Smith red sensor mirror lenses for the first time. Arrived at home mountain, the upper 40% could not be seen from the parking lot, so, I needed to change to the low light lenses. I was really lucky that I had my reading glasses with me as the change-out is not something to try with blurry vision. Plus, I had to reread the instructions. Duhhh, why did you not try this in the comfort of your home?
They worked great, not the worst of conditions, but there was never a moment when I could not see well. There is no perfect solution for flat light, but the Smith's were a step in the right direction.
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Post by meput on Jan 23, 2015 9:08:03 GMT -7
Goggle ramblings from downeast: Currently using the Smith IO/X Elite as my daily goggle. Works well as an OTG even though it is not marketed as such. The fan is junk on the IO/X Elite. Will run for a while (minute or 2, or just seconds) and then die. Might restart, might not. New batteries do not help. Traded out first pair of goggles that did same thing, so seems to be part of this product design. Have a pair of Smith Knowledge goggles with fan and the fan mechanism was bullet proof, so Smith has the technology. So why do I use the IO/X fan as my go to goggles? Great field of vision. Even without the fan, they rarely fog. I really like the Red sensor and Blue sensor lenses. The field of vision in the IO/X is significantly better than the old Knowledge goggles. OTG goggles tend to be deeper to go over a pair of glasses and the side depth can be a problem for your peripheral vision. Smith has upped their game for the anti fog qualities of their IO/X lenses. I rarely have any fogging issues with the IO/X lenses so the dysfunctional fan is not an issue. They have been used in snow, rain, fog/cloud, very cold and they work well without having to use the fan. I have been very careful not to use any cloth against the inside surface that might negate the anti fog coating. I am using a POC fornix MIPS helmet (potential subject for another rambling) that has goggle venting channels. The IO/X's worked well with a Smith Variance helmet as well. My general lens is the Red Sensor. I have used it in snow, fog, low light (the sun sets at Sugarloaf ~ 11 AM during late Dec and most of January). I also use the Red sensor in bright sun. I am not the most photosensitive person, so the Red sensor might not work that well for the very sun sensitive person. I think the mirrored surface of the Red sensor lens is what gives it the extra versatility in bright sun light for me. Even though the Red sensor works OK in poor light, I really like the Blue sensor in snow, fog/cloud, low light. I find it has better ability to let me seen surface contour and moguls than the Red sensor in similar conditions. If the entire day is to be poor light, Blue sensor. It there is a chance of the sun coming out, partly cloudy, sunny etc., Red sensor. I have never used the bright light lens that came with the IO/X (I not sure which one it is) as the Red sensor does it for me in such a wide variety of conditions. Would I recommend a Smith IO/X to a friend? Yes, if it fits. Would I recommend a Smith IO/X Elite fan to a friend? NO! not worth the extra money for an undependable fan that you might not need even if you wear glasses. My son is using the Anon M1 and really likes it. Not sure which lenses he is using. I wanted to try the M2 goggles since BlisterGear really likes it. blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2013-2014-anon-m2-goggleblistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/snowboard-reviews/2014-2015-blister-best-of-awardsI have tried a pair of M2 goggles on in a ski shop in CO, and they will fit over my glasses. I am hopeful that Anon's anti fog technology might match Smith's and I can truly get away from the need for a fan. Even thought the IO/X is relatively easy to change the lenses, the M2 lens change is silly easy. Unfortunately the Sugarloaf ski shop did not get Anon goggles in stock this year. I tend to get stuff like this at the mountain shop because I get a 20% discount with my Sugarloaf season pass. Enough rambling for now. Think snow!
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Post by livingproof on Jan 23, 2015 16:56:40 GMT -7
Meput, Nice summary of the IOX.
I've wondered how the Red Sensor would be for an everyday lens in the low light of January. I might give it an extended try, but, it does appear to be easily scratched. I have blue eyes which are more sensitive to bright light, by March, or out west, the Red Sensor would not be dark enough. Today was sunny and I changed to the darker Green Mirror lens, which is pretty good in low light, much better than traditional darker lenses.
Edit Note: Deleted paragraph stating my new lens was defective. I was defective because I did not remove the protective film from the inside of the lens. Glad I did not return it to Smith.
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Post by meput on Jan 23, 2015 17:53:44 GMT -7
LP,
I've got blue eyes too, but as I said before, I am not very sun sensitive/photosensitive. I have used the Red sensor lens in Maine spring light conditions / bright sun and I used it at A-basin in sun at the Blue camp in December. I am planning to use it as my primary goggle lens when I am in Colorado the last week in February. The Blue sensor is not sufficient in bright sun. A couple of days ago I was skiing early in the day with a bright sun. Riding the chair lifts allowed an orientation such that I had to hold up my hand to block the sun. I had forgotten to remove the Blue sensor from the flat light of the day before. The limited mirror of the Blue sensor is inadequate for direct sun. Similar bright sun conditions with the Red sensor has not been a problem.
I agree that it is easy to scratch the Smith IO/X lenses. I think the Blue sensor is even easier to scratch than the Red sensor.
Glad that you are finally out skiing. Being on the snow does wonders for the soul.
Jim
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Post by JimRatliff on Jan 23, 2015 22:16:09 GMT -7
+2 for the MIPS technology. Lynn and i bought Scott bike helmets with it 2 summers back and i also have a Scott ski helmet with MIPS. I'm liking the Scott helmets better than the Smith it replaced.
Jim, I too have migrated away from needing the Smith OTG Google's with fan, and the field of view of my IOX is much better than my Knowledge Turbo fan Goggle's. I'm usingthe Red Photochromic for all-around and have a Blue Sensor Mirror in the bag if i know ahead of time that snow and gloom is the order of the day.
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