lets do this again: Sunglasses

[RedRockin]

According to the Window Tint Laws that Thunder22 posted, some states allow "medical Exemptions". I have known this for years and actually have a prescription from my ophthalmologist to permit extra dark tinting (medically diagnosed high sensitivity to bright light). I have had many cars with 20- tints. And, on my last car G35S, I had the tint put on 20 front windows and limo on back doors and rear windshield. The problem I found, as soon as I got the car home, is where I live there are absolutely no street lights. When the moon is full, you can almost read a newspaper but when it is not, it can get real dark - so dark that I often could not see out of the car enough to feel safe (all previous vehicles while living here were big SUVs with easy and high lines of sight - not so on the low to the road G w/small windows). By contrast, it is very bright here many days and REALLY bright in summer. Solution for G (first tint was on dealer), took it back to the tinter and had it removed and replaced w/AZ legal (35 front doors/20 all others) and just wear extra dark polarized eyeglasses.

Given that I have the prescription, I have often considered tinting windshields, but watching even the slightest tint film distortions in the side windows while looking to the side-view mirrors (most noticeable at night), has dissuaded me from risking such possible distortions on my windshield. An additional consideration, here in AZ, has been the clear heat reducing tint for windshield but I continue to reject the idea for the same reason (risking distortions). With all other windows tinted, heat-waves can be felt coming thru windshield. Haven't decided about the X yet (with her black dashboard which will likely draw heat) but my previous SUVs i bought the lightest color sueded dash-toppers to help deflect some of that heat. sorta cheap looking but certainly does help. The X is really pretty and nice materials so I can't decide if I want to cover her dash or not. When summer comes... will have to wait and see...

Needless to say, I carry several pairs of glasses. Sunglasses are ALL polarized. So I keep three pairs (extra pr sun, pr clear and pr yellow for flat light conditions), all in clamshell cases, and in my new X5 I keep all three sets in the center console with plenty of more room for other stuff. The G had absolutely zero storage (teeny tiny console wouldn't even fit one clamshell) so I bought a "messenger bag" (15" laptop type) to keep any/all storage stuff and threw that behind my seat.

Meanwhile, for those looking for some creative solutions that will not, or should not, damage visors:
Amazon.com: Totes(R) Visor Eyeglass Caddy: Automotive

AutoSport Catalog - Luxury Eyeglass Holder 800-953-0814

Auto Sunglass Holder

Amazon.com: Type S Double Sunglass Holder: Automotive

There are others that are pretty easy to find, with a google search, like a little organizer that slips between the seat and console to store cell phone, glasses, etc. There are also slim organizers that strap onto visor that have various compartments for glasses, pens, and anything relative slim and small that you want to store someplace.

As for the door pocket - well, my X5 is only a week old so I keep the owner manual there! I have a pdf copy on my computer too but that doesn't help me much when out on the road! -> G was a 6 speed stick so I'm sorta diggin the M/S!!!

[motordavid]

OT...
Very interesting post, RedRockin...
I also suffer from light/bright sunlight sensitivity and,
the somewhat regular migraines that may be induced
by my sensitivity.

Is there a brand(s), tint, glasses store(s) you rec'd
for quality sunglasses? I've given up on the cheapazz
glasses stores, or their lens making operations.

Fwiw, I've got the darkest shields I can find for my
2 m'cycle lids, and often wear my prescription sunglasses
under those face shields...very dark, maybe too dark,
as you noted.
Thanks...
BR, mD

[RedRockin]

Originally Posted by motordavid

OT...
Very interesting post, RedRockin...
I also suffer from light/bright sunlight sensitivity and,
the somewhat regular migraines that may be induced
by my sensitivity.

Is there a brand(s), tint, glasses store(s) you rec'd
for quality sunglasses? I've given up on the cheapazz
glasses stores, or their lens making operations.

Yessss! Migraines SUCK! And when they hit, light sensitivity gets much worse! I, luckily, don't get them often but when they come....

I'm nearsighted with astigmatism, not bad but enough to keep me wearing prescription glasses. So my sunglasses are all prescription with extra dark, polarized, anti-reflective (usually teflon or cryzal), and ultra thin to keep them lighter in weight. For non-RX, I would probably go with Maui Jim. some of the frames are a bit overly stylish for me but I do like their large lenses which wrap minimizing peripheral light. The lenses are pretty high quality too. Some of the frames are available w/RX but lens curvature can distort Rx. I'd suggest staying away from cheapies (you only have one pair of eyes and if you already suffer migraines...). Go to a high end optical store and see what they have. Really good quality non-Rx may run as high as $250-$300. Good quality Rx with all the trimmings I get usually run me closer to $500+ (depending on frames).

Back to Topic, another cheap and easy sunglasses solution is a chord around the rearview post. Measure to optimum length so as to not block lines of sight and use a waxed or heavy rubber type chord (holds its shape better - especially as ages and starts to dry out). May swing a bit but the stiffer the chording the steadier they will be.

Some of the visor clips (with spring clip) might even clip onto the over the door ceiling hand hold and keep sunglasses out of the way there - still in easy reach.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by motordavid

OT...
Very interesting post, RedRockin...
I also suffer from light/bright sunlight sensitivity and,
the somewhat regular migraines that may be induced
by my sensitivity.

Is there a brand(s), tint, glasses store(s) you rec'd
for quality sunglasses? I've given up on the cheapazz
glasses stores, or their lens making operations.

Fwiw, I've got the darkest shields I can find for my
2 m'cycle lids, and often wear my prescription sunglasses
under those face shields...very dark, maybe too dark,
as you noted.
Thanks...
BR, mD

MD - oakley makes prescription sunglasses.

Search

I've been wearing Oakly non-prescription polarized glasses for years, they're top notch. And the lenses are interchangeable so you don't have to buy new frames if your script changes.

[RedRockin]

+1 , forgot to mention those. Good call Thunder

[stockguru]

Just a thought. In today's world of transition lenses, they make glasses that change tint with UV sunlight. Why couldn't the car windows and windshields be made the same so that they darken in bright sunshine and are clear in the dark?

[London Lad]

What's with the obsession with a sunglasses holder???

There are no specific holders for a torch, umbrella, belt cutter etc etc, but there are lots of storage in the doors, arm rest, centre consul and glove box. I don't see the problem.

BTW. do you US guys not get the option for sun protection windscreen glass ? (not tint)

[DONONE69]

iv got sunglasses holder built in mine from factory, its a little compartment that pops down by the interior light but dont see the big deal in it, i dont even use it, just leave them in there original case in glove box or door panel etc, why stress over something like that!

[brian5]

That's funny Two guys from the UK (London Lad and DONONE) asking why we need sunglasses holders. Maybe if you had more sun you'd understand

[London Lad]

LOL. I wish we had more too.

I carry sunglasses in the car all the time just like you guys, it doesn't need to be sunny to be dazzlingly bright. I just don't see the need to have a specific holder for them any more than I do for anything else I carry in the car.

I don't see the big drama, put them on you face, on the seat, in the door, in the arm rest, in the glove box...what's it matter ?