Oakley Iridium Polarized Lens Scratch-ability/Longevity

[ajs2294]

I may be an Oakley Newbie as my second pair only arrived today. But, my first pair which I've owned for a little over two years are Black Iridium Polarized lenses and they have 1 scratch on the lenses from within the first month. I trusted my microfiber bag to clean them and ended up getting a piece of what was likely sand on them that ultimately scratched the lenses. Personally, since I am OCD about cleaning since them, I either blow on the lenses or rinse them with water prior to doing any kind of rubbing. To clean I use Oakley solution and rub with the microfiber cloth included in the Oakley kit. Then I take a microfiber bag I have solely for cleaning (does not leave the house) to dry them or allow them to air dry. Which may be why I just have the same old scratch.

I also leave my Oakleys in the car quite frequently when I don't want to have them on my head in a store, etc. I live in Florida so I would assume the temps get to 130ish degrees? I haven't had any issues I can directly relate to doing so.

 

[Teetogreen]

Welcome aboard. I've had my black iridium polarized radar range lense for 4 years with no scratches. Just lucky? Sh..t happens.

 

[Chelas]

Yeah Iridium coating is a pain in the a** I have destroyed a couple pairs just cause they fell flat and i cleaned them right after , even though i did let water run over them and used a clean microfiber bag. The best thing is the cleaning solution and very clean microfiber bags. Carry them always.

I am dissapointed in how much shatter proof they are ,yet they are incredibly easy to scratch

Most of the time I find myself wearing lenses without the iridium coating, specially if I know I will be working with them or similar

 

[OakleyGuru379]

Never rest them on top of your head. That is a sure fire way to scratch them.

 

[Salmonson63]

Thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like as long as I'm careful I shouldn't have anything to worry about.

 

[Herbsley]

Sounds like as long as I'm careful I shouldn't have anything to worry about.

+1 on that.

Throughout all my years, and all the glasses over those years, I have only ever had one 'failure' of an iridium coating. (My old Ducati Square Wires, fact fiends).
And even then, I sent it to Oakley UK, and they agreed to replace it with a new lens for half RRP.

Don't worry. Take care of them, and enjoy those lenses. Tungsten Iridium Polarised is actually my current favourite lens. Don't change them!

 

[Doug Chubb]

I've been wearing a pair of Half Jackets with black iridium lenses that I bought around 4-5 years ago each day I go to work (i'm a Correctional Officer), they've been dropped, thrown, kicked, and had anything else you could ever imagine happen to them plus there were times when the only way to store them for a while was to just put them in the thigh pocket of my uniform. And I only have a couple little spots where the iridium has warn off the lense (both spost about the size of a pencil eraser) and I only have a couple minor scratches that you don't even notice unless you are paying close attention and looking for them.

 

[yourcrush]

I had my split jacket lenses scratched just yesterday. The thing is, i don't know where the scratch came from. My heart dropped on the floor when i saw it. I hope Oakley can find a remedy for this in the future. Accidents can happen anytime, to anyone.
Btw, do you guys think I can use a microfiber cloth to clean the Iridium lenses?

 

[o8b]

I've had 5 pairs over the course of almost 2 decades, and I've had one scratch on an Iridium lens in that time. I think if you're cautious, scratching shouldn't be an issue. I definitely would not leave them in the car though. Even if the air temperature outside is comfortable, it can get REALLY hot inside a parked car if the windows aren't open and the sun is shining. It's not worth chancing it.

Btw, do you guys think I can use a microfiber cloth to clean the Iridium lenses?

You can -- the microbags that come with your glasses are just micro fiber themselves.