Sundogs Eyewear: 2024 Forum Member Review

[Rob Person]

3 hours ago, Wicki said:

I have really been wearing the Stack TrueBlue sunglasses mostly over the Billy 83 TrueBlue Polarized PLUS.  The Stack's just feel more comfortable wearing.  When the sun is setting and not as bright I still wear my Tifosi sunglasses.  

I played on Saturday (4/13).  I actually started with the Tifosi sunglasses.  As the clouds burned off, I was wearing the Stack glasses.  

On Monday (4/15) I looked at the lenses and noticed that I have face oil all around the edges, including along the bottom.  This tells me that sun is not getting in along the edges.  Yes!  This is what I prefer with my sunglasses.  

I do have to be wearing the Billy's more.  I just have not found them as comfortable as the Stack's.  The Billy's are the more expensive pair and not weighing up to the Stack's.

What specifically is uncomfortable with them? Anything that can be remedied with adjustments or nose pads?

[ShimmyCocoBop]

Here comes Review #1 for me on my Sundog Zenith TrueBlue's with NON-POLARIZED lenses.   The main reason I asked for these was I wanted to compare them to the many pairs of Oakley Prism Golf sunglasses that I tried in the past.  For some reason, I was only getting one year out of the Prism lenses, so I had to find something better.

I'll post pics, below, but my initial thoughts on the Sundays Zenith NP's was very positive.  At the retail price of $79.99, I would consider them a great value.  They delivered on quality, fashion, clarity, UV protection, calming-effect and most importantly, grain and terrain definition.  

Quality:  Sundog Zenith sunglasses are very well made.  I could tell this from the minute I opened them.  The frame and lens material is very solid.  The hinges work easily but not so easily that the hinges/arms flop around when you don't want them to.  Testers got the "special" Sundog Eyewear case that looks like a hybrid club cover with a magnetic ball marker, but even if I only got the normal Sundog soft cloth case/bag I still would have been happy.  Most of the Oakley "plutonite" case/bags I got in the past were too small to fit the actual sunglasses.  Sundog's case/bags are plenty big and easy to use for in-round cleaning when needed. They would probably only need to be laundered every 10 wearings.  

Fashion: I trusted my wife's opinion of what frame would look best on my face, so I asked for Sundog Zenith's.  You can agree or not based on the upcoming pics, but they seem to look natural on me and do a good job of keeping extra side and top-light out of my eyes.  

Clarity:  As I mentioned earlier, I could not get sunglasses to last too long, so my answer was to buy cheaper ones at around $20/pair.  Naturally, the clarity was not the best.  However, Sundog's at $79.99 (non-polarized) were 10K better, and what a difference that makes. It's almost like the HD effect.

UV Protection: When you buy cheap sunglasses, you don't really know if you're getting this important feature, but I trust that Sundog has factored UVA/UVB Protection to the highest level available.  I've read as much as I could about this topic on their website and, since I'm in the sun so much, it is of highest importance to me.  Again, I trust Sundog.

Calming Effect: Sundog Zenith's definitely create the calming effect that I like, but the non-polarized lenses, which I like for the next category, do not create as much calming-effect as polarized lenses.  So, there is some give-and-take there.

Grain and Terrain Definition: for me, here's where the Sundog Zenith lenses delivered something that I really wanted - the ability to differentiate the grain and terrain of Florida greens. Polarized lenses seem to make everything look "flat" to me, which is inherent to their design.  I feel that I can putt, chip, pitch and play bunker shots easier with non-polarized lenses and Sundog Zeniths worked wonderfully. On northern courses, grass grain is not a factor, but uphill, downhill and sidehill is a factor, so non-polarized lenses are important there also. 

Negatives: Again, I selected the Sundog Zenith sunglasses for their fashion, size (based on the website dimensions) and non-polarization.  What I could not discern until I wore them was temple/arms fit.  On my first wearing, I could not keep the Zeniths on my head for more than about one hour.  After that, I felt like I had a bear trap on my head.  Logically, I took them off and tried to put them on my hat for a few minutes to relieve the pinch point.  That's when I discovered that the Zeniths have no rubberized material on the end of the temple/arms to keep the sunglasses from sliding off my hat.  I would put them up on my hat for a few seconds, but when I played a shot, they flew off right about at impact.  I'm hoping that the Sundog people will tell me if I can bend the arms outward near the end so that I can wear them for an entire round of golf without pinching rather than being forced to take them off for relief.  I don't want to attempt bending them until I know that they can be bent.

I see plenty of big headed guys (police officers, firemen, first responders, weight lifters, and many other guys like Rick on Pawn Stars) and I wonder where they get proper-fitting sunglasses.  I started to ask those type-guys where they get their sunglasses and they tell me that it is a problem.  Maybe the Sundog people are listening and will develop something for us.   

Anyway, here comes the pics....

 

 

 

Pic 1 - no sunglasses.

Pic 2 - with Non-polarized Zenith's

 

 

Edited April 17 by ShimmyCocoBop

[ShimmyCocoBop]

[ShimmyCocoBop]

No sunglasses.

 

 

Sundog Zeniths with non-polarization.

 

 

Sundog Zeniths win non-polarization (clouds covering sun)

 

 

 

Sundog Billy 83s with polarization.

 

I wish it was easier to show the improvement that non-polarization makes for me on putting greens.  I can better see the shiny/dark direction of the grass grain and the slightest undulations of the surface as well.  

Kudos to my wife and LAB Mezz putter for their time and patience.  It's not easy shooting a cell phone pic through sunglasses without your fingers getting in the way.

BTW, this is a left-edge putt!

Next in a few days will be my review of the Billy 83s...

 

Edited April 16 by ShimmyCocoBop

[Wicki]

On 4/15/2024 at 11:47 PM, Rob Person said:

What specifically is uncomfortable with them? Anything that can be remedied with adjustments or nose pads?

I cannot put my finger on it.  I was wearing them today for nine hole to try and see what it could be.  The Stack just had that out of package comfortable fit.

I have thought about is it the nose pieces, but that went away.  It might just be a narrow fit.  I am going to wear them specifically few more times to see if things get better.  It might self adjust if I keep wearing them.  I will talk more about the Billy's in the near future.

04/22/2024

I have wearing these sunglasses more.  The nose piece is fine and comfortable.  What I concluded was the arms on the sunglass's is what is bothering and making it uncomfortable.  I have a tough time having a comfortable fit when I wear a baseball cap.  I always wear a cap and never had discomfort with a pair of sunglasses as I do with these.  I tucked the arms into my hat and I have a hard time getting them tucked under.  

The more I wear these sunglasses the less I enjoy them.  Everyone has different size and shaped heads, and it does not work with my head and wearing a cap.  I do wear them driving with no issues though.

Edited April 22 by Wicki

[ShimmyCocoBop]

This is my Review #2 for Sundog Billy83 sunglasses with POLARIZED LENSES.

As I said in my first Review for Sundog Zenith sunglasses with NON-POLARIZED LENSES, I really do not intend to wear polarized lenses for playing golf due to the fact that they tend to flatten-out slopes/terrain and do not identify grass grain on putting greens, which is an important thing here in Florida.

Again, I'll post pics below, but my initial thoughts on the Sundog Billy83 with polarized lenses was very positive.  At the retail price of $149.99, I would consider them a great value.  They delivered on quality, fashion, clarity, UV protection and calming-effect.

Quality: Sundog Billy83 sunglasses are very well made.  The frame and lens materials are very solid.  Like the Sundog Zenith's I tested, the hinges work just the right amount of easy. The Billy83's feature a nose-piece (pic 23) that seems bendable and replaceable if needed to fit wider or narrower noses. There is a small screw that allows the nose piece to be removed for replacement.  The Sundog soft cloth bag/case  in pics 19, 24, 25 and 26 show that is is a very generous size compared to the Oakley "plutonite" bag.  Soft cloth sunglass bags should be laundered every 10 wearings, especially in the Summer when wearing sunscreen.

Fashion: Again, I trusted my wife's opinion of what frames would look best on my face.  The Billy83's are very similar to Oakley "Heater" style frames.  I consider "fit" more important than fashion for golf sunglasses.  However, based on my preference for non-polarized sunglasses for golf, I would wear Billy83's for driving, beach, boating, tennis, and most other sporting activities.  These did a good job of keeping extra side/top-light out of my eyes.

Clarity: This is one of the categories where Billy83's really shined.  There is a super sharpness when looking through these lenses.  It somewhat made me feel like I was wearing corrective lenses - maybe it's the TrueBlue lenses!

UV Protection: After reading everything available on this topic on their website, I trust Sundog,

Calming Effect: It's extremely difficult for a non-polarized lens to beat a polarized lens for "calming effect" and compared to the Sundog Zenith sunglasses, Sundog Billy83s rated a 10 in this category for me.  Again, maybe it's the TrueBlue lenses. 

Negatives:  I picked the Sundog Billy83s to test because they were the best for hat-wearers and wide faces.  What I could not discern until I wore them was the temple/arms fit.  On my first wearing, I could not keep the Billys or Zeniths on my head for more than 1 hour to to extreme tightness of the temples/arms over my ears.  I read later some information from the Sundog folks mentioning that the Billy83 temples were bendable, so I tried it for my second test-wearing.  Bending the temples outward (see pics 29, 32 and 32A) illustrate what I did, and it did release the tension of the frames on the sides of my head.  However, bending the temples outward (pic 32A) made them come in direct contact with my big hat and made them not sit right on my nose.  Florida was experiencing some high winds earlier this week when I was doing my testing, but wind is normally an issue most of the time here and winds affect the kind of hat you can wear on a certain day.  I would need to do some more bending/testing before I would give the Billy83's my blessing for great fit.  I do like the rubberized tips on the temples that help when you put the Billy83s on your hat while putting - they feel a bit more secure.

Once again, I see so many big headed guys (police officers, firemen, first responders, body builders and many others and wonder where they get proper-fitting sunglasses.  SUNDOG MARKETING DEPARTMENT - I hope you are listening! 

Here comes the pics....thank you for your time and attention.   

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Edited April 19 by ShimmyCocoBop

[ShimmyCocoBop]

 

 

Underside of soft cloth bag...

 

Pic with no sunglasses

 

 

Pic with Sundog Billy83 sunglasses

 

No sunglasses

 

Pic with Sundog Billy83 sunglasses

Edited April 19 by ShimmyCocoBop

[ShimmyCocoBop]

[Alan Scalzi]

Had to be somewhere this morning at 7am! Left @Sundog Eyewearin my wife's car as we took her car last night for our date night! Missed having them on! Never going to forget them again!

[Sundog Eyewear]

On 4/11/2024 at 4:11 PM, Rob Person said:

@Sundog Eyewear  has your company ever ventured into lens toppers for those who wear prescription glasses?  These are polarized, and from an optometrist, and they are fantastic on the course and while driving.

Hey @Rob Person, thanks for the feedback. Our group has done these in the past (many years ago). We've done similar options with fitovers and more but nothing new recently. I will share this feedback with our team to see if it is something they would like to consider! Thanks again for sharing!!

[TJ Hall]

If using these to play golf, do they seem stable on your face or do you have any movement during your swing?

[Sundog Eyewear]

On 4/16/2024 at 11:46 AM, ShimmyCocoBop said:

Here comes Review #1 for me on my Sundog Zenith TrueBlue's with NON-POLARIZED lenses.   The main reason I asked for these was I wanted to compare them to the many pairs of Oakley Prism Golf sunglasses that I tried in the past.  For some reason, I was only getting one year out of the Prism lenses, so I had to find something better.

I'll post pics, below, but my initial thoughts on the Sundays Zenith NP's was very positive.  At the retail price of $79.99, I would consider them a great value.  They delivered on quality, fashion, clarity, UV protection, calming-effect and most importantly, grain and terrain definition.  

Quality:  Sundog Zenith sunglasses are very well made.  I could tell this from the minute I opened them.  The frame and lens material is very solid.  The hinges work easily but not so easily that the hinges/arms flop around when you don't want them to.  Testers got the "special" Sundog Eyewear case that looks like a hybrid club cover with a magnetic ball marker, but even if I only got the normal Sundog soft cloth case/bag I still would have been happy.  Most of the Oakley "plutonite" case/bags I got in the past were too small to fit the actual sunglasses.  Sundog's case/bags are plenty big and easy to use for in-round cleaning when needed. They would probably only need to be laundered every 10 wearings.  

Fashion: I trusted my wife's opinion of what frame would look best on my face, so I asked for Sundog Zenith's.  You can agree or not based on the upcoming pics, but they seem to look natural on me and do a good job of keeping extra side and top-light out of my eyes.  

Clarity:  As I mentioned earlier, I could not get sunglasses to last too long, so my answer was to buy cheaper ones at around $20/pair.  Naturally, the clarity was not the best.  However, Sundog's at $79.99 (non-polarized) were 10K better, and what a difference that makes. It's almost like the HD effect.

UV Protection: When you buy cheap sunglasses, you don't really know if you're getting this important feature, but I trust that Sundog has factored UVA/UVB Protection to the highest level available.  I've read as much as I could about this topic on their website and, since I'm in the sun so much, it is of highest importance to me.  Again, I trust Sundog.

Calming Effect: Sundog Zenith's definitely create the calming effect that I like, but the non-polarized lenses, which I like for the next category, do not create as much calming-effect as polarized lenses.  So, there is some give-and-take there.

Grain and Terrain Definition: for me, here's where the Sundog Zenith lenses delivered something that I really wanted - the ability to differentiate the grain and terrain of Florida greens. Polarized lenses seem to make everything look "flat" to me, which is inherent to their design.  I feel that I can putt, chip, pitch and play bunker shots easier with non-polarized lenses and Sundog Zeniths worked wonderfully. On northern courses, grass grain is not a factor, but uphill, downhill and sidehill is a factor, so non-polarized lenses are important there also. 

Negatives: Again, I selected the Sundog Zenith sunglasses for their fashion, size (based on the website dimensions) and non-polarization.  What I could not discern until I wore them was temple/arms fit.  On my first wearing, I could not keep the Zeniths on my head for more than about one hour.  After that, I felt like I had a bear trap on my head.  Logically, I took them off and tried to put them on my hat for a few minutes to relieve the pinch point.  That's when I discovered that the Zeniths have no rubberized material on the end of the temple/arms to keep the sunglasses from sliding off my hat.  I would put them up on my hat for a few seconds, but when I played a shot, they flew off right about at impact.  I'm hoping that the Sundog people will tell me if I can bend the arms outward near the end so that I can wear them for an entire round of golf without pinching rather than being forced to take them off for relief.  I don't want to attempt bending them until I know that they can be bent.

I see plenty of big headed guys (police officers, firemen, first responders, weight lifters, and many other guys like Rick on Pawn Stars) and I wonder where they get proper-fitting sunglasses.  I started to ask those type-guys where they get their sunglasses and they tell me that it is a problem.  Maybe the Sundog people are listening and will develop something for us.   

Anyway, here comes the pics....

 

 

 

Pic 1 - no sunglasses.

Pic 2 - with Non-polarized Zenith's

 

 

Hey @ShimmyCocoBop, thanks a lot for sharing your detailed review of the Sundog Zenith TrueBlue's! We're thrilled to hear that you're enjoying them overall, and we appreciate your feedback.

It's fantastic to hear that you've found the Sundog Zenith's to be a great value, offering quality, fashion, and excellent clarity. We're particularly glad you've noticed the solid construction of the frame and lens material. Just a heads-up, those components are made of TR90, a material known for its durability and flexibility. While we don't recommend bending the frame excessively, a slight adjustment should be fine, as TR90 can be maneuvered without breaking.

We're delighted that the sunglasses have met your expectations in terms of UV protection and clarity, providing you with the peace of mind you need when spending extended periods in the sun. As for the calming effect, we understand that polarized lenses may offer a different experience, but we're glad to hear that our non-polarized lenses still provide some level of comfort.

Your feedback regarding sunglass fit for individuals with larger heads is duly noted. We're always striving to improve our products and offer solutions that cater to diverse needs. We'll definitely take your suggestion into consideration for future designs.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. If you have any further questions or need assistance with adjusting your sunglasses, feel free to reach out. We're here to help ensure you have the best experience with Sundog Eyewear.

[Sundog Eyewear]

On 4/16/2024 at 7:07 PM, Wicki said:

I cannot put my finger on it.  I was wearing them today for nine hole to try and see what it could be.  The Stack just had that out of package comfortable fit.

I have thought about is it the nose pieces, but that went away.  It might just be a narrow fit.  I am going to wear them specifically few more times to see if things get better.  It might self adjust if I keep wearing them.  I will talk more about the Billy's in the near future.

04/22/2024

I have wearing these sunglasses more.  The nose piece is fine and comfortable.  What I concluded was the arms on the sunglass's is what is bothering and making it uncomfortable.  I have a tough time having a comfortable fit when I wear a baseball cap.  I always wear a cap and never had discomfort with a pair of sunglasses as I do with these.  I tucked the arms into my hat and I have a hard time getting them tucked under.  

The more I wear these sunglasses the less I enjoy them.  Everyone has different size and shaped heads, and it does not work with my head and wearing a cap.  I do wear them driving with no issues though.

Hi @Wicki, thanks for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear about the discomfort you're experiencing, especially when wearing a cap. STACK and BILLY83 feature ContourFlex tips that can be adjusted for comfort so please try adjusting the tips. Not to worry, the metal core of the ContourFLEX will hold up to some adjustment, however, we understand that the shape of the arms may not be ideal for tucking under a cap as the BILLY83's come to slightly more of a straight back point than the STACK's. We appreciate your input and will consider it for future designs. If you need assistance with adjusting the fit or have any questions, please reach out. We're here to help ensure your satisfaction with our eyewear.

[Wicki]

6 hours ago, Sundog Eyewear said:

Hi @Wicki, thanks for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear about the discomfort you're experiencing, especially when wearing a cap. STACK and BILLY83 feature ContourFlex tips that can be adjusted for comfort so please try adjusting the tips. Not to worry, the metal core of the ContourFLEX will hold up to some adjustment, however, we understand that the shape of the arms may not be ideal for tucking under a cap as the BILLY83's come to slightly more of a straight back point than the STACK's. We appreciate your input and will consider it for future designs. If you need assistance with adjusting the fit or have any questions, please reach out. We're here to help ensure your satisfaction with our eyewear.

The Stack is comfortable and do NOT have the discomfort I get with the Billy83's.  So with the discomfort I have with the Billy83, I have been trying to see how I can eliminate that discomfort.  Right now I feeling the squeeze and do not have a flex point at where the are meets the frame.  Hope this helps more of a pinpoint my issue.

[Jeff in the Mitten]

FINAL REVIEW AND SCORING

1. Genius Trueblue Polarized Plus:  93/100

First Impressions 9/10:  Out of the box these fit well and I LOVE that they have a modern fashion-based style so I can wear them off the 18th green after missing a birdie putt and straight to the bar to forget about that putt...all while looking good!  Jokes aside, they seemed really solid and I did notice the lighter tint or (VLT Visible light transmission).  Then my first range session confirmed that for me, here in Michigan where clouds can come and go even in the summer, the lighter tint was just what I needed.  The only downside I saw was that after an hour or so at the range I could sort of "feel" the arms on top of my ear.  It wasn't a pain, but more like just there with the shorter arm length and light pressure.  I wouldn't recommend these for big heads unless the arms could easily be bent/modified for a custom fit. 

Aesthetics 20/20:  This is such a personal evaluation.  Some people will agree and some won't, so just know that looks all come down to you, and like @ShimmyCocoBop said likely your significant other LOL!  I personally love the look of the Genius for reasons previously mentioned about being able to wear them on and off the course while still lookin' fly...or at least in my mind.

The Numbers 18/20:  The "numbers" in this case is really about minutes and hours.  Here's a few nuggets of what I found after wearing these on the course a few times:

- Comfort was great for about 2.5 hours without moving them once.  After that I did notice a little pressure above my ears and I attribute that to the shorter arms, so I may look into taking them to a glasses place to see if I can lighten up that pressure without risking a secure fit.  That's where the 2 pt deduction comes for me.  

- Greens were still easy to read, which was going to be one of my biggest tests...so for the first time I feel like I could wear sunglasses for a full round. 

- The VLT was just right to work in multiple light conditions, and over a round of golf I'd say that's pretty likely, whether it be shade or clouds.  Best shades for golf I've found because of that slightly lighter tint. 

On the Course 19/20:  For many of the same reasons above I think these are my first pair of sunglasses that I will ACTUALLY wear for a full round.  Maybe I was shopping for the wrong stuff all along, but regardless these things rock for just enough light reduction and sun protection playing golf.  Biggest indication of personal quality is if I'd use them time and time again...and I already am!

Good, Bad, & In Between 9/10:  The good is the style and the lenses, and when compared to other brands out there the sticker price of $149 is a very good value.  The bad is that they definitely are limited to average to smaller sized heads.  Sunglasses are usually something you'd try on when buying, but if you were to scoop these online and had a big head you could be disappointed.  The in between is that sunglasses come down to situation.  For me, these lenses were awesome for Michigan golf season.  Maybe someone in cloudy Seattle or sunny Scottsdale would find they're not a great fit for those conditions.  The gist is to get what works for you...these do for me though for what it's worth!

Play it or Trade it 18/20:  I'm keeping these for sure!  My 2 point deduction comes from a few nit picky things.  1. I wish they came with a hard case so I could keep them in my golf bag and not worry about getting smashed.  2. The fit is a little on the snug side.  Other than those two things, these are the BEST shades I've worn golfing bar none. 

 

Stay tuned for the full review of the Propel w/ Trueblue lenses...

[injectedcutty]

I've been chugging along testing both pairs, but I've really grown fond of the Billy83 polarized. I've been wearing them to work everyday and they're holding up way better than most sunglasses do. Running food for Sysco is a torturous job on equipment, and i usually wear cheap safety sunglasses but these @Sundog Eyewear are answering the call. I'm working on finishing up my reviews of both.

Speaking of work, Louisville is prepping for a little race next week, then some random golf tourney next month lol! I'm actually going to bid on a PGA route for the week at Vahalla. I deliver there from time to time, but it's a zoo there now. 

[Wicki]

Played around today (4/28) wearing the Stack TrueBlue.  Wearing a hat, the arms were under the cap.  I didn't even tuck them under and didn't even know that they were under my cap already.  Since I had discomfort with the Billy 83's arms being under my cap.  

The Stack just have a natural fit to my small face.  In the stretch fit hats, I wear a S/M to give you a better understanding.

Before our rough has grown, I had no problem finding my ball.  Now that the rough is thicker, it is tough to find the ball.  Everyone is having problems.  The dew was a plenty and I had trouble to tell the difference between a ball and the dew.  Others had the same problem with their sunglasses noticing whether if it was a ball or just dew.

In tracking the ball, I have to say that the Billy 83's are better than the Stack.  The Stack's are better than other sunglasses and the naked eyes tracking the ball.

 

[Coulter]

I have had horrible luck the last month or so. Between bad weather and stomach bug then some weird cold/flu I haven’t been able to golf. However I continue to use my sunglasses any chance I get while driving or outside. Next week I will be on a cruise with the family and will definitely be bringing both pair of sunglasses along. 
 

[ShimmyCocoBop]

Hello, Spies & Sundog Eyewear Folks - 

I wore my Sundog Zenith NON-POLARIZED sunglasses yesterday to play 18 holes on a clear, sunny, beautiful day in South Florida.

Prior uses were limited to 30-45 minutes of wear because of my medium-large melon-sized head (hat-size 7 5/8).  I took Sundog Eyewear's advice and straightened the TR90 temples as much as I could.  I was nervous and tried not to incur breakage.  I only gained about 10-15 more minutes of wear before I had to take them off due to head pain above the ears.  Maybe I should bend then a little but more each time I wear them, if possible.  The lack of rubberized ends on the temples prevented me from putting them on my hat every so often for relief.  Without rubberized tips, they won't stay on your hat or hair.

NON-POLARIZED lenses are beneficial to me when putting/chipping because they really bring out the grain in the grass and highlight subtle slopes on greens.  If you watch players on the Tours who wear non-polarized lenses, you see that they don't usually remove them for putting.  Yesterday, I watched Zach Johnson putt with his (polarized) Oakleys on top of his hat.  Last week, Hannah Green wore non-polarized sunglasses with a pinkish-brown lens and kept them on until she got champagne dumped on her at the end when she won, so her lenses must have been non-polarized.  Harry Higgs is another player who keeps his non-polarized Oakley Prism-Golf lenses on throughout the round.

I really like the lenses in my Sundog Zenith sunglasses and wish that I could wear them longer. It would be great if the Zenith lenses were available in the Billy83 frames.

One last thing I noticed on both of my Sundog test sunglasses (my other pair being Billy83 polarized sunglasses with easily bendable frames) was the printing on the upper part of the lenses. One side says "TrueBlue" and the other side says "Sundogs".  I understand that both words on the outside of the lenses are there for marketing purposes, but I don't care for them being there as a user.  The printing is very visible to the wearer and is distracting enough to make me think that I needed to clean the lenses all the time.  I don't really care if people think I'm cool for wearing Sundogs or not.  I just want them to provide the service I need as well as possible.

Thanks to the Sundogs Marketing Department for giving GolfSpys the opportunity to test their sunglasses.  There are probably many people who don't realize or care how polarized sunglasses adversely affect their golf-vision, but I do!

 

[Wicki]

I am still working with the Billy 83 sunglasses to where I can fully enjoy them while playing golf.  One thing that I keep doing is bending the arms (rounding them) to where the points touch each other.  This has helping having them fit and kinda comfortable when the arms are tucked under my hat.

I like to wear the Billy's mainly when I am driving on the bright sunny days of Spring right now.

[Rob Person]

19 hours ago, Wicki said:

I am still working with the Billy 83 sunglasses to where I can fully enjoy them while playing golf.  One thing that I keep doing is bending the arms (rounding them) to where the points touch each other.  This has helping having them fit and kinda comfortable when the arms are tucked under my hat.

I like to wear the Billy's mainly when I am driving on the bright sunny days of Spring right now.

Does anyone wear them with the arms over the hat sides instead of under? (See alot of professionals do this)

[Alan Scalzi]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

Does anyone wear them with the arms over the hat sides instead of under? (See alot of professionals do this)

I don't as it does not feel comfortable!

[injectedcutty]

FINAL REVIEW:  Billy83 Trueblue Polarized.

First Impression: 9/10 

From the initial viewing of the @Sundog EyewearBilly83 sunglasses I was impressed as mentioned in my unboxing videos. Sundog claims to have mastered the polarized tech in these glasses due to the manufacturing process they use. Ive had alot of polarized sunglasses and they usually scratch pretty quick. Thats not the case with these, they're definitely more durable and easy to clean up. The soft case is nice, and the exclusive headcover case with magnet is a really cool addition! The main reason for the 1 point deduction is due to lack of shipping care taken. It seemed some bubblewrap or kraft paper would've been peace of mind. There was no noted damage to either pair of glasses, and could just be me being picky. Not sure if that's how these glasses are normally shipped, but it could be something to think of from the shipping department.

Aesthetics: 20/20 

I can honestly say I love the way the Billy83 model looks and fits. I have an average sized head and they fit nice and snug along my temples without being too tight. I've always liked the overall shape of the Billy83 in regards to other brands that I've worn in the past, they just fit me well. When you throw in the $149 price these are a solid contender to the higher priced glasses in the market. This model has a soft, rubbery nosepiece that doesn't bounce around while walking the course which is nice. It's not fair to the Propel model I also received, but I've been wearing the Billy83 for daily duty at work, racetrack, etc as they just fit.

The Numbers: 18/20

To be completely fair, the main advantage the Billy83 model gave is cutting down on glare. Having blue eyes, I like to wear sunglasses to ease the strain, and these really help with that aspect as well.

On The Course: 19/20

Since receiving these sunglasses to test, I've had ample time on the course to really evaluate the benefits of the polarized tech in the lenses. The first day I actually topped a couple balls as my depth perception was off, however I quickly adjusted my setup and got everything under control quickly and felt normal again. The Billy83 do really well in sunny and gray sky conditions, but dusk they weren't as effective. These glasses are lightweight, and the arms can be bent to adjust if needed however they fit my head just fine.

The Good, the bad, the inbetween: 9/10

As I've mentioned prior, the Billy83 Polarized model is really comfortable for all day use for someone with an average sized face/head. I have a buddy with a big ole noggin and they didn't fit him well at all, looked kind of funny! The only bad I have, reason for docking the point is trying to use electronics, or look at a TV with them on. Polarized lenses have a reputation of causing an issue viewing screens, however @Sundog Eyewear has mitigated some of the effects of this, the sunglasses still have that issue. That's no fault to Sundog, as all of my polarized sunglasses do this, it's just something to be aware of if purchasing. However, easy fix, just take them off haha.

Play it or Trade it: 20/20

One thing is for sure, I would without a doubt wear the Billy83 sunglasses in a tournament or even playing for money! Of the two pair I've been testing, these are my favorite and look forward to wearing them for a long while until they get worn out. Being able to clearly see the ball is obviously important, and these glasses help that task with ease since they do such a great job cutting down on the glare. I wish I could make it to where I see like that all the time. I also feel that the $149 asking price is fair in comparison to the other competitors in the same market. Truthfully, I believe I fit into the right demographic to test this model. Having an average sized head ensured they fit without digging into my head. The nosepiece is comfortable, they look stylish, and they have performed really well for me on the course! Heck, just last Wednesday I shot my career low round of 68 while wearing these!!!! Could be coincidence, but I know for a fact they helped me read a couple greens when the sun was challenging me. Also, I think people with nearsightedness would benefit wearing these. The way the viewing window is more clear than regular sunglasses allows one to see the ball down range much easier. 

Conclusion: 

In short, the Billy83 TrueBlue Polarized model from Sundog is a great addition to the golf sunglass market. They're priced fair, look great, they're lightweight which is important for long term wearing intervals, and the lenses clean easily. The polarized tech infused into the lenses really does a great job for clarity and glare reduction. I highly recommend trying these sunglasses if someone is looking for a new brand or pair to wear while golfing, fishing, driving, or just casual use. Overall, they tick all the boxes for me, and I'm sure others as well.

Final Score: 95/100

I'm so thankful I was selected as one of the Testers for the sunglasses! I recently bought a pair of competitors glasses last year, and the Billy83 model jumped all over them. I'll keep that pair in the bag in case of emergency, but I'll be wearing these daily! Thanks again to My Golf Spy and the admins of the forum, along with @Sundog Eyewear for the opportunity, blessed to be a part of this is an understatement.

 

[injectedcutty]

On 3/18/2024 at 6:55 PM, injectedcutty said:

Hey spies, just wanted to do a proper intro since this is the 1st test I've been able to participate in. My name is Scott and I'm 40 years old. I live in Louisville with my beautiful wife of 15 years (not sure how she's put up with my crap this long lol), and 2 girls age 9 and 13. 

I've been playing golf since I could walk, played junior leagues growing up, and played varsity golf in high school. I fell off the horse for a few years after graduating, cause partying ya know. I've got pretty heavily back into golf over the past 10-12 years, and really really involved over the past 5. I'm fortunate enough to have a public course backing up to my yard which makes practice and play super easy on a daily basis. I've managed to trim my handicap back down close to scratch, but like most I have days I hit it awful!!!! I've been using a shotscope H4 since last year, that neat tool has truly improved my game since I can monitor yardage, look at strokes gained, etc.

In regards to this test, I usually wear sunglasses daily since I drive for Sysco and I'm on the road throughout the day. I like wearing polarized but my Ray Bans are weird on the course. I have some Tifosi golf sunglasses that have their tech in them and they really help, so I'm really excited to see how these Sundogs fit and feel. I'm signed up for the Billy83 polarized, and the Propel TrueBlue sunglasses. I plan on testing them thoroughly, getting critical measurements as alot of need wider or narrower frames, how the nosepiece feels and sits on the face, durability, comfort, etc. 

Again, I'm pumped to be included in this test and can't wait to get started. I hope people reach out if they think of off the wall ways to test them....I'm all ears.

 

Got my sunglasses today and I'm super pumped so far. Here is the unboxing video. Time to get yall some specs.

I've been wearing mainly the Billy83 polarized plus sunglasses all week during work. Overall they are super nice, and don't slip at all on my face. As mentioned, I drive a truck for Sysco so these glasses are excellent while driving since they really cut down on glare and improve clarity! 

Also, they help alot on the few gray sky days we've had this week in Kentucky. I have blue eyes so sunglasses in general help, but the polarized tech that @Sundog Eyewear has infused into their products is superior so far! I said early on, the first impressions were a 9/10 for me. I do wish they would've thrown some bubble wrap in the box for safe measure. Yeah the products showed up safe, but an extra wrap of something would ease the mind, especially since the regular trueblue pair is $79.99, and the polarized are $149. That's it for now, hope to go play in a bit and test more.

 

Edited Tuesday at 10:50 AM by injectedcutty
Oops

[Preeway]

13 hours ago, injectedcutty said:

FINAL REVIEW:  Billy83 Trueblue Polarized.

First Impression: 9/10 

From the initial viewing of the @Sundog EyewearBilly83 sunglasses I was impressed as mentioned in my unboxing videos. Sundog claims to have mastered the polarized tech in these glasses due to the manufacturing process they use. Ive had alot of polarized sunglasses and they usually scratch pretty quick. Thats not the case with these, they're definitely more durable and easy to clean up. The soft case is nice, and the exclusive headcover case with magnet is a really cool addition! The main reason for the 1 point deduction is due to lack of shipping care taken. It seemed some bubblewrap or kraft paper would've been peace of mind. There was no noted damage to either pair of glasses, and could just be me being picky. Not sure if that's how these glasses are normally shipped, but it could be something to think of from the shipping department.

Aesthetics: 20/20 

I can honestly say I love the way the Billy83 model looks and fits. I have an average sized head and they fit nice and snug along my temples without being too tight. I've always liked the overall shape of the Billy83 in regards to other brands that I've worn in the past, they just fit me well. When you throw in the $149 price these are a solid contender to the higher priced glasses in the market. This model has a soft, rubbery nosepiece that doesn't bounce around while walking the course which is nice. It's not fair to the Propel model I also received, but I've been wearing the Billy83 for daily duty at work, racetrack, etc as they just fit.

The Numbers: 18/20

To be completely fair, the main advantage the Billy83 model gave is cutting down on glare. Having blue eyes, I like to wear sunglasses to ease the strain, and these really help with that aspect as well.

On The Course: 19/20

Since receiving these sunglasses to test, I've had ample time on the course to really evaluate the benefits of the polarized tech in the lenses. The first day I actually topped a couple balls as my depth perception was off, however I quickly adjusted my setup and got everything under control quickly and felt normal again. The Billy83 do really well in sunny and gray sky conditions, but dusk they weren't as effective. These glasses are lightweight, and the arms can be bent to adjust if needed however they fit my head just fine.

The Good, the bad, the inbetween: 9/10

As I've mentioned prior, the Billy83 Polarized model is really comfortable for all day use for someone with an average sized face/head. I have a buddy with a big ole noggin and they didn't fit him well at all, looked kind of funny! The only bad I have, reason for docking the point is trying to use electronics, or look at a TV with them on. Polarized lenses have a reputation of causing an issue viewing screens, however @Sundog Eyewear has mitigated some of the effects of this, the sunglasses still have that issue. That's no fault to Sundog, as all of my polarized sunglasses do this, it's just something to be aware of if purchasing. However, easy fix, just take them off haha.

Play it or Trade it: 20/20

One thing is for sure, I would without a doubt wear the Billy83 sunglasses in a tournament or even playing for money! Of the two pair I've been testing, these are my favorite and look forward to wearing them for a long while until they get worn out. Being able to clearly see the ball is obviously important, and these glasses help that task with ease since they do such a great job cutting down on the glare. I wish I could make it to where I see like that all the time. I also feel that the $149 asking price is fair in comparison to the other competitors in the same market. Truthfully, I believe I fit into the right demographic to test this model. Having an average sized head ensured they fit without digging into my head. The nosepiece is comfortable, they look stylish, and they have performed really well for me on the course! Heck, just last Wednesday I shot my career low round of 68 while wearing these!!!! Could be coincidence, but I know for a fact they helped me read a couple greens when the sun was challenging me. Also, I think people with nearsightedness would benefit wearing these. The way the viewing window is more clear than regular sunglasses allows one to see the ball down range much easier. 

Conclusion: 

In short, the Billy83 TrueBlue Polarized model from Sundog is a great addition to the golf sunglass market. They're priced fair, look great, they're lightweight which is important for long term wearing intervals, and the lenses clean easily. The polarized tech infused into the lenses really does a great job for clarity and glare reduction. I highly recommend trying these sunglasses if someone is looking for a new brand or pair to wear while golfing, fishing, driving, or just casual use. Overall, they tick all the boxes for me, and I'm sure others as well.

Final Score: 95/100

I'm so thankful I was selected as one of the Testers for the sunglasses! I recently bought a pair of competitors glasses last year, and the Billy83 model jumped all over them. I'll keep that pair in the bag in case of emergency, but I'll be wearing these daily! Thanks again to My Golf Spy and the admins of the forum, along with @Sundog Eyewear for the opportunity, blessed to be a part of this is an understatement.

 

Glad to hear they worked well for you. I really like the pair I bought as well. Don't forget to include your final review in you main post as well on the first page. If you haven't already.

[ShimmyCocoBop]

SpiesGuys&Girls - 

This is my final post for the Sundog Eyewear test of Spring, 2024.  If you want copious specifics, please read my individual posts. 

I rate Sundog Sunglasses very high on the quality scale.  Lenses, frames and cases are top-notch. The sunglasses also seem very durable, which makes their value even higher.

The main point I'd like to make about sunglasses, is that I look at using them to play golf as my main priority.  That requires that mine be NON-POLARIZED. Why would anyone playing for the best score possible not want to see grass grain and subtle-to-medium-to-major slopes on the golf course?  

The next time you watch golf on TV, count the times you see sunglass-wearers wearing them on the top of their hats while putting and you will know that they are wearing polarized lenses.  I don't think I ever saw Tiger Woods wearing sunglasses to putt, but he was highly encouraged to wear Nike's sunglasses as he did once in a while - but never to putt.  Non-polarized sunglasses are not-sexy, but I look at them as a tool in my kit.

POLARIZED lenses are designed to prevent light/glare from bouncing off surfaces and, as a result, will flatten out everything you see.  For driving a car, I want polarized lenses because on a sunny day, other driver's windshields are bouncing the light all over the place and that glare can easily cause an accident. Polarized sunglasses can be sexy because they only have to be dark and polarized with crazy frames and colored lenses.

In summary, for golf, I would love to see the Sundog NON-POLARIZED lenses in their biggest, most-flexible frames with rubberized ends on the temples.  That would be Hella-Cool for golf!

Sundog Eyewear - Thanks for making a high quality and durable product, and for your support of MGS!