5 minute read
KIT & GEAR: EYEPRO
EYE PROTECTION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF SAFETY, NO MATTER WHAT YOU SHOOT AND BILL HAS USED A BRAND FROM AUSTRALIA FOR SOME TIME, A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES MODELS THAT OFFER THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE AND PROTECTION!
Cheap eye protection is a false economy in virtually every respect I can think of! Luckily, these days we have a wealth of manufactuerers to choose from when it comes to protecting those all important “Eyes and Ears” and testing for such products is amongst the most stringent out there. I’ve been using “eyepro” from Austrlian brand Blueye and am often asked why I use their “Jager” model when there’s so many other big names out there.
Blueye Eyewear was formed in December 1995, when Dean Bennell (Director and Founder) came up with a new eyewear concept for jockeys in Horse Racing. Whilst working as a horse trainer in Sydney, Australia, Dean realised that the goggles jockeys were wearing had not changed in design or materials since the 1950’s (sounds a bit like my old man’s shooting glasses)!
Dean began designing goggles and the design process took eight months, during which time he approached his brother Marc, to see if he would be interested in becoming a partner in “Blueye Eyewear”. The partnership was then formed and in December 1996, twelve months after conception, Blueye entered the marketplace.
Initially, Blueye concentrated on marketing its product throughout the horse racing industry, but soon realised that the goggles also had potential in other sports. An extensive sunglass range was gradually created, building on the success of the goggles technology and along the way Blueye picked up awards such as “Australian Design of the Year” and Australia’s “Powerhouse Museum Award for Science and Design”.
Blueye Tactical Eyewear is a division of Blueye Eyewear Pty Ltd, they design, develop and manufacture specific purpose eyewear, with the emphasis on supplying elite performance eyewear products. In 2013, after four years of development, Blueye released their first ever specific purpose ballistic eyewear range for the international military and tactical markets. At Blueye Tactical Eyewear they strongly believe that for personnel to perform specific operational tasks, they need to be wearing the correct eye protection.
Whether it is Water Ops, Land, Air or Special Ops tasks, Blueye Tactical has developed an elite performance eyewear product for their needs and all Blueye Goggles and Sunglasses have gone through rigorous testing to meet, or exceed US Mil-Spec requirements.
JAGER UP!
The Jagers are super-light stealth Ballistic Sunglasses for tactical users. As well as the basic (if you can possibly call it that) model, the Jagers are also
available in a Low Profile design and with High definition lenses.
These are the specs: • Exceeds U.S. military ballistic impact requirements for spectacles (MIL-PRF-31013, clause 3.5.1.1) • High Impact grilamide Frame material • Interchangeable lens system • 2.1mm Carl Zeiss precision optics lenses 100% UVA & UVB • Frame colour matt black • Included lens colours: (clear and smoke) • Adjustable nose pad for comfort • Low profile temples for ear muff compatibility • Retainer strap included • Hard Carry Case with included lenses • RX adaptor available • Certified ANSI Z87.1-2010 ballistic impact and optical requirements, Certified EN166, Certified AS/NZS 1337.1
Back in 2017 I was very kindly approached to “use and abuse” the Jagers. I’d worn wrap-round styles from another manufacturer for years and had actually been through three pairs of those. The design and profile of the Jagers was similar but also a bit more up to date and, certainly for me, the fit was very, very good. They are also extremely light at just 30g but in no way feel flimsy.
The glasses I received came in a very nice stiffened hard-case with a zip closure, and a good deal of foam padding internally to keep everything in place. They also arrived with three lenses, clear and smoke, plus High Definition Orange (you can have them without the High Def is you so desire); the lenses are easily and swiftly interchanged by simply removing the cushioned nosepiece, popping a small retaining catch over the bridge, and simply sliding one lens out to replace with another. Also included in the package is a retaining strap and soft lens cloth. They have proved extremely comfortable to wear, even over extended periods of time and I’m pleased to report that I’ve suffered from almost zero fogging - and that’s with continual use since I’ve had them! Vents within the top of the lenses allow air circulation to actively minimise any build-up of moisture. Even with the High Definition lens set the Jagers retail for UK£110 (the basic model with Smoke or Clear lenses is UK£64.95), which is slightly less than the glasses I’d worn historically. However, the safety specifications of the Jagers also exceed that of my old ones, so they are superb value for money. After-sales service has also been exceptional! I somehow managed to lose the nosepiece on a photoshoot but after speaking to Blueye UK, a replacement was with me within days… direct from Australia!
Although the range of tactical goggles and sunglasses offered by Blueye is a very tight one, I truly believe that they have some great looking designs that also offer immense amounts of protection. Whilst they are not the cheapest eyepro on the market, in my opinion they sit exactly where they should price-wise; indeed, you can’t put a price on your eyesight, can you?
My sincere thanks go to Blueye UK who originally provided the test model, and please be sure to check out www.tacticalgoggles.co.uk for more information on both the models themselves and stockist details.
