Not all PhotoChromatic lenses are created equal… I’ve got a few different ones, with the Oakley Sutro Lite Photochromatic being the most recent, and the best I’ve used. They don’t get as dark as some of the aftermarket ones(Fuse, Revant), but they’re nearly 100% clear at night time, and have become my go to’s for ultra distance stuff. Previously I was running Jawbreakers, and would store a spare clear lens inside my helmet, slid between the Mips liner and the helmet, and swap them at dusk, but I always found myself dragging that out, and then feeling reluctant to swap them back at sunrise. I know it’s only a matter of a minute, but when you’re that deep into it, any little thing can be exhausting, and one more thing to think about when mental energy is at a premium.
Yeah I have Roka’s that I can swap (yellow & smoked) or Tifosi that I can just leave on. I’ll bring both, but leaning strong to the photochromatics for the reason you just stated.
I used to swear only by Oakley photochromatic lenses until I lost my 4th pair. Have been using the offerings on Gobicyclestylenetwork photochromatic glasses with no distinct difference in visual difference. The lenses go dark enough during daylight, clear AF when out of sunlight and cheap enough to not worry about when being lost. And their order/delivery is flawless, only exception is the time delay from ordering to delivery.
Did an A/B test with the photochromic and yellow at night. If I didn’t have the yellow with me the photochromic would work, but the yellow are just so much better. I’m taking them for the almost 10 hours I’ll be riding in the dark and swap lenses when the sun comes up.
My Roka SL-1x photochromic lenses allow 88% through and feel like clear lenses in the dark. Sounds like your photochromic glasses are the Tifosi, though.
The Roka lens is a little spendy since it’s not on sale. If you have time to wait for a Black Friday sale, they’ll probably be included.
I was thinking of getting the Roka yellow lenses anyway. You like them in the dark then?
Yeah the Photochromatics I have are Tifosi are sledge lite red. they’re “okay”
The Yellows are Roka SL. I also have corneal ring implants which occasionally cause glare issues, so a little minus blue (aka yellow) is a good thing. Yellow can also bring out better contrast, but when it’s o’dark hundred I’m not sure it’s THAT big of a difference over clear.