Blue Blocker glasses - anyone using them?

[Dennis Toth]

Guys,
Many are now working from home on computers looking at screens much more then normal without a break. Some have been using these Blue Blocker glasses to easy eye strain. I've tried to find some moderate priced ones but have only found Readers that have a 1 magnification. I thought that meant no magnification, wrong. They are meant for being only a foot or so away from the work. That said has anyone found a brand that would be like clear non-magnifying lens with the Blue Blocker coating?

Best,    DennisT

[RknRusty]

Here's a Google search phrase that should find what you're looking for:
"non prescription uv blue protection glasses"
Note, the first few hits are Ads, but after that are some promising results.

Now you've got me interested. I'd need clip-ons or some such attachment for my scrip glasses.
Rusty

[Dan McEntee]

  The last time I looked, Blue Blocker sunglasses were available at Walgreens drug stores. The lenses are great, but the frames don't hold up. They have had several different styles over the years, but I don't think they have ever offered a typical aviator style with metal frames. I first bought them off their TV add when they first came out. The only "thing" about them is that everything looks orange through them, but they do really help with the glare and eye strain of being out in the sun all day. I wore them exclusively back then, and after a year of looking at club member models through them, I discovered that they were all different colors! One guy had a 38 Special biplane that I thought was orange but in fact was pink! I dropped one of those pair onto a carpeted floor, and the frame broke at the ear piece. i sent them back and they did replace them free of charge.
   type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Dennis Toth]

Thanks Rusty. Here is the site that has clear, non-prescription, Blue Blocker safety glasses for a reasonable price.

https://www.amazon.com/blue-light-blocking-safety-glasses/s?k=blue+light+blocking+safety+glasses

There are lots of different styles, scroll down I picked the STAMEN Blue Blockers.

One thing you don't want is READERS these have magnification and distort the edges if you are more than a foot or so away from the screen.

Best,   DennisT

[RknRusty]

Dennis, I'm glad you found them. After you've had time to try them out, it would be nice if you'd report back with your opinion of how well they work for you.
Rusty

[rich gorrill]

Never heard of Blue Blockers what are they supposed to do? I tried those orange colored ones for night driving what a waste of $9.95. I only use "polarized" sun glasses for daytime driving, they cut almost all windshield glare.

[Dan McEntee]

Never heard of Blue Blockers what are they supposed to do? I tried those orange colored ones for night driving what a waste of $9.95. I only use "polarized" sun glasses for daytime driving, they cut almost all windshield glare.

   The Blu-Blocker sunglasses I was referring to is/was a brand that were first offered on an infomercial on TV several years ago. They at first just offered a plastic frame model that was sorta aviator style, and lenses that filtered out "blue" light, or typically ultraviolet light, I guess, and had a light orange tint to them. They were extremely expensive, 50 bucks a pair, but then had the typical catch, "But wait, if you order right now we'll give you another pair free!!" That was why I tried them because even back then, it wasn't hard t spend 25 bucks on good quality sunglasses and they had a lifetime warranty, which they stood behind.  I sent in two or three pair that the frames broke on and they replaced them as promised. Later on, they were available at Walgreens drug stores for 414.95 in several different styles. I think they are still available there, maybe not. They did what they said they would, really reduced glare and made my eyes a lot less tired after a day in the sun at the flying field, especially when flying sailplanes and looking up all the time. As time went by other manufacturers came out with their own blue light blocking lenses like the night driving glasses and such 'As seen on TV!!"  Almost al sunglasses I have looked at, even cheap ones at the dollar stores filter out UV light and I read a good article in a magazine once where a noted eye doctor said that even cheap sunglasses are better than nothing and do provide as good protection as the expensive brands. Your mileage may vary, make your own assumptions and decisions, and all of those other disclaimer saying.
    Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Steve Helmick]

I believe a few local EXPERT stunt fliers use Zurich sun glasses as sometimes advertised in Model Aviation magazine for about $80. I haven't tried them. Maybe should?

I did buy a set of "Tac Glasses" off an ad on late night TeeVee. They are Polarized, and appear to have no tint. I like them for driving (truck has tinted glass, I'm pretty sure) and general wear. They're perfect for fishing in low light conditions, OBTW. Lets me see the bottom in shallow water in the early AM. Here, the water is generally clear enough to tell what brand of beer can I'm seeing in 12+ feet. Included with the Tac Glasses was a pair with yellow lenses, for low light driving....can't say I've used them much, but from previous history, that works. The frames are ok and haven't broken...they're guaranteed for life, but the problem will be finding the source...these were "Hell & Bowel", which of course has been out of business for a decade or two.  Steve

[Brett Buck]

I use Ray-Ban "Ambermatic" sunglasses, which are long discontinued, but have most of the desirable characteristics of blocking blue light (and lightening colors like red, which not coincidentally adorns the top of my airplane). They are also photochromic, to the point that they work remarkably well driving in the dark, effectively, turning a bright yellow which greatly improves night vision, and reduces glare. In full sunlight, they end up medium brown, just dark enough to be able to look indirectly into the sun , but not so dark that the blue-blocking turns shadows black. The one time I wore them in snow, they actually wound up neutral dark gray, bordering on blue,  meaning them must somehow be thermo-chromic, too. But that is generally of no use.

   The only place to get ambermatics are old vintage sunglasses places, which are around, but expect that people who are willing to buy vintage sunglasses for fashion have a certain "sucker" demographic, which means if you find them, they are outrageously expensive. I have two pair, one I bought for $70 new in a pilot shop at the San Jose airport "GA" terminal, and a spare which I bought from a vintage sunglasses place for a cost I prefer not to disclose.

    Brett

[Dennis Toth]

I received my Stamen Blue Blocker clear glasses, non-prescription glasses on Wednesday. They were from the safety glass ad I posted (scroll down). I've used them for three days and they are very good. No side distortion and m y eyes do feel pretty good (I work all day on my computer since the company has restricted air travel. We've learned how to do virtual site visits). They seem to also take down some of the reflective glare.

For sun glasses I recommend ordering level 4 tint. This is what mountain climbers use in bright snow conditions. With them I can fly through the sun and not lose the airplane. Most places don't have this level of tint and don't even know what it is so you need to do a little searching. Here is a link to get them (you can call them or email and have the tint level specified).  www.lensabl.com

Best,   DennisT

[Dan McEntee]

   I've got more pairs of sunglasses than Carter's has little liver pills that I have accumulated over the years. I liked having different shades for different sites and what was in the background while flying to help see the model. It's murder trying to pull out at 5 feet when the airplane disappears against the back ground scenery! And now as I'm getting older, my eyes are changing faster so the experimenting continues. This reminds me of reading something Howard posted one time about orange sun glasses. Might have bee a while back and don't remember the specifics. What did he find and settle on? I just don't think there is one pair that is good for all conditions, and everyone'eyes are different.
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[Fredvon4]

Decades of motor cycle riding I prefered Ray-Ban "Ambermatic" sunglasses but admit too many got blown away as I wasn't smart enough to put old lady lanyard on....grrrrrr

Would never have even thought there was any used sunglasses market

Ray-Ban "Ambermatic" sunglasses were my favorites day and night

[John Leidle]

   Brett ,
  I watched you pull out your Ray Bans a couple years ago I thought the worn case meant they were special to you didn't know they were hard to find. After reading your post I looked on Ebay in the past I found Ray Bans for myself different shade of course There are many  Ambermatics there & as you say not cheap. I was shocked  $ 170 - $530  a pair . They must do something correctly.
  John L.

[Carl Cisneros]

John

I just looked at flea-bay and man they are so fracken expensive it isn't funny.

Carl

[John Leidle]

   The Ambermatics are 3 times other Ray Bans  must mean something. So many shades to choose from I'm totally lost with it.
      John

[Dwayne Donnelly]

I had cataracts and a detached retina, I can't fly in the sun with out these, I even put them over my prescription sun glasses when the wind puts the sun in front when doing maneuvers.   

[Brett Buck]

   The Ambermatics are 3 times other Ray Bans  must mean something. So many shades to choose from I'm totally lost with it.
      John

   There is only one color Ambermatic, it's bright yellow indoors or in the dark. Since they have moved from a technical optical device to a fashion statement, anything about the technical aspects of the lenses has been lost.

    Brett

[Howard Rush]

This reminds me of reading something Howard posted one time about orange sun glasses. Might have bee a while back and don't remember the specifics. What did he find and settle on?

I got some orange prescription Corning glasses so I could see my planes when I had cataracts.  I painted stunt fuselages orange and gave combat planes a toot of fluorescent orange or pink paint. Those glasses and two other pairs are in a Dallas pawnshop.

[Dan McEntee]

I got some orange prescription Corning glasses so I could see my planes when I had cataracts.  I painted stunt fuselages orange and gave combat planes a toot of fluorescent orange or pink paint. Those glasses and two other pairs are in a Dallas pawnshop.

    Did they help you see your model as you aged and got your eyes corrected? I don't have cataracts, ( I don't think) but will need me vision corrected and glasses soon. My eyes have changed as I near 65 and want to work on what works best for flying this summer. I have some dark safety glasses that are tinted to #5 from Harbor Freight that are good for bright sun, but not good for other situations. I have some yellow tinted versions of the same glasses but haven't tried them yet. Dirt track racers sometimes use yellow lenses to help them see low spots, ruts and such on race tracks at night. I'm thinking they might be good for low sun light conditions. The dollar stores sometimes have a pretty good selection of different color shades and the gray shades in those work pretty well in some back grounds. hard part is remembering what you wear and when you wore it!
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[John Leidle]

    Dan ,    I've been using #3 tinted welding , safety glasses , goggle for a good while . Pretty fair  I have a #5 in the mail.

    Brett,   Ambermatics = plural  was the intent  ( Mcoys , Foxes , Roadsigns)  Plenty of them on the Bay but could be watered down imitations.
                  John L.

[Fredvon4]

If I had guessed the $45~$65 Ray Ban glasses I wore riding would be $599 TO $1499 I would have collected them

https://www.ebay.com/b/Ray-Ban-Ambermatic/79720/bn_7023369085