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Reviews > Eye Protection and Binoculars > Sun Glasses > Dual Eyewear Bifocal Sunglasses > Test Report by Lori Pontious

Dual Eyewear SL2
Test Series by Lori Pontious

INITIAL REPORT - February 15, 2012
FIELD REPORT - May 1, 2012
LONG TERM REPORT - July 2, 2012


Tester Information

NAME: Lori Pontious
EMAIL: lori.pontious (at) gmail.com
AGE: 45
LOCATION: Fresno County, California, USA
GENDER: F
HEIGHT: 5'7" (1.7 m)
WEIGHT: 165 lb (75 kg)

I've backpacked, camped and fished all over the lower 48 states with my family as a kid, and then life happened. I've restarted these activities about four years ago - I dayhike or backpack 2-6 times a month. I am between light and ultralight. I have a hammock system and own a Tarptent. My base weight depends upon season and where I go.

Product Information


Manufacturer: Dual Eyewear
Manufacturer URL: www.dualeyewear.com
Listed Weight: .7 ounces (20 g)
Actual Weight: .7 oz (20 g)
Lens Color: Smoke
Colors Available: Smoke, Brown
MSRP:
$49.95


Initial Report

Product Description

The SL2 model of Dual Eyewear sunglasses (hereafter "the glasses" or "the SL2s") is described on the manufacturer's website as being "superlight" while being durable and functional. They are made of plastic, with shatter resistant polycarbonate lenses and TPR -50A rubber nose pads and arm inserts that inhibit slipping. The lenses feature a bifocal that can be ordered in +1.0, +2.0 or +2.5 diopters. The glasses came with a microfiber drawstring bag for cleaning and/or storing the glasses.

IMAGE 1 IMAGE 1

The glasses arrived in new condition - the sticker on one lens indicates the bifocal strength as +2.0 diopters, as I requested. The glasses are very light and fit snugly. I drove to work and back using them, and the bifocal does not interfere with my line of sight as I drive.

Since I had cataract surgery, I am farsighted and have 20-20 vision for things that are far away. For reading and seeing details up close, I need a pair of reading glasses. I will be using the SL2s not only as sun protection for my eyes, but for reading maps, the GPS screen and tying on fishing lures.

Field Report

Field Conditions

I have been using the glasses almost continuously since they arrived. The week I received them, I took them on our winter training for Search and Rescue for three days, navigating and searching in the snow. I have also taken them on dayhikes weekly, on backpacking trips to Henry Coe State Park (twice, for a total of three nights out) and Yosemite National Park for an overnight on Dewey Point in the snow. I've also worn them on Search and Rescue trainings in March and April. The glasses were part of my uniform while driving a go-cart around a local park helping with the implementation of the annual March of Dimes event. I have taken them on two fishing trips to the Kings River and gone snowshoeing with them. I took them with me on a camping trip in Pinnacles National Monument. I keep them in my car and use them on my daily commute, and have at times put them on indoors when I needed to read something and did not have my reading glasses with me.

The glasses have been subjected to temperatures as low as 15 F (-9 C) and have been used in the rain. Since spring is here, they have also been in the car baking as the usual Fresno area warming has sent temperatures rising to 90 F (32 C).

Observations

On my very first field use of the glasses, I dropped them while getting out of the car and promptly stepped on them while wearing my winter boots. After a few moments of shock, I picked up the glasses and discovered that the lens had snapped out of the frame, and re-inserting it fixed the problem. It was a good thing they landed in snow! The lenses didn't have a scratch on them and the frame was flexible enough that it didn't snap.

IMAGE 3
Playing ladder ball in Pinnacles National Monument campground

With the unintended durability test out of the way, I proceeded to wear them every time I went outdoors. I wore them on a number of trips and noticed that under some conditions I experienced a little fogging, but with the application of Cat Crap (an anti-fogging substance rubbed on the lenses of glasses to prevent condensation) that diminished.

I have used the bifocals to read maps, GPS screens, books, labels, instruction sheets, and anything else I've had occasion to look at in the course of my daily activities. I find that while hiking in rough sections of trail, I am bending my chin down in an attempt to see over the bifocal, which puts my focal point uncomfortably close and interferes with my perception of obstacles in the trail. Sometimes it's easier just to take the glasses off for a while. While fishing, the glasses are a great help; I can tie fishing knots easily now without having to take off my sun protection.

IMAGE 4
Hiking through poppies in the bright sunshine

One of my problems with most glasses is the pressure on my nose; heavy glasses can trigger a sinus headache. I have not had this issue with the SL2s. They are light as a feather, and I hardly notice them while I'm wearing them. The glasses also stay put while I'm active. I haven't had any issues with them sliding or falling off. Nor do they pinch my head, as I have experienced before with sunglasses.

Long Term Report

Field Conditions

Since the beginning of May, I have worn the SL2s on an overnight trip to Laurel Lake in Yosemite National Park, on a two night trip to Kibbie Ridge and Lake Eleanor in Yosemite National Park, on a one night backpack to Jennie Lake in Sequoia National Forest, Search and Rescue activities including a parade, a fence project, and a training, as well as numerous day hikes. I continue to wear the glasses while driving as well.

Observations

During this phase of testing, I had no complaints about the glasses. I've not been very kind to them, throwing them loose in the top of a backpack with other gear, or accidentally sitting on them in the driver's seat of my car. They have some small scratches that aren't noticeable until I take them off and look at them.

I wore them while fishing, climbing, hiking and navigating cross country on several occasions. I am still really liking that it is not necessary to put on other glasses to tie knots or read maps. The bifocal is still somewhat in the way while looking down at the trail, but not to the point that I am always taking them off. I appear to have adjusted to the slight inconvenience of having a bit of blur in my field of vision while navigating rough terrain.

I have been and will continue to use the glasses every day that I go outside for any duration. Thanks to Dual Eyewear and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test the Dual Eyewear SL2 glasses.

Likes:

* Light weight

* Bifocal

* More durable than I expected!

Dislikes:

* bifocal interferes on rough sections of trail


Read more gear reviews by Lori Pontious

Reviews > Eye Protection and Binoculars > Sun Glasses > Dual Eyewear Bifocal Sunglasses > Test Report by Lori Pontious



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