Transitions launches Clear-to-Polarized Photochromic (Finally!)

**KITT** · 12-21-2011, 07:45 PM

Well they've finally launched it. Two years after it was first announced on eyeoverheard it's finally out. It's called their Transitions Vantage lens. Only available in the US/Canada to start with, Europe next. Only in gray and high index/poly. Official announcement should be out soon.

Some links http://www.performancevisioncenter.c...romotions.html
http://www.eliteeyecareoptical.com/c...ispensary.html

**CuriousCat** · 12-21-2011, 07:53 PM

Look for it at Transitions Academy and at VEE.

**Happylady** · 12-21-2011, 09:24 PM

How soon will it be available? I know my husband would be interested in it.

**Speed** · 12-21-2011, 10:14 PM

What is available?

**KITT** · 12-22-2011, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by Happylady

How soon will it be available? I know my husband would be interested in it.

February 1st after the academy as CuriousCat said is most likely going to be the official launch date, however the 2 stores in Florida that I posted above may well be able to get you a pair before then.

Originally Posted by Speed

What is available?

Poly and 1.67 mainly, perhaps some very limited 1.60 and Trivex.

**KITT** · 12-22-2011, 05:20 AM

And just incase anyone is wondering if it's really the name of them:
http://www.trademarkia.com/vantage-85421164.html
http://whois.domaintools.com/transitionsvantage.com

Don't you just love what you can find out on the net!

**cocoisland58** · 12-22-2011, 05:48 AM

If it doesn't change behind the windsheild it's not what I've been waiting for.

**Chris Ryser** · 12-22-2011, 05:51 AM

It will not change as there is UV needed which will be absorbed by the glass windshield and windows...........or install a blue UV bulb above rear mirror.

**rinselberg** · 12-22-2011, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

It will not change as there is UV needed which will be absorbed by the glass windshield and windows...........or install a blue UV bulb above rear mirror.

It could be sensitive to both visible and UV light, like the Drivewear lenses (which I wear myself).

**sharpstick777** · 12-22-2011, 10:45 AM

Transitions invited me into a dark room, I could not ask any questions (I did get away with stomp once, stomp twice), a lawyer and engineer were present where I could see a sample, but not touch it.

The perfectly clear polarized aspect is alone impressive. I don't know how they are absorbing the electromatic waves but it does work. Almost perfectly clear, almost perfectly polarized. My feeling is that instead of trying to block the polarized wave as in tradition eyewear, they are just breaking it enough to render it useless by creating a field of some kind, but its pure speculation. I would like a pair to study though.

Its a game changing product.

**TLG** · 12-22-2011, 10:46 AM

I'm betting "clear" is far from what it's lightest color will be. After all, they promote Trans6 as "Clear as an ordinary clear lens indoors and at night", which is - of course - bull snot.

**Barry Santini** · 12-22-2011, 12:01 PM

The real question for me is:

Is the efficiency (aka "degree") of polarization related in the same way that Transitions' considers their lenses "clear" indoors?

I'm also not sure that having a *polarized* lens as a full-time dress pair won't get some additional pushback regarding polarization *interference* effects.

Inquiring minds want to know!

B

**PhiTrace** · 12-22-2011, 12:05 PM

I was under the impression those in the know weren't allowed to talk about it yet.

**racethe1320** · 12-22-2011, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by PhiTrace

I was under the impression those in the know weren't allowed to talk about it yet.

not the case. I've had mine as part of the launch for a couple months now. They do work, but honestly, nothing makes me jump up for them.

**CuriousCat** · 12-22-2011, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Barry Santini

The real question for me is:

Is the efficiency (aka "degree") of polarization related in the same way that Transitions' considers their lenses "clear" indoors?

I'm also not sure that having a *polarized* lens as a full-time dress pair won't get some additional pushback regarding polarization *interference* effects.

Inquiring minds want to know!

B

And there's the rub...My understanding is that the clearer the tint, the less effective the polarizing properties.

**sharpstick777** · 12-22-2011, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by PhiTrace

I was under the impression those in the know weren't allowed to talk about it yet.

My non disclosure only extends until the information becomes "publicly available", this board qualifies as "public" so mine is effectively null.

**cocoisland58** · 12-22-2011, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by CuriousCat

And there's the rub...My understanding is that the clearer the tint, the less effective the polarizing properties.

I have a very old glass camera lens that is clear and polorized so maybe the same technique?

**AngeHamm** · 12-22-2011, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by cocoisland58

If it doesn't change behind the windsheild it's not what I've been waiting for.

I have never understood this complaint. There is no practical way to make a photochromic lens that turns clear except for UV activation. The fact that my Transitions VI lenses don't change behind the windshield of my car bothers me not at all. I put on my sunglasses for driving and I'm fine. It's really not that much of an inconvenience.

**Happylady** · 12-22-2011, 05:21 PM

I was going to order my husband a new pair of glasses this month. I get 3 gift pairs a year and lose them if I don't use them, I have 2 left to use. My husband wears Transition lenses. But this sounds like something he would really like and maybe I should wait until it comes out in February.

He wears non prescription sunglasses to drive, he has a very minor distance correction so the fact they don't change in a car is not an issue.

**Happylady** · 12-22-2011, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by racethe1320

not the case. I've had mine as part of the launch for a couple months now. They do work, but honestly, nothing makes me jump up for them.

Please share, are they worth waiting for if you are planning on getting new Transition glasses soon?

**sharpstick777** · 12-23-2011, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by CuriousCat

And there's the rub...My understanding is that the clearer the tint, the less effective the polarizing properties.

Only because in Opthalmic Optics we get fairly poor Polarizing filters due to cost factors. The Photography industry gets much higher quality polarized, my photo filters are a 100% polarized and have about 85% LT, but they cost about about $100 per filters.

In our industry the darker the tint, the less effective the polarizing filter needs to be. The less effective it is, the lower the cost. The lower cost, the higher the profits.

**Happylady** · 12-27-2011, 10:07 PM

I have called the lab we use the most twice. Neither of the woman I spoke with had heard of it but the first one found a reference to it and thanked me for telling her about it. She wasn't able to tell me when it would be available.

The second person never heard of it, couldn't find any reference to it and acted like she thought I wrong to think it was about to launch.

So, for those in the know- is it as clear as standard Transition indoors? How fast does it darken and lighten? Is there any downside to the lens as compared to regular Transitions?

Thanks for any help!

**Craig** · 12-28-2011, 08:46 AM

I just ordered a pair and will let you know when I get them. Sounds like a great start to another niche product.

**Happylady** · 12-28-2011, 09:50 AM

So Craig- they are out and available or is your lab a test lab? DBL doesn't have them yet or so they say.

**sharpstick777** · 12-28-2011, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Happylady

So, for those in the know- is it as clear as standard Transition indoors? How fast does it darken and lighten? Is there any downside to the lens as compared to regular Transitions? Thanks for any help!

I saw the lenses only in a darkened room (deliberately) and could only see the Polarized effect against a light table. Its pretty clear, but since I could not handle the sample and put it against white paper I cant say for sure. I didn't get a chance to see any photochromic properties, and the sample I saw may not have been photochromic at all. Sorry, can't wait to get a pair though.