It’s no secret to those who know me that I’m a bit of a GUNNAR fan. When I have any chance to talk about my favorite blue blocker brand here on Comfy Cozy Gaming, I do it (#notspon). Even though I generally try to keep the news here “gamer” related, GUNNAR is now announcing something big: Clear Pro lenses.
Normally, you’re limited to the options of lenses that you can get from GUNNAR. More often than not, it’s going to be their Amber line, which is designed to block 65% of blue light. They do their job well, but the downside is that you see the world through a yellow-tinted filter.
They offer a Clear lens already. It has 35% blue-blocking technology as well. They were originally designed for graphic designers. But, the color rendition, or how your eyes perceive color, is still quite a bit off. This is where the Clear Pro comes into play.
If you need high color rendition, Clear Pro is the way to go!
Instead of focusing on the blue blocker technology, the GUNNAR Clear Pro lens takes a take out of neutral-density photo filters. After ten years of development, they’re made for artists and graphic designers, or anyone who needs pitch-perfect color.
They sacrifice some of the blue blocker technology, sadly, only blocking 20% of blue light. But, the GUNNAR Clear Pro offers a 100% color rendition because the company doesn’t want to pigeon hole themselves into only being a “gaming glasses” brand.
Needless to say, this is a game changer for people looking to get the prescription versions of these glasses. I’m excited about this lens because, even though I don’t wear prescription glasses personally, I still want something that works on the go. I look at my phone a lot when I’m not at home and want glasses that look natural.
The Clear Pro comes with a new Arbor Collection (that means they’re made of wood).
Alongside the Clear Pro lens debut, GUNNAR showed off its two new frame styles to offer the new lens as a standard in. Enter: The Arbor Collection.
“We figured,” said GUNNAR CEO Joe Croft, during an early look webinar that Comfy Cozy Gaming was invited to, “if we’re going after graphic professionals, photographers, (and) people (who) are really keen on their visual arts, we better introduce them in frames that are, at least in this introduction… visually set apart and beautiful to the eye. So, this is our new Arbor Collection.”
As the name hints, they’re made, partially, of wood. Most GUNNAR glasses are various forms of metal or acetate, offering sturdiness and (sometimes) bendiness.
However, the Arbor Collection focuses more on a real visual style. So, inside, they’re lined with carbon fiber. But, outside, they’re a sustainably harvested ebony wood. They’re amazing, especially if you play a druid in Dungeons and Dragons and/or Baldur’s Gate III.
The collection comes in two flavors: Muir and Humboldt. The Muir rocks a more traditional horn-nosed look, with the Humboldt taking on an Aviator-style appeal. I’m a fan of both styles for various reasons.
In both cases, they offer spring hinges, something that I’m excited about. I’ve owned a ton of GUNNAR glasses over the years, and I have a big head.
Some of their classic or basic offerings are rigid and try to squeeze the side of my head, like the recent Diablo IV Santuary Edition pair. Others, like their recent tokidoki Year of the Dragon pair, have spring hinges that don’t constrict around my bulbous noggin. The Arbor Collection follows that trend and I’m all in.
Aside from the Clear Pro, both styles are offered in Amber and Sunglasses lens options. So, if you want some wooden aviators to wear in the sun or to look like Tony Stark, the Homboldt is made for you. Or, as Joe Croft alluded to in his presentation, the “Clark Kent style” of the Muir can be a great pair for hiding that you’re actually Hipster Superman.
Additionally, a Marvel team-up that GUNNAR had with Guardians of the Galaxy is included in the Arbor Collection. It’s only fair that the also-wooden Groot pair is allowed to be among his people.
As you’re reading this, you’re going to be able to start getting your hands on the new styles. Both of the new frames start at $119. You can hit them up on GUNNAR’s main website, with them possibly showing up on their Amazon store eventually. (If you buy from Amazon, we may get a small portion. Thanks!)
If you’re a fan of awesome collaborations, GUNNAR also recently teamed up with the new Fallout show on Amazon Prime. I wrote a bit about the Vault 33 pair of GUNNAR glasses here.
[…] Collection might be some of my favorite glasses to ever come out of GUNNAR’s offerings. Announced alongside the Clear Pro lens, which we’ll talk more about at length later, the Arbor in this case means they’re made of […]
[…] and stylish glasses that have some of the best lenses I’ve ever tried, you need to check out GUNNAR’s Clear Pro options, such as the Arbor Collection or the new Strata […]