A Sight for Sport Eyes

Customer:  If his vision changes again as he gets older will i have to replace the whole thing goggle or just order the lenses?
shannen: You can just replace the lenses. You don't need to order a new goggle every time.  You will have to send the frames to us, though,  as the lenses will have to be professionally installed. 

We get asked on a regular basis if one's prescription can fit in a pair of Rec-Specs. We are often told that they tried to get them locally but were told that the prescription was too strong when the prescription is only about a 3.00 or 4.00 diopter.  Our first question is "Did you go to ______? "(national chain that advertises glasses in about an hour--we won't mentiont their name).  The answer is 100% of the time "yes".  I don't know why they tell people this but this is not true. There are some frames where we don't recommend certain powers in, but by and large, the Rec-Specs are capable of handling a wide range of prescriptions, including high presriptions of 10.00 diopters or more.  If you have concerns, you can call or email us and we can tell you which styles will work best for your prescription.  My only guess as to why the national chain tells you the prescription is too high to work is because they don't have the equipment to properly process these.  The lenses in some of the newer styles (ie. Rec-Specs Maxx, Morpheus and Slam series) do require a different bevelling process. This is only capable in higher end equipment which is why we do send these styles out to a big laboratory who has the proper equipment to cut the lenses for these Rec-Specs sports frames.  Liberty Optical (the manufacturer of Rec-Specs) also has their own in house lab that is capable of making these in prescriptions in high powers. We use their lab on occassion but typically they don't have as fast of turnaround so we prefer a local laboratory that has the necessary equipment.  Thus, we know for sure that this national chain is giving customers inaccurate information.  Perhaps they are saying to customers that they themselves are not capable of making the higher prescriptions, but they should not be telling customers the Rec-Specs can't take a higher power.  They  most definately can and we can do it for you. Check us out at www.sporteyes.com.
 

When purchasing Transitions lenses, you may notice a wide range of prices. Why are some companies able to offer prescription Transitions for so much less than other companies?  Generally, this is because they offer "old" lenses.  Transitions continues to work on their technology and every few years or so come out with a "next generation" lens that has better technology.  Usually this means that they change faster and get darker or go clearer.  At A Sight For Sport Eyes, we always use the most current generation of Transitions when we dispense our eyewear.  However, if you find somewhere that offers Transitions lenses as a much better price, ask them what generation lenses they are using. The most current generation of Transitions lenses is Transitions VI.  So when price shopping, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Don't compare our price with someone who is dispensing Transitions Next Generation or an even older generation of lenses.  The reason the lenses are less expensive usually is because they are selling you outdated technology.  This is often the case with mass distributors or big box stores.

There are a lot of positives to living in Portland, but the famously gray Pacific Northwest skies are not one of them.  Luckily for us, spring is here and in full stride.  After the most beautiful Memorial Day weekend weather in recent memory, one thing became crystal clear; it's cycling time!

For people like me who tend to store away their bikes until the sun comes out, it's time to dust off the frame, oil the chain, and get back in the saddle.  Since we here at A Sight for Sporteyes believe in looking the part while always advocating safety, it's also time to start thinking about helmets and eyewear.

After fighting through the fatigue and mental strain of a steep hill climb, nothing's better than the payoff of an exhilarating downhill with the wind blowing in your face.  Of course, that exhilaration can quickly turn from euphoria to misery if a piece of dust, dirt, or debris flies into your eye.  If glare or bright sunlight limits your ability to see the contours of the road or that up-coming pothole or rock, things might get even worse.  Luckily, these things are easily remedied with a pair of stylish wrap-around glasses with polarized polycarbonate lenses.  Many of these styles are available with a prescription, prescription insert, or even hyper cool photo-chromatic lenses.

Our friends at Rudy Project would be quite miffed if we didn't also remind everyone to wear a helmet...every time.

While we're talking cycling, I'd like to mention a wonderful event taking place, in conjunction with the LiveStrong movement, in Ohio August 28th through the 30th.  Pelotonia is "Leading the Charge Against Cancer" and we'd like to express our support.  The Pelotonia Bike Tour is a grass roots bike tour with the singular goal of ending cancer.  This year's race will feature some top riders, including Lance Armstrong, and 100% of the donations will go to Ohio's only freestanding cancer hospital and research center.  Since Ohio's a little bit out of the way for us in Portland we can't be there, but we'll definitely be there in spirit.  It's great to see the cycling community raising money for such a worthy cause.   

After winning the World Championships of cycling, the Tour Du Pont and multiple stages of the Tour de France all by the tender age of 25, Lance Armstrong's career, and nearly his life, was derailed by possibly the most dreaded words in the English language, "I'm sorry, but you have cancer." Lance had always been considered a fierce competitor, but nothing in his cycling career had prepared him for the battle he was about to undergo. 

By now you all know the story about how Lance Armstrong stared down the odds to fight his way back, not just from cancer, but back to cycling's pinnacle.  With the help of his US Postal team, Lance went on to win a record-breaking seven consecutive Tour de France titles. 

Then he retired.

Now he's back…and back on schedule. 

Two months ago Lance broke his collarbone while riding in a tune-up race in Spain.  His goal of a storybook comeback and eighth Tour de France title were put on hold while he, once again, was forced to battle the odds. 

Now, though, Armstrong is regaining his health and is beginning to regain the gritty form that made him a seven-time Tour champ.

At yesterday's Giro d'Italia stage Lance was able to fight shake off the rust and compete with the race leaders.  No, he didn't win the stage and he still sits in twelfth position overall, but it's hard to argue that a healthy, in-shape Lance Armstrong is just what cycling needs with the Tour de France just around the corner in July.

Not to be outdone, A Sight for Sport Eyes' favorite Rudy Project riders are also having strong showings.  The Italian eyewear company is no doubt ecstatic about "The Cobra", Ricardo Ricco's two stage wins in their home country.  For Rudy Project, though, that's just the beginning.  Their cycling styles can be seen on a number of riders, including fifth and seventh stage winner, Brutt.  With Rudy Project's state-of-the-art Rydon and SportMask performance models, the riders have chosen styles with some of the most innovative technology in the business.   

If you're looking to follow Lance, Ricco and Brutt's lead by get into cycling, you'll want to make sure you have the best equipment.  The right gear can make all the difference between participating and dominating.  Protect your eyes from the harsh glare and damaging UV radiation by investing in cycling specific eyewear.  A Sight for Sport Eyes wants you to have a long and enjoyable cycling career, so please always wear a helmet.

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from A Sight for Sport Eyes. Let us know what you think!

Read It Now Here

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from A Sight for Sport Eyes. Let us know what you think!

Read It Now Here

We often get asked "My lenses are scratched. Can I order new lenses for my goggles". The answer is yes for most brands. Most of the brands of goggles we carry have interchangeable lenses so that you can buy a new lens when yours gets scratched or you can interchange them for various lighting conditions. But how do you know which goggle you have? Most brands don't have the style name written on the goggle like sunglass frames do.  If you have a Smith goggle, the goggle does have the frame code printed inconspiciously on the frame. If you are holding the frame so you are looking at the front lens, on the lower right or left hand corner underneath the lens on the rubber frame part, there will be a letter/number code in raised lettering matching the frame material.  For instance, it may say S2.  If you email us with the code on the goggle, we can tell you what goggle frame you have.   For Bolle, the name of the frame is usually written on the upper right hand corner of the lens. For instance, it will say X9 Vermillon. X9 is the frame name and Vermillon is the color of the lens.  You can always email us if you aren't sure what goggle you have, and if you can send us a picture of the goggle, even if it is with a camera phone, we can usually tell just by looking at it what goggle you have.