I spoke to them regarding mine yesterday (with the delamination). I requested a switch to the amber lenses. They quoted me $60 to change lens styles. I turned that down (didn’t expect them to but was hoping to just be able to pay the diff in price if they are replacing the lenses anyway, but it doesn’t hurt to ask). So they are repairing under warranty with the same lenses for $12. I asked if there was anything that I did to cause it, and they said no. When exposed to salt spray moisture will sometimes get between the glass layers and delaminate them… No mention of cleaning materials used, etc. I have always been careful but have definitely used windex.
lawman, i’m sure some styles’ lenses pop out easier than others. do you have the plastic lenses? they tend to bend better than glass ones.
but i have had my lenses replaced by costa in years passed and they always send me new glasses. i suspected this after the first time, but the last time i sent them in, put a nice gouge in the frame to “mark it”. they told me they replaced the lenses, but in reality, they just gave me a new pair.
it’s gotta be cheaper and easier for them to give you new ones than it is screw with your old glasses and try to fix them.
Got my repaired Costa’s back. They definitely did not just give me a new pair. They replaced the lenses. Frames were in good shape and I think they replaced one of the ear pieces. I was pleased with the customer service. Cost $12 + shipping and turnaround approx 1 week.
All you guys who are complaining about costa’s warranty obviously didnt buy or bring your costa’s into Jackson Davenport on King St downtown. I have had the lenses replaced, new frames when I have broken them, etc. and he takes care of you. Always have had glasses back in the same week. I went in last week with a broken frame and he didnt have the same frame in so he popped the lenses out and put them in a brand new black frame until the tortise frame came in. A+ service and he does all work in shop. give them a visit.
strip…strip…FISH ON!
great to hear that! because I just ordered a pair from their SVille store last week… prescription fantail camo’s
Most of you guys are lucky, I wish I could just buy an OTC pair of glasses. I could write a page on problems I’ve had with distortion and loss of perspective with modern curved lenses (usually 8 base) with my required prescription. I have been into the optometrist twice last week trying to find a lens that will work. We just learned two days ago that Costa and Oakley will not make lenses with my needed prescription. They both said sorry, we can’t make a lens that strong that will work right. I’ve got a pair of Kaenons on order with a 6 base lens (a little flatter) so I will see how they work. Guess I might have to try those cocoons.
After reading through 3 pages, it’s clear the majority of responses do not center around SEEING more fish. I’ve owned Ray Bans, Oakleys, Maui Jims, Sea Striker, and Costas over the last 25 years. Technology has come a long way as witnessed by the difference in the 400 v 580 lenses with the Costas. Although Maui Jims are my hands down favorite for off the water activities due to weight and comfort, I haven’t found any that I can SEE more fish with than the Costa 580s. That doesn’t mean I’m not up to trying others. The few inputs for Smith Optics have me intriqued. How many have actually done a true side-by-side comparison of different brands for SIGHT-FISHING lately? Obviously, everyone’s eyes are slightly different, and what works best for one, may not be best for others. I don’t care if they are $20 or $250. If they aid in spotting fish sooner, they are worth the investment.
Had em all and Costas are the best.best customer service and best WARRANTY in the biz…not worth any other warranty.they all are 1 year.Costas are for life and never more than 70 bucks to repair… Big Beast Fishing
Hunter, this is probably more info than you are interested in but you are probably near-sighted. I’m far-sighted where we can’t focus up close so we need magnification (makes things look closer). Usually starts as just needing reading glasses but in my case gradually got worse. Near-sighted people need glasses to make things look further away. Aging usually causes presbyopia where the lens is stiff and can’t change focus. I’ve tried contacts and just couldn’t handle all the hassle. But to make things worse, I need one contact to see far and the other to focus up close. Your brain figures it out but you do lose some depth perception and perspective. In my business I need to really focus close and accurately so the two different contacts (or laser surgery) is just not good enough. By the way, I ordered some Cocoons today to try out.
After reading through 3 pages, it’s clear the majority of responses do not center around SEEING more fish. I’ve owned Ray Bans, Oakleys, Maui Jims, Sea Striker, and Costas over the last 25 years. Technology has come a long way as witnessed by the difference in the 400 v 580 lenses with the Costas. Although Maui Jims are my hands down favorite for off the water activities due to weight and comfort, I haven’t found any that I can SEE more fish with than the Costa 580s. That doesn’t mean I’m not up to trying others. The few inputs for Smith Optics have me intriqued. How many have actually done a true side-by-side comparison of different brands for SIGHT-FISHING lately? Obviously, everyone’s eyes are slightly different, and what works best for one, may not be best for others. I don’t care if they are $20 or $250. If they aid in spotting fish sooner, they are worth the investment.
I agree and also would like to see opinions on lens color, size, etc as I am in the market for a new pair of fishing specs.
After reading through 3 pages, it’s clear the majority of responses do not center around SEEING more fish. I’ve owned Ray Bans, Oakleys, Maui Jims, Sea Striker, and Costas over the last 25 years. Technology has come a long way as witnessed by the difference in the 400 v 580 lenses with the Costas. Although Maui Jims are my hands down favorite for off the water activities due to weight and comfort, I haven’t found any that I can SEE more fish with than the Costa 580s. That doesn’t mean I’m not up to trying others. The few inputs for Smith Optics have me intriqued. How many have actually done a true side-by-side comparison of different brands for SIGHT-FISHING lately? Obviously, everyone’s eyes are slightly different, and what works best for one, may not be best for others. I don’t care if they are $20 or $250. If they aid in spotting fish sooner, they are worth the investment.
After my earlier post I went and got a pair of Costa inshore lens 580 (green) I did a side by side comparison with them and my Maui Jim glasses (dark grey lens) and found that I could see into shallow water with more clarity and depth with the costas. I took pictures through each of the lens' but it didn't come out real well. I can try it again if asked but I found the costas to have better detail so I wear them when fishing and the Maui Jims at all other times. The costas filter out yellow light and seem to be slightly brighter than the MJ's. Also, when I first bought the CDM's I wore them exclusively for a few weeks that I could see things in the grass on the greens that I couldn't see when wearing the MJ's or just naked eye. The grass on my greens had a duller look to them and I thought the grass looked like **** and wondered why nobody else was saying anything. One day I bent down to look
I have Costas and like them a lot. Has anyone had this happen: my lenses seem to have a coating or delamination at the edges near the frames. You can see it in the coating. I’ve never tried returning them for repair but I guess I should? Another question is: these lenses are essentially gray (got them as a gift). I’d rather have amber lenses. Will they swap the lenses if asked when sent back or charge me to do that? Thx
Same thing happened to me last year. Check their website for all the details on a warranty return. I believe it cost me about $12 for the whole deal and they sent them back in about 2 weeks with new lenses.
The reality is that there is not much of a difference in lens quality/polarizing filters among most of the manufacturers of quality sunglasses. Everyone has Costas because the company has done a great job marketing. It’s not like kids are wearing Costa visors or have Costa stickers on the backs of their pick-ups because they’re thrilled with the optical quality of the lenses. It is almost entirely a lifestyle/marketing/branding thing.
That’s not to say Costas are bad glasses; they’re fine, but there are plenty of others out there that get the job done. I’ve had Costas, Maui Jims, Hobies, Wiley Xs, Smiths, and several others (I’ve lost or broken more expensive shades than I care to admit). I liked some better than others, but I never noticed a big difference in the polarizing qualities of the major brands. They’re all good - polarization is important, but so is finding a pair that fits your face the best (blocks out light from the sides and below) and comfort over extended periods of time. Finding a pair with minimal distortion is important, and every person’s face is a little bit different.
Personally, I’ve been pretty disappointed in the Costa warranty the few times I’ve had to use it. I found a pair of Mauis that fit my face a little bit better, and their warranty has been much better than Costa’s. Kind of nice to send a pair of broken $200 glasses back and not get charged $50 for repairs.
As Rad said, if you are sight fishing inshore the costa 580 in green is by far the best. I have tried them side by side with many others and there is no question. I have seen fish people with the 400’s and other glasses just cant see. I have even traded with guys that fish with me and a bell goes off in their head as soon as they put mine on. Got mine on ebay for $149. I have a pair of 400’s for everyday use and 580’s are only for fishing. I dont want to loss or break them doing something stupid.
Blue will be fine. I prefer the green inshore because of the amber in the lens. Its hard to describe but they “light up” the fins on reds in less clear water, and deeper water when the sun is shinning. I wear the blue offshore because it is so bright and they are a little darker.
