ESS Crossbow 3LS Eyeshields / Sunglasses w/ Clear, Smoke, HD Yellow lenses
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Angry Little Asian Man's Review of ESS Crossbow 3LS Eyeshields / Sunglasses w/ Clear, Smoke, HD Yellow lenses
Like many others, I have either bought or been issued these, with clear or tinted lenses. Thankfully I can't speak to how ballistic they are, I'll have to take the display demos at CIF at face value. Though I'm pretty sure someone just took a punch to those rather than throw it in a room with a grenade or something.
They aren't the cheapest eye protection out there, but they're pretty close, but that doesn't make them the worst.
The frame is pretty sturdy, hugging your head whether it's against the skin or fighting a beanie or helmet strap, while it doesn't irritate the ears too badly. The arms themselves are pretty sturdy, which is surprising for plastic. With how little give they have, I figured they'd snap or pop out but of the many pairs I've been given, it's only happened on one or two frames. Some eye protection have a tendency to break or is too flexible to stay on but this has the sweet spot. If you find the frames are too thick, like if you're wearing over-the-ear protection like Peltors, these often come with the thin-frame. I'm not too crazy about those in that you NEED Peltors just to keep them on your head. But that's for another time.
The lenses are easy enough to swap out, just pop out the little clip at the top. You might have to bend the frame a little bit to get it out. They do scratch, not at the slightest hint of dust or anything, but putting them in the microfiber bags and throwing them in your pocket don't make them immune to getting scuffed up, which is pretty generous for most SMs.
They also have an issue with RX inserts. While the curvature is the source of many of the Crossbows' advantages, its also a sharp enough curve that the very outer edges of the insert frames just touch the lens, and after a while, you get these vertical scuffs. Which aren't bad if you keep your inserts in there forever but my eyes aren't too terrible so I like to take them out every so often. The scuffs get annoying. Oh one other note, the nose piece is good for Oakley M-Frames as well.
Overall, these are a pretty good set of eye protection. They're sturdy, comfortable, and while they can get into a skull-crushing mode with some ear protection, it can be mitigated.
They aren't the cheapest eye protection out there, but they're pretty close, but that doesn't make them the worst.
The frame is pretty sturdy, hugging your head whether it's against the skin or fighting a beanie or helmet strap, while it doesn't irritate the ears too badly. The arms themselves are pretty sturdy, which is surprising for plastic. With how little give they have, I figured they'd snap or pop out but of the many pairs I've been given, it's only happened on one or two frames. Some eye protection have a tendency to break or is too flexible to stay on but this has the sweet spot. If you find the frames are too thick, like if you're wearing over-the-ear protection like Peltors, these often come with the thin-frame. I'm not too crazy about those in that you NEED Peltors just to keep them on your head. But that's for another time.
The lenses are easy enough to swap out, just pop out the little clip at the top. You might have to bend the frame a little bit to get it out. They do scratch, not at the slightest hint of dust or anything, but putting them in the microfiber bags and throwing them in your pocket don't make them immune to getting scuffed up, which is pretty generous for most SMs.
They also have an issue with RX inserts. While the curvature is the source of many of the Crossbows' advantages, its also a sharp enough curve that the very outer edges of the insert frames just touch the lens, and after a while, you get these vertical scuffs. Which aren't bad if you keep your inserts in there forever but my eyes aren't too terrible so I like to take them out every so often. The scuffs get annoying. Oh one other note, the nose piece is good for Oakley M-Frames as well.
Overall, these are a pretty good set of eye protection. They're sturdy, comfortable, and while they can get into a skull-crushing mode with some ear protection, it can be mitigated.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Compatible with RX inserts
Cons:
- Comfort with ear protection can be a problem
Best Used for:
- shooting
- Tacti-cool sunglasses
Would Recommend:
Yes