The Ray Ban Ambermatic Outdoorsmen is a true classic. The ambermatic lens is one of the most unique lenses ever made, it combined photochromic capabilities to change density depending on the degree of both brightness and temperature, it would change from amber yellow to grey and get even denser (got darker to block more light) in cold bright environments. The Ambermatic lens was only available before Ray Ban was bought from Bausch and Lomb (B & L) in 1999 by Luxotica. The Pre-Luxotica Ray Bans are of a much higher quality and have a variety of specialized glass lenses manufactured by Bausch and Lomb. The Outdoorsmen presented here have an early version of the ambermatic lens, this can be denoted by the lack of the "Ray Ban" logo in script on top of the right lens.The earlier version changed density faster and had a wider range of density. The Outdoorsman frame is similar to the classic aviator but has an additional bar over the bridge that is referred to as the sweat bar and was offered for greater comfort, it would also make the design stronger.
2 comments:
I owned a pair of the Aviator version of these without the 'sweat bar' and used them for flying general aviation private planes (ie: cessnas & pipers). The wonderful qualities of these were the great contrast they could give of cloud and sky, and make it much easier to see any kind of object while at the same time being progressively blocking the light. A true asset in both dark and light.
I owned a pair of Ambermatic Outdoorsman glasses in the late 1970s. Even in the middle of a New England winter, I don't think they ever really turned grey... just varying shades of tan and brown. I was sort of disappointed.
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