Which varifocals ? Budget ?
Discussion
As we are enthusiasts on a car forum, it's not a bad idea to think about varifocals the same way you might think about tyres. By and large, you are going to get what you pay for and there is a lot of difference in optical performance between a budget lens and a top-spec lens, just as there is a lot of difference between a budget tyre and a Michelin PS4.
I suspect this thread, contributors willing, will not sound dissimilar to the usual 'What Tyre?' thread, which will range usually from "I always spend the most I can afford on the best tyres for my pride and joy," to "don't be a mug, mate, I bought four LingKook Supers
tes online with Dark Circles for £60 fitted. No worries, best tyres ever, why pay more?"
And everything else in between - "I drive a Skoda but I want the kids to be safe so I spend £75 per tyre" etc, etc.
Without knowing your age, prescription, reason for wear etc, etc it's nigh-on impossible to make an objective recommendation for a varifocal lens.
Plus, there's hundreds upon hundreds of different lens types and options.
Independent opticians will be able to offer a much wider range of lens choices. Essilor, Nikon, Shamir, Hoya and Zeiss are examples of leading lens manufacturers. Yes, they're gonna cost more.
High Street opticians (big multiple-types) will often have deals in place to supply previous generation lenses from some manufacturers, branded as their own lenses (ie white label, or unbranded). These will carry dynamic names like Premium and Ultra and will be cheaper.
Personally, I would recommend a dispense from a established and recommended independent optician with experienced and qualified staff.
The bold above is deliberate. Beware of anyone in an optical establishment who is wearing a badge that says 'Dispenser'* and will be talking pish and encouraging you to upgrade to all sorts of unnecessary options, because they'll be in the cack for not hitting their KPI's at the manager's meetings otherwise.
* NOT the same as Dispensing Optician.
To recap - my advice is to go to a nice friendly independent who is recommended to you and deal with a Dispensing Optician.
Where are you, BTW?
I suspect this thread, contributors willing, will not sound dissimilar to the usual 'What Tyre?' thread, which will range usually from "I always spend the most I can afford on the best tyres for my pride and joy," to "don't be a mug, mate, I bought four LingKook Supers
tes online with Dark Circles for £60 fitted. No worries, best tyres ever, why pay more?"And everything else in between - "I drive a Skoda but I want the kids to be safe so I spend £75 per tyre" etc, etc.
Without knowing your age, prescription, reason for wear etc, etc it's nigh-on impossible to make an objective recommendation for a varifocal lens.
Plus, there's hundreds upon hundreds of different lens types and options.
Independent opticians will be able to offer a much wider range of lens choices. Essilor, Nikon, Shamir, Hoya and Zeiss are examples of leading lens manufacturers. Yes, they're gonna cost more.
High Street opticians (big multiple-types) will often have deals in place to supply previous generation lenses from some manufacturers, branded as their own lenses (ie white label, or unbranded). These will carry dynamic names like Premium and Ultra and will be cheaper.
Personally, I would recommend a dispense from a established and recommended independent optician with experienced and qualified staff.
The bold above is deliberate. Beware of anyone in an optical establishment who is wearing a badge that says 'Dispenser'* and will be talking pish and encouraging you to upgrade to all sorts of unnecessary options, because they'll be in the cack for not hitting their KPI's at the manager's meetings otherwise.
* NOT the same as Dispensing Optician.
To recap - my advice is to go to a nice friendly independent who is recommended to you and deal with a Dispensing Optician.
Where are you, BTW?
If you have a Costco membership, it is worth at least having a look at what they have on offer - they will have options for different spec of lenses too.
I'm on my second pair with the highest spec of varifocals that they do and am very happy with them - but they are the only varifocals that I've had, so I don't have any comparison.
What makes you say that the ones you have aren't good enough?
Edited to add - my most recent pair were around £300-350 I think, so not cheap!
I'm on my second pair with the highest spec of varifocals that they do and am very happy with them - but they are the only varifocals that I've had, so I don't have any comparison.
What makes you say that the ones you have aren't good enough?
Edited to add - my most recent pair were around £300-350 I think, so not cheap!
My last two have been Hoya lenses, which have both been perfect, and due for a replacement soon, i always add tints and need thin as my eyes are not good, plus well most things, cost is high for me but with glasses eye sight perfect, agree go to a good independant spend for me last time 700 quid, but at least i can see!!!!
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