regulator 0 #1 February 9, 2010 OK, I've been out of jumping for a couple of years and I was wondering about the quality of liquid eyewear glasses. I've personally owned a pair of Gatorz Wraptors and after about two months of use adhesive used to attach the rubber to the inside of the temple began to diminish and after 6 months I had these little straps hanging from the temple area because the adhesive has worn off and the rubber didnt stick anymore (until it was so annoying I pulled the rubber pieces off). Does anyone use any liquid glasses and if so are there any known issues with them or are they better than Gatorz or equivalent because I wear contacts and I like to have a 2nd line of defense in case my Mamba face shield comes open in freefall (not likely, but good to have a backup) Thanks, Paul Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #2 February 9, 2010 I regularly jump a pair of "Gasket: glasses from Liquid. I wear and open face and they work really well. This particular style does not fold so they don't become really small when not wearing them but that is my only issue. Very durable and no complaints from me. Think they have a pair that does hinge, t-flex or something like that. Contact Scott Campos (DZ.com username LouDiamond) he can get you all the info you need... Scott"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jbag 0 #3 February 10, 2010 i have a set that flex a little bit that keeps positive pressure on your head, i dont like jumping in sunglasses with an open face but they are good sunglasses on the ground, mine came with a gasket that tucks into the ear pieces that makes a pretty good seal.IHYD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildWilly 0 #4 February 10, 2010 I have several Gatorz and have found that after a while the adhesive does where out. I went to my local hardware store, got a roll of weather stipping and cut it to the correct width and replaced the old rubber foam. Cost less than $10 and I still have enough to replace it 3-4 more times. Willygrowing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HSPScott 0 #5 February 10, 2010 I emailed Gatorz and they sent me replacements free of charge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #6 February 10, 2010 Paul, Sorry to hear about your Gatorz falling apart on you. To give you a little background, The owner of Liquid is the same guy who started Gatorz back in the day. He sold gatorz some years back and thats when you might have noticed that the build quality went down as most people started having problems like you mentioned with your glasses. The owner of Liquid has vastly improved upon what he initially started and there really is no comparison between the two. Unlike gatorz, the Liquid glasses are designed to be bent to form to the users face without breaking or causing distortion in the lenses and or cracking them. While the Liquid glasses are made of Aluminum, they are noticeably better built and of a more robust build than the gatorz, you can feel the difference in the two when you have them in your hands. Lens quality is also markedly better and optically correct. If you look at a gatorz lens through a polarizer, you will see large starbursts or distortions in the lenses that are caused by the tension that is placed on the lens when it is in the frame. This is a design flaw that the owner of Liquid identified and you will not find in Liquid lenses be it the polarized or non polarized lenses. The lenses themselves in the Liquid glasses are of a higher quality than the gatorz. Liquid glasses, both frames and lenses are impact resistant and meet ANSI impact standards. This means they will protect your eyes to the same level required for safety glasses to have. Gatorz will not protect you or your eyes from any sort of impact, in fact the lenses will break and can cause eye damage/injury. Liquid glasses can also be fitted with prescription lens inserts and or a slim foam gasket so that they form a seal around the users face like a goggle. There are several models to choose from, some of them have non folding arms along with versions that have a traditional folding arm that most are accustomed to. Liquid also offers a limited lifetime warranty on their product and it is 100% made in the USA. If you ever have a problem you can pick up a phone or send an e-mail and talk to a person thats right there at the actual facility. You can check out their website for more info or give them a call and ask them all your questions/concerns. "It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
regulator 0 #7 February 10, 2010 It's hard to have any questions when you have such a detailed post. Thanks so much for your comments. Now with your history of the company and the comments you made, it seems like a dramatic improvement over the Gatorz line. In the next few weeks I'll order me a new pair and let you know. Thanks Paul Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #8 February 10, 2010 No problem Paul, glad I could answer your questions. When you place your order let them know you have been wearing gatorz. They can give you a far more detailed account of the history and improvements and also answer any prescription lens question you might have."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #9 May 19, 2010 I might have asked this about this time last year, but I dont recall... How do the polarized lenses on the Liquids work with LCD screens (such as neptune 2's) Im almost dead set on buying a set of these, but I have to know if I can read my alti... something seems important about that."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #10 May 19, 2010 QuoteI might have asked this about this time last year, but I dont recall... How do the polarized lenses on the Liquids work with LCD screens (such as neptune 2's) Im almost dead set on buying a set of these, but I have to know if I can read my alti... something seems important about that. I wear/jump with the polarized lenses and have no problem seeing my Neptune. Now, the polarization can cause the screen to have a black tint to it but it's not to the point that you cannot see whats on the screen.It's similar to what you sometimes see when looking out of factory tinted car windows with polarized glasses and only from certain angles. The one time I was unable to see a screen was at the gas pump and it was only that one pump. Other than that, I've never had issue with the polarized lenses while skydiving. However, if you opt for the polarized lenses and find that you do not like the slight distortion, you can always call Liquid and they will gladly exchange the polarized lenses for non polarized ones."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #11 May 19, 2010 Awesome. Know of any dealers that will hook me up with the skydiver discount and send me 2 pairs (willing to pre-pay for them) so I can see which one fits better, and return the other one? Iraq doesnt seem to have any local dealers! "I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #12 May 19, 2010 Quote Awesome. Know of any dealers that will hook me up with the skydiver discount and send me 2 pairs (willing to pre-pay for them) so I can see which one fits better, and return the other one? Iraq doesnt seem to have any local dealers! I happen to know a guy. Call or e-mail Liquid and ask to speak to Ken or Kristen. Tell them you're in Iraq, you're a skydiver and that you've been speaking to me about this issue. They will totally hook you up (or anyone thats a skydiver and or in the military). If you want to get ones that you can wear at work and while skydiving ask for the Hellfire model (black frame/black lenses) or if you only want to wear them off duty, just let them know what color frame/lens combo you want. If you have any issues let me know."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #13 May 19, 2010 Quote Quote Awesome. Know of any dealers that will hook me up with the skydiver discount and send me 2 pairs (willing to pre-pay for them) so I can see which one fits better, and return the other one? Iraq doesnt seem to have any local dealers! I happen to know a guy. Call or e-mail Liquid and ask to speak to Ken or Kristen. Tell them you're in Iraq, you're a skydiver and that you've been speaking to me about this issue. They will totally hook you up (or anyone thats a skydiver and or in the military). If you want to get ones that you can wear at work and while skydiving ask for the Hellfire model (black frame/black lenses) or if you only want to wear them off duty, just let them know what color frame/lens combo you want. If you have any issues let me know. Funny, I dont see that one listed on the webpage!Ill give them a call in the am. Who would have thought that someone they call the 'Pixy' would have so many hookups."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #14 May 19, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Awesome. Know of any dealers that will hook me up with the skydiver discount and send me 2 pairs (willing to pre-pay for them) so I can see which one fits better, and return the other one? Iraq doesnt seem to have any local dealers! I happen to know a guy. Call or e-mail Liquid and ask to speak to Ken or Kristen. Tell them you're in Iraq, you're a skydiver and that you've been speaking to me about this issue. They will totally hook you up (or anyone thats a skydiver and or in the military). If you want to get ones that you can wear at work and while skydiving ask for the Hellfire model (black frame/black lenses) or if you only want to wear them off duty, just let them know what color frame/lens combo you want. If you have any issues let me know. Funny, I dont see that one listed on the webpage!Ill give them a call in the am. Who would have thought that someone they call the 'Pixy' would have so many hookups. The Hellfire model is a new model made specifically for the Military and meets/exceeds all the MILSPEC requirements to be considered protective eyewear."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #15 May 19, 2010 Is there something about the gaskets that isnt made to MILSPEC? I really like them LTD lenses, but damn they're expensive!"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #16 May 19, 2010 QuoteIs there something about the gaskets that isnt made to MILSPEC? I really like them LTD lenses, but damn they're expensive! No, all of Liquids aluminum eyewear meets or exceeds the ANSI safety standard for impact. However, the requirements for MILSPEC are very specific and the criteria must be met in order to receive a MILSPEC approval. The Hellfire is the gasket but it meets the military's very specific guidelines. As an example, eyewear must have a carrier/case that meets specific criteria, etc. Some if it is minutia,some of it actually has to do with impact protection. When you call Liquid, Ken can break down the specifics that are required, it's actually quite boring and the document reads like most military documents."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #17 May 19, 2010 Just ordered some, NICE discount! "I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harmless 0 #18 May 19, 2010 I don't know about Liquid's polarized lenses but I know first hand that Oakley's polarized lenses kept me from reading a Neptune2 worn on the wrist while under canopy... Now this was a regular Neptune2 and I assume you were the ruggadized military version? I don't know if this also makes a difference. I really just wear the Oakleys because of the awesome military discount they sell them through usstandardissue.com I would consider switching if their discount was comparable, if you're not comfortable saying in public you could PM me. As it is right now, I jump Oakley Flak Jackets with non-polarized lenses."Damn you Gravity, you win again" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #19 May 19, 2010 I called and talked to them... their military/scott campos discount is NICE! I ended up ordering the hellfire LTD's it was a chunk of change, and its a big price difference between the flak jackets on usstandardissue, but I am going to use these for work, seeing as all of my oakleys end up broken because a piece of plastic isnt lining up anymore or something."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #20 May 19, 2010 QuoteI don't know about Liquid's polarized lenses but I know first hand that Oakley's polarized lenses kept me from reading a Neptune2 worn on the wrist while under canopy... Now this was a regular Neptune2 and I assume you were the ruggadized military version? I don't know if this also makes a difference. I've used the Neptune, Neptune 2, N3 and the Wave with my Liquid Polarized lenses and as I stated above, there is only a slight black tinting to the screen when viewed from certain angles but it is not rendered unreadable by any means(keep in mind I am flying a wingsuit and where my arm/hand is when I look at the screen). There is no tinting with the Military/ruggedized version due to the screen on that version being glass. Not sure what kind of discount you're getting but give Liquid a call or PM Robert and they can tell you what the Military price is on the model you choose. If you get a pimped out version expect to pay a little more but it will still be better than you could hope for anywhere else. The upside is that they are made in the USA and have a limited lifetime warranty. If you have an issue you can call them and they will take care of you ASAP. Try doing that with Oakley. Better yet, don't because I can tell you that you will only be wasting your time. Every set of Oakleys I had issued to me ended up broken or needed new parts that I had to buy. Give the Liquids a try, if you don't like them or don't like the polarized lenses, Liquid will take care of you until you're happy."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harmless 0 #21 May 20, 2010 I keep loosing nose pads on the Flak Jackets :P My Romeo 2.0s were absolutely amazing (though I would never skydive with them because of the price) but they were also stolen from the base gym last year. I look forward to trying on a few pairs when I go to Raeford in 2 weeks (I see they have a dealer outside of Bragg) since there is no dealer within a few hundred miles of Montgomery."Damn you Gravity, you win again" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #22 May 20, 2010 Quote I keep loosing nose pads on the Flak Jackets :P My Romeo 2.0s were absolutely amazing (though I would never skydive with them because of the price) but they were also stolen from the base gym last year. I look forward to trying on a few pairs when I go to Raeford in 2 weeks (I see they have a dealer outside of Bragg) since there is no dealer within a few hundred miles of Montgomery. Grey Group Training is the dealer in Fayetteville that sells Liquids. Talk to Josh,Eric or Matt as they can help you out. It's also a fantastic tactical gear store to boot so make sure you have plastic on you."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #23 May 27, 2010 Just an update, got my glasses today (not too shabby, 8 days from ordering them, going to an APO in Iraq) They feel ALOT better than my Gatorz, fit and construction. Havn't gotten to see the LTD feature yet as its dark out for a few more hours, but they are plenty clear (cant tell a difference between wearing them and not) The foam gasket insert really makes these seal up pretty well, not 100%, but should be good enough to keep most the wind out of my eyes... we will have to see when I get to jump in a few months. Overall, Id much rather jump these than the gators, and will probably find someone to buy them off of me and just keep the liquids for outside work, oakleys for driving (polarized), not sure if I will make these my new eyepro, dont wanna scratch them!"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #24 May 27, 2010 Glad to hear they got there OK and that you're digging them. If you have any issues or questions don't hesitate to contact Liquid. "It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC1 0 #25 May 27, 2010 QuoteI don't know about Liquid's polarized lenses but I know first hand that Oakley's polarized lenses kept me from reading a Neptune2 worn on the wrist while under canopy... If you wear polarised glasses and view an LCD screen at certain rotations, it will appear black. All polarised lenses will do this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
