Wiley X Brick or ESS CDI Shooting Glasses?

[Erik 1]

I am looking for a good quality pair of shooting glasses with either interchangable lenses or light adjusting lenses, so I can use them indoors and out. The two that I'm interested in are:

Wiley X Brick (http://www.opticsplanet.net/wiley-x-brick-sunglasses-goggles.html)

http://images1.opticsplanet.com/640-640/opplanet-wiley-x-brick-sunglasses-goggles.jpg

and

ESS CDI (http://www.opticsplanet.net/ess-cdi-sunglasses.html)

http://images2.opticsplanet.com/640-640/opplanet-ess-cdi-sunglasses.jpg

They both seem to have what I want, and I like the style as well. (I don't like the looks of some others, like Oakley half jackets, Revision sawfly, etc. - Shallow, I know, but still, I have to live with this choice.)

I like the Wiley X a little better, plus I was able to try on a pair so I know how they fit and how they look. Costs are roughly comparable for each. What I'd like to know is:

1. Is there any reason not to get one or the other of these pairs of glasses (comfort with ear protection, durability, ease of swapping lenses, etc.)?

2. Is there any reason to pick the ESS over the Wiley X, since I like the Wiley X better so far?

3. Can anybody tell me how well the Wiley X light adjusting lenses work? I like the idea of the convenience, but I tend to like my sunglasses darker and I'm not sure if these will cut it. I can get two pairs of lenses and swap them out when I need to for about the same price.

I've read mostly good things about both brands, but thought I would ask here since there's a huge amount of collective experience and you guys probably use your gear harder than most.

Thanks very much in advance.

[Skang]

Iam also interested in this.

Just curious, where is this made in?

[Erik 1]

You know, I thought they were both made in the US, but I did a little more looking and it seems the ESS are made in the US, but this model Wiley X is imported (others are made here). That makes a pretty big difference to me.

[andy t]

My Wiley X are made in Italy, which is still very good.

[c0b2a]

Honestly guys, both Wiley X and ESS are huge pieces of crap, very cheaply made from my experience.

[Erik 1]

My Wiley X are made in Italy, which is still very good.

Agreed, I just prefer to buy American when I can.


Honestly guys, both Wiley X and ESS are huge pieces of crap, very cheaply made from my experience.

That's the first I've heard anything bad about the ESS and I've read mostly, but not all, good about the Wiley X. Do you have a different recommendation? Thanks.

[calicojack]

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[Erik 1]

I think they're both being used by troops. I'd like to think it means something good.

Another brand I've run across that is interesting is Liquid Eyewear. For the life of me, though, I can't come up with much useful info about them. They offer light to dark lenses, but I can't figure out how light and how dark they get. They offer a model with interchangeable lenses, but I can't figure out if there's a clear lens option (doesn't look like it). I also can't figure out what their protective rating is, and I can't figure out if all the models are protective or only some. This company does a lousy job of getting the word out. Plus they're pretty much more expensive, it seems.

[calicojack]

.......

[Erik 1]

Thanks. I haven't run across any Oakleys that I like and I don't qualify for the discount, though.