What's the reason for polarised sunnies?

[Damned67]

There have been tons of threads in the past (based on a quick search) that discuss peoples preferences for different brand polarised sunnies, but none that really state the benefit of polarised vs unpolarised.
Someone once told me that as the polarised lenses completely cut the glare from the surface of the water, it enables you to visualise the fish under the surface more easily. Is that true?

I've got a couple of decent pairs of sunnies, one perscription (that truth be told, aren't really that great) and a pair of Oakley Razorblades with iridium lenses (remember those!), but don't tend to wear them when fishing. However, my 12 year old son (Snagking), who always fishes with me is in need of some sunnies, and I thought I might step up and buy some polarised. Just wanting to know the benefits of such glasses.
Cheers!

[ellicat]

The polarized are great. They make a real difference to your vision through the surface of the water. Once you've used them you wont use anything else. The only drawback to them is you can't clearly see some electronic equipment screens (LCD on the camera etc)
Cheers

[DR]

the easiest way is to get hold of a pair of polarised & compare them side by side with your others. they do cut the glare & allow you to actually see into/under the water. depending on clarity it can almost be like looking into a swimming pool.
also they are great in the rain as they do remove the glare of the water on the road.
i have photochromatic polarised lenses, so they get lighter as the conditions get darker, so are even better in wet weather & cloudy conditions..

[Red Bull]

Damned67, you're right.

From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-polarized-lenses.htm

Polarized lenses are used in sunglasses to reduce glare from reflective surfaces such as the surface of a lake or the hood of a car. They accomplish this feat through a process called polarization, much like a venetian blind controls sunlight through a window.

Sunlight itself is not polarized - light from the sun will either be absorbed or reflected horizontally, diagonally or vertically. The problem this causes for fishermen and drivers lies in the horizontal reflectivity. Sunlight bouncing off a horizontal surface will strike the viewer's eyes at a similar angle. This means the glare from the surface of the water or the road or the car hood will be strong. Polarized lenses have a laminated surface containing vertical stripes. These stripes only allow vertically-polarized light to enter the wearer's eyes. Glare is eliminated because the horizontally-polarized lightwaves cannot bypass the polarized filter.

Polarized lenses do not provide universal protection from glare, however. If the wearer tilts his head past 45 degrees or so, some of the horizontal light can enter and cause some bright spots. Some wearers who use polarized lenses in snowy areas may find that they lose some contrast between snow and shadows. Fishermen and drivers seem to derive the most benefit from polarized lenses because they deal with mostly horizontal surfaces. A fishermen wearing polarized sunglasses can see below the surface of the water to search for schools of fish or hidden obstacles. Drivers are no longer affected by a constant reflection of light from their hoods or the road ahead.

I use polarized prescription sunnies, and have found them to be very helpful in being able to see deeper into the water than I would with normal sunnies. I can see sandbanks and other underwater structures more clearly, along with the occasional fish (never been very good at spotting fish to be honest).

Another benefit is that they cut a lot of glare off shiny roads, making driving far more comfortable.

Hope that helps.

Red Bull

[Damned67]

Alright, I'll grab him a pair and see how we go. It'll be a cheap pair, as he's not known for care of his belongings.
Maybe I'll buy him a pair that might just fit me too?

[B_E_N]

you can get fairly cheap ones that work also at most tackle stores!, and the expensive end of the market brands such as mako are great.

[Peter4]

Try Mangrove Jacks for around $25. I've had a pair for over a year and they are great value. Available from most sports stores and BCF.

Pete

[punta]

Aerials another that are ok and not to expensive,about $20-25 at ####### and some servo's.

[juju]

Ive have an expensive pair and some cheap ones.......i always wear the cheap ones out in the boat....just in case they go over....tried the straps...get too anoying....but they really make a difference, over non polarised

[killitfillit]

if you hold two pairs of polarised sunnies in front of each other with one at 90 degrees to the other they should block all light-good test when buying

[onerabbit]

Many chemists carry a range of polarised sunnies, usually around $15.

Is all I wear,

Muzz

[banshee]

A point to consider,sunglasses that do not filter out UV will harm eyes,they do this by dilating the pupil and leting the UV into more/most of the inner eye,I have read it is less harmfull to wear no sunnies and squint than to wear a non filter pair,price is not a good guage to govern your choice as some cheap ones do filter and some expensive ones don't,it pays to read the tags or ask questions.

[Davemclean]

they also protect your eyes if your a cack handed caster, especially the fluff flingers

[DR]

i am not sure if he still does it, but if you decide on polarised, shoot 2DKnB a pm, he has mentioned it before, & he will be able to fit you with very good quality at a good price, this is what the man does for a living..

[wags on the water]

I'm not sure which lenses you all prefer, but I find the smoke lens to be better for fishing (you can see baitballs and the bigger fish clearer), and the brown for golf (spot the ball off the fairway ).

Cheers,

Wags