Brown vs Gray

[LENNY]

Hello!
Can you compare the light transmition of the darkest state at the same temperature of Transitions lenses in Gray and Brown in plastic and Poly.
Were there always this difference?
Thanks
Lenny

[chip anderson]

Gray doesn't distort color values and gets somewhat darker (about 12%, it think). Brown supposedly "increases contrast".

Chip

[Jim Schafer]

Transitions Gray vs Brown

Hi Lenny and Chip,
Both our gray and brown colors are pretty neutral, they will not distort color. Brown will give you better contrast, but not that high yellow or orange look you see in specialty lenses.
I think the brown is more fashionable and women look better in brown than gray.

As for darkness, yes, the standard index (Next Generation technology) is darker than poly (Transitions V technology). Transitions V was an improvement over Quantum (the 2nd generation of poly that T-V replaced) but it is not as dark as NG. Transitions V is faster on activation and fade than NG.

That all said, numbers wise they are not that far apart.
At 73°F, Standard Index Gray 1.50 darkens to 15% LT, or an 85% tint.
Standard Index Brown 1.50 darkens to 17% LT, or 83% tint....that is a 2 point difference.

Again with temp. at 73° Transitions V Gray poly darkens to 16% LT or 84% tint, Transitions V Brown Poly darkens to 19% LT or an 81% tint....a 3 point difference.

Since we are in the summer heat wave here are the stats at 95°F:
Standard Index Gray 1.50 darkens to 28% LT, or an 72% tint.
Standard Index Brown 1.50 darkens to 33% LT, or 67% tint....that is a 5 point difference.

Transitions V Gray poly darkens to 30% LT or 70% tint, Transitions V Brown Poly darkens to 37% LT or an 63% tint....a 7 point difference.

The transmission curves and spectra for all Transitions products can be found in the Tech Notes section on our website.

regards,
Jim

[LENNY]

Thanks Jim!
Do you have % numbers of sales gray vs brown?

[Jim Schafer]

Brown in the US

Hi Lenny,
Overall, Transitions Brown is a steady 10% of US Sales.
However, not all of our products are available in Brown.
In products where both gray and brown are offered, brown is closer to 20% of sales.
In some progressive designs, it is 25% of the product sold. This because the lens manufacturer actively promotes brown.
Jim

[LENNY]

Thanks Again!

How about if you compare the sales of Brown vs gray in the same material and the same design?
Lets say how many brown vs gray were sold in progressive Essilor or Sola?

[Jim Schafer]

That is all proprietary information. If you look at the Dispensor Guide, you can get a good feel of what manufacturers have more focus on brown and in what materials.

Jim