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UV protection of replica sunglasses

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murphy10

Do not accept unsolicited offers
12/9/09
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I noticed a few sites like WatchEden and IdolReplica etc are selling replica sunglasses.

I've been warned that replica sunglasses can be dangerous because they may not actually provide any actual UV protection (although they dim the visible light).

Has anyone had any experience with replica sunglasses and done any tests to see if these really are UV400 as claimed?! I guess I would like some assurance they are not a health hazard for my eyes.
 
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CaptainJack

Known Member
13/6/09
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murphy10 said:
I guess I would like some assurance they are not a health hazard for my eyes.
Click to expand...


This has appeared in a couple of other posts over the past few months. I'm not an optician, I don't play one on TV, and I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. I did, however work in product testing for Bausch and Lomb back in the late 90's before they sold Ray Ban to Italy.

They are indeed a health hazard, but not because of their UV blocking ability. About 1/4 inch of plain clear plastic will shield nearly 100% of the harmful-spectrum UV light you encounter, assuming you are not an astronaut or extremely high-altitude pilot of some sort.

The problem is that cheap rep sunglasses are not shatterproof and will more or less explode on impact. Thousands of tiny pieces of cheap, plastic shrapnel flying around your eyes isn't usually a desirable thing.

Unless you're buying sunglasses to wear in the living room while you're sitting in your La-z-boy watching golf on TV... I wouldn't do it.
 
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murphy10

Do not accept unsolicited offers
12/9/09
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It would be unlikely that the plastic would shatter due to an object hitting my face. It's not like I will be playing any sports with these sunnies on.

Are you sure about the UV protection though, because that is the part I am mostly worried about? I wish there was an easy way to test the UV protection so I can know for sure (without embarrassingly asking a optometrist to test my 'fakes').
 
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CRK

Active Member
9/10/06
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Just keep in mind that the shades are FAKE if you want great optics its going to cost ya period! There are however some lower cost shades that are still very good, check out Suncloud I have 2 pairs and love them.
 
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cazIRL

Renowned Member
5/11/08
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I wouldn't go messing around with rep sunnies if UV protection is your number 1 concern.
 
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CaptainJack

Known Member
13/6/09
144
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murphy10 said:
It would be unlikely that the plastic would shatter due to an object hitting my face.
Click to expand...

That's why every language on the planet has a word for "accident".


murphy10 said:
Are you sure about the UV protection though, because that is the part I am mostly worried about?
Click to expand...

You asked the question, I spent 11 years in the industry, I tried to help you out by pointing you in the right direction, but you seem to want to hear a different answer.

As Fakey said, they're your eyes, do what you want with them. I'm not going to force the issue on you... but think about it, an invisibly thin film of SPF 40 suntan lotion blocks more than 75% of UV in the harmful spectrum. It shouldn't be so hard to imagine how much more a full sheet of plastic blocks.

Now envision the tiny shards of that 1/8 inch thick plastic embedded in your eyeballs.
 
Fiddo

Fiddo

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Patron
16/2/09
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In a Causal Loop
There are two things on my list that I will never buy reps of----cell phones and sunglasses.

Cell phones- the "real" ones emit radio waves and who knows what else. Just imagine what a rep phone would emit. Age is already slowing destroying my brain cells. I don't need any additional help.

Sunglasses- All the things already stated in this thread.
 
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polaris

Active Member
27/11/08
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No idea what they'd be made from. But if I was to GUESS it'd be polycarbonate lenses, heck thats what 2$ safety glasses are made from. Cheap, UV protection, shatter resistant but prone to scratches. Manufacturers can coat the exterior in scratch resistant film but i doubt these would have that.

They are what? 26$ including shipping? Buy two pairs and try smashing one pair. Tell us how it goes.
 
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jmd33

I'm Pretty Popular
12/3/09
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At the risk of getting flammed - let me say up front, this is in no way a racial or cultural slam. Where my safety is involved I simply don't purchase Chinese products. The melamine (sp?) in protein issue was the last straw for me (our kids' dog almost died - the vet bills were not cheap!!). I just think the QC is way to lax. So, anything I purchase that can have safety implications I make sure to buy from a reliable source. For me, this includes: sunglasses, firearms, kids toys (for my son - but who are we kidding :) ), even water bottles I drink from. No offense meant to anyone - there is just not the strongest record for health and safety over there.
 
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murphy10

Do not accept unsolicited offers
12/9/09
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CaptainJack, please take a chill pill. I was just asking for a second opinion. (When the internet is full of armchair experts, is it such as a surprise for someone to ask for another opinion? - jeeze!).

As someone else pointed out polycarbonate is used in safety glasses because it is impact resistant and has near 100% UV protection. CJ, where you referring to polycarbonate specifically as shattering easily or some other type of plastic?

If anyone has done any factual shatter or UV tests on the replica sunnies, it would be useful to share your verdict here. Seems to be many of you who don't really have background in this but just wanted to pipe in with your 2 cents. :p
 
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