Do you get computer eyestrain? Do you want to look like a bad imitation of Hunter S Thompson? Do you have $200 to spend? Then try the GUNNAR Optiks digital eyewear. These are supposed to reduce eyestrain by decreasing glare and improving overall image quality, but do they work?
Yes and no. I tried these things for a few days straight and they made text and images on the screen seem bigger mostly because the yellow cast changed the way sharp white backgrounds appeared in relation to the images. They’re also non-reflective but do not reduce the reflections on a glossy screen. In short, they changed things considerably but not enough to say they’ve wholeheartedly improved my computing experience.
Luckily, they’re very light and very attractive and even if you don’t want t wear them for computing you can always wear for fashion’s sake. The rest of the claims are objective at best.
Like a “soft white” lightbulb, these glasses soften the images on the screen, allowing you to relax a bit when staring at bright monitors all day. As I say in the review, these things have been around for years and I even saw one guy wearing them in Wall Street. While I understand that eyestrain is a serious problem – I think computer use has started to give me migraines – I think a $189 pair of glasses might be last in the list of ergonomic solutions I’d try including not using the damn computer so much.
GUNNAR is working on a line for gamers which I’m sure will receive a rousing welcome. Until then, Pop over to GUNNAR and take a look.
Yea this might be popular for hardcore gamers, who spend enough time playing to get eyestrain…yikes. But I could see these being a good solution for those who never leave the computer screen at work. But they are surprisingly not hideous, as I expected them to be.
Seriously, can someone at least take five seconds to check that the audio on the voice track of the “review” is audible? And how about a little editing to remove all the misstatements?
I couldn’t even focus on the product because the quality of this video and performance are so below par.
Ted
They have some really nice frame designs.
This is the experience one of my classmates had – http://twitter.com/warcormc/statuses/940670540
LOL Alex.
I may be biased, but I wear contacts and my eyes are constantly dry, so the moisture retention they provide is a huge help for me.
I have been wearing polarized eyeglasses to work with computer monitors for over fifteen years — 8 to 12 hours/day.
Plus setting the monitors’ refresh rate at 85-200 Hertz, not working under fluorescent lights, and never had ANY problems with my eyes.
The polarized eyeglasses could be purchases at military surplus stores as “aviation eyeglasses” for about $25-$35… They are really cool – Some are shaped like the glasses John Lennon used to wear.
Compare these prices to the $200 Gunnar Optiks…
I wear aviators glasses I bought from an AmEx. I can tell you, even though they are low in price, they are the best glasses I have owned. I do not let anyone wear them.
I’ve had eye strain problems for years. I’ve been using a pair of Gunnar’s for about a month now and I can say they have helped. Good idea for those of us that know they are staring at a screen for 10-12 hours a day.
It’s not always easy to just say “don’t use the computer so much”.
I am in front of a computer for only about 8 hours a day, for work only, and I still have some eye strain problems so I feel for you man.
I hear you. I’d say these are a bit expensive but really nice looking so instead of looking like a doofus you can look like Neo in the Matrix.
Just a general note on your video technology, if I may. Please invest a couple of bucks in a small light designed for video and a microphone. Your local camera shop will be about to outfit you with inexpensive, unobtrusive gear that will really improve your presentation. Thanks.
I found that if you just lower the brightness and contrast of your monitor a small amount (10 percent, maybe 20) then your eyes will suffer CONSIDERABLY less.
Unless you are working in a graphic intense field and need the higher contrast, most of us don’t need it on full brightness.
So while fashionable lenses might help, whatever happened to good old fashioned twiddling with the knobs…
Oh, and yes, give it a little while for your eyes to get used to the lower brightness before you’re like “it’s too dark for me, gotta change it back”
The note about the monitor’s refresh rate is important: the higher the rate, the less the eyestrain. With a good quality monitor [I use NEC 17"] and video controller, I can push the refresh rate up to 200 Hz.
Also, ergonomics: ideally, the bottom edge of the monitor should be at the keyboard’s level + a good chair, and no fluorescent lights.
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http://digitalextremist.com/new-glasses-gunnar-pro-catalyst-edge-002
These are very useful for writers who blogs 24 hours a day.Increasing Motors refresh rate does reduce some strain on eyes ,seating position should be comfortable also to avoid eye strain.
This is the solution for Apple’s new MacBook Pro, that has no matte screen option anymore…
my comments at http://www.commentino.com/orim
MAGNI-FRY YOUR EYES!!! That’s what this magnification was feeling like when I was wearing the product. I bought a pair and the magnification made me want to throw up. The best part was when I asked the sales man if they were just a pair of magnified glasses he replied with “no, it’s a secret formula in the lens.” When the product is sitting on the shelf at the store look at the magnification when looking through it. Well that secret formula is a +1.25 that is available at any corner drug store for under twenty bucks.
I give them a year, tops, before they start selling these at the 99 Cents store.
I’m sorry, but this was just plain difficult to watch. Please, avoid the overly-dramatic speech.