Gunnar Optik Review
#1
Sat, 08/04/2012 - 20:46
Gunnar Optik Review
So I decided to roll the dice and try a pair of these after reading/hearing about them on a couple other forums...taking advantage of the discount direct from Gunnar for 2o2p members for the month of July. Review is copied from my post @ GBR after a couple guys were interested in knowing what I thought about them. I'm far from a professional reviewer...so bear with me. 
[u]INITIAL IMPRESSIONS[/u]
They arrived today! I ended up ordering the MLG Phantom (from their Advanced Gaming Eyewear line) in snow/onyx frames w/ amber lenses as the Legend (aviator style) was out of stock at the time. The packaging was high quality...very Applesque for those that have/had Apple iProducts.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/47553093@N02/7713888804/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7713888804_67b089fbb7_z.jpg[/img][/url]
First thing you notice is there doesn't appear to be a lot there. Don't let appearances fool, while there isn't a lot of material there, they do appear and feel to be a well made, sturdy product. They are exceptionally light, putting them on you don't even notice them at all weight wise. The wide flat temples reduce pressure points when wearing a headset, I've only put on the headset for a couple minutes for a test fit so far, but initial sampling looks promising. The amber lens is a very light amber, not as aggressive as some other low light / foul weather eyewear that is on the market. This light amber provides a little "warmth" to your vision, noticeably reducing the harsh contrast between the cool white background and black text. I almost find myself wanting to squint at the monitor now when I take them off. So, initial sampling is all positive. I'll have a few more comments/remarks after tomorrows endurance race, when I'll have the opportunity to use them for an extended period of time. For now, a couple more pics. Enjoy. Cheers.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/47553093@N02/7713888408/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7713888408_3ecedfd80a_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/47553093@N02/7713887886/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7713887886_e698a0f148_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[u]POST ENDURO REVIEW[/u]
So after the 1.5hr race at Brno, plus probably a good 30-45 minutes of practice beforehand, results are positive. At the end, I had to step away for a bit, but it wasn't because I needed to give my eyes a rest, they felt great. There was plenty of airspace around the lenses to allow air to move freely, as I didn't have any kind of fogging issues, even with the near 90 degree temps yesterday. I did start to feel the temples a little bit by the end of the day, but that was after a non-stop 4.5 stint w/ the headset (HGT practice/qually/race, forum surfing while chatting w/ GBR guys and MX-5 practice), but not uncomfortably so. I'm using a set of over-ear TB X2s.
I did also try them for use on the TV for Xbox/PS3 usage, but found I didn't care for them in that application. The increased distance from the couch to the TV seemed to be enough that I would actually loose a little bit of line definition (sharp edges became ever so slightly blurred). But they worked great for me on the computer monitors where I'm seated much closer to them.
All in all, I find them to be a worthwhile purchase. I won't be using them for console gaming due to the slight loss of line definition (at extended viewing distances), and won't use them for movies due to the lens tint altering the colors. But they are very nice for PC duty...especially web browsing where you get a lot of black on white contrast. In fact, I'm actually thinking of picking up a set for work. As an added bonus, I noticed yesterday inside the packing box as I was breaking it down to recycle, there was a 15% off next purchase discount voucher inside. Score.
So after the 1.5hr race at Brno, plus probably a good 30-45 minutes of practice beforehand, results are positive. At the end, I had to step away for a bit, but it wasn't because I needed to give my eyes a rest, they felt great. There was plenty of airspace around the lenses to allow air to move freely, as I didn't have any kind of fogging issues, even with the near 90 degree temps yesterday. I did start to feel the temples a little bit by the end of the day, but that was after a non-stop 4.5 stint w/ the headset (HGT practice/qually/race, forum surfing while chatting w/ GBR guys and MX-5 practice), but not uncomfortably so. I'm using a set of over-ear TB X2s.
I did also try them for use on the TV for Xbox/PS3 usage, but found I didn't care for them in that application. The increased distance from the couch to the TV seemed to be enough that I would actually loose a little bit of line definition (sharp edges became ever so slightly blurred). But they worked great for me on the computer monitors where I'm seated much closer to them.
All in all, I find them to be a worthwhile purchase. I won't be using them for console gaming due to the slight loss of line definition (at extended viewing distances), and won't use them for movies due to the lens tint altering the colors. But they are very nice for PC duty...especially web browsing where you get a lot of black on white contrast. In fact, I'm actually thinking of picking up a set for work. As an added bonus, I noticed yesterday inside the packing box as I was breaking it down to recycle, there was a 15% off next purchase discount voucher inside. Score.
![http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7713888804_67b089fbb7_z.jpg[/img][/url]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7713888804_67b089fbb7_z.jpg[/img][/url]){kind=link}
![http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7713888408_3ecedfd80a_z.jpg[/img][/url]](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7713888408_3ecedfd80a_z.jpg[/img][/url]){kind=link}
![http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7713887886_e698a0f148_z.jpg[/img][/url]](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7713887886_e698a0f148_z.jpg[/img][/url]){kind=link}
I would like to also add a mini review as I have used gunnar PPK's for over a year now. For those who find themselves rubbing their eyes after playing on the computer/xbox for a while or get dry eyes or eye strain, these will work wonders... for those who don’t encounter those issues on longer sessions in front of a backlit screen than pass on gunnars.
I got all of the eye strain issues I listed above and these glasses really do help prevent the symptoms from occurring. YES they do work and quite well BUT its at a trade off. The yellow hue from the lenses is off-putting for me as it distorts the color of the media you’re looking at. If color accuracy is a bigger concern than comfort than don’t bother with these glasses. I found that the comfort was worth it for me (guess that’s why I have them lol). The bottom line, do I recommend them? If you suffer from eye strain then most definitely yes.
Cheers for the Reviews lads.
They look pretty cool though
I recommend them for old tired eyes like mine. They help alot imo and I use em all the time, glad I picked up a pair.
MSRP on this pair was $79. Shipping USPS Priority Mail from California was $6.00.
The Gunnar PPK frames are $59.99 shipped on amazon.
[u]POST ENDURO REVIEW[/u]
So after the 1.5hr race at Brno, plus probably a good 30-45 minutes of practice beforehand, results are positive. At the end, I had to step away for a bit, but it wasn't because I needed to give my eyes a rest, they felt great. There was plenty of airspace around the lenses to allow air to move freely, as I didn't have any kind of fogging issues, even with the near 90 degree temps yesterday. I did start to feel the temples a little bit by the end of the day, but that was after a non-stop 4.5 stint w/ the headset (HGT practice/qually/race, forum surfing while chatting w/ GBR guys and MX-5 practice), but not uncomfortably so. I'm using a set of over-ear TB X2s.
I did also try them for use on the TV for Xbox/PS3 usage, but found I didn't care for them in that application. The increased distance from the couch to the TV seemed to be enough that I would actually loose a little bit of line definition (sharp edges became ever so slightly blurred). But they worked great for me on the computer monitors where I'm seated much closer to them.
All in all, I find them to be a worthwhile purchase. I won't be using them for console gaming due to the slight loss of line definition (at extended viewing distances), and won't use them for movies due to the lens tint altering the colors. But they are very nice for PC duty...especially web browsing where you get a lot of black on white contrast. In fact, I'm actually thinking of picking up a set for work. As an added bonus, I noticed yesterday inside the packing box as I was breaking it down to recycle, there was a 15% off next purchase discount voucher inside. Score.
I swear by them as well. I have two pairs, one for work and one for gaming. I stair at a computer screen 8 plus hours a day for work, and they make a huge difference IMO. I have to use the ones for gaming for racing games more than any other type of gaming. FPS, RPG or platform gaming don't bother my eyes as much as racing does.