I don't know if I have a correctable perspective problem but, without goggles I see the details and highs and lows in the trail just fine. However, without goggles I can't ski through the tearing up from the cold and wind.
UVEX Sports Goggles
My solution was to carry several pairs of goggles of various tints and pick out the best one, usually in my car, or looking out the ski lodge window. Friends know I have wished aloud for goggles where you could manually turn a crank and roll down plastic of increasing tint - like a pull down shade. Of course, my friends boo-hooed any thoughts of a "patent pending" on that one.
However, UVEX Sports has come out with a goggle that changes tint with the push of a button. It sounds like magic - the goggle is called Magic - and I'm not tricking you - they work. They work for me and I am the most demanding purveyor of ski goggles that I know of.
Why the UVEX Magic Ski Goggles Work
In a nutshell, the UVEX Magic Goggle (compare prices) has a double lens that uses state-of-the-art liquid crystal technology to allow the switching of the lens from a high-contrast lens for flat light to a darker lens for sunny conditions.
This technology was developed by the Air Force for use by pilots. Think about flying out of a milky cloud cover into bright sun and you can see the advantage of near instantaneous eye protection.
Changing goggles in the middle of a supersonic dogfight, begs for whatever science can remedy. Here's where the liquid crystals reaction to electrical current was applied. With the liquid crystals suspended between a double lens, a small battery induced current was sent through the crystals until they darkened and stayed at that tint until the current was removed. The transition was complete in 1/10 of a second.
How The UVEX Magic Ski Goggles Work
A small battery pack attached to the goggle's head band holds the small 2 CR 2032 batteries, an on/off switch, and the activation button. With the battery current not applied to the liquid crystals, the lens allow 50% light transmission. When the switch is activated the lens darkens to allow only 25% light transmission.
That little magic trick is performed in 1/10 of a second. For example, when skiing out of tree cover into bluebird sunshine, reach up, put a small amount of pressure on the dime size, easy to find spring switch on the bottom of the battery pack and bingo - darkened goggles.
Back into the trees, or into a shaded or fogged area - a quick touch to the switch and you are back to a lighter lens.
Skiing With The UVEX Magic Goggles
I have skied with goggles using a fan to keep the lens free from fogging where the battery pack, using AAA bateries was noticeably heavy. However, I felt no difference wearing the UVEX magic goggles as far as weight or ease of putting them on compared to any other goggle. The strap design and frame shape is also completely helmet friendly.
Clarity, Fogging and OTG
I was worried about possible distortion but found none at all even in the peripheral range. I was surprised at the clarity, based on the double lens construction, - actually they were more clear than some ordinary goggles.
The goggles are well vented and I did not have any fogging, but I haven't skied the goggles in springtime when fogging may be more of an issue. However, the lens are coated with proven "UVEX supravision super anti-fog."
The goggles are advertised as "eyeglass compatible" and they do fit comfortably over my glasses, but they are not as outsized as other OTG specific goggles that I've seen and used. Until the bug eyeglasses of the '80s come back in style the Magic frame size should be fine for most eyeglasses.
UVEX Magic Goggle Models
The Magic Goggle comes in 2 color choices - black and brushed metal. there is a Gold LCD magic lens and a Psycho LCD magic all-weather lens that darkens to 30% from a more bluish tint than the gold.
Is this the Holy Grail of Ski Goggles?
I have been looking and waiting for a technology like this to be applied to ski goggles for many years. The UVEX Magic Goggle is the best ski goggle on the market accommodating different light on all perspectives.
The batteries are not an issue as long as you pay attention and turn the switch off they are rated for 200 hours of "On" use. The batteries are also easily replaceable.
Pay attention to the simple set-up instructions for turning the lens technology on and, don't take them out of the package and say you can't see out of them - they have 2 lens protecting films to be peeled off.
This is the technology of the future. I hope the next generation of LCD Magic goggles will allow you to dial across the total range of light transfer. As I said these UVEX Magic Goggles do the trick and will replace the three or four pairs I used to carry.
