NoIR sunglasses

At 15:57 27 February 2013, son_of_flubber wrote:
NoIR is a privately held company based in Michigan. I have
no financial
in=
terest in the company.

I've not seen NoIR brand sunglasses mentioned in soaring
circles. They
hav=
e some interesting low-cost high-function options for lenses
and frames.
T=
hey has some interesting Infrared blocking lens technology
that I've not
se=
en elsewhere.

The Infrared (IR) blocking is suppose to reduce eye fatigue. I
figure the
=
black instrument panel on my glider absorbs visible light,
heats up and
re-=
radiates IR into my eyes. Theory is that IR makes your eyes
tired. I
don'=
t know the science on this, but you can count on the placebo
effect to
work=
.. =20

You can mix and match frames and filters depending on your
preference.

It's hard to evaluate over the internet so they allow you to
order
multiple=
combinations and return your rejects for refund.

I ordered two pairs of this wraparound frame with different
filters
http://www.noir-medical.com/styles/adult_34.html

This wrap-around style comes with an insert for prescription
lenses. When
=
they get scratched I can swap the prescription lenses to a new
pair of
sung=
lasses. The sunglasses filter protects the prescription lens
from
scratche=
s.

I ordered two different lenses to evaluate.

Filter #21 -- 32% transmission Medium Gray=20
This blocks 68% of visible light similar to the 70% blocking
favored by
pil=
ots.
This lens does not block IR.
http://www.noir-medical.com/filters/21.html

The web page shows the package price for the lens in frame.
The actual
pri=
ces are lower because they are offering a discount for phone
orders while
t=
hey are ramping up their online ordering.

Filter #02 -- 18% transmission Medium Grey-Green + IR
blocking
http://www.noir-medical.com/filters/02.html
This blocks 82% of visible light similar to the 80% blocking
favored by
som=
e pilots. It might be a little dark, but the IR blocking is
appealing.
Th=
ey don't offer a 30% transmission IR blocking lens.

Some pilots use 10% transmission lenses so maybe this will
work for me.

Here is the page show the full range of filters. Scroll down to
see the
IR=
options. =20
http://www.noir-medical.com/filters/index.html


I was attracted to NoIR lenses a few years ago as my eyes were
getting dry and irritated in long flights. I have the flip-ups but I
wouldn't advise that version. The lens colour seems fine but I
can't confirm whether they reduced eye irritation in flight
because the lens shape is very tall and the nose distance
between them is very small so that I couldn't wear them. Also
the spring is quite strong and the lenses cracked at the screws
that hold them to the clips.

I am sure the fixed lens wrap around ones will be fine.

John Galloway