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Reviews > Eye Protection and Binoculars > Sun Glasses > Optic Nerve Dedisse Sunglasses > Test Report by Frances Penn

OPTIC NERVE DEDISSE SUNGLASSES
TEST SERIES BY FRANCES PENN
LONG-TERM REPORT
November 10, 2013

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Frances Penn
EMAIL: oldhikergirl AT yahoo DOT com
AGE: 57
LOCATION: Santa Ana, California
GENDER: F
HEIGHT: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 130 lb (59.00 kg)

I have been backpacking for six years mostly on long weekends in Southern California with two or more 5-day trips per year in the Sierras. My total daypack weight, including food and water, is usually 15 lb (7 kg) and my total backpack weight, including food and water, is usually 26-30 lb (12-14 kg) depending on the need for a bear canister. I have recently converted to a tarp, bivy and quilt sleeping system instead of a tent. I have experienced all night rain, hail, heavy winds, camping in snow once, but mostly fair weather.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Optic Nerve
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Manufacturer's Website: http://opticnerve.com/
MSRP: US $49.00
Listed Weight: none
Measured Weight: .8 oz (22 g)
Colors Available: Shiny black, Shiny white
Optimum Uses: Casual
Optimum Face Shape: Average

The Dedisse sunglasses feature full-wrap curved lenses with a channel break design that makes changing lenses easy. The sunglasses come with two sets of lenses: smoke with flash mirror for bright sun and high-def copper for variable light conditions. The smoke grey tint lenses allow 15% light transmission and the copper tint allows 27% light transmission. The Tactilite rubber bridge pads keep the sunglasses where they belong. The 100% UV protection polarized lenses have an invisible horizontal filter to eliminate reflected light. The lenses have vents on the outer corner of the lenses to circulate air between the eyes and the back of the lenses to help reduce fogging. The lenses have an antireflective coating to reduce light from reflecting back into the eyes.

The sunglass frames are constructed from TR90 Grilamid Nylon Frame Resin that is designed to be durable and resilient with a smooth handmade finish that incorporates a lab tested memory feature to keep the frame from stretching.

IMAGE 1
courtesy Optic Nerve website


IMAGE 2
contents of package

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The sunglasses arrived packed inside a hard neoprene case. Inside the case, the sunglasses were packed in a soft cover with pockets containing the interchangeable copper lenses. The pockets close with small hook-and-loop closures.

IMAGE 3
soft cover with lenses in pockets


I did not find instructions in the package or on the website regarding the procedure to change the lenses. I called the manufacturer to obtain the instructions. They sent me a YouTube video with the information. After watching the video, I was able to change the lenses with a little difficulty. The frames are flexible and pull apart to release the lenses and then snap back into place once the lenses are replaced. I had a little trouble initially, but finally figured out I was trying to replace the lenses incorrectly. The lenses have a rounded side and a side with an angle that creates the vent space close to the side pieces. The side pieces are curved to wrap around my head. The side pieces taper from the front down to a smaller diameter and then widen slightly to fit behind my ears.

IMAGE 4
interchangeable lenses


TRYING IT OUT

I tried the sunglasses on and they fit my face close. The bottom portion of the frame rests on my cheeks. I will pay special attention to the venting, fogging and perspiration aspects due to the close fit.

I like the clarity the smoke grey lenses provide. They do not appear to darken my view as I have found with other sunglasses.

The frames are flexible and the wide lens design provides a good peripheral view. I am not able to see the frames while wearing the sunglasses.

IMAGE 5
lens vent


The warranty according to the website states: "All our products are covered by warranty, for the original purchaser, against defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the product."

SUMMARY

These appear to be a well made, durable and versatile pair of sport sunglasses. I am looking forward to using both sets of lenses depending on the conditions. I will get them out on the trail shortly.


LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Trip # 1:
Location: Cottonwood Lakes area by Mt. Langley, California USA
Elevation: 11,100 ft (3,400 M)
Trip Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some rocky portions and off trail portions
Temperatures: 40 to 60 F (4-33 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with one afternoon rain storm that produced pea sized hail for 5 hours, cool nights

Trip #2:
Location: Big Basin Redwoods State Park/Skyline to Sea Trail, California USA
Elevation: 1,700 ft (518 M)
Trip Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some steep rocky portions
Temperatures: 50 to 70 F (10-21 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with cool nights

Trip #3:
Location: Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Elevation: 8,000 ft (2,400 M)
Trip Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some steep rocky portions
Temperatures: 50 to 80 F (10-26 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with two afternoon rain storms, cool nights

Trip #4:
Location: South Lake Trailhead to Bishop Pass, California, USA
Elevation: 12,000 ft (3,600 M )
Trip Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Trail Conditions: dirt trail with a lot of steep rocky sections
Temperatures: 50 to 75 F (10-24 C)
Weather: cool and windy mornings with sunny afternoons

Trip #5:
Location: Cottonwood Lakes area by Mt. Langley, California USA
Elevation: 11,100 ft (3,400 M)
Trip Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some rocky portions and off trail portions
Temperatures: 40 to 60 F (4-33 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with 3 cloudy days and one afternoon of rain

Trip #6:
Location: San Jacinto State Park, California USA
Elevation: 10,860 ft ( 3,310 M)
Trip Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some rocky portions with small snow patches
Temperatures: 35 to 60 F (1-33 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with wind during the night

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

With more practice, I have become adept at changing the lenses. I really like how the gray lenses are dark but not so dark as to obscure my vision as the light becomes slightly darker. When the light becomes overcast or cloudy, I can easily change the lenses on a quick break. When we climbed Cirque Peak on the second Cottonwood Lakes trip, the light in the morning was sunny so I selected the gray lenses. When we were at the top taking a break, the weather changed to cloudy and overcast. I changed to the copper lenses and was surprised at how clear my vision appeared.

IMAGE 1
grey lenses


IMAGE 2
copper lenses


The venting on the sunglasses has been a disappointment. Since the bottom of the right lens rests on my cheek, the right lens tends to fog from the bottom up under heavy exertion and in warmer weather. I am not sure why only the right lens comes into contact with my face. Maybe my ears are not exactly the same height. The left lens will fog on occasion, but not nearly as often as the right lens.

As an experiment, I wore my fleece beanie during an evening walk around camp and I placed it over the vent holes to see if this would affect the venting. I then moved the hat further back on my head so it was not blocking the vent holes on the sides of the sunglasses. The glasses did not fog with the hat in both places, perhaps due to the cooler temperature.

I am very happy with the flexibility of the frames and the lenses. The flexibility relieves the worry that the sunglasses may break when stuffed into a full pocket in my pack. It also makes them easy to put on with one hand.

These sunglasses are lighter weight and more streamlined than the pair I had previously been wearing. They fit my face comfortably close and do not slide down my nose during periods of heavy exertion or perspiration.

IMAGE 3
close fit on my face


SUMMARY

I have enjoyed this test. I almost forget I am wearing these sunglasses they are so light and comfortable. Both lenses provide very clear vision with enough shading to protect my eyes in the bright sunlight. I will continue to use these sunglasses on my future trips.

This testing series is now concluded. Thank you to Optic Nerve and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these lightweight, flexible, vented, sport minded sunglasses.

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
Read more gear reviews by Frances Penn

Reviews > Eye Protection and Binoculars > Sun Glasses > Optic Nerve Dedisse Sunglasses > Test Report by Frances Penn



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