Selecting the perfect lens for spending the day outside can feel like it requires a degree in meteorology. Constantly changing light conditions, precipitation, temperature, and glare can all factor into the decision over which lens is best. But Julbo’s REACTIV photochromic technology offers something better than a crash course in meteorology: These lenses automatically adjust to changing light conditions, leaving you prepared whether the forecast is right, wrong, or somewhere in between.
Read on to learn the top five reasons why Julbo REACTIV photochromic lenses are better than traditional lenses.
BUT FIRST…WHAT ARE PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES?
Photochromic lenses adjust to changing light conditions by getting lighter or darker depending on the amount of UV light present. The more UV light, or brighter the conditions, the darker the lens becomes, and vice versa.
REACTIV photochromic lenses adjust to changing light conditions and provide clear vision for every situation. With the widest range and fastest reaction time on the market, REACTIV technology leads the industry in performance photochromic eyewear.
REACTIV photochromic technology is "baked" into the lens, so it never wears off, which is why we back all REACTIV lenses with a lifetime warranty. Each lens takes nearly 20 hours to manufacture, and the optical quality is nearly as good as that of glass.
5 BENEFITS OF REACTIV PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES
1. WIDEST PHOTOCHROMIC RANGE
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) refers to the percentage of light that filters through a lens—the higher the number, the more light passes through. A window in a home, for example, might have a VLT of around 70%, allowing most visible light to pass through while filtering enough to keep your sofa from getting bleached. A typical goggle lens, like a home’s window, has a fixed VLT—the amount of light it lets through and blocks out remains the same, no matter how bright or dark it is outside.
The VLT of Julbo’s REACTIV lenses, on the other hand, changes as ambient light changes. The new REACTIV 0-4 lens, which has the widest VLT range of any photochromic lens on the market, has a range of 83 to 5%. In other words, just 5% of visible light filters through the lens under extremely bright conditions, allowing for ultimate protection. Conversely, 83% of visible light filters through when it's dark out, allowing for total clarity. Regardless of VLT, REACTIV lenses filter 100% of harmful UVA, B, and C light.
2. NO INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES REQUIRED
Don’t believe the marketing hype behind interchangeable lens technology. The fact is that switching lenses on the fly in the mountains and when it’s cold is a headache, no matter how revolutionary a new magnetic system may be—it’s a sure bet for frustration, freezing fingers, lost or scratched lenses, or getting water on your lenses.
REACTIV photochromic lenses eliminate the need to carry multiple lenses or deal with the headache of switching them out when it’s freezing cold or rain is blowing sideways. Photochromic lenses automatically adjust to changing conditions, from whiteout snowstorms to bright midday sun, meaning one lens does it all.
3. ENHANCED EYE PROTECTION AND SAFETY
Your eyes need protection, and so does the rest of your body. Julbo’s REACTIV photochromic lenses cover it all.
All Julbo lenses (including our Spectron polycarbonate lenses) block 100% of harmful UVA, B, and C rays in order to protect your eyes. Additionally, by adjusting to ambient light, REACTIV lenses help you see better and avoid dangerous terrain. For example, a REACTIV photochromic lens will allow more visible light to filter through in dark and overcast conditions, helping enhance clarity when conditions are most difficult.
4. SUPERIOR OPTICAL QUALITY & DURABILITY
With our industry-leading photochromic technology, REACTIV lenses offer superior optical quality and durability. Made from Trivex—a material used for helicopter windshields—REACTIV lenses set the industry standard for durability and clarity. The optical quality of REACTIV lenses is nearly identical to that of glass and far superior to polycarbonate lenses. In addition, since the photochromic technology is baked into the lens, it won’t scratch off or wear off over time.
In addition, Julbo’s anti-fog technology raises the bar with a long-lasting and scratch-resistant finish that, with proper care, will remain effective for the lifetime of the lens.
5. BEST VALUE
Compared to traditional polycarbonate lenses, REACTIV photochromic lenses provide more value thanks to their high versatility, low maintenance, superior optical quality, and enhanced level of safety. What’s more, all Julbo lenses are backed by a lifetime warranty.
