Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Review: Giro Filter – New Sunglass Release from the Cycling Masters
For someone who specializes in cycling products, it’s not surprising that Giro has a few excellent sunglass models for just that. Even though they’ve only been in the game for a year they are already becoming industry leaders in innovation in the sports sunglasses area. The first example of this is their agreement with Carl Zeiss to use Zeiss lenses for their very first range of models.
Their latest release, coming out in October, continues this innovation and the model is called Filter. Using something called PopTop technology, the lenses are removed quickly and smoothly. This system involves rotating a hinge built into the frame, which releases the lenses without having to actually pull on them. This removes the problem of getting finger prints all over the lenses and is just simply really cool. The hinge is so smooth and it has sort of a snap to it.
Technology in action
My excellent camera
Frames: The frames are made of TR-90, a kind of flexible plastic. The shape is 7-base, and the fitting around my eyes is near perfect. There are not open spots on the sides or top to let sunlight in. The ends of the temples have a good size strip of rubber which keeps them securely in place. The only thing I would have to complain about the frame is just that there is a lot of it.
Features: Obviously the PopTop technology sticks way out. Some other brands (Smith is one I know of) have some sort of system for getting the lenses out (aside from directly pulling them out), but this is by the slickest and smoothest. On the way out the lenses got a little stuck a few times, but you get used to the system quite easily.
Testing: Much like the Havik, the Filter lives up to expectations (and price). I wore them while doing a long biking session and had no problems with slipping, fogging or discomfort. The only issue I have is changing the lenses. The PopTop technology obviously is very slick and smooth, but the spare lenses were only provided in a plastic bag, so storing them is quite tedious, as I would have to take the box everywhere I go, and that is not going to happen. Also, I’m not going to shove two Carl Zeiss lenses randomly into my pocket because I would worry about them getting scratched. So changing the lenses isn’t as quick as it should be. Perhaps if there was a slot for the lenses in a hard case, then it would be quicker. It took me about a minute to change them.
Packaging: They came in a flip-up paper box. Inside the box contained the extra lenses and the micro-fibre bag carried the sunglasses. Also included were the instruction booklet and a booklet about Carl Zeiss lenses.
Cost: Filter retails for about $160 - $180. The model I have is $180.
Conclusion: Giro takes their sunglasses line a step up with Filter, no doubt. They are getting into new realms with their focus on innovation and technology like some other brands used to. The quality is excellent and the finished product is quite polished. Having Carl Zeiss lenses and a spare pair of clear lenses added for good measure is simply amazing. When you need to switch to the clear lenses, they are there waiting. On the negative side, the required space to put the PopTop technology into the frame means there is just a lot of frame, which some people commented diminishes from the overall look of it, but I myself didn’t see it. It’s all personal preference. Also, there is still no hard case with them, so there’s no real way to store them unless you are going straight from your door to the bike. Finally, there could be a better way of storing the spare lenses. A soft pouch might work, because the plastic bag that came with them means they could rub up against each other and scratch. Overall, this is an excellent pair of shades and I would recommend them to anyone.
Rating: 9.2571
Note: I have been informed that the product I've looked at was pre-production and the final product will include not only a hard case but also a pouch for the lenses. This basically clears up all of the negatives I had towards Filter and creates a really complete product. Oct 29, 2008.
Photo/Website: www.giro.com
11:30 PM View Comments
Friday, June 27, 2008
Review: Giro Havik
Giro, well known for their cycling helmets, have made great inroads into the sports sunglasses market with their first four styles, which were released last year. The glasses were designed with riders in mind, and all fit nicely with helmets, or so I’ve read.
The model I tested is called Havik, and it is certainly the sportiest of the four model set Giro has available right now. Giro got lucky (is it luck?) last year as almost immediately after the release of their sunglasses, Alberto Contador won the Tour De France, boldly sporting his new Giro sunglasses. It seems as though they’ve been doing well since then, as lots of people are writing about them and there is a bit of a buzz.
Feeding into the buzz and worthy of special mention is their relationship with Carl Zeiss, perhaps the world’s most well respected maker of lenses for all uses. Zeiss is relatively new in sunglasses, with only a few brands (I counted only 6 on the website) having the privilege of using their premium lenses. The pair of Havik I own do have these lenses. Take a look at the pair:
My Bad Camera Photo
From Giro Website
Frames: The frames are made of a TR-90 plastic, so are really flexible. The shape is 7-base, which still manages to fit my fat head quite nicely. On the inside of the arms are rubber pads which hold them in place, even when I shake my head violently.
Features: The most outstanding feature of Havik is without a doubt the Carl Zeiss lenses. The optical quality of them is almost unsurpassed. I don’t actually know if there is anyone competing at their level right now. When you place the sunglasses on your head, you immediately notice that there is no optical distortion in your field of vision, which is common with cheaper brands. When it is really bad, you can see waves in your vision, where the polycarbonate is uneven or not smooth. No problems here.
Testing: I wore these sunglasses several different times and in different situations. Firstly, I wore them doing what they are designed for, cycling. They were very snug and secure at all times, even when sweating and concentrating on the road ahead of me. The rubber on the arms grip really well, and I never worried about them falling off. Secondly, I wore them running, and they were perfect for that as well. Havik is reasonably lightweight, so they become hardly noticeable after your eyes are used to the brown lens.
Packaging: They came with a micro-fibre bag.
Cost: Havik retails for $140 - $170. The model I have is $170.
Conclusion: For professional quality and durability, Havik are really excellent. The Zeiss lenses are excellent for optical clarity, and I’ve read that their impact resistance goes beyond American and European standards. As for negatives, the most outstanding thing was the lack of a hard case. If I’m paying $170 for sunglasses, I don’t want to break them, and this is prevented with a case. For me, this is a big negative, cause that means I still have to go out and buy one. Overall, I would recommend this pair for any cyclist looking for an upper-class professional pair of sunglasses. Optically, they are unmatched and their fitting is simply excellent. I mean, this is a cyclist’s pair of shades, no question.
Rating: 8.822
Photo/Website: www.giro.com
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The model I tested is called Havik, and it is certainly the sportiest of the four model set Giro has available right now. Giro got lucky (is it luck?) last year as almost immediately after the release of their sunglasses, Alberto Contador won the Tour De France, boldly sporting his new Giro sunglasses. It seems as though they’ve been doing well since then, as lots of people are writing about them and there is a bit of a buzz.
Feeding into the buzz and worthy of special mention is their relationship with Carl Zeiss, perhaps the world’s most well respected maker of lenses for all uses. Zeiss is relatively new in sunglasses, with only a few brands (I counted only 6 on the website) having the privilege of using their premium lenses. The pair of Havik I own do have these lenses. Take a look at the pair:
My Bad Camera Photo
From Giro WebsiteFrames: The frames are made of a TR-90 plastic, so are really flexible. The shape is 7-base, which still manages to fit my fat head quite nicely. On the inside of the arms are rubber pads which hold them in place, even when I shake my head violently.
Features: The most outstanding feature of Havik is without a doubt the Carl Zeiss lenses. The optical quality of them is almost unsurpassed. I don’t actually know if there is anyone competing at their level right now. When you place the sunglasses on your head, you immediately notice that there is no optical distortion in your field of vision, which is common with cheaper brands. When it is really bad, you can see waves in your vision, where the polycarbonate is uneven or not smooth. No problems here.
Testing: I wore these sunglasses several different times and in different situations. Firstly, I wore them doing what they are designed for, cycling. They were very snug and secure at all times, even when sweating and concentrating on the road ahead of me. The rubber on the arms grip really well, and I never worried about them falling off. Secondly, I wore them running, and they were perfect for that as well. Havik is reasonably lightweight, so they become hardly noticeable after your eyes are used to the brown lens.
Packaging: They came with a micro-fibre bag.
Cost: Havik retails for $140 - $170. The model I have is $170.
Conclusion: For professional quality and durability, Havik are really excellent. The Zeiss lenses are excellent for optical clarity, and I’ve read that their impact resistance goes beyond American and European standards. As for negatives, the most outstanding thing was the lack of a hard case. If I’m paying $170 for sunglasses, I don’t want to break them, and this is prevented with a case. For me, this is a big negative, cause that means I still have to go out and buy one. Overall, I would recommend this pair for any cyclist looking for an upper-class professional pair of sunglasses. Optically, they are unmatched and their fitting is simply excellent. I mean, this is a cyclist’s pair of shades, no question.
Rating: 8.822
Photo/Website: www.giro.com
7:36 AM View Comments
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Review : 720' s Droid
This is the first review of hopefully a full array of different brands and models I will present here. I will try to present many different brands, however, I am limited because of where I am, and the unfortunately high cost of these products.
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Living abroad lets you come into contact with brands you would not normally find back home. In
720’s Droid is part of their Element Series, designed for a more casual look than their sports styles. I got them a few months ago and have enjoyed them since. I was looking for a pair that I could wear just walking around the city, and these are good for just that.
Frames: The frames are quite simple. They are made of stainless steel and are extremely lightweight. You can hardly even notice them.
Features: Despite its simple appeal, Droid comes equipped with a lot of features. The lenses are what they call Double Impact Polycarbonate, or their version of polycarbonate. They have a hydrophobic layer on them, so water will bead and fall off. Also, there is an anti-scratch layer, which helps because polycarbonate is not naturally scratch resistant. Finally, a seven layer AR film enhances optical clarity.
Packaging: The whole thing came in a hard box. Inside the box was a hard case to carry around with you. Also included was a fibre bag which can be used to carry and clean the glasses.
Cost: I paid 2040NT ($67 as of May 1st, 2008).
Conclusion: A really sharp-looking pair of shades for a stroll outdoors. These are not suited for sports however, as they might fall off. The features cover sport usage, but the look and shape in more casual. At that price you should get a decent pair of shades, at least for metal glasses, and the Droids fulfilled my expectations and fit my needs.
Rating: 8.872/10
7:57 AM View Comments
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