Panoptx Sunglasses for Motorcyclists

Panoptx eyewear provides excellent protection for the most critical of the senses when it comes to operating a motorcycle. The users’ eyes are protected from sun, fatigue, wind, rain and dust for safe riding.  

 

The Good: Panoptx creates an optical environment where the users’ eyes are not impacted by wind, rain, heat, cold and/or dust. When these conditions arise, the user can confidently reach for a pair of Panoptx eyewear and continue the trip with visibility intact. Pluses are the field of vision; the lenses (adaptability and durability); comfort of fit; and they will stay put under most adverse conditions.

The Bad: Always use two hands to put them on and/or remove them; if you use them with a good fitting helmet, the Velocity series may become excruciatingly painful behind your ears after several hours and intolerable after several days; the coating on the inside of the lens scratches easily; and limited one year warranty.

 

What’s it for: Protects users eyes from sun, wind, rain, dust, pollen and eye fatiguing
peripheral glare.

 

Who’s it for: Panoptx glasses are built to face into the wind and other elements while developing a neutral environment to preserve the user’s eye. Thus, these glasses are for anyone involved in activities where eyes are exposed to the sun, dust, rain, wind and glare at high speeds.

 

Essential Extras: Panoptx produces custom prescription lenses for the Velocity Fixed series and Speed series.

The Bottom Line: Have a pair on hand for the worst conditions.

 

Lenses: All Panoptx lenses are optically correct, de-centered and tapered to ensure a clear, crisp image in every direction. These lenses are made of high impact resistant or shatterproof (PureTec™ in NXT™) materials with 100% UV protection. The light sensitive lenses will darken in bright sun and fade to a faint tint or clear in low light and will filter out irritating reflected glare. The polarized lenses also offer the advantage of Color Tec contrast for added visual clarity. Color Tec Copper and Color Tec Gray lenses highlight primary colors while improving contrast. All lenses in motorcyclist models are anti-fog treated. See www.panoptx.com for complete detail of series, styles, features and pricing including custom prescription lenses.

 

Frames: The Panoptx frame is designed to fit snugly by wrapping around the users’ face so that it will remain stable regardless of environmental conditions. The frame material is a composite that appears to be light weight and durable. For motorcyclists, there are three series: the Velocity CV (convertible eye cup) SR 100, Velocity FX (fixed eye cup) SR 100 and the Speed SR 75.

The Velocity series will provide the user with 100% protection from wind, rain, dust, pollen and eye fatiguing peripheral glare while the Speed series is approximately 75% as effective at protecting the user’s eyes from these elements. 

 

The user will find the “Orbital Seal” eyecup to be removable on the Velocity CV SR 100 series. Thus, this model is functional during high speed activities or as a standard sunglass.

 

Velocity also Features foam-lined vents to allow filtered air to circulate inside the Orbital Seal so the user’s eye can breathe in an environment that is free of harmful airborne irritants.  

 

What we found:

When you first put the Panoptx glasses on, you will find the visual field and clarity to be remarkable. In fact, when my wife purchased a pair, I thought she was extravagant for spending that kind of money on sunglasses. As we left the store she had put them on and advised that I try them based on her barely five minutes of use.   I did and we immediately returned to the store to purchase a second pair. 

Initially, these sunglasses are very comfortable, especially for the users’ eyes and it is evident that they are stable and will not flop around. There is minimal stress on eyes due to glare, wind, sun, dust, rain or any other environmental elements. There is an added benefit for contact lens wearers. You will not need to worry about your eyes drying out and/or dust and water under your contact lens. It won’t happen!

I have learned to carry my Panoptx with me at all times to provide relief from these elements. On those occasions during rain or dusty conditions, I reach for my Panoptx sunglasses and again feel confident that I can see the road ahead.

Panoptx eyewear ranges from $85 to $195 and you may be able to locate a suitable closeout for $39.99 to 69.99. You can check out models, options and prices at www.panoptx.com. Most would agree that a median price of $140 is a substantial amount of money for sunglasses. 

My decision to pay this amount for the model I have, carried with it the expectation that the sunglasses would be useful for a long time and holdup under the use for which they are designed. 

The reality seems to be that the frames are a bit fragile. You must put the glasses on using two hands because if the frames are twisted or stressed while putting them on, the frame may snap. For motorcyclists, using two hands may be an inconvenience at times so there is a good chance your frames will break at some point. The Company’s one year limited warranty will take care of most of these problems if they happen with in the first year. Otherwise, you pay to have them repaired or replaced.

Second, I have found it impossible to keep the lenses from scratching on the inside. This is very frustrating and the Company does not warranty against scratched lenses. The lenses can be replaced for a fee.

Third, I stated earlier that I keep a pair of Panoptx sunglasses handy in case travel conditions worsen. I have found that I cannot wear the Velocity Series Cyclone or Raptor for extended periods. The frame is too tight and is excruciatingly painful after several hours and intolerable after several days except for very short periods. The ends of the frame arms are simply too tight. If wearing the glasses with a “three quarter” or “half” shell helmet, the discomfort is exacerbated by the bulk of the eyeglass frame and interface with the helmet straps.   Obviously, if you can’t wear Panoptx eyewear at all times during speed activities, you cannot fully experience the many benefits espoused by Panoptx.

 

Panoptx has remedied the frame arm discomfort with the Speed series. The Speed series frame, the Rush model in particular, is light weight, secure and comfortable for extended wear.  

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