Autograph II and Zeiss Individual: Lab Choices?

**sharpstick777** · 01-30-2009, 02:56 PM

I am very interested in testing the Autograph II and new Zeiss Indiviual and have both my new RX and coupons in hand but I need to know some labs that processes these lens.

We also sell Lindberg frames and I don't want to go through the process to train another lab how to make lenses for Lindbergs as they are tricky to get perfect.

So is there a lab with Lindberg experience that offers either of these lenses?

Thanks
Sharpstick

**Fezz** · 01-30-2009, 03:10 PM

I would vote for:

Autograph II

Pech Optical

http://www.pechoptical.com/content.asp?ID=32

Contact a fellow Optiboarder, Kevin W, he works for Pech and will be able to tell you all about the Magical MEI Edger and its capabilities!

Also:

Autograph II

US Optical

http://www.usoptical.com/

Contact a fellow Optiboarder, Dave Metzger, he works for them and can tell you if they can do the Lindbergh mounting!

Best of luck!

**Fezz** · 01-30-2009, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by sharpstick777

I am very interested in testing the Autograph II and new Zeiss Indiviual
Thanks
Sharpstick

I wonder what is so new about the Zeiss Individual, besides new marketing! I believe this lens was released in 2003?

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...ght=individual

**lpdeen** · 01-30-2009, 04:33 PM

The lab I work for processes both the Autograph II and the Individual in house. We are also able to process Lindberg frames and have an MEI on premises. You can call me for more info at (866) 569-8800. The lab name is Perfect Optics.

Regards,

Lori Deen

**sharpstick777** · 01-30-2009, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Fezz

I wonder what is so new about the Zeiss Individual, besides new marketing! I believe this lens was released in 2003?

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...ght=individual

Same name, new lens... from what I am told. Will follow up when I get mine back.

Thanks

Sharpstick

**Fezz** · 01-30-2009, 04:59 PM

Thanks Sharpie!

Please keep us posted. I sure would love to know what is so new about that Individual. Maybe Darryl will cruise by and enlighten me!

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

**pechsp** · 01-30-2009, 05:59 PM

The Zeiss individual lens did come out back some where around 2003. When it first came out it had to be ordered from Germany and took 3-4 weeks got us labs to get back. When they relaunched it this year it is still the same lens and the only difference is that it is done here in the USA. The few people that i know that have tried this lens have said that it is ok, but not their favorite. The Autograph 2 lens, I have had a lot of people tell me that they forget that they are wearing a progressive lens at all!! The autograph does come in a lot more material options that the Individual does, but if you are doing a Lindberg frame, obviously trivex or high index would be your best choice. Pech optical is able to Lindberg drill mounts. Please let me know if you do not have an account with Pech optical and I can get you our phone number and set up an account with us.

**Fezz** · 01-30-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by pechsp

The Zeiss individual lens did come out back some where around 2003. When it first came out it had to be ordered from Germany and took 3-4 weeks got us labs to get back.

I thought that it was processed here in the USA even then. My understanding was that Vision Systems of Virginia was doing it for them. I may be way off base though, it has been a while, and many ales!

;):cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::D

**pechsp** · 01-30-2009, 06:13 PM

Well you know it is Friday at 5 and it has been a long week here at the lab and I could be wrong as well. All I know is that they are processed here in the USA now at 3 independent labs. However the Autograph is more readily available

**EyeFitWell** · 01-31-2009, 08:04 AM

I have to say we use Rite Style Optical for our Autograph II lens (don't know if they do the zeiss lens or not). They do it in house and turn around time is great. We've sent them numerous "custom" drill mounts, POF, etc, and they do a great job of it.

**Craig** · 01-31-2009, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Fezz

I thought that it was processed here in the USA even then. My understanding was that Vision Systems of Virginia was doing it for them. I may be way off base though, it has been a while, and many ales!

;):cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::D

I was ordering them from Zeiss in the US and it was a disaster!!!!! It was quicker to get decent lenses from GErmany, that is why they shut down the US. I think Zeiss was actually processing them when it owned Vision Systems.

I just got my first progressive and the Unique works great, I am ordering an Autograph II Attitude in NXT polarized as soon as Shamir can process it.
We use both the Kodak Unique and the Autograph products with no patient or staff able to tell the difference; they both work very well.

Just use free form to ensure your patients see as well as possible.

Craig

**sharpstick777** · 02-03-2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by lpdeen

The lab I work for processes both the Autograph II and the Individual in house. We are also able to process Lindberg frames and have an MEI on premises. You can call me for more info at (866) 569-8800. The lab name is Perfect Optics.

Regards,

Lori Deen

Lori,
Do you also process VSP Signature? Could you PM with a price on the Autograph II in Cr-39 (cut and edged)?

Thanks
Van

**lpdeen** · 02-03-2009, 06:57 PM

Van,

We are a VSP contract lab and do process VSP Signature, I will contact you to give you pricing.

Lori

**allanon** · 02-04-2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Fezz

I thought that it was processed here in the USA even then. My understanding was that Vision Systems of Virginia was doing it for them. I may be way off base though, it has been a while, and many ales!

I believe they were made in Kentucky and not here in Chester.

**allanon** · 02-04-2009, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Craig

We use both the Kodak Unique and the Autograph products with no patient or staff able to tell the difference; they both work very well.

Just use free form to ensure your patients see as well as possible.

Craig, our experiences are similar to yours. We find ourselves doing mostly Unique's because they've got the turnaround under 5 days and our price point is fabulous.

**K Dog** · 02-19-2009, 12:45 PM

I actual saw the first lenses being done in the US- It was at Virgina and it was a mess. Great product when the equipment worked. Problem is it took to long. The orginal Individual was surfaced on the front and back. They would cut the front, polish, unblock, reblock and cut the back, polish with a lap tool and if it made it all the way, it went to AR.

The new one uses a spherical blank or puck as some call it. They cut it on a newer digital generator and polish with a sponge. The process is the same for the Autograph II. They just use different software and a different puck. I think they have a different sponges as well.

I have had success with both- I think the individual is a little better design from the customer responses I see, but the Auto has more materials availible.

The Individual also has more Point of Sale material. We offer both for those reasons.

**Happylady** · 02-19-2009, 12:48 PM

I've never used the Autograph II. I tried the Autograph out on a few patients and didn't get great responses. I am interested in trying the new Autograph II after reading about it on this board.

What is the best AR I can use on it? What is the fitting height? What materials does it come in?

Thanks!

**bob_f_aboc** · 02-19-2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Happylady

I've never used the Autograph II. I tried the Autograph out on a few patients and didn't get great responses. I am interested in trying the new Autograph II after reading about it on this board.

What is the best AR I can use on it? What is the fitting height? What materials does it come in?

Thanks!

I think most labs are using either in-house AR or Zeiss coatings on the Auto II.

You can fit the Auto II Variable down to an 11 with a full 5mm reading circle. It works good for FT converts but not much else at this height. I have had good success fitting from 15 and up.

It is available in CR, poly, Trivex, 1.6, 1.67, as well as most of the photochromic and polarized options for those materials.

I have heard that they will have 1.74 (not the Essilor version) available sometime this year.

**Fezz** · 02-19-2009, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Happylady

What is the best AR I can use on it? What is the fitting height? What materials does it come in?

Thanks!

Drivewear!
1.67 Polarized!
1.60!
Trivex!
Trivex Trans!

PS!!! DOH!!!!! bob_f-aboc beat me to it!!!

**bob_f_aboc** · 02-19-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Fezz

Drivewear!
1.67 Polarized!
1.60!
Trivex!
Trivex Trans!

PS!!! DOH!!!!! bob_f-aboc beat me to it!!!

You snooze you lose!

Although I forgot about the Drivewear lenses.

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

**rdcoach5** · 02-20-2009, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Fezz

I wonder what is so new about the Zeiss Individual, besides new marketing! I believe this lens was released in 2003?

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...ght=individual

Our Zeiss rep was just in and said the NEW INDIVIDUAL was a WOW over the HDV. It has been out a couple of months.