I've had my brine 580's for almost 7 years and still going strong. You may hear about problems more with them than Mauis or Smiths but I'd bet it's because there are so much more sold than the other two brands to fisherman. I actually went the other day to FTU and looked at another pair for a spare. I asked the lady about the Smiths and she told me that she has never sold a pair in the year she's worked there. Said she's only opened the case twice. Smith, Costas, Oakleys, Maui, etc, are all great glasses. You really just need to do some shopping with all of the brands and see what's right for you.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Del_Mar

Here ya go. Looks like several places. Italy, Japan, Taiwan, etc. No USA anymore though. Guess it just depends where you're buying from or maybe certain models are made in certain shops. Good luck with the new purchase. Whichever brand you choose, you'll see a difference over the Magellans. Sad to say that for a company to really expand, they just have to go overseas. Totally sux though and really hate to see it that way. Even these rod company's that we've grown to love, have moved over. Pretty soon, if they want to be a mega company, the current USA rod you use now will probably do the same.

 

Any more comments? People say they love their Costas and I want to know why?

What about Maui Jims or Oakley? Oakleys are made in the USA.

 

I've been wearing Oakley's for 20 years. Get a pair with polarized amber lenses and you'll see what I mean.

 

I used to wear Oakleys and there is NO comparison to the Costa's. I too have 2 pairs of 580 brine. The Oakley lenses got scratched easily because they are plastic and the Costa 580's do not. The 580 lens for Costa is the only lens that is glass, all other Costa lenses are plastic. It seems to me like the Costa 580 cut a lot more glare then the Oakley polarized also. The are a little more then Oakley but in my opinion well worth the money. As far as the warranty goes, most of the post I have seen about the warranty and bad reviews the dumb a**es left them in a hot vehicle on the dash and wondered why they melted or messed up??????? HMMMMMMMM I wonder why? Some people crack me up!!! Happy shopping!!

 

I just got my Costas with 400 glass lenses. They're a very good option if money is an issue.

 

I love my Maui Jim's. And I use only glass lenses. Those plastic lenses scratch too easily.

 

everyone wears costas because they are popular, but they are ****... maui jims are great as are oakleys. i prefer my kaenons over all polarized glasses out there. light, super tough and good quality. they are made in Italy tho, but its 100X better than some indo-china country.

http://www.kaenon.com/

 

I just ordered Kaenon Klays with the y35 lens, I have been researching all of the higher end shades and I kept coming back to these. They only make one lens and just add color and tint levels. We'll see....

 

I just ordered the Kaenon Rhinos with y35 lenses as well. Every review has been fantastic. Should have them early next week so I will post back up.

 

I wear Oakley glasses, have worn them daily since I was about 16 and plan on it for a long time

 

everyone wears costas because they are popular, but they are ****.

people wear costas because they are hands down the best glasses out there. i have worn oakleys, maui jims, and flying fishermans and the costa 580's make those look like junk. the clarity of 580's is unmatched. if you think people just wear costas because they are "popular" - you're sorely mistaken.

 

put on a pair of kaenons and you will eat every word you just said... i have been through about 10 pairs of costas in 5 years before i found these....

 

I have tried all the Costas and none of them fits me right.
I tried the Mauii Jim and found one fit me perfectly.
I love my Mauii since then.

 

Personal preference. Kind of like arguing about what's better pepsi or coke, lol. I love my costas but would I have paid 250$+ for them? Not really. A good pair of polarized sunglasses will do the trick. Don't get caught up into the costa hype. Costa makes great sunglasses that last a long time but you don't need them.

 

let me rephrase that. first pair of costas i bought were made in france "the real ones". the nose pieces were wearing out due to sweat i guess. so i send them in to get redone. i get back a pair made in the indo-china area. 1- i am ****** that they dissed my frames. 2- the lenses delaminated on me. i wear my glasses every day for 10+ hours so theres no time to sit on my dashboard. after that my 580 lenses started giving me more problems, cracks, delam, more cracks. so then i said the heck with it ill look for another brand. found kaenon, and they are so much clearer than 580's and a heck of alot lighter too...

 

interesting story. i'm glad you think you found something better. don't see much here to say that Costas still aren't the best.

 

Well....this thread is turning into a pizzzing match LMAO !!!

 

This is reminding me of the shimano is better than everything else threads. Lol. It's all about what really works for you. I have Costas and I love them. I have had oakleys and maui jims and I did not care for them. The polarization did not compare to the Costas. In the past 12yrs I have had 3 pairs of Costas with no problems. I still use these 3 pairs. I suggest you go try them all out however you can and go from there. Good luck!

 

Just got these 580G's Blackfins. If your fishing without some good specs, your in the dark ages of fishing. Costas, Jim's, or the other brand, get some you like and fits you right. Kaenons is another brand worth looking
at. Tight lines you sumana guns!

 

I have worn the Costas for over ten years before switching to the Typhoon Daytonas about three years ago. Now own two pairs in different colored lenses. Metal frames, spring hinges, excellent clarity. Have not had any issues other than my own abuse. Check out their site www.typhoonoptics.com

 

Just got some Oakley polarized Bottle Rocket....very sweet!!

http://www.oakley.com/products/6904

 

Went through many pairs of costas...some lost in the deep some wore out. Got a pair of bolle's last year (Academy) and they still rock.

 

Costas because that is what all the cool people are wearing. Same thing about Yeti and Majek.

 

I've had my Costas 580s for five years now and i absolutely love them. I had 2 pairs of Oakleys before i bought my Costas and there really is no comparison, the Costas cut a lot more glair off the water and fit my face better. I even bought another pair this year as a spare.

 

X100!!!
This may not be fair to Oakley's due to the fact that I've had very bad luck with both their glasses and customer service. I've owned several pairs (thank goodness I only paid for 1pair) and everyone of them were cheaply made and fell apart. Still have a broken pair sitting on a shelf in my garage. I actually bought a pair of $50 H2Os from Academy about 8 yrs ago that have been MUCH better.
Being a HS football/baseball coach for 30yrs, I have worn quite a few shades!!! Ive worn Serengetti (Frail, but fine glass/awesome customer service), RayBan (tough as nails, better half wears a pair now), Bolle (not bad), "Broakley's", and now on my first pair of Costas.
I just wanted to see what all the hubbub was about. Now I did have an issue finding a style that fit. Once I finally decided on the Blackfins, I can say that they are the nicest lenses I've ever looked thru. They also seem very well
made.

 

U look pretty silly fishing out of a $60k boat with a $300 fishing pole if you are wearing 30 dollar sun glasses. Anything less than costas and your friends will be laffing at u behind your back.

 

:clover:

I laugh in my friends faces at their $200 sunglasses, if they arent prescription. I've got a pair of $12 polarized glasses I can't seem to loose or break.

 

First and foremost I am a Costa wearer, I love them. I've owned three pair over the last 8 years, two are still in eye protection service, and one is lost at sea. I have never had an issue with their quality of build, or them fitting my head appropriately.

580's are specifically designed...not to be more polarized....not to be clearer....but to block the yellow wavelength of light, reducing eye fatigue over long days on the water, essentially allowing the user to have less strain on their eyes.

This purpose and functionality is why I choose Costa's...period. The lightweight frames and exceptional clarity don't hurt either.

Five

 

pappadawg, I dirve a used G3 and use a $45 Basspro rod. Just looking to get better protection for my eyes. My dad has macular degeneration and I don't want to get the same.

 

I didn't realize Costa's prevented this. I'm gonna get two more pair.