Reviews > Eye Protection > Sun Glasses > Smith Factor with Ignitor Lenses > Jennifer Hay > Initial Report

Smith Optics Factor Sunglasses with Ignitor Lenses
January 5, 2006

Tester Bio
Name: Jennifer “Kasdira” Hay
Age: 29 years old
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 4” (1.62 m)
Weight: 210 lb (95kg)
Email Contact: kasdira @ yahoo . com
Location: Pensacola, Florida USA

Backpacking Background
My backpacking background is very limited to the last couple of years and to the Northwest Florida area. While I started with the typical comforts of “car camping”; I found a love for Ultralight Backpacking. I like the idea of getting away – AS far away as my feet can take me. Right now my current gear consists mainly of “Walmart specials”, a few lucky finds from the Florida Trail Association’s state conference auctions, and a birthday shopping spree at REI’s online store.

Overall Product Information
Product Name: Smith Optics Factor Sunglasses with Ignitor Lenses
Manufacturer: Smith Optics Manufacturer
Website: www.smithoptics.com
Manufacturer Date: 2005
Total Weight Frames, Lenses, and Case: 3.5oz (98g)

Description & Preliminary Thoughts
The Smith Optics Factor Frames arrived assembled with the Polarized Sienna Brown lenses within a soft-style collapsible carrying case packaged inside a sleek silver thin cardboard box. The carrying case also contained 3 other sets of lenses (Polarized Sienna Brown, RC30, Clear, Yellow) that accompany the Dark Ale Factor frames. The interior of the case is a soft felt-like material that appears to provide protection from scratching. When the glasses are not in the carrying case, the case can be collapsed to a smaller size to store and protect the extra lenses. I briefly tried each set of lenses in the frames and found that I favored the Polarized Sienna Brown over the RC30 for regular daytime use.

The Smith Optics Ignitor Lenses arrived in a similar designed box as the frames. However, the lenses have a different storage case than the frames. The lenses were in a small satin-like drawstring pouch with an interior divider possibly to protect the lenses from scratching each other. While I have never been in the habit of placing my sunglasses in a protective case, I plan on storing the Ignitor lenses in their little pouch when they are not in use.

The Ignitor lenses have a slight purple color to them when held up to a white background. When used in the frames, I find that the lenses darken the lighting significantly giving everything a dark rosy color. The color seen through the Ignitor lenses are more pleasant to me than those of the RC30 and the Polarized Sienna Brown. In comparison to the cheap sunglasses that I usually wear, the clarity of the Ignitor lenses makes my fingerprints more visible. This will become a distraction for me so to assist in the maintenance of the lenses, I will make sure I have a cloth lens wipe on hand.

I have noticed with the brief use of the sunglasses - no matter which of the lenses being used - that quick eye movements tend to make my vision a little distorted and sometimes out of focus. I am hoping that I can acclimate to the shape of the lenses during this test period and for use beyond. An aspect I have enjoyed thus far is the construction of the nose area. When I place the sunglasses on top of my head; the nose piece does not get tangled up in my long hair. Another quality I like about the sunglasses is their lightweight and comfort. I have worn the sunglasses for the last few days to and from work, and have gone for 8 hours with them sitting atop my head without knowing.

Test Setting
The Northwest Florida Panhandle should prove to be a diverse locale for visual conditions for testing the Smith Ignitor Lenses and the Factor Frames. The sunglasses will view many areas to include the bright sandy white beaches, the emerald-green water of the Gulf of Mexico, and open canopies of Long Leaf Pine, River Oak and Live Oak, . The temperature for the area can average 41 F (5 C) to 69 F (21 C) in the early winter, typically with clear skies. The elevation for this area averages less than 50ft (12.7m) above sea level

The beaches in this area are comparable to snow, the white quartz sand here can have an intense glare on a sunny day. Trail walking on the beach allows for a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico which can also be harsh on the eyes without the use of sunglasses. When not hiking the beach portion of the Florida Trail, the open canopy trails allow for varying degrees of shade and sunny footpaths.

I currently have a hiking goal of at least 1 to 2 day hikes and at least 1 overnight hiking campout per month during the test period. Typically I hike early mornings catching the early and midday sun. While I do carry sunglasses with me, they tend to be useless. My current pair tends to slip off my face, and fall off when resting on the top of my head in shaded areas. During the time of the test period, I plan on hiking a minimum of 60 mi (97 km) over the next 4 to 5 months to include the above listed day hikes and overnight hiking campouts, allowing for various daytime lighting and possible precipitation.

Test Plan
I hope while testing the Ignitor Lenses and Factor frames I hope to answer at the very least the following questions:

1. Most sunglasses give me headaches due to my poor selection of UV protection and the shape of the lenses. How well will the lenses protect my eyes? How well will they decrease the glare in places such as the beach and the Gulf of Mexico? Does the shape of the lenses affect my vision, i.e. causing a distorted perception? Will the lenses impede eye strain, if so for how long? Will their construction reduce my chances of headaches caused by eyestrain? Will I have a preference for the Ignitor lenses versus the Polarized Sienna Brown lenses?
2. Northwest Florida has a lot of sand, how scratch resistant will the lenses be? Because the sand is from the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico the ultra fine granules have a sticky feeling, how well will the fine sand grains clean off the lenses and the frames? With the frames having interchangeable lenses, will the sand create problems for changing out lenses?
3. When walking the beach, sea spray is a usual occurrence - how easy will it be to clean off sea spray from the Gulf of Mexico when hiking on the beach? Also in Northwest Florida, there are plenty of opportunities for clay fights in any of the river beds, will the clay be difficult to clean off or will it leave a smeared residue? While in the wooded areas – PINE SAP HAPPENS! I seem to be a pine sap magnet; will I be able to remove sap with out damaging the lenses? How well will I be able to keep the lenses clean overall?
4. While hiking in the forest areas will I be capable of moving from shaded to sunny areas and vice versa on the trail without removing these glasses? Will I be able to read things with clarity such as a digital watch or GPS without the aid of a backlight?
5. If the Factor frames do not fit securely on my face or when resting on the top of my head - how durable is their construction in the event they fall to the ground? Sometimes my pack is thrown together in haste; if I forget the glasses are in my pack and load things on top of them will they survive?
6. Frame construction is also a contributing factor to headaches for me; will the frames put too much pressure on the areas above my ears and/or across the bridge of my nose? How long will I be able to wear them? Is the construction a comfortable style to wear?
7. Rain can happen at anytime in Florida, will the special Hydrophilic Megol on the nose area prevent slipping and falling when walking or racing to get out of a deluge or freak hail storm?

I plan to also report on any other incidents that may take place with the Ignitor lenses and Factor frames not outlined above.

Many thanks to BackpackGearTest and Smith Optics for allowing me the opportunity to test these very groovy sunglasses.

Reviews > Eye Protection > Sun Glasses > Smith Factor with Ignitor Lenses > Jennifer Hay > Initial Report