Which Costa Del Mar Lense Color?

[PTocko]

Okay - I broke down and purchased a pair of CDM ManOWars and really like the fit. I am a little confused by which color to buy. I was torn between the Amber and the Grean Mirror (in the 400 lense, can't spring for the 580). I have the Greens right now and I have until Monday to go back and swap out for the ambers. I had the greens on the water last night and they seemed good. I am not sure what the amber lense does that the greens do not (or vice versa). Mainly I will use them for fishing / boating and I fish all species - crappies, walleyes, sunnies (with the kids), bass and northern. It was cool yesterday to see agressive sunnies pop out from under the dock to hit my beatle spin. I know this is somewhat subjective so I'm just looking for opinions. One other thing - I have spent most of my life on the water (and slopes in the winter) and while my eyes have never been super light sensative I do want to error on the side of protection versus seeing everything (if there is a tradeoff). Sales person said Green was an amber base with just a little less light - he said the ambers could be too bright on bright sunny days. Thanks for any help / suggestions - I do appreciate them. Paul

[traveler]

I've been wearing Costas for about 10 years now...I've had vermillion, green mirror, and the blue mirrors I have now. All 400 glass lenses, although my next pair will likely be 580's. I believe green mirrors are supposed to be thier copper tinting, very good for sight fishing/somewhat lower light levels. Mine worked fine for an overall pair (until I shattered a lense) but I didn't like the look as much, so when I sent them in for repair I went to the blue mirrors. The blues are a good all around pair/ bright sunlight pair. I do have a pair of cheaper amber lense glasses for low light outings. But all around, the blue mirrors are my favs. Actually, the vermillion were pretty good too...

[jwhjr]

I went with the Green Mirror 580's when I picked up a pair last year because they worked best all around for how I fish. On the Costa site, they have a pretty good explanation of what each lens color is good for.

[Scoot]

I got the 580s in green and love them. If you look on the most popular online auction site you'll find them for a much better price.

[Bobcat45]

I've had Costa.s for 10 yrs also with vermillion and ocean blue. I preffered the vermillions they were more of a all around lens for me. Even on days that had some cloud cover. My eyes are sensitive to sunlight. For fishing and driving they worked well. Warning though once you buy a good pair of sunglasses you won't go back to cheap no matter who the manufacturer is.

[CAMAN]

I've got my eyes on the new 580 Silver Mirror lenses, Costa says they are the best for sight fishing in freshwater. Talked to the optomotrist Friday to see if they can get my prescription into the Silver Framed Man O' Wars...they are checking on it.

[propster]

Greens generally better for color contrast, Amber better for low light, like toward sunset.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Traveler - how did they treat you with regard to putting in a new lens? Did you pay or did they cover most/all of cost?

[traveler]

I think they charged me 75.00 for new lenses. Of course, I broke them, it wasn't a defect.

[castmaster]

I've benn running Costas for years as well and now have the Brine frame in a 400 green mirror and a 580 blue mirror. Usaed to have a pair of Pro Sports with an Amber lens.

The green mirror is on a Amber base, meaning you will get the definition and clarity in lower light conditions than you get in the blue mirror which has a gray base. The blue mirror are nice on bright sunny days, the green on cloudier days or early and late in the day.

Anyone looking for a good lens for a little before and after first and last light should look into the Ocean Waves Crown Royal Illuminator lens. It is based on a yellow lens which is the brightest in low light conditions.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have the amber and really like them.. However, just oredered the Copper 580's.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I just ordered the silver mirror 580. Can't wait to try them out. First pair of Costas.

[gunflint]

I've had a pair for 5 years now and all I can say is never again. There's nothing wrong with them but putting out that kind of money for a pair of shades that I constantly worry about when I'm in the boat just isn't worth it. From now on it's $20 sun glasses for fishing. I could buy 6 or 7 pair of usable polarized sunglasses and not worry about breaking or losing them.

[Scoot]

I've had a pair for 5 years now and all I can say is never again. There's nothing wrong with them but putting out that kind of money for a pair of shades that I constantly worry about when I'm in the boat just isn't worth it. From now on it's $20 sun glasses for fishing. I could buy 6 or 7 pair of usable polarized sunglasses and not worry about breaking or losing them.

FYI- I'm totally with you regarding saving some money on glasses, but you only get one pair of eyes in this lifetime. Spending the money to get glasses that provide UVA and UVB is worth it, IMO. Also, you don't need to drop $200 (or more) to get protection from both types of UV rays. I particularly think this is the case if you spend a lot of time on the water. My eyes are pretty important to me, so I try take good care of them.

[traveler]

Same here...there are places to pinch pennies, and my eyes aren't one of them:) If I break a lens now and then, so be it. I've actually gotten pretty good about useing the case so it's no big deal to me anymore.

[tunrevir]

I have 2 pairs of the fathoms with the amber lenses and wouldn't be on the water without them. Just an FYI in Outdoor Life this month there is an article all about lense color and the conditions at which they perform best. As far as the money for them, I got mine on the cheep or not so cheep depending on how you look at it. I used my points from my credit card to splurge on myself. One pair for the truck and one for the boat.

Tunrevir~