I'm in Florida and have always had light sensitivity. I've tried non-XTRActive and it simply isn't enough to keep me from squinting. Even with XTRActive it's right on the verge of having to squint. Thanks to your other videos, I'm going with the XTRActive Brown Style Mirrors this time. Whenever it's time for a new pair I come to your channel. Thanks for all your help, great content!
Thank you! I'm so glad you are finding good and useful information on my channel. I invite you to shop my online store sometime as well at HicksBrunson.com. We also have personal stylists who can help you.
Would you consider demonstrating the difference temperature makes on the XTRActive vs the S? As a person living in the southern U.S. most of my days are pretty hot.
Thanks for the video. Great review! The only thing that would have been nice to have added is about the permanent indoor tint. Can you please answer: 1) What’s the indoor (permanent) tint percent? (Is it less than 10%?) 2) Did the gen 2 (new generation) Xtractive that you mentioned also just come out in April 2024? 3) Since you have both Gen 8/S and the new generation Xtractive, do you find that the Xtractives don’t let you see as well as the Gen 8/S since they are not as clear indoors as Gen8/S? What about at night,is it harder to see well with Xtractive due to the permanent tint (so less light going through)? Thanks so much.
Thank you! These are great questions. 1.) I don't have the indoor tint percentage off hand. XTRActive is described as having a hint of tint. I would guess to say it is less than 10%. It can just barely be seen when the lens is laid down on white paper. I believe the vast majority if people will not be able to see it when you are wearing the glasses. 2.) XTRActive New Gen or Gen 2 was late 2021, which I believe was also when XTRActive Polarized released in the U.S. 3.) Again, the tint being less than 10% or just a hint of tint is hardly noticeable to anyone. Not the wearer and not the person looking at you. In my experience most people will not be aware of it at all. I say most people, not all people. For this reason is perfectly fine to wear at night. I have may pairs of glasses in my personal collection that have a 30% indoor tint thatI can wear at night. Those are definitely noticeable, but do not bother me. 30% might bother some people at night. Less than 10% will bother virtually no one.
@@HicksBrunsonEyewearYou definitely notice the permanent tint just not to the extent where it will cause you to have trouble seeing at night or anything at least not for me. But taking them off and putting them back on you 100% see the difference.
Just got GenS, I live in Las Vegas so far I can't get them to turn more than 25% dark in the 107 degree weather. The extractive worked GenS barely changed 25! Is being generous.
@@chrislee6650 thanks. So I was thinking about a pair of classic glasses + a pair of sport glasses. Both xtractive. Both to have eyeglasses +sunglasses in one. Would that be a bad idea?
As far as I know the transitions times are quite similar, although some believe they have observed the XTRActive Polarized to not get as dark as the XTRActive non-polarized. I believe this may be true, but I think the polarizing affect makes up for this lack of darkness by eliminating glare.
That's still true. I have gen2 XTRActive and they maintain a slight tint indoors, which I actually prefer. I think that's another point that could have been hit here in terms of differences in use cases. Some folks who are more sensitive to indoor lighting or work behind a computer screen all day stand to benefit from that indoor tint. The faster return to clear in the new genS signature is appealing, but maintaining an indoor tint is higher priority for me personally.
There’s a slight tint, but unless they’re a trained optician, it’s very unlikely anyone will notice in normally lit rooms, and nothing similar to the first gen indoor tint. I have Gen S, 8, and XTRActive NG (new generation aka 2ed gen released in 2022) and would honestly only consider the XTRActives for any new pairs, aside from if i wanted a certain style color (like the Gen S Ruby I got). They get significantly darker out of the car than Gen 8 or S’s do, which is the most important thing for me. I don’t mind the fade back when going inside personally, but like mentioned in the video, they all have their place, especially if you have an “eyewear wardrobe” with different glasses for different purposes.
Just combine a 10% indoor base tint of your choice with either gen S or xtractive or gen 8 choice of color and there ya go! I personally have a 10% rose base indoor tint combined with gen S rose (outdoors sunny day) installed on my M1028 Matsuda Frames (crystal clear with gold) with an exterior coat of Zeiss HD bluish color pretty sick!
@@jasonsalazar9760 that's how I ended up on this video, I want to do the same! Can you give me anymore information on how you did that? Some opticians (most importantly - mine) say it can't be done, other say no problem. Did they easily strip the coatings in order to tint them and then reapplied AR?
Mi chiedo una cosa sulla generazione S: quando di giorno sono all'aperto ma c'è un pó nuvoloso ed il sole è coperto da qualche nuvola, si attivano lo stesso risultando piú scure?
I wondered about that few months ago but ended up taking the xtra active polarized ones. It gets pretty hot in here around like 50 cslcius in Summer so I think i made the right decision. I'm just wondering though, is it true that the polarized xtraactive are less darker than the regular xtraactive?
I have noticed this too. My XTRActive Polarized darken pretty well in my car. I think just as much as my XTRActive NG, but possibly they do not get as dark overall in direct sunlight. However, since they become polarized as they darken they feel just as if not more comfortable in bright sun.
Hmmm. Thanks for the info. It seems even the best option is not that dark in a car. Is the only other option either prescription sunglasses or clip ons?
Most people will find prescription sunglasses are needed for certain situations. I made a video a while back asking which is better: Transitions or Sunglasses? It can be viewed here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e3zxmSbr7KQ.htmlsi=Lg3yxOhxRTQWbdpX
Are asking how it will look compared to Gen S? Since it only has a hint of tint, there is hardly any noticeable difference at all at night. If you are like most people it won't look any different than wearing Gen S. Many, many people are happily driving at night wearing XTRActive lenses.
They keep a 'hint of tint' indoors. The density of color indoors is so light that most people not see it while wearing the glasses. If you lay the lenses flat on white paper you will see it, but just barely.
Great video as always. I am currently using Zeiss PhotoFusion X Extra Grey. So XtrActive equivalent. And I LOVE them. Just out of curiosity, do the regular Transition lenses really not tint AT ALL behind a windshield? I'll be getting myself a Ruby pair -regardless- but figured I'd ask from a reputable source.
Transitions don't really darken in the vehicle because most wondows have some tint that blocks UV. If your vehicle doesn't have that it should turn darker.
Not at all if you have a newer car with all windows coated. But neither does regular PhotoFusion X, I have Blue and Pioneer, as well as Gen S and xTraActive. Don’t have Extra Grey yet tho.
@@zorkblat3858 my xtrActives do too. My Gen S and Photofusion X that’s not extra grey don’t tho, but I also usually put static tints over them anyways.
Your existing lenses have scratch coatings and probably anti-reflective coatings. Lenses that are to be tinted have to be treated first so that the hot dye does not damage them in the tinting process. Once anti-reflective coatings have been added then tinting is not possible. Tinting older lenses either won't work at best or will damage them at worst.
@@HicksBrunsonEyewear there is certificate card. but generally that card is general plastic card. no any seriel or any ID on it. there is no FOG ID to. do you have any essilor customer care email ...
The do block 15 to 30 percent of Blue Light. Don't quote me, but I believe Gen S is closer to 15% and XTRActive is closer to 30%. That is when they are at their clear or mostly clear indoor state. That percentage would be higher if they have darkened.
They are what some call virtually clear. You can see a very subtle color on white paper, but most will to see this color when you are wearing the glasses. When combined with a premium anti-reflective coating they will not appear to be tinted while you are wearing them indoors.
XTRActive without doubt. It works better under hats, under the covered porch, in warmer weather, and it even works to a certain degree behind the windshield.
The New Generation (NG released in 2022) will get nearly as clear when in room that’s not overly bright, but because they react to visible light, they can react in a bright room. They’re nothing like the old generation with that constant cast of digital grey tho.
They don't get as clear, but we're talking about a hint of tint. Less than 10% so most people will not notice or be bothered by this. For visible light to make the tint darken it has to be quite strong. Sunlight coming through a window will do it if you are very close to a large window. Interior lighting will not make them darken.
Thanks for the detailed comparison! In very sunny conditions, I use clip-on polarized with my Essilor transparent lens for driving and outdoor activities in daylight. They are equivalent to prescription sunglasses and much darker than XtraActive and Gen 8 Transitions. When I a go inside, I take off the clip-on. Outside, I also prefer wearing XTRActive vs. traditional transparent lenses. Indoors, I prefer wearing Gen 8 or traditional lenses. I have a pair of Essilor Varilux Lens with Transitions XTRActive and a Fire Red Mirror Coating. I also have Transistions Gen 8 and XTRAactive with Mirror Styles and without Mirror Styles. XTRActive Grey with Fire Red Mirror Coating Pros + All visible light wavelengths activate the XTRAactive vs. UV activates the Transitions Gen8 + Great for outdoor sports and driving, use them everyday for walking and running outside + Become much darker than Transitions Gen8, even more so when below 70 F outside + Better than Transitions Gen8 for outdoor activities and driving + Quick to darken and lighten, still work great after 1 year of daily use Cons - Prefer not to use indoors, too much light attenuation and too many internal reflections from indoor light sources - Try not to use these outside at night because of internal reflections from vehicle lights, street lights, etc. - Still usable after dusk, but prefer to wear Transitions Gen8 or non-Transitions lenses
Nice. Two questions sir. 1) Xtractive lenses might be the best choice for sports whick is in my case only hitting the gym and yoga (indoor) and for outdoor activities (beach sports in summer, hiking, skiing)? 2) is there a new generation of xtractive coming any soon? Thanks Cheers from italy
Hello Leonardo! I love XTRActive for all things that require spending a lot of time outdoors because they just work better in the sun, especially in warmer weather. I am not aware of a new Gen XTRActive coming soon, but it does feel like we are due for something. I think it's been about four years since XTRActive Gen 2 was released, but it may be a while yet. I think it took about ten years or more to go from Gen 1 to Gen 2.
It all depends on UV intensity, and a little on temperature. Even with clouds you still have some UV. On cooler cloudy days they can still get pretty dark, but on warmer cloudier days they may not get as dark.
So, New GEN S is still activated by the amount of UV Rays like GEN 8, while XTRActive is activated by the amount of brightness? Can GEN S be perfectly translucent with no tint indoors where room lights are present?
The short answer is yes. Since Gen S is UV activated indoor lighting has no effect. Is it crystal clear? Perhaps not if you lay it flat on white paper and compare it to a non-photochromic lens, but it is so close to clear no one should ever be able to see any color with the naked eye while it is worn on the face indoors. It should also be said that even XTRActive will not darken under indoor lighting. Even though it is both UV and visible light responsive, the visible light required to make it turn dark has to be High Energy like sunlight coming through a window. And the lenses would have to be pretty close to the window. Artificial interior lighting is typically not enough. XTRActive has a 'hint of tint' present even in its 'clear' state, but even this 'hint of tint' is barely visible if at all to others when worn on the face indoors.
Is the Xtractive NG darker than the Gen S. Mainly only talking about Brown color. And I mean in natural light exposure, not under a UV lamp. In simple words - which one of them gets darker easier and which one gets darkest in direct UV (from sun) or are the new Gen S equally dark than Xtractive NG? Talking about Brown color.
In bright sunlight and under temperatures below about 60 degrees, they both get pretty dark and it may not be that one gets noticeably darker than the other. Once it starts to warm up above 60 degrees, the XTRActive is able to get noticeably darker. The warmer it gets the more noticeable the difference.
Love your videos. They’re very informative and helpful. I haven’t found any video on Xtra active’s and Drivewear’s different colors specifically for colors visibility (how well you can see the reds, yellows and greens of stoplights and street signs when the glasses tint kicks in). Can you please make a video on that? I know everyone says grey is best but I’d like to see an actual comparison video please. Especially if you can include how easy or difficult it is to see those skinny arrows some green lights have instead of a whole green lenses (when driving into the sun they’re hard to see without sunglasses and even with depending on the tints).
Very informative, Daniel! My experience with Transitions XTRActive lenses is that they don’t provide adequate filtration while driving, even on a very sunny day, and I still need to have a pair of (polarized) sunglasses. To be honest, even Transitions Drivewear lenses don’t get deeply dark behind a car’s windshield. There really isn’t a single “Swiss Army Knife” Transitions lens which functions well in all applications.
Thank you! I agree with you that the need to have a good set of polarized lenses for driving is a must. Transitions lenses are the best technology we have now for a single lens solution to all situations, but as you said some tools are better at some things. For driving, I do like my Drivewear lenses among other polarized lenses that I have for myself.
I find that they still darken up nicely on cloudy days. Since they activate with UV and visible light, they have an advantage over Transitions Gen S in their ability to darken. Temperature is also a factor. If it is warmer than about 60 degrees, they will not get as dark as if it is below 60 degrees. This applies to all photochromic lenses.
So if you need it with prescription for distance for driving (and for use inside sometimes)then the regular Xtractive would be best for day / night ? Do the gen S not have a tint in the car? I heard that they do have a tint .. does it depend on the color?
Gen S, or any (‘Gen #’ series) will only activate by direct UV light, which is filtered out by modern car windows. Thereby no color of Gen S will activate at all in a car. XtraActive is also activated by visible light, so it does work in the car, but only to around 30-50% tint vs the 85% they get to outside the car, which is the same as dedicated sunglasses. Overall it’s best to use a dedicated pair of single vision sunglasses when driving, and use your transitions for night time driving and when walking around outside. When driving there really isn’t a replacement to real sunglasses, aside from a clip on or something similar.
Some say they have seen their Gen S tint in the car. I have never seen my Gen 8 or Gen S tint in the car. If they did it was not enough for me to be able to see it so it might as well not have ever happened. XTRActive is my personal favorite for all times of day.
I agree with you. A pair of dedicated sunglasses are best for driving, especially long drives. I made a video comparing Transitions vs Sunglasses exploring this topic a little deeper. Check it out here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e3zxmSbr7KQ.htmlsi=rZ4x0oYWGoNQ3uCj
I have Graphite Green Xtractive and Amber/Emerald Gen8 glasses. After a year, I have found the Gen8 does not get as dark as they used to. The Xtractive is my favourite but wished they have a ruby lens.
I have both a pair of progressives with Xtractive New Generation Gray and Transitions Gen 8 Brown. I wear the Xtractive pair much more than the Gen 8 but I also have a pair of single vision sunglasses with a mirror coating. What are your thoughts on Transitions Drivewear lenses as a replacement for prescription sunglasses?
Drivewear lenses are a fantastic replacement for Rx sunglasses! I wear them myself. My coworkers wears a Drivewear lens with a custom Flash Gold Mirror in her gold American Optical frame. I should have done a video on Drivewear by now. It may be one of the more underrated lenses out right now.
