photochromic frames

**Spexvet** · 11-09-2004, 10:27 AM

last Vision Expo (east), I saw some three piece mountings made from a plastic tpye of material that was photochromic. Has anybody tried them? If you have, what kind of results have you had?

**Jedi** · 11-09-2004, 10:44 AM

I haven't seen the plastic three piece mounting, but we have a metal line called Peridot that has some three piece mounting which are photochromic. It's not a product that clients look for explicitly but they like the novelty of it when they are told about it.

**coda** · 11-09-2004, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Jedi

I haven't seen the plastic three piece mounting, but we have a metal line called Peridot that has some three piece mounting which are photochromic. It's not a product that clients look for explicitly but they like the novelty of it when they are told about it.

Do you have a web site for this line?

**rinselberg** · 11-09-2004, 12:49 PM

http://www.softlightinc.com/

That's ONE of the companies that make these photochromic frames.

**For-Life** · 11-09-2004, 02:03 PM

They sent me some frames to look at. I just could not find where they would fit it.

1. People would never see your frames change, because they would never see you walk from inside to outside. They either see you in one place or another.

2. It would be nice to say "hey, this frame changes colour" but I cannot see it as a selling point.

3. I cannot see customers requesting it.

4. The frames were no more unique than most.

**Chris Ryser** · 11-09-2004, 02:08 PM

Actually today phorochromatic items can be made relatively easy. The pigments can be purchased from some specialised chemical companies and can then be incorporated into monomers or coatings.

All I am waiting for is the first car maker that will come out with a photochromatic paint job. White when there is no sun and blue during the day made in a convertible driven by a photochromatic blonde in the sun and chestnut when dark, wearing a photochromatic frame with transition lenses.:cheers:

**karen** · 11-09-2004, 08:02 PM

Spex, one of my competitors carries them, packages them with specific lenses for a good deal. I have seen them and they are pretty cool but I think kind of niche-y. If you want more info I have spies so let me know. :p

**PAkev** · 11-09-2004, 09:08 PM

One of my lab reps stopped by with them a little while back. I believe they were called Invincilites or Invinci something.

Kevin

**Jim Schafer** · 11-10-2004, 09:53 AM

Chris,
PPG painted some company cars with a photochromic clear coat back in 1986-87.
Best part of the story is that one was stolen from the parking garage at GO. Explain that one to the police, royal blue in sunlight and white at night.

I wish I could find the tape of one our Phd Chemists spoofing Doc from "back to future" while walking around one of the cars lecturing on photochromic compounds.

We also did photochromic windshields on a few 1984 or 85 Toronados and El Dorados. The windshields were way to dark for Michigan winters! I remember delamination problems too.
Jim

**ammoe2** · 11-12-2004, 12:08 PM

there are photochromic frames. look in last years 20/20 mags and they had a few ads/

**Spexvet** · 11-12-2004, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jedi

I haven't seen the plastic three piece mounting, but we have a metal line called Peridot that has some three piece mounting which are photochromic. It's not a product that clients look for explicitly but they like the novelty of it when they are told about it.

How have they sold?
Are there chipping or any other finish issues?
Have you had them long enough to determine how long the photchromic lasts?

Spexvet

**Spexvet** · 11-12-2004, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

Actually today phorochromatic items can be made relatively easy. The pigments can be purchased from some specialised chemical companies and can then be incorporated into monomers or coatings.

All I am waiting for is the first car maker that will come out with a photochromatic paint job. White when there is no sun and blue during the day made in a convertible driven by a photochromatic blonde in the sun and chestnut when dark, wearing a photochromatic frame with transition lenses.:cheers:

Don't forget contact lenses and make-up?
How about clothing that changes color? Brand name "chameleon".

**Chris Ryser** · 11-12-2004, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Spexvet

Don't forget contact lenses and make-up?
How about clothing that changes color? Brand name "chameleon".

You forgot to mention the dentist making new photochromatic fillings. When you open the mouth, at first it look like you have good teeth, but when you smile too long the filling go dark of any color wanted.

**Jedi** · 11-12-2004, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Spexvet

How have they sold?
Are there chipping or any other finish issues?
Have you had them long enough to determine how long the photchromic lasts?

Spexvet

Haven't had them long enough to tell, I'll keep you posted

Sorry Coda, I don't have a website for them. Our main buyer is away or I would post a ph # for them.

**Spexvet** · 12-29-2004, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Jedi

Haven't had them long enough to tell, I'll keep you posted

How are they selling?

**Specs** · 01-01-2005, 02:06 PM

Who makes/sells these metal frames? The above link to Softlite is an outfit that is just rimless eyewear.

**rinselberg** · 01-01-2005, 09:07 PM

Hello Specs,

Softlight Inc. is the only reference on the Web that I have seen for photochromic frames. They offer 3-piece, drill mount rimless frames in photochromic plastic and in metal (titanium) and also in metal with a plastic overlay. The metal ones look just like Silhouette TMA (Titan Minimal Art) Rimless frames. They have titanium with a photochromic finish, and titanium with plastic sleeves over the metal, and that plastic overlay is photochromic. The metal frames with the plastic overlay look exactly like Silhoutte MinimalX (rimless) frames.

Softlight Inc. also offers photochromic LENSES in fashion tints -- including Rx (prescription) lenses.

Softlight Inc. website
http://www.softlightinc.com/

I am just reporting on what I have seen on the Web -- no more and no less.

If any of the other posters on this thread have seen other kinds of photochromic frames, perhaps they could offer a reference to what you would like to see.

Regards.