The Spectacles Thread.

[Jinwei89]

Ben optics is the distributer for tag heuer eyewear and lots of other brands. chop means their company stamp.

take note on tag heuer frame serial number is same aa printed on warrenty card.

dont have ben optics chop leh. is the spec shop chop. frame serial and the warranty card is the same. haha..

 

[Auspicium Melioris Aevi]

Just in case you don't know, the houses there also cheaper. Labour also cheaper. rent also cheaper, food also cheaper, milk powder also cheaper..... so maybe you can consider staying in JB and commute to singapore to work.

Yes, alot of things that are made or packed in Malaysia are much cheaper than in SG. eg milk made in the Netherlands but packed in Msia is cheaper. One reason is that some of these costs are also subsidized.

But foreign imports like electronics, white goods can cost more there than here. So I am surprised to hear that foreign made/imported specs are cheaper there...

 

[Panerex]

While crizal lens have the watermark, what abt Hoya lens with sft coating?

How do I know I am getting the real deal for Hoya 1.67 with sft coating?

 

[jemtxy]

hmm.. yeh they told me their astig is only until 200 for crizal. thus mine is taking longer as they have to ordermake for the 250 astig...

shall try for the fog thing to see the watermark if available.

 

[xiaokaka]

hmm.. yeh they told me their astig is only until 200 for crizal. thus mine is taking longer as they have to ordermake for the 250 astig...

shall try for the fog thing to see the watermark if available.

Thats what i thought too.. not all edged lenses have 100% visable Crizal logo as they might have been cut away due to your astig axis and frame shape.

 

[xiaokaka]

Yes, alot of things that are made or packed in Malaysia are much cheaper than in SG. eg milk made in the Netherlands but packed in Msia is cheaper. One reason is that some of these costs are also subsidized.

But foreign imports like electronics, white goods can cost more there than here. So I am surprised to hear that foreign made/imported specs are cheaper there...

Maybe the Authorised Dealer earns lesser commission.. gt chance right? lol

 

[xiaokaka]

While crizal lens have the watermark, what abt Hoya lens with sft coating?

How do I know I am getting the real deal for Hoya 1.67 with sft coating?

Hoya, nikon, sola ect. all dont have..

See if gt Authenticy Card anot.. most reuptable chain stores will give orginal lenses that u paid for..

 

[xiaokaka]

dont have ben optics chop leh. is the spec shop chop. frame serial and the warranty card is the same. haha..

Normally what most me and my collegues sell Tags, all card comes with Ben Optiks chop.. if that retail shop's chop only... i scared no warrenty.. u need to check with Tag Heuer Boutique..

 

[starsandstripes]

Do tortoiseshell frames suit Asian skin tones? I think I'm more towards medium-dark.

 

[xiaokaka]

Do tortoiseshell frames suit Asian skin tones? I think I'm more towards medium-dark.

Some asian skin are fair while same are darker..

Tortise shell have dark and light tones also...

If ur skin is fair, prob most medium-light tortise shell will suit quite well.

 

[2pm2am]

hmm.. yeh they told me their astig is only until 200 for crizal. thus mine is taking longer as they have to ordermake for the 250 astig...

shall try for the fog thing to see the watermark if available.

You said you got it very cheap.... so how much you paid for the whole thing. 1.74 crizal Rx if essilor makes them, i don't think it will be cheap.

 

[2pm2am]

Yes, alot of things that are made or packed in Malaysia are much cheaper than in SG. eg milk made in the Netherlands but packed in Msia is cheaper. One reason is that some of these costs are also subsidized.

But foreign imports like electronics, white goods can cost more there than here. So I am surprised to hear that foreign made/imported specs are cheaper there...

That's why I say be careful when you shop in Malaysia, thailand, indonesia where you can get branded specs for 1/2 the price that you can find in singapore.

There is a very big market for wholesale fake branded specs in China and you will be surprised by the quality of those and who are buying them............... malaysian, indonesian and thailand, philipines, wholesaler. Why no singpaorean ? Singapore is very strict so no one wants to take the risk.

 

[Kenneth C]

Seannie wrote:
no worries, you just have to find trusted shops. And when shopping for specs, its even less risky becos I dont look for these brand names. I look for good quality specs with authenticity.

And their service is much better than those in sg. Especially if you are fm sg, i think their reception towards you may be even mre endearing & welcoming. No black faces gauranteed.

You go inside a sg retail chain store and start asking more questions than they think is necessary and they start to give you faces (that kind of faces that gives you the feeling that if you have no intention to buy then dont waste my time) or just simply ignore you.

Seems like u "Generalise" Sg shops.. kinda unhealthy u know?

Not sure about the optical shops in SG, I have been going back to the same shop for the past 23 years. This explains the awesome service that I get from the bossess and staff. I am sure there are optical shops in SG that provide good services.

 

[jemtxy]

You said you got it very cheap.... so how much you paid for the whole thing. 1.74 crizal Rx if essilor makes them, i don't think it will be cheap.

got it at 800 total...frames was 558 after 20% discount..

 

[Nucleus]

Hi to all the regulars in this thread.
Been reading up on this thread since 1-2 days back and would like to seek some input and also advice from you.

A little background about me.
Used to wear Oakley Square Wire 2.0, thought it was one of the best specs I bought. Was really happy with the purchase and enjoyed the warranty and services covered by Larrikin. Changed the frames a couple of times after warranty, from 80 till it was increased to 120.

Then moved to a brandless (I think) wooden looking one with normal lenses. Wore it for about 3-4 yrs till present day. Recently, I told myself I'll 'destroy' my eyes if I continue wearing this specs as the lenses are heavily scratched.

I only have a pair of specs and use it for any and every activity that I do.

Ok so now for the advice seeking part,
1.
Should I get 2 pairs of specs?
1 for work and 1 for others? I remember doing this before and it was very unsuccessful, I gave up and used the new one.

2. Should I go back to Oakleys? The last I know, they have changed management. Luxotica is now managing them. No more changing of nose rubber and sleeves after 3rd yr of purchase. Also the prices are quite steep.

3. I am looking for light frames. I've seen brands like Tag, Swissflex, byWP, IC. Berlin, Oakley and Urband being thrown ard. Any other brands that are worth taking a look?

4. I am most like having 300-400 degrees on each eye with astig as well on both. I believe, 1.6 hi index lens would be good enough for me? On the order of brands (please correct my assumption) it should be

1. Zeiss
2. Nikon
3. Hoya
4. Essilor

In ranking of price, from most expensive to cheapest and can I say the same as well for quality? Please correct my assumptions of they are misguided.

5. I also a few names and shops being brought up on a regular basis such as Kwong Shin, Seng Li, Aldric (who has a shop in Thomson plaza). Are these guys the revered few who provide good service?

6. Lastly, it's all about the budget. My oakleys were bought from capitol optical @ Far east plaza about 7-8 yrs back, heck maybe even longer... And they cost me( my wife actually lol) about 380. And when I wanted to go back and buy them again before I got my current one. The cost is really difficult to swallow, which is why I am stuck with my current one.

I know to get a good pair of specs would not be going for a branded one specifically but having one that fits you. Prices may range from cheap to very expensive so it really depends on me. For mentally preparing myself sake, if I am to get a good quality 1.6 hi index lens with a fair enough quality frame, am I looking at about $500-$600 worth of spending?

Thanks a lot for reading my lengthy post. Appreciate your kind advise.

 

[Seannie]

Refer to the post below, i will rank hoya above nikon. This is from my own personal experience. Im not sure of the reason why hoya lens seem clearer than nikon, but i personally like the sft coating, looks more premium than nikon although quite many people say that nikon is better.

Many people also say that kwong shin & seng li provides very good service and i deem their prices are also resonable.

I will not recommend you to get oakley again, the rubber part is not tat good. And if you are looking at comfy frames, you should try others, even if it is no-brand. But one thing you need to take note of no-brands frames are that some of them dont really last you tat long & workmanship generally may be poorer and the materials used as well.

Apart from those brands you mentioned, you can also try lindberg, silhuoette, pro-design etc. You really need to go try them on to know how comfy. And my advice to u is that on the very first try, if you find any discomfort at all, dont consider it. Keep trying till you found one frame that justs fits very comfortably on ur face at the first try & you feel like you are not wearing anything.

 

[Seannie]

Seannie wrote:
no worries, you just have to find trusted shops. And when shopping for specs, its even less risky becos I dont look for these brand names. I look for good quality specs with authenticity.

And their service is much better than those in sg. Especially if you are fm sg, i think their reception towards you may be even mre endearing & welcoming. No black faces gauranteed.

You go inside a sg retail chain store and start asking more questions than they think is necessary and they start to give you faces (that kind of faces that gives you the feeling that if you have no intention to buy then dont waste my time) or just simply ignore you.




Not sure about the optical shops in SG, I have been going back to the same shop for the past 23 years. This explains the awesome service that I get from the bossess and staff. I am sure there are optical shops in SG that provide good services.

u are referring to kwong shin right? ya, generally i agree that sme shops especially the older generation ones & the non-chain stores can provide really better service and advice. But these are getting lesser and dying out. I feel that more & more spec shops are turning into big chain stores, and i think that this is not really a healthy sign. The staff turnover is big & some are just more concerned with the sales than the service.

 

[Seannie]

While crizal lens have the watermark, what abt Hoya lens with sft coating?

How do I know I am getting the real deal for Hoya 1.67 with sft coating?

sft coating is very easily recognisable from its special color tone that differentiates itself from other coatings (if you see carefully enough).

So, in fact, you dont even need to have the card to prove the authenticity. It already shows itself, which is a better proof than a card which can be faked. But the coating appearance of sft caanot be faked.

 

[Seannie]

Thats what i thought too.. not all edged lenses have 100% visable Crizal logo as they might have been cut away due to your astig axis and frame shape.

just like the logo on branded belts are cut off to match your waistline.

Products should be viewed by their quality they produce, not by the logo.

Logo can be cut away, but not the QUALITY.

 

[Kenneth C]

u are referring to kwong shin right? ya, generally i agree that sme shops especially the older generation ones & the non-chain stores can provide really better service and advice. But these are getting lesser and dying out. I feel that more & more spec shops are turning into big chain stores, and i think that this is not really a healthy sign. The staff turnover is big & some are just more concerned with the sales than the service.

Valid point. I agree.