Does anyone here use Icarelabs?

[brendajm]

Right now our practice is using Balester Labs.. But the doctors are not too happy with the turnaround time lately and lense spoilages.. They want to try to cut some costs also and asked me to check into different labs. I am looking at Luzerne and for lower costs (or so it seems) Icarelabs.. If you use either of these labs what is your opinion? Thanks

[Johns]

I am a HUGE fan of Icare Labs. I've tried many, but settled on Icare about 10 years ago, and am still very pleased. Quality, price, turnaround...no problems.

[brendajm]

I was hoping to get a few more opinions on these labs.. Is it ok to bump this up?

[MakeOptics]

I was hoping to get a few more opinions on these labs.. Is it ok to bump this up?

Since John chimed in I guess I could give them a really large recommendation. They have been phenomenal with service, price and the things they can do. I have always had good success with Luzerne as well but their turn around time is horrible.

[brendajm]

Oh drats, I hate to hear that about Luzerne as we were really thinking of trying them out.. Turn around time at Balester has actually improved somewhat,, but I never know who I am going to talk to there anymore.. I really hate the restructuring that has gone on since Essilor took over..

[Judy Canty]

Since John chimed in I guess I could give them a really large recommendation. They have been phenomenal with service, price and the things they can do. I have always had good success with Luzerne as well but their turn around time is horrible.

Turnaround (Days per Job) has averaged 2.9 for my territory in VA for this year. That would be Luzerne in Virginia.

[LENNY]

Turnaround (Days per Job) has averaged 2.9 for my territory in VA for this year. That would be Luzerne in Virginia.

Do you count the day that the job is received?
Is this for uncuts or edged?

[Judy Canty]

This is the average for my entire territory--uncuts and edged, beginning when the job begins processing. Does not count waiting for frames to follow, tint samples to follow, etc. Now, if every job you send in is a drill-mount, the turnaround will be longer; all uncuts with no coatings will be shorter. It's an average. FWIW.

[9520g]

If you want the fastest turn around time, use digital eye labs.

[Judy Canty]

Fast. Good. Cheap. Pick two.

[MakeOptics]

Use icarelabs and get all 3.

[Fezz]

Pm sent

[Jason H]

I work for Luzerne part-time and split time with my own shop. I don't advertize for them on Optiboard in order to respect the rules here. But I can help with specific orders if an account thinks its taking too long. Ext. 253.

[brendajm]

Thanks for the feedback..

[Dave Metzger]

I work for US Optical and after our expansion 6 months ago can say finished work is out in 2-3 days or sooner. Special requests are taken into account. Credits are processed the same month they're submitted.

[jspayneii]

Thank you Johns and MakeOptics for the kind words. We strive to provide a good balance on meeting all three: price, quality, turnaround.

[David_Garza]

Is Icare still an independent Lab or in with one of the Big 3?

[jspayneii]

We are Independent, family owned and operated since 1968.

[globaljp]

They do pretty great. Prices are very good regardless of volume. Problems which are few are resolved quickly. we get most jobs 5-7 days from order. 2 day shipping.

[David_Garza]

I asked them on thei chat line but couldn't get a clear cut answer.

Do the PALs come in with ink marks (for blocking) or do you have to mark them yourself when they arrive?

[jspayneii]

Our normal process is to dot the progressive markings, and indicate right or left. We currently do not have a progressive ink marking machine.

[globaljp]

They dot them. We usually erase the marked dot so we can see the engraving just to be as precise as possible. we can usually see the engravings thru the blockers camera to line up.

[David_Garza]

They dot them. We usually erase the marked dot so we can see the engraving just to be as precise as possible. we can usually see the engravings thru the blockers camera to line up.

What kind of blocker do you use? Our blocker can't pick up the laser etched marked so we prefer the ink markings. (Then again our blocker is very standard NIDEK CE-1)

[globaljp]

ice-1000. We use manual mode for the progressives as I think we can always be more precise. As long as the etchings are fairly good. If they are too dull then we mark them manually. iCare is pretty consistent with the engravings.

[LENNY]

What is up with Labs these days? Most of the conventional lenses used to come either with manufacturer or lab made ink markings.... What happened now u get two dots ......