[easyazon_link identifier=”B000OVMS50″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Oakley[/easyazon_link] is one of the best known producers of high quality eye protection in the world, and they have recently announced an upgrade to their [easyazon_link identifier=”B002EL30E6″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]SI Flak glasses[/easyazon_link]. The SI (Standard Issue) Flak 2.0 XL glasses. The new offering has an expanded lens covering with a more squared appearance than the previous version.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000IWNNNG” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Oakley[/easyazon_link] SI Flak 2.0 XL glasses have foldable arms, and the lenses are unsupported at the bottom allowing a clearer field of view than full framed lenses. These new eye pro have a sleek appearance, that still provides a great deal of protection to the user’s eyes. These look to be a great contender for patrol and specialized unit operations.
Oakley SI Flak 2.0 XL
From the Oakley web page on the new SI Flak 2.o XL eye pro:
“The XL edition offers a standard size frame with enhanced lens coverage, and every millimeter of the peripheral view is optimized with High Definition Optics® in a durable yet lightweight design that takes performance to the next level and brings style along for the ride. Essential gear for competition, Flak™ 2.0 XL has 8.75 base lens curvature for protection against sun, wind and impact, and patented XYZ Optics® maintains clarity along the full curve while you push your limits with the comfort and secure grip of Unobtainium®. We created an array of lens/frame combinations so you can choose options including the glare-cutting power of HDPolarized™ optics, the balanced light transmission of Iridium® lens coatings, and Prizm™ lens technology that fine-tunes vision by emphasizing colors where the eye is most sensitive to detail.”
Oakley SI Flak 2.0 XL with gray lenses.
SI Flak 2.0 XL Features
- Material – Unobtainium: hydrophilic synthetic polymer (grips when wet)
- High Definition Optics® – exceed ANSI standards for clarity, visual fidelity and impact resistance
- XYZ Optics® – Clarity of view throughout the lens curvature
- IRIDIUM® – Balances light transmission, reducing glare (super heated metal oxides)
- Frame Color – Matte black
- Lens Colors – Gray; polarized; and Prizm TR45 Titanium Iridium
- MSRP – $170.00 for standard lenses, $200.00 for polarized.
SI Flak 2.0 XL with Prizm TR45 Titanium Iridium lenses.
The Oakley Revolution
When Oakley started in 1975 they were a technology company finding outside the box solutions to complicated problems. At a time when plastics technology was still in its infancy of understanding, Oakley was one of the leaders in expanding and improving critical products for the soldier, serious sportsman, and casual user. Oakley is at the cutting edge of modern technology, producing product prototypes in SLA liquid laser tanks. This allows engineers and designers to sculpt in the virtual world of CAD/CAM engineering and render innovations with 3-D digital mastering. The end products have been thoroughly vetted for quality and durability in a 360-degree manufacturing process.
Today, Oakley stands by the motto that started a revolution in eye wear:
“Find opportunity. Solve with technology. Wrap in art.”
Oakley has been working with the U.S. military and worldwide militaries since the 1980’s, developing ballistic eye pro, boots, clothing and gear to make the modern warrior more capable of succeeding in the rapidly changing landscape of modern warfare. The Oakley line of ballistic eye protection is an industry leading standard that has proven itself worthy on multiple battlefields and in the harshest conditions. They also happen to be some outstanding sunglasses.
Personal Experiences
I have only owned one pair of personally purchased Oakley sunglasses in my life, but I absolutely loved them. When they went missing I wanted to put out a nationwide APB to recover them. Thankfully my department issues [easyazon_link identifier=”B001J28CC6″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Oakley M frames[/easyazon_link] for our Tactical Team.
We have been using these ballistic rated eye pro for over 15 years. Our first [easyazon_link identifier=”B001J21NAY” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]M frames[/easyazon_link] came in a big lunch box container, had solid frames making storage a challenge, and had lenses large enough to make any 80’s T.V. star or Doc Brown from Back to the Future envious. Today, we use M frames that have folding arms, and lenses that still have the general [easyazon_link identifier=”B001J28CC6″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]M frame[/easyazon_link] shape but are noticeably smaller. The M frames provide shaded and clear lens options, and change-out can be completed in seconds.
Other officers have used a variety of Oakley products, and they are very popular. Ballistic protection, quality lens coatings for clarity, and stylish looks are all a winner in my book, and I’m not alone. The new SI Flak 2.0 XL glasses are more compact than the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00HX706OS” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]M frames[/easyazon_link], but they have the same outstanding features that have come to be expected from Oakley.