Poptical Sunglasses Review
Poptical Sunglasses
Grade: B+
Teacher’s Comments: Very clever engineering; good clarity
Popticals recently sent one of their pair of sunglasses for review.
What makes these glasses stand out from the pack is the clever way in which the lenses slide over each other on a wire rail to create a very compact package that will store very easily in your golf bag for every day use.
At the heart of their patented design is the FL2 Micro-Rail System®. Built into the frames, the FL2 Micro-Rail System’s® track and stainless steel components allow the lenses to slide in parallel to each other for compact storage. The glasses then fit inside a small, durable case that keeps them safe when not in use.
– Popticals Press Release
The frames, with their sliding mechanism, are deceptively sturdy. In my hands, the glasses feel insubsantial but turn out to be robust. The first time I slid them open and shut, I was convinced I would break them.
I didn’t — obviously — and actually have found the sliding mechanism to be durable. To be fair, I have not opened and closed them hundreds of times, but I think they likely will stand up to regular use.
Interestingly, the frames are finished in Italy.
Poptical lenses are nylon, rather than glass, and the company says they have been developed in partnership with Carl Zeiss Vision. The claim is that they offer the same clarity as glass lenses, while being 18% lighter.
For my part, I was quite pleased with the way the course looked through the lenses. I have mild prescription sunglasses for regular use, but even without the prescription, the Popticals looked clear.
Popticals come in a variety of styles, and there likely is one to suit your tastes.
Unfortunately, the Popticals will never be of daily use to me; they are just too small. I ordered the ones that seemed biggest from their site, but they still don’t really fit.
If you have a large head/face as I do, these may not be for you. I deliberately am not showing them on my face because they look ridiculous.
On the other hand, if you have a more standard-sized head and face, I can recommend them.
