| Gunnar Optiks Shredder Digital Eyewear |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Accessories | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Friday, 28 January 2011 | |
Gunnar Catalyst Shredder S6126 Eyewear Review
Manufacturer: Gunnar Optiks, LLC. Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Gunnar Optiks. Many of us take our eyes for granted nearly every day, as we spend countless hours in front of a computer monitor until the strain sends us home at night. Some people spend an entire day in front of the screen, only to go home and continue on a new display. The average person now spends more time working on computers than anything else, including sleep. This is where digital eyewear comes into action, helping to relieve the strain associated with extended periods behind a monitor. In this article, Benchmark Reviews inspects the Gunnar Catalyst Shredder performance glasses, which use i-AMP Lens Technology. I've always disliked wearing eyewear. From my elementary school up through high school, I wore glasses to see anything beyond arms reach. Contact lenses were a fashionable alternative, so long as I didn't blink, or need to wear them for more than a few minutes. Eventually laser corrective surgery fixed my vision to better than perfect, and I've been happy ever since. Then came 3D products, putting me behind eyewear reminiscent of Marine Corps BCG's (birth control glasses). While I'm supremely optimistic for a 3D future without eyewear, there are still times when I must endure the burden of a frame resting on my nose. This is another one of those occasions. Over the past four years of operating Benchmark Reviews, I've worked absurdly long hours to produce quality articles for this website. It's a lot of fun, but fourteen-hour work days on nearly every day of the week can truly wear down a person's body. It's not necessarily hard physical work, aside from keeping awake well past a normal bed time, but it really puts a terrible strain on my premium-priced eyes. Making matters worse, ironically, there are times in my day when testing a product means playing a video game for extended periods. Collectively, these tireless efforts have turned my eyes from green to red. As a result, I decided to visit the realm of glasses once again and ease the strain with Gunnar Optiks digital eyewear.
Gunnar Optics Features
Closer Look: Gunnar Shredder EyewearGunnar Optiks offers indoor digital performance eyewear segmented into three categories: Gaming (eSports), Tech, and Creative styles. The Gunnar Catalyst Shredder S6126 digital eyewear series is part of their 'Tech' category, which they describe as offering a "modern yet classic visual palette". The Gunnar 'Gaming' series offers i-AMP lens technology, and the 'Creative' series features Gunnar's CATALYST collection.
Benchmark Reviews recently tested the Mad Catz CoD: Black Ops ProGaming Glasses, which are a clever variety of Gunnar Optik's MLG Legend frame from the eSport collection with amber i-AMP lens. The Gunnar Catalyst Shredder offers that same i-AMP lens technology and uses a custom-blended proprietary polymer (which beats out polycarbonate on the toughness scale and rivals the undisputed optics of ground glass), but does so with a more-fashionable frame (according to me).
The Gunnar Optiks Shredder glasses measure 125mm wide from corner to corner, and 121mm long from tip to lens. The nose piece is 18mm wide, while each lens measures 60mm wide by 43mm tall. Shredder is one of Gunnar's largest frames, surpassed only by the MLG Legend (56mm tall/43mm wide lens) and Sparrow (60mm tall/51mm wide). While the wide lens allows for the maximum viewable area, the short height may potentially affect the 'ocular cap' effect (discussed later).
Shredder's frame is cold forged of magnesium/aluminum alloy and fused with internal spring hinges. The straight arms make it possible to comfortably wear a headset or earphones with these glasses, while the thermally molded polymer traction points keep the eyewear in place.
Gunnar Optiks offers the Shredder series in four colors: Onyx (S6126/2-C001), Espresso (S6126/2-C002), Crimson (S6126/2-C004), and Ash (S6126/2-C005). All four colors offer the exact same frame style and lens, but Onyx appears to be the most affordable pair for $79.00 at Newegg or Amazon.
The temples and precision cut frames feature a floating adjustable nose pads for a customizable fit. In the images above (top view) and below (bottom view), you can see how much room the nose pads have for adjustment.
Gunnar Shredder S6126 digital performance eyewear look nice, but do they really work? That's what we plan to find out, as we inspect these glasses and test them in real-world scenarios... Digital Eyewear Tests and ExperienceIn comparison to the recently tested MLG Legend/ProGaming aviator glasses from the Gaming line, Gunnar's Shredder series is much more modern and sylish by my own personal standard. What I didn't know was that there was function as a result of fashion, and the size of the lens could make a difference. The concept behind Gunnar's tightly arced amber-tinted lenses is that they form a personal ocular 'micro-climate' that helps prevent dry eyes. Imagine this as a theoretical 'cap' that seals moisture in the eye, although the lenses never actually touch you. With the aviator style frames there was a much larger lens 'cap' to help trap moisture, but the Shredder series has wide yet short lenses that don't offer the same ocular cup. Thankfully this is just one small aspect of Gunnar's digital eyewear, because the first thing most users will notice is improved visual clarity. Gunnar uses fancy trademark terms to describe their features, such as AMBeR lenses, or diAMIX lens material, i-Amp lens technology, and fRACTYL lens geometry. What these terms really define is the the +0.2 diopter tuned for viewing neoscopic digital screens (AMBeR), tougher-than-polycarbonate material (diAMIX), and independently curved front and back lens surface (fRACTYL). But wait, there's more...
Gunnar Optik's also goes trademark crazy with i-FI lens coating, which boasts proprietary nano-filters to capture safe light and block out glare and reflective light. They also offer iONik lens tints, which you probably didn't think was worth trade-marking. iONik lens tints take harsh light from artificial sources and uses organic dye compounds (via Trader Joe's) to condition and shift light into a more acceptable color spectrum. Now that you've heard the list of barely-familiar trademark terms, I'll explain how they worked. The AMBeR lenses seemed to magnify objects on the screen, likely a result of the +0.2 diopters increase combined with fRACTYL front and back lens surface curvature. I found the amplification to be noticeable, increasing fine detail roughly 15-20%, but not nauseating. Disregarding their intended indoor close-range use, if you decide to wear these glasses outside expect for distant viewing to become a little disorientating. Gamers and non-gamers alike will both benefit from digital performance eyewear. On the morning these glasses arrived I put them on and immediately forgot I was wearing them; they're that light weight. The Gunnar Catalyst Shredder glasses helped to keep my eyes relaxed and unstrained, especially improving my ability to read small text (which is all I get at 1920x1200 resolution). After playing Call of Duty: Black Ops for a few hours, it surprised me when the killing was done and I didn't have scorching red eyes. After several days of use, I now consider these glasses a necessary tool for my extended work day. They're not just for gamers, they're for anyone staring at a screen for hours on end. As a disclaimer I've noticed that already tired, dry, and red eyes aren't going to be saved by slipping on Gunnar's digital eyewear. The local climate where I live already causes dry eyes, and I usually don't get enough sleep on most nights, yet the Gunnar lenses still added a noticeable level of relaxation to my strained eyes. To me, it seemed like digital eyewear is a lot like sun block: it merely extends the time you're exposed and helps to protect against over-exposure. But to be clear, they're not magical glasses. While the retail version of this digital eyewear is made for people with corrected or perfect vision, Gunnar Optiks does offer prescription lenses through Carl Zeiss Vision. People who wear contact lens will really like the way they keep the eyes for drying, but this will depend on the ocular 'cap' created by different lens size and frame styles. The Gunnar Optiks Shredder series worked well in this regard, but it seemed to me that the aviator style frames helped to form a better 'micro-climate' behind the lens. Gunnar Optiks Final ThoughtsGunnar Optiks, LLC. designs several different versions of their digital performance eyewear products, and they offer a large range of indoor and outdoor eyewear built specifically for various duties and ranges. All of their eyewear offer similar optical quality by incorporating i-AMP lens technology, with over sixty different frame options shared across their indoor, outdoor, and 3D product lines. While the ultra-effective AMBeR lens tint is the standard for most of their products, the 'Creative' series offers CRySTALLINE lens tint and coating formula designed specifically for the graphic designer, video/film editor, or creative visual artist who requires an equally balanced color spectrum. Gunnar has certainly made a positive impression on me with these short-range indoor glasses, and my testing experience shooting enemies online really temps me to try some of their outdoor glasses the next time I fire real guns (for target shooting).
Catalyst Shredder S6126 ConclusionAfter searching the market, there really aren't that many eyewear products made for short-range indoor use. This is what makes Gunnar Optik's Shredder eyewear such an enticing option for computer users who put in long hours behind the monitor. They're very light weight, and the AMBeR tint is so subtle that white still appears white when you look at the screen. Beyond the superficial aspects, these glasses helped to keep my eyes from drying out. I'm known to forget blinking when I play video games, and I've already got the dry Nevada desert air working against me. The Sparrow and MLG Legend series offer larger lens with an aviator-style frame and could potentially offer a better ocular 'cap', but the Shredder is a far more attractive look. If you're planning to wear Gunnar's digital eyewear in a public/work environment, style and appearance will be key factors in your purchase. The Shreder series may be one of Gunnar's most popular, but if you're looking for optimal performance it pains me to suggest their Sparrow and MLG Legend series. I've already made several comments about the appearance of these styles, and I think that people will either like the aviator look or they won't. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the style, but then again I really like how the large arced lenses form a 'micro-climate' above my eye and allow me to comfortably game (or work) for extended periods. As a result, I'm fine with trading improved function over a better-looking fashion. Shredder does nearly as well, but when you work for 14-hours or more behind a computer screen every optical advantage helps. Gunnar's diAMIX lens material is stronger than polycarbonate, and makes these glasses impervious to damage from accidental droppage. The +0.2 diopter fRACTYL lens geometry helps to enlarge objects, such as a crosshair or text, and the i-FI lens coating keep scratches from forming. Gunnar uses a lot of hard-to-remember trademark names to develop their digital performance eyewear, five to be precise, but they actually add up to something noteworthy... something you can see and feel. I've loaned out Gunnar Optiks eyewear to friends, and within days they're price shopping for a pair of their own. Gunnar's Catalyst Shredder S6126 series digital eyewear works great for gamers, and comfortably accommodates headsets or earphones. Casual computer users who log extended hours behind the screen will certainly appreciate the eye relief they offer, but only so long as they don't already have to wear corrective glasses. Gunnar offers impressive retail eyewear, but those requiring prescription lenses will want to research their Carl Zeiss Vision Rx optics. Available in the Onyx frame finish for $79.00 at Newegg or Amazon, Gunnar's Shredder series are an expensive item. Would I pay this much for a pair of eyewear that improve clarity and reduce eye strain? Before experiencing the positive effects first hand, this would have been a skeptical purchase. However, in the aftermath of several sixteen hour days behind my computer while wearing their performance digital eyewear, I would gladly pay the asking price without thinking twice. Some of the Gunnar Optik's product line carries an expensive price tag, charging more for various colors of the same frame, but if you can find them for $80 or less they're well worth your money. In summary, Gunnar Optiks digital eyewear are an excellent accessory for gamers, and daily computer users alike. The Shredder Onyx frames actually cost less than Gunnar's other finishes of the same model, so some price shopping is necessary. If you want an added edge in video games or relief from eye strain, I highly recommend the Gunnar Optiks digital indoor series of eyewear. Pros:
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Comments
Just wanted to say, Amazon was very confusing for purchasing - rather you can get the same pricing ($79) buying direct from the mfg and have a choice of dozen of styles. Free shipping included.
It's about time to protect her corrective investment, we'll get some of these.
Cheers Olin ;)
The massive number of "branded" terms a company uses to describe rather normal features of their products always makes me suspicious.
Not necessary for computer usage, just another add on...in an industry full of them.
Michael
It is probably the nerd equiv of reading glasses, sure. But they are well made, light weight and make a huge difference in reading small text off a white background.
I'm getting old and my eyes are suffering with what I do, these might just help. I'd already spent the cash for the 28" monitor (still set at 1900x1200) so going bigger isn't the solution. On the other hand my wife already wants to borrow them for when she is using her 10" netbook.
This isn't a product for everyone but I don't think you could judge its merits without sitting in front of a screen of text.
And an optician's opinion is less valuable than a game/computer reviewer or commenter with absolutely no professional experience in human optics?
Sounds like you're an apologist for Gunnar.
I'd trust my experienced optician's advice over anybody who's posted here, especially since she SELLS GUNNARS and has no advantage to steer me away from them.
Honestly, she didn't say that the Gunnars were snake-oil, she just said that they didn't seem to offer much more than the slight magnification that judicious adjustment of the viewing environment couldn't fix since the Gunnars are meant for indoor use.
Yep, I agree with your advice, contact an optometrist or opthamologist if you're having eye strain problems, don't run out a buy a pair of Gunnars unless he/she recommends them.
Some people have to use a computer for many hours on end, unless the optician is lousy and has a low clientele list, then it's highly likely that they don't actually get the chance to spend many hours constantly staring at a monitor, like many other people have to do for their profession.
The point is, for a little amount, you get relief and don't have to pay an ridiculous amount of of money to have a professional tell you there's not much they can do about it, most of the reviews indicate they do what they claim they do, are they all apologists for Gunnar?
Heavy computer users who do not need corrective lenses for other purposes will, in about 95% of cases find some level of relief.
Most important thing anyone can do to relieve eyestrain is look away from the monitor about ever 15 minutes, look at a distance and Blink, Blink, Blink your eyes for say 30 seconds or so!
I have been suffering eyestrain of late sitting 3 feet from a 37" Westy W3. I didn't bother me for the first few years I owned the display but it does now. Until I can replace it I needed to do something. I got these glasses and they really do help! I can spend 12+ hours in front of the screen again working and/or playing with no eyestrain.
Also I would rec to the readers this small little app to help with eyestrain. It works great
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