polarized vs regular goggles

[2005 1m]

I swear by polarized sunglasses for every day life, time on the water, etc.. I have never owned polarized goggles before though and I wonder how much they would really help the eyes in snow and on a snowmobile.

So, for those who have tried both, is polarized worth the money on goggles?

 

[polarisfornow]

In a word... yes.

 

[zebiraross]

I swear by Polarized goggles for all the same reasons I wear polarized sunglasses. Worth It 100%.

 

[Blue Doo]

Polarized really helps in flat light conditions. Easier to see the terrain and what's coming, jumps, creekbeds, etc.

 

[2005 1m]

Thanks for the responses guys! Pretty convinced already but keep the responses coming please!

 

[LRD]

They are great for riding powder but do have one downside you have to get used to.

If you have any gauges with electronic display, GPS, phone etc. it will be harder to see them.

 

[2005 1m]

LRD - great info. So I'm riding a 2011 M8 SP where it has the digital screen on the right. Do you know if that will be affected (visually) by chance? I know the issue that you are talking about but not sure if a snowmobile gauge will react the same as a cell phone screen, for example.

Thought?

 

[Bigrock33]

Polarized really helps in flat light conditions. Easier to see the terrain and what's coming, jumps, creekbeds, etc.

With all due respect, I personally do not agree with polarized helping in flat light, just the opposite for me. Great for bright, sunny days. I carry polarized, a yellow and a clear.

 

[2005 1m]

With all due respect, I personally do not agree with polarized helping in flat light, just the opposite for me. Great for bright, sunny days. I carry polarized, a yellow and a clear.

I am actually planning on turning my old goggles into a flat-light pair with a plain yellow lens so I'm not as worried about the polarized ones for those days, but thank you - good to know.

 

[LRD]

LRD - great info. So I'm riding a 2011 M8 SP where it has the digital screen on the right. Do you know if that will be affected (visually) by chance? I know the issue that you are talking about but not sure if a snowmobile gauge will react the same as a cell phone screen, for example.

Thought?

I don't know, Polarized doesn't work with my Garmin with touch screen or my aftermarket digital gauge that is also touch screen. I'd just try looking at your gauges with a pair of polarized sun glasses. That should give you a clue.

Good Luck

My favorite color lens for flat light many years ago was a Scot Peach which was a light orange with maybe a hint of amber in it, but they quit making them.

 

[Bigrock33]

It is really best if you can try different lenses as everyone's eyes are different. I had cataracts, got new lenses in my eyes, and I switched out lenses from what I was using before. Used to use smoke polarized, rose, blue and clear. Now, I use brown polarized, yellow and clear. What works for one person may not be the best for you. I chuckle when I see threads that ask "what color lenses should I use?". Best advice from my experience is to try out different lenses in the different light conditions and see what works best for you.

 

[Bowfisher]

LRD - great info. So I'm riding a 2011 M8 SP where it has the digital screen on the right. Do you know if that will be affected (visually) by chance? I know the issue that you are talking about but not sure if a snowmobile gauge will react the same as a cell phone screen, for example.

Thought?

I bought a pair of polarized 509's. I ride a 2010 cat. I've rode once with the new goggles, if I was at the wrong angle I couldn't read the gauge but just a slight move of the head and I could read it.

 

[adairtd1]

With all due respect, I personally do not agree with polarized helping in flat light, just the opposite for me. Great for bright, sunny days. I carry polarized, a yellow and a clear.

Same here, I cannot use my polarized lenses for my Aviators unless the sun is out.

Otherwise, I use rose, or even the blue tinted lenses all the time.

 

[mikew5945]

LRD - great info. So I'm riding a 2011 M8 SP where it has the digital screen on the right. Do you know if that will be affected (visually) by chance? I know the issue that you are talking about but not sure if a snowmobile gauge will react the same as a cell phone screen, for example.

Thought?

Yes you can read it. There are dark streaks but you can still read it.

 

[m1kflyingtiger]

I have polarized yellow and brown and they are great when it's sunny. In flat light I love my Scott rose goggles. The polarized ones are just too dark IMO for poor ligt conditions.

 

[theultrarider]

Agree with those above. Any kind of sunlight, can't beat the polarized. Gets flat/lowlight, I want my clear lenses. I sure would love to see someone step up and make a clear polarized lens! I have them in my eyeglasses so I know it can be done...