TAG Heuer's new lenses let you see at night
For those who may not have noticed, TAG Heuer, the Swiss creator of really expensive timepieces (is that redundant?) has branched out into other really expensive stuff, namely eyewear. Its latest effort is a new type of "Night Vision" lense that is supposed to enhance contrast at night and make driving safer. The lenses were developed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the drivers are flying down the Mulsanne straight at speeds well in excess of 200 mph all night long. The frames that go with the lenses are also designed to fit comfortably inside a helmet. The Night Vision glasses should be available to the public soon, but they aren't on the website yet and the press release doesn't mention a price. It's probably one of those cases where If you have to ask...
[Source: TAG Heuer Eyewear]
Press Release: For Immediate Release
TAG HEUER EYEWEAR INTRODUCES
NIGHT VISION: THE DRIVERS ESSENTIAL
(Boonton, NJ...March 2008) – A revolution that can be appreciated on the track as well as on the road – TAG Heuer "Avant-Garde" Eyewear has developed innovative glasses exclusively for drivers. Aptly named "Night Vision," these glasses correct the low-light short-sightedness that everyone endures from twilight to sunrise. "Night Vision" eyeglasses optimize precision and enhance perception of contrasts for more comfort while driving at night. Featuring "TAG Heuer Reflex-type" flexible temples, they are adjustable and fit comfortably under motorcycle and racing helmets.
Originally inspired by and developed for the internationally renowned 24 Hours of LeMans sports car endurance race, TAG Heuer Eyewear plans to market their purpose-made "Night Vision" eyeglasses via real racecar drivers. You'll see them on Formula One racer Sebastien Bourdais and Indianapolis 500 driver Sarah Fisher. These innovative glasses will be available to the public in early 2008.
The titanium Night Vision frames are available in both Wide and Panorama, with anti-slip elastomere arms. Their pale yellow lenses offer constant clear, sharp vision with a very high light transmission rate in order to contrast dark blue and green surroundings without changing color perception. The special ophthalmic lenses offer an anti-reflective treatment, which reduces glare and offers more accurate sight. A driver's essential: these glasses are designed to maximize performance from dusk to dawn.
TAG Heuer – maker of high-end sports watches and chronographs since 1860 – has been applying the same standards for design and quality found in their timepieces to the creation of exceptional eyewear since 2002. All TAG Heuer Eyewear lenses are shatter-resistant, ultra-light and provide 100% UV-A and UV-B protection.
Consumers: For more information on TAG Heuer's Eyewear full line, including authorized retailers, visit www.tagheuer.com/eyewear.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
boulderhorn 9:31AM (3/07/2008)
This seems like a pretty good idea to me. I wear a pair of yellow tinted oakleys, not very dark but they greatly increase contrast. And i wear them well into the evening.
Reply
sitruc 9:41AM (3/07/2008)
I wear my sunglasses at night so I can
Reply
skant 10:52AM (3/07/2008)
great reference
Rocketboy 1:07PM (3/07/2008)
The standard reference is a great reference? You're easy to please.
FThorn 9:46AM (3/07/2008)
I wonder if those with low night vision can get them paid for via prescription? That would be great. I know I could use some. perhaps reduce the need of bright a$$ HID headlamps blinding everyone.
Reply
Jimbo 9:49AM (3/07/2008)
Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
Reply
Mike 9:57AM (3/07/2008)
"We're on a mission from God."
Joe K. 11:36AM (3/07/2008)
"You want I should wipe the dead bugs off the windshield, ma'am?"
Blake 12:23PM (3/07/2008)
It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?
robbunker 2:47PM (3/07/2008)
I've been wearing amber lenses in my helmet ever since I was driving go-karts. Also, I tested out some Nike contacts that tuned out hues of blue to intensify contrasts between shapes. I suppose what I'm getting at is this doesn't really seem like new technology.
Reply
akatsuki 10:47AM (3/07/2008)
I have a pair of their eyeglasses, and while nice enough, the finish didn't last all that well and started chipping pretty quickly...
Reply
Toy Yoda 10:56AM (3/07/2008)
I was heading towards night blindness. I started noticing that I was having trouble seeing "scenes" with bright lights and dark areas. It was faint, but I definitely could sense it.
I started to take bilberry. I picked it up at my local vitamin store. I take about 1000mg every day. My problem went away. Vision is better.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Reply
Big Rocket 1:34PM (3/07/2008)
According to WebMD:
"The only rigorous trial carried out in the United States also reached a dim conclusion... Since the study was small and included only healthy men, it doesn't rule out possible benefits from bilberry... From this slim scientific record, you can't draw firm conclusions about whether bilberry works, say American researchers."
Link:
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/bilberry-bombs
almost Dr. G.. 2:36PM (3/07/2008)
your free doctor via autoblog says to check your vitamin A ingestion levels.. thats the most basic reason for night blindness.. outside of that im referring you to an ophthalmologist..
Toy Yoda 2:41PM (3/07/2008)
Thanks Rocketman for that link. *Shrug* the study doesn't disprove my improvement in vision. In fact, I've taken it over a month and continue to do so and at dosages which are probably over double the dose given to the patients. (I believe it's double going by the recommended dosage on the label.) So I dont' see how your link applies?
There are 2 contradictory studies with each having less than 20 people each. That's not even a statistically meaningful. By the way, most medical studies consist of 5-6 people, then the doctors decide to publish.
Too bad it doesn't work for them, definitely works for me. I'm in the computer field and all my colleagues complain how they can't look at their monitor as long as they use to when they are young. I don't have that problem anymore.
You should try it. It's not toxic, and what do you got to lose? $20 bucks? That might be alot for you, but just think of all you got to gain.
speedball3 11:27AM (3/07/2008)
Doesn't seem much different than wearing yellow tinted goggles when snowboarding/skiing. It sounds like it's mostly the yellow tint that makes the difference... then they added anti-glare stuff.
Reply
MajorGeek 11:47AM (3/07/2008)
If they work, these could be great for motorcycle riding, slap on a foam edge to block wind.
Reply
Alex 12:14PM (3/07/2008)
If you wear a helmet (which you should) you can pick up yellow and orange visors. They do a great job of increasing contrast.
This idea really isn't new, except maybe for the fact that the frames are designed to fit inside a helmet.
mk 12:57PM (3/07/2008)
selective yellow is not a new thing.
Yellow frequencies of light are less reflective, but have more color contrast.
The color contrast helps pick out object boundaries in low light, and less blue light means less scattered back-dazzle.
The same thing applies to lighting, and how it behaves, and works with your eyes. Yellow also tends to have worse long-range performance, in terms of throwing light down-range, to have it reflect back to you, as headlights do.
Blues have better long range performance because they reflect better, even at a long distance, but are harder on your eyes, and tend to bleach colors all to a gray-blue, moreso the less rich the colors actually are.
So, naturally, white has the best balance between yellow's color clarity, lack of back-dazzle, and less eye-strain, and blue's long range, high-return performance.
Yellow glasses have been used for shooting, as well, as most folks know, for color clarity, and contrast, which can help precisely identify targets at range. With light yellow tint, it should still let in the majority of light value, while relieving the stark white and blue headlight dazzle in low light.
European cars, especially french, have used selective yellow headlights altogether. White has better long range performance, though. Selective yellow fog lights, where long range is not an issue, can actually be very good in high-backdazzle situations, where white and blue just cause too much reflection, and not enough penetration to see obstacles in the fog.
I have a pair of prescription yellow-tint and orange-irridium coated oakleys, and they are nice to drive with, although a little too dark for low-light or darkness. great in the fog, or in the snow, as well as bright light. I also use them to shoot. They are different than my gray-tint polarized oakleys. Both are useful, though, especially when I require prescription eyewear, so have to wear something.
Reply
bert 1:38PM (3/07/2008)
Very informative post, thank you!