Costa Sunglasses

I am looking at buying a pair of Costa glasses. They will be used for fishing on sunny day, does a person get the blue or green lenses?

I use the blue but really don’t think it matters, I think the biggest thing that matters is having also an amber pair for the cloudy days.

I use the XPS from Bass Pro they run about $20 and work just as good, also don’t hurt as much if you lose them or break em

I just bought the Costa Cortez with the green lenses. I did as much research as I could when I bought mine. What I gathered was the green lense is best for around the Midwest. The blue lense is more for off shore fishing. I really like my green lenses

Tom Anderson wrote:

I just bought the Costa Cortez with the green lenses. I did as much research as I could when I bought mine. What I gathered was the green lense is best for around the Midwest. The blue lense is more for off shore fishing. I really like my green lenses

X2 Green are more versatile.

Ranger Z521 wrote:

I use the XPS from Bass Pro they run about $20 and work just as good, also don’t hurt as much if you lose them or break em

I disagree with your first point. There is no way a $20 pair of glasses is just as good as a premium pair. Sure, your 2nd point is valid, but if you think a $20 pair of glasses is just as good, you’ve obviously never worn a pair of Costas.

I concur with green mirror, though. I have a pair with 400G green mirror and a pair with 580G green mirror. Both are excellent. The 580G are lighter (not sure if it’e the lenses themselves or the frames), but the visual quality with both is top-notch.

I have some FRIENDS that can get you $169.00 Oakley’s for $9.95.

Just post your email address here.

The key is getting copper base, whether it’s just the copper lenses, green mirror or blue mirror. After having all three of the lenses, in 580 my vote goes to green mirror (copper based) or just copper lenses with no mirror. If I bought them for strictly fishing, I’d go with the copper lenses, as you can pretty much wear them right up to dark. They have a higher light transmission rate.

For all around use (Driving, fishing, etc) I’d go with Green mirror.

580g with Green mirror gets my vote. I have the 580g blue while they are amazing, they do not work as well here as they did when I was on the ocean.
I swapped out the 580g for some grey ones and they are much better, but I am wishing I had opted for the green as I tried a pair of those and they were much better.

CaptainMusky wrote:

580g with Green mirror gets my vote. I have the 580g blue while they are amazing, they do not work as well here as they did when I was on the ocean.
I swapped out the 580g for some grey ones and they are much better, but I am wishing I had opted for the green as I tried a pair of those and they were much better.

Glad this link was posted — I am ordering some Costas right now and looking for input on color.

I’m coming from dark gray lenses on Oakleys and they are just “ok.” Overall good in middle of the day sun but otherwise a bit too dimming for me.

Hence I am looking at the copper-based lenses for Costa. I want to be able to sight fish well and want something that is at least decent in mid day light, but also very good in low light or cloudy days. Again, good contrast for sight fishing, structure, etc..

I have tried out the copper-based 580g green lens and they seem good .. But are they a little dark? The other option is another copper-based lens – silver mirror. Anyone tried this? The description on Costa’s sight sounds similar to the green lens but maybe lets in a little more sun (12% versus 10%).

Looking for input on green vs silver … sorry if I highjacked the thread!

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

I disagree with your first point. There is no way a $20 pair of glasses is just as good as a premium pair.

What’s the difference between the “polarizing” technology in a premium pair of glasses and el cheapos. I know that they cannot all be the same and I know you and others here have probably researched it.

I’ll buy the for-mentioned ‘el cheapos’ all day long compared to the $169’s. To each their own but when I can buy 7-10 pairs of polarized glasses to your 1 pair of polarized glasses, well I think I come out slightly ahead on that one…RR

roosterrouster wrote:

I’ll buy the for-mentioned ‘el cheapos’ all day long compared to the $169’s. To each their own but when I can buy 7-10 pairs of polarized glasses to your 1 pair of polarized glasses, well I think I come out slightly ahead on that one…RR

Considering my oldest pair of Costas is over ten years old and still looks new (not a scratch on them), I doubt that very much.

What’s the difference between the “polarizing” technology in a premium pair of glasses and el cheapos. I know that they cannot all be the same and I know you and others here have probably researched it.

I am pretty sure that polarizing is polarizing. The one clear difference I have experienced is the quality of the optics. I prefer Oakleys with black iridium polarized lenses. I spent most of my life with cheap sunglasses. About 15-20 years ago got a pair of Costas and my eyes felt so much better after a day in bright sunlight. Later I got some Oakleys and they are amazing. I wear Rx glasses, so the cost is ridiculous.. but for me it is worth it.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>roosterrouster wrote:</div>
I’ll buy the for-mentioned ‘el cheapos’ all day long compared to the $169’s. To each their own but when I can buy 7-10 pairs of polarized glasses to your 1 pair of polarized glasses, well I think I come out slightly ahead on that one…RR

Considering my oldest pair of Costas is over ten years old and still looks new (not a scratch on them), I doubt that very much.

What part of “to each their own” didn’t you understand? We’re all happy for you and your glasses my friend…RR

No need to get snippy, RR.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

No need to get snippy, RR.

It’s all good! (The glasses on him cost $20!)

I purchased the 580G Green lens Man-O-War glasses last year. I spent a ton of time researching and trying them on. I was upgrading from a pair of Oakley’s that I had for nearly 15 years that I loved, but they were too old and scratched up. They had yellow lenses and I really liked that effect. I felt the green got as close to it as possible with still giving good protection. When I got out of the store and put them on in the sunlight, I literally started laughing at how incredible they were. I have been very pleased.

That smiley face pays more for sunglasses than I do. Target special, $16.99 a pair. And I wear them ALL the time. Seriously. They’re mostly sitting on top of my head holding my gobs of hair back, but even when it’s dark out I’ve got them on my head. They work just fine to see through and while they’re not as fantastic as polarized sunglasses, there’s NO way I’m paying $50 or more.

I just realized I’m wearing my Target special in my avatar!

If you do lots of sight fishing, a GOOD pair of polarized lenses can make or break a trip. I am pretty big into bow fishing and have 2 pairs of Costas and a couple pairs or ‘el-cheapo’s’. One of my Costas have grey 580P lenses and the other have green mirror 580G lenses. I will grab the green mirrors the majority of the time, they make a pretty good difference in identifying fish easier.

Just like others mentioned above, cheapie glasses work. To me, that isn’t the question, people wouldn’t buy them if they didn’t work. The question is how WELL they work compared to high end glasses; And the answer is quite a bit better. Worth the price? You tell me.

Go on steep and cheap. I just bought a pair recently for a little over $90 and with shipping they were a little over $100.

You are limited on the frames, colors, etc. But if you get on there early when they have a sale, there is a pretty good variety to choose from.

This question is to everyone with Costas. When viewing electronics do you get glare or a discoloration of the screen at all? With my mid priced glasses I can’t see the screen well so I put them on top of my head. Then I drive to a new spot and…gone. I’ve done this about 12 times

I’m horribly good at losing my glasses so is there a decent lanyard out there.

Disclaimer: I some very limited and quick searches for polarized glasses, high end vs low end.

From what I found, all polarized glasses will do this. It has to do with the angle of the light being emitted from electronics. However, I have also read that despite all polarized glasses having a dimming effect, because it is filtering light after all, Costas do appear to be “brighter” when you look through them compared to other glasses.

now onto responses to people with actual experience and who might actually know.

What a coincidence. Got an email today about some cheap polarized sunglasses. There are the best cheap glasses I have used. I lost (LOL) my pair a long time ago. Time to get some new ones.

Flying Fisherman

mplspug wrote:

From what I found, all polarized glasses will do this. It has to do with the angle of the light being emitted from electronics.

This…
To test this out, stare at your phone or GPS with your sunglasses on, then turn your head sideways once.

“I’m horribly good at losing my glasses so is there a decent lanyard out there.”

Joe, I’m worried about losing glasses too (only did it once but they were prescription – ugh). Here is a lanyard of sorts from Costa that I’m thinking about … looks like it snaps on like one of those blue Rat’l Traps you got me using Maybe also attach one of your 8 inch bobbers to it so it floats too ~

https://www.costadelmar.com/shop/products/costa-gripper-1/376

FryDog62 wrote:

Here is a lanyard of sorts from Costa that I’m thinking about … looks like it snaps on like one of those blue Rat’l Traps you got me using Maybe also attach one of your 8 inch bobbers to it so it floats too ~

One pair I have came with this lanyard. I don’t care for a lanyard, but I used it for the first year or so (paranoid), and it works well.

Thanks guys! That lanyard looks nice and Frydog I think the bobber idea might work! Or something a bit smaller maybe

Any other input on how well you can view your electronics while wearing Costas?

Worth comparing, but I think if they’re polarized you get a diminished return on viewing electronics..

I would highly recommend the 580G tuna alley silver mirror amber base glasses. I was a long time Oakley fan, not anymore. Costas are great all around glasses, will not scratch and are very clear.

I wear mine ice fishing and the rest of the year too, no problems seeing the fish finder. I use my H-Bird 788 ice fishing too, Costas work great.