| Gunnar Optiks Shredder Digital Eyewear |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Accessories | ||||||
| Written by Olin Coles | ||||||
| Friday, 28 January 2011 | ||||||
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Gunnar Optiks Final ThoughtsGunnar Optiks, LLC. designs several different versions of their digital performance eyewear products, and they offer a large range of indoor and outdoor eyewear built specifically for various duties and ranges. All of their eyewear offer similar optical quality by incorporating i-AMP lens technology, with over sixty different frame options shared across their indoor, outdoor, and 3D product lines. While the ultra-effective AMBeR lens tint is the standard for most of their products, the 'Creative' series offers CRySTALLINE lens tint and coating formula designed specifically for the graphic designer, video/film editor, or creative visual artist who requires an equally balanced color spectrum. Gunnar has certainly made a positive impression on me with these short-range indoor glasses, and my testing experience shooting enemies online really temps me to try some of their outdoor glasses the next time I fire real guns (for target shooting).
Catalyst Shredder S6126 ConclusionAfter searching the market, there really aren't that many eyewear products made for short-range indoor use. This is what makes Gunnar Optik's Shredder eyewear such an enticing option for computer users who put in long hours behind the monitor. They're very light weight, and the AMBeR tint is so subtle that white still appears white when you look at the screen. Beyond the superficial aspects, these glasses helped to keep my eyes from drying out. I'm known to forget blinking when I play video games, and I've already got the dry Nevada desert air working against me. The Sparrow and MLG Legend series offer larger lens with an aviator-style frame and could potentially offer a better ocular 'cap', but the Shredder is a far more attractive look. If you're planning to wear Gunnar's digital eyewear in a public/work environment, style and appearance will be key factors in your purchase. The Shreder series may be one of Gunnar's most popular, but if you're looking for optimal performance it pains me to suggest their Sparrow and MLG Legend series. I've already made several comments about the appearance of these styles, and I think that people will either like the aviator look or they won't. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the style, but then again I really like how the large arced lenses form a 'micro-climate' above my eye and allow me to comfortably game (or work) for extended periods. As a result, I'm fine with trading improved function over a better-looking fashion. Shredder does nearly as well, but when you work for 14-hours or more behind a computer screen every optical advantage helps. Gunnar's diAMIX lens material is stronger than polycarbonate, and makes these glasses impervious to damage from accidental droppage. The +0.2 diopter fRACTYL lens geometry helps to enlarge objects, such as a crosshair or text, and the i-FI lens coating keep scratches from forming. Gunnar uses a lot of hard-to-remember trademark names to develop their digital performance eyewear, five to be precise, but they actually add up to something noteworthy... something you can see and feel. I've loaned out Gunnar Optiks eyewear to friends, and within days they're price shopping for a pair of their own. Gunnar's Catalyst Shredder S6126 series digital eyewear works great for gamers, and comfortably accommodates headsets or earphones. Casual computer users who log extended hours behind the screen will certainly appreciate the eye relief they offer, but only so long as they don't already have to wear corrective glasses. Gunnar offers impressive retail eyewear, but those requiring prescription lenses will want to research their Carl Zeiss Vision Rx optics. Available in the Onyx frame finish for $79.00 at Newegg or Amazon, Gunnar's Shredder series are an expensive item. Would I pay this much for a pair of eyewear that improve clarity and reduce eye strain? Before experiencing the positive effects first hand, this would have been a skeptical purchase. However, in the aftermath of several sixteen hour days behind my computer while wearing their performance digital eyewear, I would gladly pay the asking price without thinking twice. Some of the Gunnar Optik's product line carries an expensive price tag, charging more for various colors of the same frame, but if you can find them for $80 or less they're well worth your money. In summary, Gunnar Optiks digital eyewear are an excellent accessory for gamers, and daily computer users alike. The Shredder Onyx frames actually cost less than Gunnar's other finishes of the same model, so some price shopping is necessary. If you want an added edge in video games or relief from eye strain, I highly recommend the Gunnar Optiks digital indoor series of eyewear. Pros:
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Comments
Just wanted to say, Amazon was very confusing for purchasing - rather you can get the same pricing ($79) buying direct from the mfg and have a choice of dozen of styles. Free shipping included.
It's about time to protect her corrective investment, we'll get some of these.
Cheers Olin ;)
The massive number of "branded" terms a company uses to describe rather normal features of their products always makes me suspicious.
Not necessary for computer usage, just another add on...in an industry full of them.
Michael
It is probably the nerd equiv of reading glasses, sure. But they are well made, light weight and make a huge difference in reading small text off a white background.
I'm getting old and my eyes are suffering with what I do, these might just help. I'd already spent the cash for the 28" monitor (still set at 1900x1200) so going bigger isn't the solution. On the other hand my wife already wants to borrow them for when she is using her 10" netbook.
This isn't a product for everyone but I don't think you could judge its merits without sitting in front of a screen of text.
And an optician's opinion is less valuable than a game/computer reviewer or commenter with absolutely no professional experience in human optics?
Sounds like you're an apologist for Gunnar.
I'd trust my experienced optician's advice over anybody who's posted here, especially since she SELLS GUNNARS and has no advantage to steer me away from them.
Honestly, she didn't say that the Gunnars were snake-oil, she just said that they didn't seem to offer much more than the slight magnification that judicious adjustment of the viewing environment couldn't fix since the Gunnars are meant for indoor use.
Yep, I agree with your advice, contact an optometrist or opthamologist if you're having eye strain problems, don't run out a buy a pair of Gunnars unless he/she recommends them.
Some people have to use a computer for many hours on end, unless the optician is lousy and has a low clientele list, then it's highly likely that they don't actually get the chance to spend many hours constantly staring at a monitor, like many other people have to do for their profession.
The point is, for a little amount, you get relief and don't have to pay an ridiculous amount of of money to have a professional tell you there's not much they can do about it, most of the reviews indicate they do what they claim they do, are they all apologists for Gunnar?
Heavy computer users who do not need corrective lenses for other purposes will, in about 95% of cases find some level of relief.
Most important thing anyone can do to relieve eyestrain is look away from the monitor about ever 15 minutes, look at a distance and Blink, Blink, Blink your eyes for say 30 seconds or so!
I have been suffering eyestrain of late sitting 3 feet from a 37" Westy W3. I didn't bother me for the first few years I owned the display but it does now. Until I can replace it I needed to do something. I got these glasses and they really do help! I can spend 12+ hours in front of the screen again working and/or playing with no eyestrain.
Also I would rec to the readers this small little app to help with eyestrain. It works great
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