Posted by A.B. on August 18, 2001 at 06:46:17:
Anyone have any experience
regarding how Varilux ("progressive" )lenses in glasses work for shooting with
iron sights (particularly rifle)?
Posted by bo skinner on August 18, 2001 at 07:03:28:
Yes and it ain't fun.
I just went down and got a pair of cheap reading glasses +1.5 and shot 411 with
two no shoots. You will get nerves at first because you can't see the target,
but when you look through the rear sight all is well. With pistol sights it
takes some practice with the different glasses, because you don't have an
enclosed rear sight.
Posted by Joe Zichichi on August 31, 2001 at 16:54:41:
Yes, I do shoot
with Varilux- progressives, but, do so with a scope at 100yds, for 22cal.
rim
fire league. I have sort-of resolved the problem by putting a 1/2inch X 3/4inch
piece of foam ON-TOP-OF the bridge of my nose, and then put my glasses over the
foam piece. The resulting images can make you stomach-sick if you "look"
anywhere but through the scope. I think my next move will be to a reading power
RIGHT lens, and a "distance" power LEFT lens (((to read the wind flags))). By
using this method, I have been able to bring my scores up into the 398-24X
range.
I have shot 4 times this year, a 400 score, and this is only my second
year at prone shooting with 22cal. rim fire. Give it a try -
Joe Z.
Posted by william on August 18, 2001 at 10:02:20:
Very poor for me. As my
optician explained it, the sweet spot for long and intermediate distance is a
narrow vertical band down the optical center of the lens. Unless it happens to
line up exactly with your sight line (unlikely), you will be unable to get
anything in sharp focus. You could go crazy trying to find the correct head
position and never succeed. I find the progressives great for most tasks except
shooting - better to get dedicated shooting glasses.
Posted by acet on August 18, 2001 at 17:44:39:
In Reply to: Shooting with "progressive " lenses ? posted by A.B. on August
18, 2001 at 06:46:17:
I'm a newbie and have only started shooting 10 meter
air rifle about 18 months ago. I started at 260 out of 400 and am shooting about
360 now, wearing progressives all along and haven't found it preventing me to
shoot better. Yet, I guess. I feel I can go at least 20 points more (if I'll
ever) before I can blame my eye-sight. My point is, it will probably be a
handicap to a better shooter but it won't stop one from enjoying the sport until
you become good.
Posted by Pat McCoy on August 18, 2001 at 22:45:31:
I tried the
progressives when I first went to bifocals, but could never seem to get the same
spot twice in a row. Gave up and went to standard bifocals with no more problems
(other than the d... floater that settles in just as I'm ready to fire.
Ain't old age wonderful?
Posted by eyestone on August 19, 2001 at 06:53:36:
My "progressives"
aren't helping any in my picking up this sport, but it wasn't until I read the
earlier thread about presbyopia that I learned why old eyes in general, and mine
in particular, may be unable to *see* the front sight. There was also somewhat
of a solution to this difficulty mentioned in the thread: look thorough a
pinhole and *everything* comes into focus; rear sight, front sight and target.
It was further suggested that putting a pinhole on your shooting glasses would
work. I can make a pinhole of sorts by lapping my thumb over my fore finger on
my non-shooting hand, then resting my hand on my nose and sighting through it. I
suspect, though, that this is less than desirable form. It does make everything
shape into clear focus, however. I'm not exactly sure how you put a pinhole on
your shooting glasses (opaque applique? drill a hole?); perhaps there is an
inexpensive commercial product available that works on the same principle? Does
a peep sight render the same effect?
Posted by bo skinner on August 19, 2001 at 09:13:03:
rear peep does that
for you IF the hole is the correct size.
Posted by Jim Holtman on August 19, 2001 at 17:50:00:
You can purchase a
clip-on variable iris for your street glasses, but I fell that dedicated
shooting glasses with an adjustable iris is the only way to go as you can place
the iris at the perfect position in relation to your eye. I am assuming that you
are shooting pistol as rifle already has a peep.
Jim
Posted by RPM on August 19, 2001 at 19:58:15:
I have worn progressive
Varilux lens for many years. I returned to smallbore shooting about a year ago
and quickly realized how difficult it would be to shoot with my glasses. The
goal is to have the front sight in focus. Doing so consistently with Varilux is
almost impossible. My second problem was eye fatigue occurring within 10 shots
in a 20 shot series. I solved both problems by getting shooting glasses and
using a single focus lens. The results are perfect. I have no distortion, the
front sight is crisp and clear and I have little to no more eye fatigue. The
second part of getting a good sight picture is to have an adjustable rear
aperture. Without it you will not be able to control your depth of field.
Depending on your eye sight you may have to compromise on how clear you focus on
the front sight in order to still see the target.
I would suggest the
following exercise.
1. get an adjustable rear aperture for your rear
sight
2. set your rifle up on a bench rest
3. place your target at the
distance you shoot at
4. Set your aperture at 1.5
5. wearing your current
glasses move your head until you have the front sight as clear as possible
6.
now turn the aperture until the target is as clear as possible
7. if that
sight picture is not acceptable consider reducing the power of your lens
You
can also buy several pairs of glasses from your local drug store to try at the
same time you do this test. You can return them when you are done. Good luck.
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