In the realm of sunglasses and specialized eyewear, Hunters HD Gold emerges as a revolutionary product, surpassing conventional options in the market. Tailored for a variety of needs - from hunting and shooting to driving and general outdoor activities - these glasses offer unparalleled features. This comprehensive article delves into why Hunters HD Gold stands out as the top choice in sunglasses, eyewear, hunting glasses, shooting glasses, and prescription glasses.
Versatile Photochromic Technology
At the heart of Hunters HD Gold's appeal is its advanced photochromic technology. The lenses seamlessly transition from a light golden hue to a darker golden brown based on sunlight exposure. This feature, encapsulated by the slogan “They Change So You Don't Have To™”, ensures optimal vision in varying light conditions, making them ideal for activities from early dawn hunts to late-evening drives.
Enhanced Light Transmission with Trivex®
Utilizing Trivex® material, Hunters HD Gold lenses offer a significant advantage in light transmission, allowing 43% more light through than standard polycarbonate lenses. This enhancement is especially beneficial in low-light conditions, crucial for hunters and shooters who require precise vision at dawn and dusk.
Precision and Quality in Manufacturing
Each Hunters HD Gold lens is a testament to precision engineering. Crafted individually on a Digital Lens Generator, these lenses are cut to an accuracy of 0.001mm, ensuring superior quality and clarity. This meticulous process sets them apart from mass-produced eyewear, offering a bespoke level of quality.
Superior Medical Dye for Optimal Contrast
The use of a superior medical dye in Hunters HD Gold lenses provides enhanced contrast and clarity. This feature is particularly beneficial for activities like hunting and shooting, where distinguishing subtle details in the environment is crucial.
Durable, Protective Coatings
Hunters HD Gold lenses are also renowned for their durability, thanks to the advanced hard coats and coatings. These protective layers safeguard the lenses from scratches and impacts, ensuring longevity and consistent performance, even in harsh conditions.
Application in Hunting and Night Driving
For hunters, the ability to spot game in varied terrains and light conditions is enhanced by Hunters HD Gold’s superior visibility. Similarly, drivers benefit from reduced glare from modern "WHITE/BLUE" headlights and improved visibility in rain or fog, making night driving safer.
Prescription Options for Tailored Vision
Hunters HD Gold also caters to those needing prescription eyewear. Their advanced lens technology is available in prescription form, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the benefits of enhanced vision and protection.
Conclusion
Hunters HD Gold represents a new era in eyewear technology, offering unmatched versatility, clarity, and durability. Whether for hunting, shooting, driving, or everyday wear, these lenses provide a significant edge. Visit
to discover the full range of products and experience the difference in vision and performance.
In summary, Hunters HD Gold is not just a brand; it's a vision-enhancing tool, adaptable across a range of activities. Its cutting-edge technology and superior construction make it a top choice for anyone seeking the best in eyewear. With Hunters HD Gold, you’re not just improving your vision; you’re enhancing your entire outdoor experience.
In the world of eyewear, particularly for those engaged in activities like hunting, driving, or sports, the choice of lenses can make a significant difference. Hunters HD Gold stands out in this competitive market, boasting features that set it apart from its competitors. Let's explore why Hunters HD Gold is considered superior in terms of technology, performance, and quality.
Trivex® Material: Enhanced Light Transmission
A key advantage of Hunters HD Gold lenses is their use of Trivex® material. This high-grade optical material allows for 43% more light transmission than standard polycarbonate lenses. This increased light transmission is crucial in low-light conditions, such as dawn or dusk, enhancing the wearer's ability to see details and contrasts more clearly.
Advanced Photochromic Technology
The photochromic capabilities of Hunters HD Gold lenses are a standout feature. These lenses automatically adjust their tint from a light golden color to a darker golden brown depending on the light conditions. This adaptability, captured in the motto “They Change So You Don't Have To™”, means wearers don't have to switch between different pairs of glasses for varying light conditions, offering unparalleled convenience and effectiveness.
Precision Craftsmanship
Unlike mass-produced lenses, each Hunters HD Gold lens is crafted individually using a Digital Lens Generator. This precision technology ensures that each lens is cut to an accuracy of 0.001mm, providing unmatched clarity and quality. This method stands in stark contrast to the stamping process used by many other brands, which can lead to less precise and lower quality lenses.
Superior Medical Dye
The medical dye used in Hunters HD Gold lenses is another aspect that sets them apart. This dye is superior to the color dyes used in other sunglasses, providing enhanced contrast and visual acuity. This can be particularly beneficial for activities like hunting, where distinguishing subtle details in the environment is essential.
Durable Coatings for Lens Protection
Lastly, the hard coats and coatings applied to Hunters HD Gold lenses are superior to those used by many competitors. These coatings are designed to protect the lenses from scratches, impacts, and other forms of damage, ensuring that the lenses remain in top condition for longer periods, even in harsh environments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hunters HD Gold lenses offer a combination of advanced materials, cutting-edge technology, and meticulous craftsmanship that sets them apart from the competition. Whether it's for hunting, driving, or any outdoor activity, choosing Hunters HD Gold means opting for superior clarity, durability, and performance. Visit our website to explore how these lenses can enhance your visual experience and performance in various activities.
By prioritizing innovation and quality, Hunters HD Gold has established itself as a leader in the eyewear market. For those who demand the best in visual clarity and protection, Hunters HD Gold represents the pinnacle of eyewear technology and design.
When it comes to hunting, every moment and every detail counts. Hunters HD Gold lenses offer a significant advantage in the field, enhancing your ability to track and hunt effectively. This article delves into the unique features of Hunters HD Gold that make them a game-changer for hunters.
Extended Light for Early Morning and Late Evening Hunts
One of the standout features of Hunters HD Gold lenses is their ability to extend your hunting time. Thanks to the innovative use of Trivex® material and a specialized medical dye in their construction, these lenses provide up to 30 minutes of additional light at dawn and dusk compared to standard lenses. This extra time can be crucial for hunters, as it often coincides with the peak activity periods of many game animals.
Seamless Transition for Active Hunting
The photochromic technology of Hunters HD Gold lenses adapts to changing light conditions. This means you can move from a shooting house to stalking in the open without the need to switch lenses. The convenience of this feature is captured in their motto: “They Change So You Don't Have To™”. This adaptability is especially beneficial for hunters who need to quickly respond to the movements of their prey.
Enhanced Visibility for Long-Range Identification
A critical aspect of hunting is the ability to spot and identify game from a distance. Hunters HD Gold lenses significantly enhance your ability to see details at range. With these lenses, hunters have reported being able to discern antlers at distances up to 200 yards without the need for binoculars. This capability is particularly advantageous in scenarios like field hunting or monitoring gas lines, where time is of the essence in transitioning from observation to taking a shot.
Improved Detection in Varied Environments
Whether you’re hunting turkey in hardwoods or tracking deer through underbrush, visibility is key. Hunters HD Gold lenses enhance contrast and clarity, making it easier to spot game in diverse environments. Hunters have noted a marked improvement in identifying turkey feathers against the complex backgrounds of natural woodlands, an observation that speaks to the superior visual acuity provided by these lenses.
Conclusion
Hunters HD Gold lenses are more than just sunglasses; they're a vital tool for the modern hunter. Their ability to extend low-light visibility, adapt to changing conditions, enhance long-range identification, and improve detection in varied terrains make them an invaluable addition to any hunter’s gear. Elevate your hunting experience with the technological edge provided by Hunters HD Gold. Visit our website to discover how these lenses can transform your hunting adventures.
By integrating features from advanced optics and understanding the specific needs of hunters, Hunters HD Gold sets a new standard in hunting eyewear. Don’t let poor visibility limit your hunting potential – choose Hunters HD Gold for unmatched clarity and performance in the field.
Are you struggling with visibility during your nighttime drives? Hunters HD Gold is revolutionizing the way we perceive the road at night, whether you're behind the wheel of a car or riding a motorcycle. This article explores how Hunters HD Gold can be your ally in ensuring safer and more comfortable driving experiences after dark.
Photochromic Excellence for Night Drives
Hunters HD Gold lenses boast a unique photochromic technology. This means the lenses automatically adjust their tint from a light golden hue to a darker golden brown when exposed to sunlight. The trademarked phrase, “They Change So You Don't Have To™”, encapsulates the convenience and adaptability of these lenses. But it's their performance at night that truly sets them apart.
Combatting White/Blue Headlights
One of the most significant challenges drivers face at night is the glare from modern "WHITE/BLUE" headlights. These headlights can be distracting and often impair a driver’s ability to focus on the road ahead. Hunters HD Gold lenses are specifically designed to mitigate this glare. By filtering out the harshness of these lights, they enhance your ability to see clearly and focus on your driving.
Clear Vision in Rain and Fog
Driving in the rain or during foggy conditions can be hazardous. Reduced visibility demands your utmost attention. Hunters HD Gold lenses come to the rescue here as well. Their unique tint and clarity improve your ability to see the road, other vehicles, and potential hazards more distinctly in these challenging conditions.
Spotting Roadside Hazards Sooner
A critical aspect of driving safety, especially at night, is the ability to spot animals or pedestrians on or near the road. Hunters HD Gold lenses enhance your vision, enabling you to notice such hazards more quickly. This improved perception allows you to slow down and take necessary precautions, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hunters HD Gold is not just a tool for hunters but a valuable asset for anyone who drives at night. Their advanced photochromic technology, ability to reduce glare from modern headlights, enhanced visibility in rain and fog, and improved detection of roadside hazards make them an essential accessory for safe nighttime driving. Equip yourself with Hunters HD Gold lenses and experience a transformation in your nighttime driving experience. Remember, when you choose Hunters HD Gold, you’re not just choosing a lens; you’re choosing safety, comfort, and peace of mind on the road.
Visit our website for more information and to explore our range of products designed to make your nighttime driving safer and more enjoyable.
Written by Steve Foster
There are a lot of different colored lens out on the market for your consideration for shooting, so which one is right for me? Great question. Let’s spend a little time discussing a few of the popular options from Hunters HD Gold. In 2017 Hunters HD Gold took the Steel Challenge world by storm with top competitors showing up to matches with a gold color lens which would transition from a bright gold to a dark gold based on the lighting conditions. The main reason why many shooters have embraced the gold lens is the contrast they present. White painted targets seemed crisp and clearer like they have never been seen for the first time. Admittedly, there was a visual sensory overload at first and it took a couple of moments for your eyes to get adjusted to the contrast. The added clarity enabled the eye to focus sharply on the plates and many competitors commented they could not miss.
The first part of 2021 saw the release of Hunters HD Ruby, which is a ruby color. After trying a pair, I had to turn down my Vortex Razor red dot. The ruby colored lens accentuated the red color of the red dot. This same phenomena happened with my red fiber optic front sights on both my rifles and handguns. The value was realized when I would transition my handgun at an accelerated speed, my eyes had a tendency to lose the front sight. With the Hunters HD Ruby, it was easy to find. I liken it to a road flare in front of my eyes; it is hard to miss it. The Ruby lens is darker than the gold lens. I personally do not have an issue competing in low light with the Ruby. This was proven at the 2021 West Florida Steel Challenge Championship in Clearwater Florida. If you have never competed at the Wyoming Antelope Club (WAC), all of the bays are three-sided concrete with a concrete roof. To say the lighting conditions are low, this is a drastic understatement. Securing the overall match win while competing with Hunters HD Ruby lens is a testament to the right lens, for the right shooter, at the right lighting conditions.
In summary, there are a lot of lens colored options out on the market. Hunters HD Gold has been on the forefront of listening to the hunter and shooters to provide options right for them. If you are at a match, make sure you stop by and see Brian Conley at the Hunters HD Gold tent to demo a pair. You do not know what you are missing until you try a pair on!
Written by Steve Foster
Shooting has been more than just a past time for me; it has been an opportunity to make lifelong friends around the country. Over the past five years, shooting major matches in different states has led to some interesting shooting conditions. First, I recall shooting in the sand of Idaho where you did not dare drop a magazine on the ground or you would have to take it all apart to get the last grain of sand out. The most challenging and unique set of shooting conditions I experienced was the first time I participated in a match in Mississippi at the 2017 Mississippi State Steel Challenge Championship outside of Biloxi.
Living in the South for the past 15 years has afforded me the experience to feel some of the hottest of hot days. It has also presented some of the most humid days I have ever endured. When I arrived at the match in Mississippi, I had all of my gear with me in the hotel room the night prior, to keep it secure. The first stage of the day was Smoke and Hope. I was given the “Make Ready” command. I pulled out my JP GMR 13 topped off with a Vortex Razor. As I took off the protective optic cover, I noticed some condensation. As soon as I pushed the up arrow to turn on the optic, a white-like haze flashed over the glass. It was the most immediate and ferocious fog I have ever seen. Despite several attempts at wiping away the condensation, it kept returning. I ended up shooting the stage with a partially obstructed optic.
After the match, I remembered my Hunters HD Gold glasses came with Z-Clear (www.z-clear.com) and it kept my glasses from fogging up when shooting. When I returned to the hotel room, I applied Z-Clear to my optics in hopes it had the same impact as my glasses. The next morning it was even more hot and humid. I took my same rifle out of the bag, took off the optic cover and it worked! There was a slight fog on the glass and then it dissipated as fast as it arrived. I apply my Z-Clear every week to my Hunters HD Gold glasses and I now treat my optics as well, if I know I am going to shoot in hot and humid conditions.
Written by John B. Holbrook, II | Published in USPSA Magazine
As a nearly life-long wearer of prescription eyeglasses, I've paid very little attention to shooting glasses. They typically come in two varieties - cheap glasses large enough to fit over another pair of glasses or cheap glasses designed to be worn by themselves. The latter won't work for me if I have any intention of hitting what I'm shooting at, which I normally want to do. I've tried many variations of the former, and they aren't much better - usually heavy, uncomfortable, and often of such poor clarity, they hinder visual perception. I usually just wear my prescription glasses when I shoot, which of course is fine visually, but they're not designed to be shooting glasses and don't maximize protection for my eyes from spent shell casings or other debris - so you can imagine how anticlimactic it was for me when I checked in to the 2018 Area 5 Steel Challenge Championship and learned that I had won a pair of Hunters HD Gold Shooting Glasses. I first attempted to put them on over my regular glasses, but they were too small. Disappointed, I thought "well, maybe one of my buddies that doesn't wear glasses could use these."
Having finished checking in for the match, I walked out of the clubhouse and ran into fellow competitive shooter and Range Officer Cory Wyatt, who saw me carrying the glasses. "Man, I can't believe you won one of the nicest prizes on the table!" I shrugged and said "I can't use them - I wear prescription glasses." Cory said that Hunters HD Gold can produce prescription lenses. "They have a tent set up right over there", he added, pointing an embarrassingly short distance from where we were standing. I had plenty of time before the match started, so I headed over to the tent and spoke with Brian Conley, President of Hunters HD Gold. "I won a pair of your shooting glasses and I understand lenses can be put in them that will match my prescription. How much would that cost?" "Absolutely no cost - it's included as part of the prize you won."
I was stunned by the generous prize - I normally buy a new set of prescription lenses every year, costing $800 to upwards of $1000.00 depending on my choice of frames. Brian took the glasses from me and asked me to email him my prescription on Monday; once they had that, a set of prescription lenses could be made and the finished product would be shipped to me.
Monday morning, I sent Brian the prescription for my lenses. I was both excited but also a bit dubious. I have astigmatism and wear invisible-line bifocals. My prescription has to be sent out and usually takes a week to get back - and has had to be returned more than once to get done right. When my Hunters HD Gold shooting glasses came, I tried them on - they were absolutely perfect! In fact, they were perhaps even better than the ~$1000.00 prescription eyeglasses I normally wear! When I spoke to Brian Conley, he told me that the lenses they produce "pass through 17 sets of hands" before they get shipped out. Clearly, Hunters HD Gold has industry-leading capabilities for producing premium quality corrective lenses.
Hunters HD Gold offers several frame choices for shooters which are both attractive and functional. The model I won is called the "Caliber" and comes in red and black among several other color choices. I was given the option to select a different frame, but the red and black color scheme matches the rest of my gear perfectly.
The frames are extremely lightweight and comfortable, and even with my prescription, the lenses themselves added very little weight. This is an important consideration, because the matches I shoot in USPSA, Steel Challenge and 3-Gun can often run most of the day. The design of the frame wraps around the wearer's face, providing almost goggle-like protection for your eyes while shooting, which is extremely important. I've actually had a hot shell casing pop up, over and behind my regular glasses due to the gap between the frame and my face which exists with most regular eyeglasses - I was very lucky it didn't touch my eye. The design of the Hunters Gold HD Caliber frames all but eliminates that gap and dramatically reduces the possibility that an errant shell casing or other debris will reach your eyes.
Hunters HD Gold lenses are constructed from Trivex® which allows the lenses to be made thinner and more impact-resistant than standard plastic or polycarbonate lenses with 43 percent more light transmission. One of the keys to the enhanced visual experience provided by the Hunters HD Gold glasses is the golden amber/yellow tint to the lenses. The colored lenses filter visual light, creating an excellent contrast between colors, and improving visual clarity in low-light conditions. I shoot on an indoor range every Tuesday night, and the lighting is a little weak down range. I've noticed a considerable increase in down-range visual clarity since using my Hunters HD Gold glasses. The lenses also have both anti-reflective (AR) and scratch-resistant coatings applied, just like my regular prescription eyeglasses. The lenses are also "photochromic", which means that they darken on exposure to specific types of light of sufficient intensity, most commonly ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In other words, the lenses "change so you don't have to", as the Hunters HD Gold slogan suggests. This feature alone makes the glasses worth their weight in gold. I've seen shooting glasses out there (very expensive ones, in fact) which offer three sets of changeable lenses, forcing the user to change them based on lighting conditions. That's something you'll never have to do with the photochromic lenses in Hunters HD Gold shooting glasses.
If you wear shooting glasses or are like me and wear prescription glasses while shooting, you've probably experienced the frustration of having your glasses "fog up" on you during a match. I was concerned that this particular problem might be more of an issue with the Hunters HD Gold glasses. Because they are designed to have less of a gap where they meet your face to maximize eye protection, they let less cool air into the interior area of the lens - creating steam or fog in warm, humid conditions. However, each pair of Hunters HD Gold glasses comes with Clear-Z Anti-Fog treatment; just apply to the lenses, allow it to dry, and wipe off with a microfiber cloth. The product works fantastic - I have experienced zero problems with fogged-up lenses while shooting since using it.
If you participate in shooting sports - any shooting sport and at any level - you need Hunters HD Gold shooting glasses; 1) unquestionably, you will be able to see your targets better and more clearly, and perhaps more importantly, 2) you will have the best possible protection for your eyes. Making sure you can hit what you're shooting at is great; making sure you can still see after you're finished shooting is even better. By any measure, these glasses are an absolute bargain at their price of $369.00. I plan on buying a new pair every year when I get my annual eye exam and new prescription.
Hunters HD Gold has a fantastic new website you can visit at www.huntershdgold.com. I strongly suggest you take a look to learn even more about their products as well as information on where and how to purchase them.
Written by John B. Holbrook, II | Published in USPSA Magazine
Brian Conley has quickly become the James Brown of practical shooting – no one works harder than he does. Brian works hard to not only educate shooters about their vision and his company Hunters HD Gold, but he also works tirelessly to grow practical shooting and to benefit its competitors. If you somehow doubt the veracity of that claim, I have evidence to prove it; in 2019 Brian drove 44,356 miles attending 41 practical shooting events, and sponsored over 130 matches. If that sounds crazy, let me let you in on a little secret – he’s committed to doing even more in 2020. USPSA Magazine spoke with Brian at the end of the 2019 shooting season about the path that lead him to create Hunters HD Gold, and what’s in store for the company. It’s a story that has its foundation in Steel Challenge.
USPSA: Brian, tell us about how it all began for you and Hunters HD Gold, and how Steel Challenge comes into play?
BC: Steel Challenge will always have a place close to my heart – that’s where we started and that’s where we continue to grow. I started Hunters HD Gold because as a hunter, I wanted to see my target more clearly – an animal. At the time there was nothing you pick up off the self that could do that – help you pick up a target faster and see it more clearly. Steel Challenge people found out about it later – it was a byproduct. My good friend Larry Steeley (of Steel Target Paint) actually introduced me to the shooting sports – he invited me to do Cowboy Action shooting – I didn’t even know the shooting sports existed. In Cowboy Action, they use metal targets, but they don’t get repainted as they do in Steel Challenge so the targets, particularly the shotgun targets, stay grey for most of the match. Hunters HD Gold was a tremendous advantage as you can imagine. Not long after, Larry told me he was putting together a shooting team and he wanted Hunters HD Gold to be a part of it. At the time, I didn’t even have a logo for Hunters HD Gold, but I created one along with a website.
I went to my first Steel Challenge match in Alabama in 2016. It took me six months after that to get all the ANSI certifications. Then Larry signed Steve Foster to Team Steel Target Paint; Steve was the first shooter to get a pair of prescription Hunter HD Gold glasses, and Steve really helped to take things to the next level. Steve was the “East Coast Cult Leader” and Trent Mitsuoka became the “West Coast Cult Leader.” It was actually Trent that drove me to find and partner with Z-Clear as an anti-fog solution. I took it to the World Rimfire match in Alabama – it was still owned by NSSF at the time. I went around to all the Hunters HD Gold shooters at the match and coated their glasses with Z-Clear, and it worked fantastic – no more fogged glasses in the Alabama heat and humidity.
It was late 2017 when I made the decision to go on the road with Hunters HD Gold. I talked to Brian at TandemKross and he explained the matches that he was going to and why – Rimfire and Steel Challenge matches. Then I got a call sometime after midnight one night from a caller that said he’d been told about the glasses at the World Rimfire match. The caller turned out to be Michael Bane with the Outdoor Channel, but being new to this world, I didn’t actually know who Michael Bane was. Michael also gave me some recommendations on matches to attend, matches that he’d also be attending. Michael opened a lot of doors back in the hunting industry for us too.
Soon I started getting calls to sponsor events, and said “yes” to everything in 2018. The first match I did with the tent was the Georgia State Steel match at Griffin Gun Range; I got there early in the morning before the competitors arrived. I found the Match Director for the event and asked where I should set up my tent (and) he told me to set up my tent where I’d like. I learned a very valuable lesson that day – always get to matches early for the best location! The event competitors started arriving, and they came right by the tent. They really had nothing else to do that early so I was able to have some great conversations about the glasses and I gave them a pair to try – the start of demo days. What I learned in these early days of meeting Steel Challenge shooters is that the majority of shooters take their eyes and ears for granted, largely young people. No one was educating people about lenses and lens technology. I learned that seeing the edge of the target is everything for the top shooters in the sport. I was really caught off-guard that everyone was so nice and happy that I was there at the matches. I didn’t expect that, given the price of the glasses. But once I was able to make people understand the value, once you educate someone about what goes into the lenses and what they do for the shooter, the product sells itself. People will buy every time when the value is greater than the price. So I saw early on that my challenge was education. But Steel Challenge people have been the nicest people that I’ve ever met. And I think I’ve proved that I’m in it for the long haul. I’ve seen a lot of companies come and go even in the short time that I’ve been involved with the sport.
The great thing for me is that I’m having fun – more fun in the retail business than any other time in my career since I started when I was 21 years old. This year I will have done 41 matches and sponsored over 130 matches. I Met Mike Foley at the 9 Days of Nationals in 2018. Shortly afterward, Hunters HD Gold became the official eyewear of USPSA and Steel Challenge. That’s a check that gets written every month to USPSA; let me tell you it has been worth every penny. I’m making plans in 2020 to do even more for the shooting sports than what I’m doing now. We will be doing Hunters HD Gold Custom – send me your frames, and I will put my lens in them. All of our lenses meet ANSI 2015 standards for safety. The frames that I l sell meet the Z87+1 or (+2 for prescription) safety standard for safety glasses. The lenses won’t have ANSI markings unless they go into actual safety frames – that’s due to OSHA regulations. If something bad happens, the lenses will still do their job, but the frames may not do their job if they’re not actual safety frames. But once I understood the fact that every shooter has their brand, I better understood the need for Hunters HD Gold Custom. So now people will have the opportunity to keep their frames that they love and take advantage of Hunters HD Gold lenses.
I will be attending even more matches in 2020. I’m stepping up our involvement with USPSA and Steel Challenge. I’ll be doing more Facebook Live from events. I’m hoping to attend the IPSC World Shoot in Thailand! And I’ll continue to do what I’ve been doing and I’ll stay consistent. I will also continue to give back to not only the shooters, but also to the gun manufacturers that helped put me on the map – you see examples of their art in my tent.
I will always have a special place in my heart for Steel Challenge; it’s where we got our start. Every match is like a family reunion. I’ve always believed in people, and they’ve never let me down.
USPSA: Thank you, Brian – I look forward to seeing you on the range next year. BC:
Next year is 20/20 - time to Capture Your Vision!
Written by Steve Foster
It was four short years ago when Larry Joe Steeley Jr, Steel Target Paint, approached me about the best shooting glasses on the market. I remember a skeptical conversation about his claims. He asked if I wore a prescription in my current shooting glasses and I told him that I did. He said he would get with Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold to make me a pair and then I would become a believer. I cautiously sent me prescription to someone I have never met.
Three short days later, I had a parcel package waiting at my door. I opened up the box and here was a pair of Hunters HD Gold Caliber glasses with a copy of my prescription inside with a hand written note from Brian asking for feedback. I put on the glasses and two thoughts rushed to me; 1- everything turned to gold! 2- the clarity of my prescription was more crisp than anything I have ever experienced. They literally changed my vision instantaneously.
I could tell these lenses were not just a pair you would find at a Supermarket let alone lenses I could find at my high-end optometrist. I never knew what clarity looked like until I put them on.
I had the opportunity to visit and sit down with Brian to discuss the manufacturing process of his lenses at Optical Prescription Lab (OPL) where Hunters HD Gold lenses are made. During the tour, Brian stated there are predominately two different types of lenses; 1- Pre-manufactured Lenses and 2- Custom Manufactured Lenses. Not all lenses are the same. The Pre-manufactured lens is what it sounds like. They are “stock” lenses, which undergo a cast moulding process where a type of plastic is injected into a mold of a singular prescription. They have a certain base curve, think curve at the back of the lens, are then coated with anti-glare or anti-scratch coating or both and then packaged for retail.
The Custom Manufactured Lenses are created OPL using a process called Digital Surfacing Technology, which is state of the art for the lens manufacturing industry. In this process, the lens starts off as an oversized piece of plastic with no prescription in them. There is a grinding process where the prescription is created by grinding into the plastic with expensive precision machinery. It is amazing to see this process in person. The result is a lens reminiscent of the first time I saw High Definition television. The visual improvement difference is staggering.
During the tour it was a reminder non-shooting lenses are also being made. Since 2017 OPL has been making my daily/work glasses and the same, ‘high definition” experience is had both on the range as well as the office. For more information on your shooting glasses or those for off range use, reach out to Hunters HD Gold at www.huntershdgold.com.
Written by Richard Mann
Also known as the, “my arms are too short” disease, presbyopia is the normal occurrence of your eyes gradually losing the ability to see things up close. It’s nothing new, in fact according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the term “presbyopia” comes from a Greek word which means “old eye.” Most humans start experiencing this problem at about the age of 40, and the first indication of its onset is that you have to hold reading materials further away. This of course is when you start thinking your arms have gotten shorter.
What does any of this have to do with shooting? Well, it ought to be obvious; when shooting a handgun, the sights are generally held at about reading distance. If you cannot focus on them, you cannot hit the target with precision. And, as presbyopia worsens, even the front sight of a rifle can become blurry. The typical solution to this common ailment is the inexpensive reader glasses sold at drug stores. Though they will help you read and even see your sights, they create a new problem, and that’s the ability to focus at distance.
The lens behind your iris changes shape to focus light onto the retina. When you’re young, this lens is soft and flexible, allowing you to focus up close and far away. As you age the lens becomes more rigid and cannot change shape as easily. The bad news is there is no way to stop or reverse presbyopia. The good news is the condition can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or blended vision surgery. However, for open sight shooters who need the simultaneous close and far focus flexibility, these common corrections all short.
I struggled with the condition for a few years until I had the bright idea of asking my optometrist if he could modify my reading glasses’ prescription to sort of balance my near and far vision. We discussed where I needed to focus to see open sights on handguns and rifles, and how sharp of a focus I needed at distance. He then tweaked my prescription and I ordered a pair of Oakley glasses with interchangeable lenses. It was expensive but some of the best money I’d ever spent. However, because of my narrow interpupillary distance, there was only one pair of Oakley glasses that would work for my eyes.
Nonetheless, I used these glasses with great success for several years and was damn glad I had them. Fortunately, earlier this year I was teaching a Scout Rifle class and one of the students was a fellow named Brian Conley. Brian operates a company called Hunter’s HD Gold – huntershdgold.com – they make protective safety glasses that meet the ANSI Z87.1+ standard. In hillbilly language that means they make OSHA-approved, ballistic shooting glasses. Designed to offer contrast and clarity, the unique tint of the photochromic lenses helps with night blindness, macular degeneration, and seasonal affective disorder. And, they also block 100% UVA, UVB, and blue light.
Just as importantly, the Trivex material – originally developed for the military as visual armor – the lenses are crafted from are more impact resistant than regular plastic or polycarbonate lenses and offer more than 43% light transmission. These lenses have an anti-glare coating that virtually eliminate reflections from the back, and this optimizes visual acuity and allows the lenses to be more scratch/dust resistant than non-coated lenses.
There are a wide variety of shooting glasses on the market but what sets Hunters HD Gold apart is their ability to include your prescription into their lenses. For more than 40 years Conley’s company has been providing the best lenses possible for optometrists and ophthalmologists. His new-found interest in shooting and hunting led to the creation of Hunters HD Gold glasses, and when I described my narrow-eye, presbyopia-effected, optical situation, he offered to craft me a pair of glasses to help me shoot better. He also loaned me a pair of the non-prescription glasses to try.
When I returned home, I contacted my optometrist and asked if he would send me my corrected – shooting – prescription, so I could forward it to Hunters HD Gold and have a pair of shooting glasses built. He said since it had been six years since my last appointment that I would have to come in for a fresh eye exam. I tried to explain that my current prescription worked just fine but he was not interested in helping unless I paid for an office visit. I called Brian and explained the situation and he said it was not a problem, that if I would send him my current prescription shooting glasses, he could extrapolate the prescription and apply it to his glasses.
And that’s exactly what he did. In less than two weeks I had a pair of the Hunters HD Gold Archer style glasses with my “shooting” prescription in hand. They work perfectly and, in all honesty, have less edge distortion than the glasses supplied by my optometrist. Hunters HD Gold executed my prescription flawlessly, and not only did some range time with a few handguns prove this, I used those glasses to help me shoot a buffalo in Africa this summer while using an open-sighted rifle.
I now have two pair of Hunters HD glasses. My non-Rx Aviators I wear almost all the time. This is partly because of the great impact resistance they offer, but also because of the aforementioned advantages of contrast and clarity they provide. I wear my Rx Archer Hunters HD Gold glasses anytime I’m shooting open sights, whether they be on a handgun or a rifle. In short, I’m sold, and if you like you can consider this a full-fledged endorsement.
My suggestion is that if you’re suffering from presbyopia, visit your optometrist and ask him to modify your reading prescription to better balance the focus for shooting handguns or open sights on rifles. Then, send that Rx to Hunters HD Gold and get some shooting glasses that’ll help you hit what you’re aiming at. Hunters HD Gold can build your glasses with whatever prescription you like. While you’re at it, I’d also order a pair of their non-Rx glasses and I’ll bet you find it hard to take them off. While in Africa everyone who tried mine liked them and they became known as the “happy glasses,” because they seem to make the world a brighter, cheerier, place.
They sure make me a lot cheerier when I’m shooting with them, because I hit what I’m aiming at. Hunters HD Gold glasses are not cheap but missing can get damned expensive. There’s a reason lots of competitive shooters wear them.
