Fresh Goods Sunday - Norville Basto 102 Silver Optical Sunglasses

 

I have had to wear prescription glasses from a very early age of my life and don't really think anything about it now. When I started cycling many many years ago I used to wear my normal glasses or normal everyday prescription sunglasses as there was no such thing as prescription cycling glasses on the market. As years have gone by a few manufacturers have brought out one or two models within there range. Most are just converted existing models with a optical insert clipped on the back of the frame. I have tried several makes over the years, Some have been more successful than offers. I have two pairs of Birko, BBB & Rudy Project. My latest ones are the cheaper BBB models and have lasted very well apart from the nose piece which I had to replace as one of the nose pads snapped off. Both my Birkos have been binned as both rubber nose pieces have disintegrated, the plastic legs have snapped and the optical insert has rubbed against the outer lenses. My Ruby Project ones are fantastic quality but I only have only coloured lens and cannot get any more replacements. 

So it was time for a new pair. There is a company down south which specialise in sporting glasses Optilabs but I wanted to try my glasses on locally and deal with a local optician. Most opticians can order in Oakley ones but they cost an absolute fortune from Oakley Direct, so I did some googling and local riders who have to wear glasses every day were recommending a company Called Sight Direct on the Drum Ind Est, Birtley. I called in past one day I was working over that neck of the woods and spoke to the lady. They have a website with some of the models they stock as well. The model I wanted to look at had to be ordered in but landed within a week. I have always had single vision lenses but this time I wanted to try some Bifocal lenses as I am struggling to read the small numbers on the Garmin / Bosch Kniox head unit. They explained due to the size of the optical insert you can only get approx 1/4" strip at the bottom of the lenses. I ordered the lenses and they took all my measurements and around a week later they had come back. At first trying them on I thought I would not get away with the bi focal lenses but when I got on the bike they were spot on as you head angle changes when riding compared to walking. After a couple of rides I am now accustomed to the new lenses and can see everything in the distance and close up a lot better. 

As for the Basto 102 model they are very comfortable to wear with your helmet on and stay in place, they don't slip down my nose. They come with two two straps / chords, cleaning cloth, cloth storage bag and five different coloured lenses. So far I have only used the slightly tinted clear ones. The quality is ok for the money but no where near the quality of Oakley or some of the main stream sunglass manufacturers but then again the whole kit is only £59 inc the hard case holder. 

RRP around £75 to £79 exc prescription lenses and I paid £59 from Sight Direct, Drum Ind Est Birtley. Bi focal lenses + £40, single vision lenses + £20  

Manufacturers Blurb - 

Frame Colour - Silver

Fit - Standard 

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

NORVILLE BASTO 102

The Basto outdoor goggle is a unisex polarised eyewear ideal for cycling: available in black, blue or silver colours. Placed in a zip-fit box with a belt clip, it is ideal for an outdoor adventure. Sides can also be quickly removed and replaced with head band (included) so can easily be converted from glasses to goggles. 

INCLUDED EXTRAS

Prescription adaptor (prescription range +6.00 to -6.00 opposite cyls to 4.00)

Head band

Zip kit box with belt clip

Soft drawstring bag

Large size cleaning cloth

INCLUDED LENS SPECIFICATIONS

It comes with 5 interchangeable tinted polycarbonate shield lenses:

Grey polarised

Pale blue flash mirror - UV400 50% LT

Pale grey / gold flash mirror - UV400 70% LT

Dark brown blue AR coated - UV400 20% LT

Pale yellow - UV400 70% LT 

FRAME SPECIFICATIONS

Lens Width - 47mm

Lens Height - 26mm

Shield Width - 80mm

Shield Height - 45mm

Temple Arm Length - 135mm