Polarized clip on sunglasses are very popular, but are they right for you?
Non-polarized lenses block harmful UV rays, however they don’t reduce glare. Polarized lenses have a special filter that filters out glare. They also block UV rays, however, in some cases they will cause optical interferences.
We’ll go over a few points to consider when choosing between polarized and non polarized clip on sunglasses.
Table Of Contents
Polarized Clip On Sunglasses For Driving
Polarized lenses can be very beneficial while driving. When sunlight reflects off the road or the hood car at it produces glare which can interfere with your vision. At times glare may make objects and or/pedestrians invisible which can lead to dire consequences.
Polarized clip-on sunglasses have a filter that reduces the glare greatly, allowing for greater visibility and clarity.
Polarized Clip On Sunglasses For Fishing
When sunlight reflects off the surface of water, it produces glare that makes it difficult to see through.
The filter inside polarized lenses will reduce the glare, thus making the water look clear.
For offshore fishing, go with a neutral tint like gray.
For onshore fishing go with brown tints, as they provide higher contrast which helps with defining colors in shallow water.
Non-Polarized Clip On Sunglasses For Pilots
Modern airplanes are equipped with polarized windshields. Using Polarized clip on sunglasses will cause interference, you’ll see colors all over the windshield.
You will also have trouble reading the various instruments if you use polarized clip-ons.
If the airplane has polarized windshield installed, you don’t need a polarized filter in you sunglasses lenses. Go with non-polarized clip-on sunglasses.
G-15 Lenses (G for green, 15% light transmission) were developed in the 1930’s for military use. They offer great clarity against a blue background.
A short video demonstrating the visual effects seen when using polarized lenses in an airplane cockpit.
In Conclusion
It depends on what you like to do.
If you do a lot of driving and fishing, polarized lenses are the way to go.
If you’re a pilot or you use screens that polarized lenses interfere with, consider owning a non-polarized pair of sunglasses.
