Revision Eyewear sent me a free sample of their newly redesigned Sawfly ballistic shades for evaluation.
On the face of it, the updated glasses don't seem very "updated" until you take a closer look and wear them around a bit.
Revision changed the chemistry of the nosepiece, so it's a lot sticker and stays on the nose better when sweat or other types of moisture coax the glasses to droop off your face.
The company also thinned out the temple to keep it from digging into your head while wearing radio headsets and ear pro. And there's a new retention system that snaps easily on and off.
Like its predecessor, the new Sawfly Military Eyewear System provides the same superior ballistics, exceeding ANSI Z87.1-2010 and military ballistic impact requirements MIL-PRF-31013, clause 3.5.1.1 and MIL-DTL-43511D, clause 3.5.10; the same flawless optics for distortion-free vision; and the same rugged durability to protect and perform through all the rigors of combat.
Revision also says they made the lense a bit bigger to protect against side impacts better than the old model, and this is where I kind of part ways with the new design benefits.
I'm not a huge fan of big, wide glasses and the expanded lens, while probably minimal on paper, is noticeable to the wearer. I know it's probably more aesthetic than anything else, but there's a certain point when you come full circle into goggleland and leave the lean, mean streets of sunglassville. For me, the lower profile, the better.
I also wish that instead of shipping them with a dark lens and a clear one, they'd ship a yellow one instead of clear...I think the Joes would appreciate it.
But for dudes facing bullets, shrapnel and debris flying at ballistic speeds every day, the updated Sawfly might be just the thing to keep those eyes safe. The Sawfly retails for about $90.
