59 replies to this topic

[Scott]

I have an optometrist appointment on June 19. I suspect my prescription has changed over the seven or eight years since the last time I had my eyes checked, which means new glasses. I want new glasses anyway because the ones I have no longer sit properly on my nose (nose rests have spread too far apart). Every time I've gotten new glasses, they try to sell me sunglasses at a better than usual price. This is probably the time to get the prescription sunglasses.

I did some poking around on Ray Ban's web site. There are three types of glasses still sporting the Wayfarer name: Original Wayfarer, New Wayfarer, Folding Wayfarer. From what I've read, the Original Wayfarer design was re-released after the spectacular failure of the New Wayfarer. (People don't like change.) So, my plan is to get the Original Wayfarer style (product code RB2140) in black, like Elwood's. I think the color code for black is 901. There are a few other colors which look very similar, and Ray Ban doesn't seem to offer much information on what the differences are.

[Elwood72]

I have a similar delemia.I desperately need to get some new glasses;but I shopped around for Ray-Bans,and I can't afford a pair of perscription shades.As I type this;I'm wearing a pair of imitations with my script lenses glued to the back,so they're default perscription sunglasses.They work just fine;with obvious limitations.

Because of past events;I actually can wear them at night;and do,but I want to get the real deal.........or thought I did.

I have come to the conclusion that I actually don't like the Ray-Bans for a few reasons,the main one being this:They've got the name plastered all over them;at least on the lens and arms.I actually prefer the ones with the horizontal silver "things"-I don't know what else to call them.I'm picky like that.

A little background:I've had to wear corrective lenses six I was six months of age (yes;you read that right),and I didn't get my first pair of contact lenses until I was 19.So naturally;I became preoccupied with sunglasses,and have since worn them as much as possible,which is pretty much all the time.Guess which type?......

I once had to wear them for a full year the same way as now (Half-perscription) and;between that and being careless with my contacts,I have since developed moderate to extreme light sensitivity in my eyes.Therefore;I have to wear sunglasses pretty much all the time.(Be careful what you wish for...)

I suppose this is my (very) long-winded way of saying I'm basically in the same situation.I want perscription sunglasses like Elwoods;but not Ray-Bans.....

....any of that make sense?

[ScottBlues]

I got prescription ray-bans from local glasses store. They just had them sitting in the display window and i asked if they can make them prescription. So i handed the lady my little piece of paper and she said come back later tonight and they will be done. While mine have the name on the arm, since they are new lenses the name isnt on them.

I love them to death, and if i ever get eye surgery then i will pop the old lenses back in.

[Blueblood]

The thing with the Ray-Ban prescription is back in the '60's, the Cool wore off and they became classed as geeky and dated.
However, like Huey Lewis said in the '80's, "It's hip to be square.." and they once became fashionably cool. 8-)

I just like 'em because they're virtually indestructible and comfortable.

[Bismo]

I wouldn't hesitate to go with some non-Ray Ban shades too if you can find an appropriate frame. In many of the early Blues Brothers publicity shots (including some SNL stuff and Briefcase era posters) Elwood was wearing what appeared to be no-name black frames that were just very much like Ray Bans. My first pair, Shotgun and I actually brought a poster with us to an optometrist and he helped us find a great no-name frame that he could put the shade lenses in, and it's the best-looking pair I ever had. I think it wasn't until the movie that they really started using genuine Ray Bans (and I've worn Wayfarer II's since my second pair as well)... go with what looks and feels right, brother, it doesn't have to be about branding!

[Scott]

ScottBlues said:

While mine have the name on the arm, since they are new lenses the name isnt on them.

Good point about prescription lenses not having the name on them. It may also be feasible to scratch the name off the arms with a fingernail.

[Elwood72]

Somewhat of an update:

I found out the hard way that my script lenses could be seen from the front,even when I was wearing them.Obviously;this defeated the purpose-and looked stupid,frankly-so,after an extensive search around the Baltimore area (you wouldn't believe how hard these paticular glasses are to find),the ultimate solution hit me right between the eyes,ironically enough.

Spray-on window tint.

I had heard at one point that this type of tint method was available at auto parts stores,so a new quest was born

Not at auto parts stores....
Not at home-improvement stores

I found what I needed at;of all places,a hobby shop.

It's specifically made to tint windows on R/C (remote control) model cars.

It worked like a charm...

If anyone else is interested in doing the same thing;it's called pactra Racing Finish,and the part number is RC294 Window Tint.

[ScottBlues]

Scott said:

Good point about prescription lenses not having the name on them. It may also be feasible to scratch the name off the arms with a fingernail.

actually no... this is because of how well they are made. The name on the side is actually raised lettering on the side of my arm. Its sculpted into the frame so there is no way its going anywhere.

If you guys want i can take a picture of my glasses to show how small it really is. You honestly don't ever notice it because its hardly there.

[Elwood72]

Not to try to speak for someone else but; I think Scott was referring to the "Ray Ban" lettering on the upper-left corner of the lens (when looking at the glasses),not the arm itself.

At least;that's the impression I got.

I still prefer the knock-offs,but I guess that's just me.

Wanna hear something pathetic? Yesterday;I decided to get a backup pair,and I called a local new/used record store (that's the place I'm sure I can get them,at least for now,and I figured I'd call first.Here's how it went:

"Good afternoon;(Name of business) can I help you?


Me-"you sell sunglasses,right?"

Her-"Um,yeah"

Me-"I'm looking for a specific pair.They're referred to as "blues"

(I need to add here that the last time I bought a pair from this specific store,different location,they were coded on the price tag as "Blues")

Her-"What?"

Me-"I once bought a pair from your Dundalk location;and they were called "blues" on the tag.

Her-"I don't know what you're talking about.

Me-(Slightly annoyed) They're like the ones in The Blues Brothers

Her-"What?"

Me-(More annoyed)"You know " Jake and Elwood,"We're on a mission from God"? Fake Wayfarers?

Her-"I don't know what those are"

*A moment of dumbfounded silence on my end*

Her-"We do have a pair here that are just basic black sunglasses."


At this point;a flash went off in my head;and a voice in there said "That's them"

Me-"Can you hold them for me for about an hour?"

Her-"Sure;what's your name"

Me-"***";but trust me,you'll know me when you see me."

(The hat and tortise-shell shades will give it away)

They were the right ones;but geez...........

[ScottBlues]

if you read his post slowly you will see he said scratch the name off the arms.

[Elwood72]

ScottBlues said:

if you read his post slowly you will see he said scratch the name off the arms.

I did;and you can consider me corrected.You're right.


I was going to mention the rasied lettering;but I went back and read your post,so I know there's no need.


Not going to make that mistake twice.....

[Scott]

Well, I got my new prescription and went to the optical store that night. Picked out some new frames for regular wear.



With lenses, it's gonna set me back over $700 just for that pair. I almost cried.

Anyways, I mention I'm interested in sunglasses, so he gets me to try some stuff on. I ask about Ray Ban; he says they don't carry them and it's complicated, but if I want them badly he can order them in. I gave him the exact model number and color code from the web site and now I'm waiting for him to phone me back.

[Blueblood]

:eek: S-e-v-e-n H-u-n-d-r-e-d..? :eek:


*O*M*G*


Are they hiring where you work????

[Scott]

I don't remember how much my current pair cost, but it was eight years ago that I got them. If these new ones last me as long or longer, that would help to spread the cost out to less than $100 per year. Car insurance is due next month; hopefully I don't go broke.

[Blueblood]

I think the Ray Bans would last you till they haul your stiff carcass away...70 years down the road at least...

[Vinnie Blues]

My shades look like BB glasses. Save they're not Raybans, not even prescription. I wear contact lenses, so I needed non prescription shades. I went to several glass shops and picked mine in a small shop specialized in sunglasses. There's no name on them, arms or whatever. They're the ones I wear on the various pics of my mug in BB garb posted in the threads. They look pretty much like the shades the brothers have, even if they're not Raybans.

Like Bismo said it earlier : "go with what looks and feels right, brother, it doesn't have to be about branding!"

My two-cent tip for contact lens wearers here.

[Elwood72]

You guys are gonna hate me for this............


This coming Wednesday;I have a two o'clock appointment for an eye-exam.I'm (finally) able to get new glasses,and since I need them,I'm getting perscription shades.

I'm providing the frames,and paying extra for the tint,as well as having to wait for 7-10 days.

.......which is fine;because I'm getting the whole deal for $150.00.............

(I know it's frowned upon;but given the circumstances,I think I can get away with it.....)





:BB:

[Scott]

Quick update. I picked up my regular glasses last Friday and have been making daily trips for adjustments. I asked again about sunglasses. The guy at the optical place is still waiting to hear back from head office about whether they will order the Wayfarer for me. The computer didn't show any record of them selling Wayfarers before, but somebody did enter the product number.

There is a chance that he won't be able to get me the Wayfarers, in which case I have two choices: choose a different frame, or buy the frame somewhere else and bring it in for conversion to prescription.

Here is a picture of me wearing the "similar but not Wayfarer" frames:


I did some poking around in the mall and found a sunglasses place just down the hall from the optical place. They have the Wayfarers in stock for $185 or something. If I go this route, I would not be eligible for the "second-pair discount" at the optical place. It seems the discount only applies to the frames, not the lenses.

If I go the similar but not Wayfarer frames route, the frames will cost next to nothing because of the second-pair discount. Either way, I'm paying full price for lenses, which will set me back around $500. The non-Wayfarers would be roughly $150 cheaper on the frames, but I'm not sure that I want to save money on getting something that is not quite right. If I changed my mind and decided to get actual Wayfarers later, it would cost another $500 for another set of lenses.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm inclined to get the Wayfarers. I can afford it, and they'll probably last a long time because I'm pretty careful with my glasses. Next time my prescription changes, I would already have the frames and just need to buy lenses.

Thoughts?

[Elwood72]

If I was in your shoes;I'd go for it.To me;the two keys to the whole thing are the fact that you can afford it,and the fact that you're pretty careful.I'm not sure of your situation;but in my case,I have to wear mine from the time I wake up to the time I sleep.I have to wear mine all the time.

As you can imagine;when you have to wear them like that,the chances of anything happening to them in terms of damages,is substantially reduced.If you're half as OCD about wearing and taking care of them as I am,you shouldn't have a problem.

Go for it;Jake would've wanted it that way....

[Vinnie Blues]

Good looking, Scott, and I ain't talking about the glasses only !

Go for it, like Elwood72 said, if you can afford them, just go for them. They should last long if they're good quality and if you're careful. Most of all, they would be the real deal. If you have to pay more or less the same price, go for the real deal.

Jake and Elwood would have wanted it that way, I fully agree...