Here are some great ideas for the gun owner on your holiday gift-giving list.
The other irreplaceable item we protect is our eyes. For the last twenty years I and hundreds of other shooters, LEOs, and troops have trusted Rudy Project. Like Lowa, Rudy Project offers eye protection for large and small faces as well as for the optically challenged. Last year they introduced the Tralyx and this year they introduced an optical insert for them. What made them popular is a standard and extra large size, as well as cool looks.
Rudy Project offers the Tralyx in a shooter’s kit; which I highly suggest. In the kit you receive the standard or XL frame, a clear lens, an ImpactX-2 Photochromic Clear to Black, ImpactX Photochromic Racing Red and protective case. ImpactX-2 lenses are virtually unbreakable and the case too is virtually indestructible (I know this because I ran mine over with the truck and all the contents survived unscathed). The kit will set you back $399.99. Just the Rx dock is $79.99; if you have Rudy Project make them, it is $169.99. If you prefer, Rudy can grind the actual lens to your prescription but you will have to contact Rudy Project. Price is determined by the lens and your prescription. Personally I like the insert; it gives you an added degree of protection from high velocity debris.
I have found that for action shooting the three lens kit is ideal. Over the years, with the exception of shooting out west in the summer where Rudy’s Laser Blue rules, the clear to black and clear to Racing Red have worked well in a wide variety of lighting conditions. If you shoot shotgun sports Rudy does offer other lenses.
One feature that separates Rudy Project from the competition is they do not fog up. On each lens there are small vents in the lens that allow for air flow. It may not seem that these slits would defeat fogging but they do. Anyone who has shot in Georgia in July will appreciate you can see without constantly wiping your glasses clean. Be warned if you hop out of your vehicle with the AC set to Arctic, they will get fogged up from the surface condensation; you cannot stop that. But other than that, you will be clear to shoot.
Being a big guy I wear the Tralyx XL because the lens completely covers the ocular orbit; from cheek to eyebrow. The standard will do the same for women and kids. I found in windy conditions they kept dust out of my eyes and the added wrap would protect my eyes from ricocheting debris. Having had a piece of jacket imbed itself in another pair of shooting glasses, I learned complete protection is best.
How well do Rudy Project glasses wear; are they worth it? I have been wearing my Rydon’s for fifteen years; all I have replaced is one set of temples/nose pieces for $20. I still have all the original lenses and they are used daily. I have not had a scratch even on those that got run over in the hard case. My eyes are worth the $399.99 cost of the Tralyx Shooter’s Kit; you have to decide; is that too much to protect your eyes or your loved ones?
