7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect lenses for everything - never been happier with a pair of sunglasses - I recommend MJ Kanaha, June 11, 2010
This review is from: Maui Jim Kanaha Sunglasses - Polarized (Eyewear)
I am fairly sensitive personally to sunlight, and always like to have a quality pair of sunglasses when I am driving or outdoors in general. Road glare is especially a bother for me. I have a slight astigmatism for which I wear prescription glasses at night, but I don't need them during the day if my sunglasses are high enough quality.
Previous I had worn a pair of Revo's that looked similar to the Maui Jim Banyans. When I lost them in the surf (a big wave knocked me down and took them off), I decided to look at all brands (Oakley, Revo, Rayban, Maui Jim) and pick the best one.
I had two complaints on my Revo's. First, I really wanted bigger lenses to prevent any glare from reach my eye, but the Revo's looked way too big (similar to the Maui Jim Banyans). Second, I could often see the reflection of my own eye in the glasses depending on the light (which was annoying).
A friend advised me to look at the Maui Jim sunglasses, telling me the lense quality was the best and the price was reasonable. I went to try them out in a local store and finally bought the Kanaha glasses.
The optical quality through all of the Maui Jim glasses is absolutely phenomenal. I tried the brown lenses and found they really did greatly enhance visual depth and clarity, but ultimately chose the dark gray because I like the mirrored finish, true color, and additional light blocking that comes from the gray lenses. I had no problem with my in-car GPS or any other screens with the polarization direction of the lenses, and I found visual clarity through my front windshield tremendously improved (it cut the reflection of the windshield itself due to the polarizing filter).
I also noticed that I have never seen the reflection of my own eye in the glasses, an indication of the presence of an anti-reflective coating that I do not believe was present on my old Revo's.
The ultimate test of sunglasses is perhaps forgetting you are wearing them until you go inside, which is precisely what happened on the first day I was wearing these glasses. I noticed that the top and bottom of each lense is mirrored, but not the middle. I am told that this is to reduce glare while maintaining clear vision. It obviously works quite well because I am now always forgetting I am wearing the sunglasses.
As for style, these are about as big as you can get without looking bug-eyed. They have a nice side-extension around the corners of my eyes to protect them without making the lense huge.
Overall I am extremely happy with the lense, style, and fit of my Maui Jim's and I look forward to many more years of wear. Highly recommended, especially in the Kanaha style with gray lenses.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Aviators can't find a better lens, February 25, 2011
I fly military helicopters. Our helmets have clear and smoke pull down visors, but they don't ever seem to cut the glare from water, snow, or from just slight annoying sunglare on the windscreen. I noticed many of my co-pilots wearing their own sunglasses under their visors when they flew. I bought my first pair for a trip to Oahu and started using them for my flights as well. Now I never get into the cockpit without them. The temple fits snugly under the ear cups due to the flexibility of the frame and doesn't cut into the side of my head as others did that I tried. The glasses don't interfere with my CEP's. The lenses are just about the perfect size and the amber lens isn't too dark so I can wear them late into the evening without feeling like I am flying night unaided. On top of it all, they fit nicely under the visors. Even when we are VFR on top, I can flip down the smoke visor and still have great visibility with a little added shade. I did have to adjust my earcups slightly to find the "right" fit (I am sure my ALSE NCO is tearing his hair out). I am now ordering my second pair.
I know about the weakpoints in the lenses at the screws, but I can say this is an acceptable casualty rate for the benefits. My last pair cracked in exactly those two places as well. I didn't even think about calling up Maui and kindly asking for a replacement lens.
I would put a strap on these, as my last pair fell off the top of my head more than once which resulted in a couple deep lens scratches from hitting the ramp (doing my "Top Gun" impersonation). Other than that, the rubber nose and ear pieces hold them snugly on your face and remain very comfortable. Really nice glasses.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent shades, even better customer service, October 21, 2010
This review is from: Maui Jim Kanaha Sunglasses - Polarized (Eyewear)
I bought these glasses about two years ago from a N3L Optics and everything worked out great, even after two years. I had the problem where the lens developed very small fractures around the screw. You have to look hard to see but it is a problem none the less. I figured I got a lot of use out of them and it was time to move on. I sent them to Maui Jim repair service and within a week they sent me back my glasses with new lenses. No charge, not even for shipping.
I notice that some people have had the opposite experience. I get the feeling these people were rude and inconsiderate while making their demands for repairs on the sunglasses. Warranty or not, people are not going to help you if you are disrespectful. So from what I have read, as long as you treat MJ with respect, they'll be glad to return the favor. I sent a 3 sentence letter explaining my situation with where I purchased them and my info. That's it. One week, New lenses, no charge, and a customer for life. Thank you Maui Jim!
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