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Thread: Clip ons!

  1. #1
    What's up? drk's Avatar
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    Clip ons!

    Yes, it's that time of year to think about clip on sunglasses!

    Do you provide clip ons?

    Do you have magnetic clip on frames?

    Do you do the Chemistrie clip?

    Do you use another kind of custom clip?

  2. #2
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    I use Chemistrie clips.

    Up side:

    Lots of color choices

    "Reader" clips also available for eye level monitor use in .25 increments

    Simple to attach

    Down side:

    Add 2 to 3 weeks for delivery

    Visible magnets on rx lenses distract from the frame. Especially true for women and woe to you if you do not point this out before sale.

    In office bushing replacement tricky

    Do not use with any drilled rimless. Just don't!

    Base curves sometimes too flat

    Anyone know- Did Joe(?) sell the company?

    $175 complete(add $25 for mirror); $125 polarized lenses only; $65 rx lens magnets only; $45 replacement magnets for rx n/c AR replacement warranty

    I occasionally will find a Hilco clip if they catch me in the right mood.

  3. #3
    Bad address email on file Lawman Nick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Fester View Post
    I use Chemistrie clips.

    Up side:

    Lots of color choices

    "Reader" clips also available for eye level monitor use in .25 increments

    Simple to attach

    Down side:

    Add 2 to 3 weeks for delivery

    Visible magnets on rx lenses distract from the frame. Especially true for women and woe to you if you do not point this out before sale.

    In office bushing replacement tricky

    Do not use with any drilled rimless. Just don't!

    Base curves sometimes too flat

    Anyone know- Did Joe(?) sell the company?

    $175 complete(add $25 for mirror); $125 polarized lenses only; $65 rx lens magnets only; $45 replacement magnets for rx n/c AR replacement warranty

    I occasionally will find a Hilco clip if they catch me in the right mood.
    I don't want to appear ignorant, but what would be the issue with a drilled rimless? I haven't sold a clip on one yet, but this could be useful info.

  4. #4
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Fester View Post
    I use Chemistrie clips.
    Hi Fester, ditto for Chemistrie.

    Down side:

    Add 2 to 3 weeks for delivery
    You use Walman right? I get them in one to two days from my buddy (Norb Tausch) at Walman Oak Creek. Add an extra day for power clips.

    Visible magnets on rx lenses distract from the frame. Especially true for women and woe to you if you do not point this out before sale.
    I also check that it isn't an issue with the magnet being visible form the wearers perspective.

    In office bushing replacement tricky
    I rarely get it on the first try.

    Do not use with any drilled rimless. Just don't!
    Never had a problem. Maybe Norb is a genius.

    Best regards,

    Robert Martellaro
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  5. #5
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    The countersink needed to create a flush fit too often made it very difficult to fix here, in house. patients came back months only months after dispensing saying the hinge area was loose and it was.To me it just is not worth the aggravation of having to trim a bushing to just the right length and then compress it without risking damaging the rx lens.

  6. #6
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    Chemistrie. I disagree with all of Fester's downsides, but I would also never dream of selling them if I didn't do in-house finishing.

    If you have in-house finishing and are adventurous, you can source your own parts and lenses for a much better margin.

  7. #7
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kwill212 View Post
    Chemistrie. I disagree with all of Fester's downsides, but I would also never dream of selling them if I didn't do in-house finishing.

    If you have in-house finishing and are adventurous, you can source your own parts and lenses for a much better margin.
    I do the Chemistrie layers in house, and the parts are still expensive. Cliphouse in CA does a great job with their custom clips for a price similar to the Chemistrie ones. The differences are the clip is heavier but more durable, they can go on just about anything, and if the customer wants to change the lenses in the frame, they don't have to pay for new magnets.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by jefe View Post
    I do the Chemistrie layers in house, and the parts are still expensive.
    Yes, if you buy them from Chemistrie. I was pointing out that you can source the parts yourself at a factory level without too much trouble. Bypassing Chemistrie's exorbitant prices.

  9. #9
    OptiWizard
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    The downside of using Chemistre clips on a drilled rimless is you might have to make the lens thicker to accommodate the magnets. This is sometimes objectionable to the patient. They usually warn thin and light lenses. This is usually only necessary in mild Rxs.

  10. #10
    OptiWizard
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    If the Chemistrie clip is to fit flush with the frame any three piece mountings have to be countersunk into the lens so they don't interfere. Fester is right - it adds thickness. Good thing to keep in mind cosmetically when you suggest chemistrie clips. It's along the same lines as the old factory clips with plus Rx's. If you were afraid the apex would scratch with clip-on use you restyled or at least gave warning.

  11. #11
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    For the record Lensman11 is pointing out thickness Jason.

    While that's some of the issue I just found it not worth recommending for when I have to fix them or replace parts.

    I commend Kwill212 for his bench skills.

    Me? I'm getting too old and curmudgeonly for it!

  12. #12
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    I wonder if I can use the Chemistre Plus with a frame that is stainless steel without a countersunk magnet? The magnet should stick to the frame.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lelarep View Post
    I wonder if I can use the Chemistre Plus with a frame that is stainless steel without a countersunk magnet? The magnet should stick to the frame.
    Depends on the alloy of SS. Some is magnetic, some isn't.

  14. #14
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    Good point. Have to test it.

  15. #15
    OptiWizard
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    The magnet in the clip has to be several mm in the edge so to attach to the frame you would have to make the clip much larger than the frame. That would detract from the appearance in addition the design needs the two magnets to attract to each other the narrow eyewire of a frame would most likely not hold firmly enough.

  16. #16
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    I could see the magnets inevitably affecting the finish where they touch the temples.

  17. #17
    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    Broadening the subject back out from Chemistrie clips, we do very, very well with Aspex clip-on frames (though they are a bit pricey), and Polaroid has a few very attractive options as well.
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

  18. #18
    Chemistrie Eyewear
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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Fester View Post
    I use Chemistrie clips.

    Up side:

    Lots of color choices

    "Reader" clips also available for eye level monitor use in .25 increments

    Simple to attach

    Down side:

    Add 2 to 3 weeks for delivery

    Visible magnets on rx lenses distract from the frame. Especially true for women and woe to you if you do not point this out before sale.

    In office bushing replacement tricky

    Do not use with any drilled rimless. Just don't!

    Base curves sometimes too flat

    Anyone know- Did Joe(?) sell the company?

    $175 complete(add $25 for mirror); $125 polarized lenses only; $65 rx lens magnets only; $45 replacement magnets for rx n/c AR replacement warranty

    I occasionally will find a Hilco clip if they catch me in the right mood.
    Uncle Fester- Still here at Chemistrie Eyewear and no plans to sell.

  19. #19
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Zewe View Post
    Uncle Fester- Still here at Chemistrie Eyewear and no plans to sell.
    Glad to hear this!

    Stay well!!

  20. #20
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    Also to broaden the subject, since it was brought up already, does anyone know of any other brands of "reader" clips that are at least 1/2 decent? I have indeed had client over the years express interest in such a product, increasingly so in recent years. People seem to want a solution that doesn't involve progressives, since they hate the inherent limitation of the progressive corridor, and absolutely do not want to carry around a second pair.

  21. #21
    OptiBoardaholic IIxIPariahIxII's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jefe View Post
    I do the Chemistrie layers in house, and the parts are still expensive. Cliphouse in CA does a great job with their custom clips for a price similar to the Chemistrie ones. The differences are the clip is heavier but more durable, they can go on just about anything, and if the customer wants to change the lenses in the frame, they don't have to pay for new magnets.

    I highly recommend Cliphouse to anyone looking for clips. Used them in the past for regular patient, he swore by these things. And I was honestly very surprised at how well they did. While Chemistrie is good, I hate the application. If you're looking for good customs, Cliphouse by far. If you're looking for a brand specific. Aspex has some good clip brands. For kids, Nano. And for the adult looking for something a bit extra. Tom Ford's clips are pretty good (and the frames are honestly better than they were a few years ago) and Barton Perreira has a few with some solid clips. But those are specific to the style.

  22. #22
    What's up? drk's Avatar
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    Hey, how's the turnaround at Cliphouse, right now?

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