Oakley Iridium vs. Polarized Lenses? Differences Explained

[katelens]

Learn what Oakley Iridium and Polarized lenses are, the differences between them and which ones you need!
A pretty common newcomer question we hear is what’s the difference between Oakley Iridium and Polarized lenses. We’ll break down exactly what both of those terms mean and which are right for your sunglasses.
What is Oakley Iridium?
Let’s start with the basics. Oakley Iridium is a lens coating that provides a reflective property on Oakley Plutonite lenses. This means your lenses will look “mirrored” and people won’t be able to see your eyes through your sunglasses. Compare these to non-iridium lenses that tend to appear more transparent and therefore your eyes will be visible behind the tint.
Now it’s important to clarify that Oakley Iridium coating has nothing to do with the color or tint of your lenses or even...

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[kronin323]

Two completely different things...

Iridium is the mirror coating they put on lenses. Both neutral and a bunch of different color options. They claim to reduce glare, and they do reduce light trans %, but their main value is they hide your eyes and look cool, if that matters to you...

Polarization means they have a filter that blocks light polarized at a certain orientation. It can be oriented at any angle, but with sunglasses it tends to be light reflected from below you, such as off water, a wet road, or car hoods / trunks / windshields. It truly reduces glare, and reduces the total light trans % without making things darker.

Ideally you get a pair both with iridium and polarized, unless you're sensitive to one or the other.

 

[Carrera1963]

and reduces the total light trans % without making things darker.

You know this is an oxymoron right?!

 

[kronin323]

You know this is an oxymoron right?!

Well, not a proper oxymoron, but yes, contradictory...

Okay, "without making things appear darker"...

 

[saga]

the iridium lens can reflect the sun shine ,like a mirror and it can be produced with any color .the polarized lens is grey usual,but it can't reflect sun light,and the polaroid lens can be coated with mirror film. and the price of iridium lens is higher than polarization.

 

[Carrera1963]

Well, not a proper oxymoron, but yes, contradictory...

Okay, "without making things appear darker"...

Any proper oxymoron is just an inherent contradiction in terms, it doesn't have to be an adjective/noun or noun/noun pair. I'd suggest "reduces light transmission" "without making it darker" is inherently contradictory

 

[kronin323]

Any proper oxymoron is just an inherent contradiction in terms, it doesn't have to be an adjective/noun or noun/noun pair. I'd suggest "reduces light transmission" "without making it darker" is inherently contradictory

Okay, I'll give you that...

 

[kronin323]

the polarized lens is grey usual

Polarization has nothing to do with base tint; Oakley has all sorts of different neutral and contrast base tints that are polarized. Check out VR28 BIP...

 

[Carrera1963]

the iridium lens can reflect the sun shine ,like a mirror and it can be produced with any color .the polarized lens is grey usual,but it can't reflect sun light,and the polaroid lens can be coated with mirror film. and the price of iridium lens is higher than polarization.

Ummm... polarised lenses can use any lens base, doesn't have to be grey. In the Oakley world, polarised lenses are more expensive than iridium, although in fact the majority of their polarised lenses have iridium too - the two aren't exclusive.

 

[kronin323]

Yeah iridium is usually a $10 upcharge, while polarized is usually a $30 upcharge.