Online Glasses - Any Good Vendors?

**Wishoot** · 08-24-2011, 08:42 AM

Well it's time to face the music. I just turned 46 and learned that my vision just ain't what it used to be. I need glasses.

I have every intention on going to Costco to get my prescription filled, but I need a couple of extra pairs for outdoor activities. Chance are good that these extra's will get beat up a bit and I don't want to spend a lot of money on them.

I noticed that there are several on-line vendors that will provide prescription glasses at pretty low costs (Eyebuydirect, Zenni Optical). Are any of these trustworthy?

Thanks for your help.

**Sparafucile** · 08-24-2011, 09:25 AM

Zenni lenses are spot on. Their frames are crap. Nevertheless, I have been buying my extra pair, reading glasses that I keep on the nightstand and computer glasses from them for years - those don't get a lot of use, and their price makes them perfect for throwaways. I wouldn't buy my daily bifocals or reading glasses from them though: the frames are REALLY cheap!

**joshgambit** · 08-24-2011, 09:28 AM

I purchased 2 pair of glasses from Zenni. They are inexpensive, and VERY good quality. I've been wearing them for almost 2 months. Two things....

#1 - I can't try on the glasses. The online "see how they look" works okay, but I want to know how they'll feel.
#2 - It's about a 2 week wait after you order. So, don't be in a rush.

Otherwise, I think it's an outstanding service, and well worth the money I spent.

**joshgambit** · 08-24-2011, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Sparafucile

Zenni lenses are spot on. Their frames are crap. Nevertheless, I have been buying my extra pair, reading glasses that I keep on the nightstand and computer glasses from them for years - those don't get a lot of use, and their price makes them perfect for throwaways. I wouldn't buy my daily bifocals or reading glasses from them though: the frames are REALLY cheap!

I respectfully disagree. I've been wearing glasses for nearly 30 years, so I've worn a few pair.

These frames are just as good as what I've purchased anywhere else. I'm quite satisfied with them. The price just can't be beat. If I were to go to a local eye place (even Wal-Mart) my glasses would cost several hundred dollars. I had 2 pair from Zenni shipped to me for about $110.00

**dfennewald** · 08-24-2011, 10:22 AM

Here is a review site for the various online retailers: http://www.eyeglassretailerreviews.com/ Haven't bought online yet, but I dare say that I doubt that any give the same sorta support our great B&B vendors do.

**awolff** · 08-24-2011, 10:51 AM

http://www.zennioptical.com/

Do it

**EvilGobi** · 08-24-2011, 01:53 PM

Zenni +1

I've ordered a few pairs of sunglasses from there and they are great. I agree it would be nice to try them on but hey for $10 glasses if I hate them I'm really not out much.

**Wishoot** · 08-24-2011, 07:19 PM

Thanks guys. I'll give Zenni a spin. For the price, it's worth a roll of the dice.

**DamnFineBob** · 08-25-2011, 08:31 AM

I've bought from www.39dollarglasses.com before, and was well satisfied. I was actually disappointed when I sprung for the $400 dollar glasses at the doctor's... the cheap ones off the web seemed like a better quality. YMMV.

**dpmtherrien** · 08-25-2011, 01:37 PM

Do you need prescriptions or just readers?

My Dr. told me years ago that I needed readers, he said to find the cheapest ones around since they're just needed to read. I go to the dollar store now and grab a few pairs. He said that when the ones I'm using get too weak to just get a stronger pair. If I lose a pair I'm only out a buck.

**Wishoot** · 08-25-2011, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by dpmtherrien

Do you need prescriptions or just readers?

My Dr. told me years ago that I needed readers, he said to find the cheapest ones around since they're just needed to read. I go to the dollar store now and grab a few pairs. He said that when the ones I'm using get too weak to just get a stronger pair. If I lose a pair I'm only out a buck.

Mostly need glasses for distance and driving. I'm also into shooting sports and noticed that my scores have progressively gotten worse over the past few years. I'm hoping glasses can help with that too.

Frankly, after I starting using a Nook e-reader, there's no need for reading glasses.

**The Count of Merkur Cristo** · 08-25-2011, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by Wishoot

Mostly need glasses for distance and driving. I'm also into shooting sports and noticed that my scores have progressively gotten worse over the past few years. I'm hoping glasses can help with that too.

Frankly, after I starting using a Nook e-reader, there's no need for reading glasses.

Mike:
After wearing glasses for over 40 yrs, if I was you...I wouldn't trust on-line vendors for my perscription 'headlights' because the customer service, support, fitting, warranties ect...could no compare to using a 'bona-fide' optometrist and optical center/department.

Just my

Christopher

"Don't call the world dirty because you forgot to clean your glasses". Aaron Hill

**Wishoot** · 08-25-2011, 07:34 PM

[QUOTE=The Count of Merkur Cristo;3399227]Mike:
After wearing glasses for over 40 yrs, if I was you...I wouldn't trust on-line vendors for my perscription 'headlights' because the customer service, support, fitting, warranties ect...could no compare to using a 'bona-fide' optometrist and optical center/department.

Just my

Interesting. I agree that my vision is exceptionally important and I don't want to take any chances. It seems like these online places have been around for quite some time and have established a decent reputation.

I'm now thinking of trying out Costco too.

**Wishoot** · 11-16-2011, 08:53 AM

We'll I've had my glasses from Costco for a couple of months now and I must say that they are very well made and cost significantly less then what other store wanted.

Just for the heck of it I also ordered a pair of sunglasses from $39glasses.com. Let's just say, you truly get what you pay for. The prescription is plenty accurate, but the materials are very cheap and have already started to come apart. Live and learn.

**CyberJCM** · 11-16-2011, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Wishoot

We'll I've had my glasses from Costco for a couple of months now and I must say that they are very well made and cost significantly less then what other store wanted.

Just for the heck of it I also ordered a pair of sunglasses from $39glasses.com. Let's just say, you truly get what you pay for. The prescription is plenty accurate, but the materials are very cheap and have already started to come apart. Live and learn.

I've gone with Costco for many years now, and always been happy. My glasses are my life so I don't mess around. But I have found for certain that you never need to pay high prices for them to get good quality glasses. And I've also discovered that you can't expect to pay fairly little and get quality either. Right there in the middle is the sweet spot.

I got to thinking though Mike, after reading your posts about your visual acuity and such. As a shooter you probably already know this, but have you tried anything amber tinted? Shooting glasses, computer glasses, etc? I myself never received much benefit beyond glare reduction since I'm legally blind, but it's a pretty widely accepted fact that the amber tinting provides an increase in visual acuity. Just wanted t throw that suggestion out there!

**Wishoot** · 11-16-2011, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by CyberJCM

I've gone with Costco for many years now, and always been happy. My glasses are my life so I don't mess around. But I have found for certain that you never need to pay high prices for them to get good quality glasses. And I've also discovered that you can't expect to pay fairly little and get quality either. Right there in the middle is the sweet spot.

I got to thinking though Mike, after reading your posts about your visual acuity and such. As a shooter you probably already know this, but have you tried anything amber tinted? Shooting glasses, computer glasses, etc? I myself never received much benefit beyond glare reduction since I'm legally blind, but it's a pretty widely accepted fact that the amber tinting provides an increase in visual acuity. Just wanted t throw that suggestion out there!

I agree. I tend to use amber tints when I'm shooting outdoors. It really seems to sharpen the images quite a bit.

I'll probably go back to Costco and get a pair of dedicated shooting glasses with an amber tint soon. For now, I have a clip on (magnetic) that does the job pretty well.

**Mr. Scruffy** · 11-16-2011, 01:50 PM

Framesdirect.com has a great selection of frames. Also, they are one of the few retailers who still carry frames with curly temples.

I have bought many frames from them over the last 7-8 years and have been very satisfied. I'm not too crazy about the lab the use for lenses.

**fields** · 11-16-2011, 02:24 PM

I'm a pretty serious small bore target shooter and am not sure what you are shooting, however the glasses you need for reading and their perscriptions may differ from what you need for shooting.

Depending on what you are shooting, you may be looking through different parts of the glasses or trying to focus at different areas than you would necessarily think - ie focusing at 1m at a rifle sight rather than what you think you are focusing on 50m away.

I've seen people get prescribed glasses and think their shooting will get better and it has not - if you can ask around and speak to an optician who specialises in sporting eyewear and see what they recommend for you shooting.

**vafooli** · 06-22-2012, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by Wishoot

Well it's time to face the music. I just turned 46 and learned that my vision just ain't what it used to be. I need glasses.

I have every intention on going to Costco to get my prescription filled, but I need a couple of extra pairs for outdoor activities. Chance are good that these extra's will get beat up a bit and I don't want to spend a lot of money on them.

I noticed that there are several on-line vendors that will provide prescription glasses at pretty low costs (Eyebuydirect, Zenni Optical). Are any of these trustworthy?

Thanks for your help.

I just bought a pair from smartspecs.com.au. They came fairly quick, and it didnt cost me very much compared to my last pair. I need high index 1.74 lenses as my prescription is pretty big, so this was one of the online glasses stores that was able to offer these lenses. Im not sure if they deliver to US tho, as Im in Australia. Ive also heard zenni is pretty good, but havent tried them so far, as i think delivery was a bit more expensive to australia.

**jd_1138** · 06-22-2012, 08:40 AM

I like Target Optical a lot -- if you do decide to do the brick and mortar route for your main pair at least. I've gone to many optical places (Wal-Mart, LensCrafters and small mom and pop), and Target Optical seems like they have a better selection of frames. The frames they do have are mostly all nice looking and comfortable. Whereas a lot of the other optical places seem to have a ton more frames but most of them are ugly and don't feel good on your face.

The frame buyer for Target Optical must have really good taste. They only have like maybe 300 frames on display, but I could easily be happy with 20% of them, whereas at like LensCrafters they had 3 times more frames, but I couldn't find a pair I liked.