TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Sunglasses! Anyone use Costa del Mars?

Need suggestion for some Costa del Mars or "Costas". They come in diff color lenses for diff situations and I want to know which work best for seeing into the water when I'm entering harbors and channels like Anegada for example. Big difference between blue mirror and grey?

I LOVE my Costa sunglasses. I have the gray lenses, but my husband has the blue mirror lenses. I can definitely tell a difference on the water between the blue and the gray. The gray is great, but there is better contrast with the blue mirror lenses for sure. I have the Copra frames, and definitely recommend them.

Thanks ECRunner! I'm leaning toward the blue. I've heard blue are best for "ON" the water, aka boating in bright BVI sun! But the gray are actually better for seeing "INTO" the water. Then I heard while that's true about the gray for blue water, the blue lens is better in inshore water. Did you try both when coming into moorings like Jost's White Bay or other areas with reef? Also, glass or the plastic polycarbonate? So many decisions!

Have spent many years sailing here in the Caribbean and have worn sunglasses sailing every day -- My favorites have progressed from Serengetti Drivers to Vuarnet Nautilux to Costa del Mars - [my lenses seem to have a brown tone.]
I found the grey lenses Serengettis to be the most soothing on my eyes, the blue lenses Vuarnets the most comfortable and these brown lenses Costas the most effective at distinguishing water depth by color.

The " New Wayfarers"by Ray Ban are amazing..$150 at Sunglass Huts in airports..I have grey frames and lenses and best I've ever had for sailing and much lighter than the old Jack Nicholson model!

Thanks LocalSailor - so back to considering the grey lenses!
Thanks Manpot - I'll check those out too. Plan on going to the mall, first time in 3 years! Figure I better try them on before ordering on the internet. Hate to do that, like to support local business but in this case rather get them with Amazon gift cards or right from factory. Have an old pair of Revo's which were the s**t back in the 80's and a pair of Maui Jims which are great for driving and stepping off private jets but I'm pretty sure I'm definite on the Costa's. Seems to be two types of people, those that have convenience store crappy glasses (I'm one of them!) that try on Costa's and are blown away and those that have had several high end brands and are still blown away by the Costa's. For that reason, I'm sticking with Costa or I'll be bogged down forever trying to choose between brands when it's already hard choosing between Costa's options. Appreciate all the input! Preferences between glass and polycarbonate? Glass - negligible clarity difference, scratch resistant, heavier and prone to cracking. Poly- lightweight, durable but scratch easier.

Costas with 580G lenses (glass): own a pair and you will never even consider another brand.

I am a fly fisherman, sight fishing for fish. Costas let me see details that no other glasses can. Almost every other real fly fisherman that I know also wears Costas.

Things that you might see through other glasses are much more visible with 580Gs. I had numerous other high-end glass before I bought my first pair of Costas. There is an very noticeable increase in color contrast.

Because of the superior color contrast that they have, they are also great for navigating through the reef.

I use the green mirror 580G lenses.

I have the glass lenses, and haven't regretted them! I haven't been on the water with them yet in the BVI. Just the Santa Rosa Beach area in the Florida Gulf. If you want the best lenses for the water, I would go with the mirrored lenses. I don't think you'll be disappointed. The gray lenses are better than any other sunglasses I've had, so you won't go wrong if you choose to go that route, either. A fun problem to have!

Wow! just checked the Costa website and they have reader sunglasses...I may have to purchase a pair <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

The real decision will be whether to get a pair for my wife but that's taking out of the Painkiller fund.

Anyone know if Costa del Mars can make a prescription polycarbonate lens?
-Dave

The key to seeing into the water is a polarized lens.

Yes, they do. Here are the options: https://d24gbqxzbu2j6c.cloudfront.net/shop/prescription_options_v2.pdf

Thanks - that's very helpful!
-Dave

Maui Jim sports. No lanyard needed. Polarized. Rose brown. Costas as are too heavy.

I have worn Costas for a little over 21 years. I wore them before they were trendy and friends used to make fun of me for wearing boating glasses. Times have changed. Lol.

I just replaced a pair of Triple Tail glasses with Amber 580 glass lens. It was replaced under warranty because the prior pair of triple tail glasses lasted 11 years of hard boating and offshore fishing and the lenses were finally starting to fade in the corners.

I have had several other Costa sunglasses as had my brother and several friends. Myself included think the quality has gone down a little bit but they are still great glasses. I prefer the amber lens over grey for boating but that's my preference.

I spent 8 years of my life working at Sunglass Hut, as a multi-store manager and corporate trainer. So I know a little bit, but it's been 20 years since I considered myself an expert

Definitely look for polarized lenses which block reflective glare off of water, snow, roadways, etc.

Polycarbonate (plastic) lenses are lightweight and virtually shatter-proof, but they will scratch easier. Glass lenses are heavier but resist scratching. Any glasses with a reflective coating on the outside will show scratches more easily because the coating is the first thing to be damaged (especially when wiping dried saltwater off with something like your shirt).

We only sold a limited number of Costas back then, so I don't know a lot about them. I used to swear by Serengetis but have worn Maui Jims for the past 15-ish years. I *love* their lenses and their customer service is the best! I had some scratched-up lenses that I sent in for an estimate for replacement. They sent me a brand new pair for $35 (which if you consider the retail cost, this is a hell of a deal). I have three styles - metal frame/glass lens, plastic frame/glass lens, and plastic frame/poly wraparound style lens. I use the plastic/poly the most.

But it's ALL about personal preference (lens color, style, etc.). I'd definitely recommend going into a retail location to try them on - preferably one where you can actually walk outside with them to compare and find what's right for you. I used to let customers do that if they left me their license and a credit card.

Felix

I have to agree with many others that have already commented. I picked up my first pair of Costas in 2001 and have literally worn nothing else since. They are great for reef reading, sight fishing, driving, you name it.

They have come a long way in that time, and now make both green and blue mirror lenses in plastic (less weight) as well as glass (heavier, but as mentioned, more scratch resistant).

I usually order from Amazon and if they don't fit, return them hassle free. It can be difficult to find a retail location that has all of their frames to try on.

Every few years I pack up whatever amount of pairs I have laying around that are scratched or need repair and ship back to have fixed. My wife enjoys reminding me that I have a Costa "problem" given the 11 pairs I own (that I haven't lost).

Just my two cents, but blue mirror seems to be better for offshore while green mirror seems to be better for shallower water. Either work great, and really cut down on eye strain.

Cheers,

EC

Good to hear. I thought I was excessive with three pairs of Maui Jims. I'll try some Costas the next time I have a chance, like at the Annapolis boat show.

Cheers, RickG

Rick, I will freely admit that I like the Maui Jim's as they seem to be MUCH lighter than most of the Costas I have.

That said, I am often accused of being "hard on equipment" and no doubt as soon as I bought a nice pair of Maui's, I'd break them. My wife has two pairs of Maui's and she loves them.

Cheers,

EC

Again...personal taste.

I usually end up buying a new set of MAUI's every year or two. I call it a water tax. they don't suffer pocket carry well with out the "hey, look at me :)" case.

What I really like about the sports is ZERO need for croakie's/lanyards. try on a pair and knock your head about to your hearts desire, and they won't come off. They are that light.

I really hated having the croaky/lanyard bouncing around the back of my neck in the wind, and those ridged wire things, or the ones that clip to your hat "were not my style"

Ugghhh! Just went to the mall for the first time in 3 years to try a pair on at the Sunglass store. Girl says "Oh we don't have Costa's but we get people asking for them constantly"! Just wanted to see the weight difference between glass/plastic and if I should go med or large frame, then of course order on Amazon! Lots of you guys that fish (me as well) seem to prefer the green. I don't have the cash for 4 pairs so I'm thinking the green aren't the choice for everyday wear to weddings and funerals. Wore my Maui Jims today to cut my grass and they suck! For me anyway. They are light and ok for driving but they slide down my face worse than any I ever had. I did try the sport Maui's at the store and they did seem much tighter but just too flimsy. My current one's are frameless and they just seem like they'll break if I get hit with wind from a passing bus.

My son has about $4,000 worth of Costas and Maui Jims. Just spend some time snorkeling the anchorages and you'll find them. He hasn't bought a pair yet <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> BTW, early mornings by the dinghy dock in CGB were some of his best finds.

My wife and I have blue polarized glass lens Costas, they are great. The rubber on the nose piece and lower part of the frame started coming off on mine after 3 years. Costas repaired them at no cost other than shipping.

Yes, I would buy them again.

Tony

I have a pair of glass Costas in blue and one in green polycarbonate. I have worn the blue glass one far more for daily use and after 3 years still have no scratches. The green plastic lenses scratch much easier. I only use them while fishing. They would never make it 2 years the way I treat glasses. On the water the blue lenses do a bit better for cutting glare off the water making it much easier to spot markers but the green ones have much better contrast when looking down into the water.

I too have worn Costa's for years. I currently have a pair with the 580G Green Mirror and a pair with the 580P Silver Mirror. Both of those lenses have an amber base and I love them both. They each do great in any water conditions especially shallow water for sight fishing etc. They truly make everything look HD. Whatever you do make sure to get the 580 lenses and not the 400 and in my experience the mirrored (blue, green, silver) are significantly better than the standard grey or amber.

Get the 580G lenses. Blue or green, both are fantastic.

I have Costa readers. Excellent!
JW

Gosh....I got all excited when I saw the start of the subject line thinking my lost RayBans finally turned up <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Even if you didn't buy yours at Sunglass Hut, take them in there when they're not busy, smile, and ask politely if they'll adjust them for you. No reason they should fall off your head like that, it's an easy fix!

Felix

I have a pair of prescription Costas ("Fisch" model with Tortoise frame and Copper polarized plastic lenses). Easily the best sunglasses I've ever owned. I take them everywhere.

I bought a pair of Costas, but the earpieces were too big to use with Croakies. I had to get some kind of wire thingy that is not nearly as comfortable as Croakies. Did any of you all have this problem? How did you solve it?

Some of the neoprene croakies don't have rubber sleeves but neoprene one's. I'm sure they would stretch over the ear piece but I wouldn't trust they would hold well if they fly off. Chums makes the wire one's too that have a swivel so you can bend it down to rest on your neck/shoulder and not have it sticking straight out from the back of your head and flap around. I've also seen more flexible ones not made of wire or fishing line.