Last month I reviewed the ekoï Racing MAGNETIC Three Lens Glasses and they are very comfortable and look great, plus it’s so easy to change the lens, but what if it goes dull, or very sunny while you are out on a ride and don’t have the other lenses with you? The answer is a photochromic lens and ekoï have taken it a step further with their E-LENS Electronic glasses.
I like photochromic glasses, my ‘normal’ every-day glasses are photochromic and I’ve tested a few pairs of cycling/sports glasses that were photochromic and they are a great invention in changeable light conditions. Even here in Spain where it’s sunny all the time (it isn’t), you go into shade, there are shadows, tunnels and when you walk into the cafe when out on a ride, it’s usually quite dark. With normal dark glasses you might walk into something, so the photochromic lenses are great for everywhere.
Not too dark
Where the ekoï E-LENS glasses are different is the speed in which they change. ekoï claim that it happens in 0.01 of a seconds, and to be honest, who knows? It really is that quick that you don’t see it happening. There is some kind of magic going on here. There is small solar panel at the top of the lens, this powers the change and also is the light sensor to make the change. There are no batteries to charge or anything like that and they are water proof, so no problem in the rain. The system is quite stunning, but there is a price tag on technology. If you want the best you have to pay for it.
Glasses, box and soft bag
ekoï sent me the white frame, like shoes there is only one colour, with a green lens. There is a big choice frame and lens combinations. The frame is very well built, solid with strong screwed hinges and adjustable leg tips, which come in two lengths. The nose piece is also rubberised, but not adjustable. I didn’t notice any discomfort at the nose and the straight legs hold onto your head, with or without helmet. Talking of helmets, always try new glasses/helmets together, you don’t want them to be touching each other when you are riding. The E-LENS are not enormous, like many these days. For someone ‘old school’ like me, they are just the right size.
Not too heavy
With all the technology you would think the e-Lens would be heavy, but they are maybe the odd gram heavier than some, but about average for most glasses. As usual you get a soft bag and a hard box to store your E-Lens.
The solar panel
To sum up: The ekoï E-LENS are comfortable and look great, but the fast change is something else. Very impressive, but at a price.
My new favourite glasses
What ekoi say:
EKOI is proud to offer you the latest model of glasses, fitted with the fastest LCD electronic glass in the world (in the blink of an eye).
Developed by our R&D team and professional riders from the Lotto Soudal, Cofidis and Euskaltel Euskadi teams, the Ekoï E-LENS EVO by SHADETRONIC® electronic glasses are the best electronic auto-darkening sunglasses in the world!
The glasses are always ready to use: powered by solar energy, no need to charge or replace batteries.
Continuous, fully automated the tint adjustment adapts to light conditions by dimming or brightening the lens from light (cat. 2) to dark (cat. 3) and dark to light right away!
They are particularly recommended when light conditions are changing.
Product advantages
The world’s fastest electronic LCD lens.
Darkens or lightens depending on the brightness in less than a 10th of a second.
Ultra light: 37g.
Your vision adapts in real time to the brightness.
100% UV protection (UVA and UVB).
Lens made in Switzerland.
Solar powered, no batteries to charge or replace, ready to use right out of the case.
Features
Category 2-3 lens in unbreakable polycarbonate with active matrix.
Anti-scratch coating.
Polarized: blocks reflected light for glare-free viewing and high contrast.
Clear visualization of all electronic screens: meters, smartphones…
Operating temperatures: -20°C to +50°C.
100% waterproof (IP68 certification).
Designed and manufactured in Switzerland.
2 years warranty.
Application
Road, Triathlon, Gravel, MTB.
Be careful, store your E-Lens glasses in your rigid case to protect them from any risk of shocks during your travels.
If the are good enough for Arnaud Démare…
Composition
GRILAMID frame.
Polycarbonate lens.
CE approved.
ekoï class
Check the ekoi website for your country for the best price: www.ekoi.com.
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