*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
I am a sunglass nut. i own several pair of Maui's, Costa Del Mar, revos, Rayban, etc. My personal opinion (remember, opinions are like bu@@holes.... everyone has one), is that the optical quality of my favorite CDM (Havana's) have a slight edge over my favorite Maui's (kahuna). I should mention that all of my hi-end sunglasses are glass, not polycarbonate. I find the glass lenses are of higher optical quality.
I should also mention (based on Bobasaccamono's 1 lens replacement) that ANY high quality sunglass manufacturer WILL NOT replace only 1 lens. If you have a broken or cracked lenses, they will replace BOTH, as they are matched for color and clarity.
I'm looking for some new glasses to so this thread is good info for me. My current pair of MJ's are over 10 years old I have sent them back in twice for repairs. The first time for a broken side piece (my bad I broke it) at minimal charge. The second time my kid crushed them, they sent me a whole new pair, for about $10-$20 for a $200 pair of shades with a note that said. "Dear sir we are informing you that you will not be able to send these glasses back because they have been discontinued and we have no more parts."
So based on my experience and what other people are saying I'm probably sticking to MJ's
Time to brag a little. I go up to an apartment to clean it and paint before finding a new tenant. During the cleaning I went outside to pick up 10,000 Corona and Bud bottle caps and saw a group of safety glasses that the guys left there (they're sheetrockers and carpenters). Most got discarded and I picked up a couple that looked like they still had some life in them after I cleaned the dirt and mud off of them. Most of my tenants are tradesmen so I give them anything that's useable.
Into the sink for a soaking and cleaning. ....ahem, I now own a pair of MJ Lagoons that cleaned up real well. Now I can see why the guys were slow paying rent; they drank beer 24-7 and at least one of them had great taste in sunglasses. Lucky for me he also had a poor memory.
__________________ Rick
Alabama's Gulf Coast
Chaparral 240 Signature (Sold)
Will NEVER - NEVER - NEVER buy another pair of Costa del mar.
Had a pair for 4 months. Always took great care of them. Went to put them on 1 day, the lens pops out, lands on concrete & cracks. Wrote CDM, explained situation. Talked to several people there. They accused me of heating the frame, spreading them to much to put on my head, leaving them in the sun, and on & on.
They accused me of . . . spreading them to much to put on my head, THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY ANYTHING.
BUY ANYTHING BUT costa del mar
I got this line as well after the temple pieces failed - not once, not twice but three times. $37 to replace a temple piece the 1st 2 times. Either a fat head or I outlived my "lifetime warrenty". They do have nice optics & style & selection but DO NOT buy them for the alleged warrenty.
Still have a pair of early 70's Wayfarer in my car on the visor I use from time to time. And wore a pair of Aviators for 20 years w/o a problem. Wore glasses from the 4th grade in the 50's, then contacts until had my eyes lasered 10 years ago and have never broken a pair of glasses unless hit in the face with a ball or a fist. * Until CDM's.
*Now have 2 pair of Smiths that are holding up well but will be looking at MJ's this year.
__________________ Life is like a jar of jalapeņos. What you do today, might burn your arse tomorrow
Maui, hands down. I used to sell Costa and Maui, and I have owned both. The quality just isn't there on the Costas. I have personally seen numerous problems with lens delamination with the Costas, and their warranty is terrible. As a dealer, we had lots of irate customers because Costa doesn't stand behind their product. The lenses on my personal Costas delaminated, I sent them back, paid $50 to have them replaced, and the new pair started delaminating within a month. In a side-by-side comparison, I would take the Mauis over even the 580 Costas in terms of polarizing filter and lens quality. In my opinion, Costa has gone way downhill and is currently thriving off marketing and popularity, not quality. Maui on the other hand is a top notch company (great warranty) that makes a high quality product. Unfortunately, I've lost 3 pairs of Mauis, so I'm stuck with my Costas until I spring for another pair of Mauis (won't be long).
The Dude - 12/19/2008 9:30 PM Maui, hands down. I used to sell Costa and Maui, and I have owned both. The quality just isn't there on the Costas. I have personally seen numerous problems with lens delamination with the Costas, and their warranty is terrible. As a dealer, we had lots of irate customers because Costa doesn't stand behind their product. The lenses on my personal Costas delaminated, I sent them back, paid $50 to have them replaced, and the new pair started delaminating within a month. In a side-by-side comparison, I would take the Mauis over even the 580 Costas in terms of polarizing filter and lens quality. In my opinion, Costa has gone way downhill and is currently thriving off marketing and popularity, not quality.
I agree Dude! I am a dealer as well and I'm going through the same situation!!
I own a pair of Maui Jims (MJ178-02) that I 've had for almost a year. Really like these glasses. The only thing is that for some reason I can't get any anti-fogging lense cleaner to keep them from fogging up. I have tried different brands of anti-fogging cleaner but none seems to adhere to the lenses. Any recommendations on anti-fogging cleaner???
I have never owned a pair of MJ, but wore a couple as loaners from buddies. I have 2 pair of CDM Fathoms, and they work better for me than the MJ did. I have sent back Costa's 3 times--twice for problems with the rubber on the temples coming off, and once for snapping the earpiece off--which was totally my fault. CDM fixed them and all I paid was S & H. So, I wear Costas all the time now. My philosophy is why change if what you use works the way you want it to. Another reason I like CDM is the wide selection of frames. Maui Jim does not offer anything I like.
Actually, I find that sunglasses are a lot like your underwear. You need to keep them clean and change them out pretty often. You also don't need to spend a lot unless you care what someone else will think when they see them.
Seriously, sunglasses are consumable goods - they get scratched, wear out, and get lost. If you can't afford to buy two or three pairs a year at $150 each, then buy something cheaper.
The idea that you can buy one pair that will last for years is only going to lead to frustration and anger.
Just a thought. I do own a couple of pairs of costa's and they are ok, but nothing really exciting. I've never tried maui's.
__________________
Terry Jason 35, Yanmar 370 hp, Lots of fun at a leisurely pace
I have both costa's and maui's,plus a few pair of revo's. I don't care what anyone says, maui's are just the best. the only problem with maui's is that once you start wearing them, you won't be happy with anything else, and they ain't cheap. I have done really well on ebay buying maui's, but you have to be carefull of knockoffs.I've bought 4 or 5 pairs there over the years and havn't been burned.
I lost the case to a pair of Costas. I called and told them I lost it. they sent me a new one at no charge. I like the C-mates, they have the built in readers.
I wear both. I like the optics of the MJ's better, they are the only polarized glasses I've had that I can see a laptop screen with. I haven't found any MJ's that are wrap around that I care for though, so in windy situations, and on the boat, it is usually the CDM's. I wouldn't have made the switch if it weren't for the laptop thing. Up until I put it in the truck, I had no complaints about my CDM's at all. Oh, my fiance got to help pick out the new ones, and I bought them on CC points.....so I guess that's worth something too. If you have a discover card, you can trade your cash back for sunglass hut gift cards, $20 cash back = a $30 gift card. Given that I drive about 1300 miles a week, it adds up fast.
i have a pair of cdm sandmans. not in production anymore but needless to say they fell one day. the lens broke , i called cdm , told them what happned and for 60 bucks they replaced both glass lenes and intalled new springs. total time away from me 3 weeks. as i said not in production anymore. i really like this pair but i am open to mj. my dad has 2 pair of mj nd loves them.
__________________ 1979 manatee cuddy
1983 24 aqua patio
I have 2 pairs of CDM and will never own another pair. The custumer service sucks. My brother just bought some MJ anf I tryed them the other day. They are much better than the CDM. As my CDM die I will replace them with MJ, which will not be long.
Re: Maui Jim vs. Costa Del Mar Sunglass 
Either a fat head or I outlived my "lifetime warrenty". 
They do have nice optics & style & selection but DO NOT buy them for the alleged warrenty. 
* Until CDM's.
