#109

I have always loved Aviator glasses styling.
I wasn't sure if the style would work for me or not, so I went with a cheap set. The Randolph Engineering Aviator glasses are next-level amazing.
If you are prior service, military or first responder go to Randolph Engineering's website directly and use the ID Me link to get 20% off your order.
See the link on my Koji site for all my discount and affiliate code links if you want to pick up a set yourself. It helps support my channel and saves you a few bucks.
withkoji.com/@...

[@Robert-tj3qq]

A couple days ago ,i was riding my bike and came across a pair of polarized Randolph's lying on the side of the road . No scratches no ding's. I scored 😎

[@johnmichaelarnaud]

A lot of people don't know the dangers of cheap sunglasses. Thanks for spreading the word.

[@Supercruze]

The REs are next level and built like a piece or jewelry. Soooo nice. You get what you pay for here.

[@jamesjannell8706]

Looking forward to getting a pair of these one-day. I hear great things about the quality

[@ByronETAWheels]

Almost 2 years later and they are still my favorite sunglasses I've ever owned. Totally worth it 🤙

[@saigudbai]

Thanks for the detailed review. I'm needing to replace my prescription Serengetis with another pair of glasses for work (flying). These seem to be designed to work great under noise cancelling headsets. I might give them a try. I prefer amber tints for flying, great for flat light.

[@eric-ashleyembrey5731]

Have and love the archers

[@MrPatbateman88]

They just came out with XL sizes in the aviators 61mm

[@ByronETAWheels]

That's pretty awesome! I saw those too, but I'm super happy with these as is. 🤙

[@mmucc073]

Awesome choice

[@ByronETAWheels]

Thank you! One year later and they are still the best sunglasses I've ever owned! I'm going with Randolph engineering frames next for my normal glasses and adding prescriptions to these frames. They stay on skating, walking, hiking, even under strenuous work and activities. For my face shape, the bayonet ears keep them planted without impacting my ability to wear a hat. 🤙

[@mmucc073]

@ByronETAWheels I have 8 pair of ray bans 5 pair of maui Jim's and 3 pair of oakleys and a pair of guess which are my beaters....I'm definitely stepping up to Randolph asap

[@mattb9664]

I have several pairs of Randolph aviators and a concorde, and I had to see it myself on how good or bad the Amazon aviators and concordes are- I received 2 Amazon aviators and 1 Concorde (general) frame- and basically a bunch of small quality issues with the soldering on the frames leads to the frame being slightly off and bent as soon as you remove them from the box. You can't bend it back, so one lens will typically always have a little more rake than the other lens on the front orbitals- despite the frame looking flat on a table. Also there is no depth to the frame or lens at all - they are pretty flat compared to the real brands. Probably because they don't have the Randolph or American Optical frame jigs - so whoever is doing these knockoffs didn't even bother to buy a real pair to make a jig from and they definitely aren't accounting for the metal becoming constrained after the frame parts are soldered together. 55 mm frame is more like 56 or 57 mm. The nose pad metal wasn't even aligned on one of the frames so it was on you to bend the pad mounts to get the frame to sit straight on your face. The finish also has issues- these are dipped, and not plated or powder coated like the real thing- so the stems and frame is a tad thicker, and you don't get that line definition on the ear stem. The bayonettes also aren't even close - the inserts are off center, so the bayonettes will be higher or lower on the stem instead of perfectly centered. On the aviators, they are only using 1 screw for the lens and the stem rather than 2 screws. Also, the lenses are pretty basic- which would be expected for the price. I ended up returning them because I didn't even want to use them as throw around glasses. If they were good knockoffs with some actual depth, I probably would have kept them. All that said - when you spend $200-$300 for a pair of Randolphs or American Opticals - you are paying for all that detail for the frame and lens to be made correctly the first time, and with a good finish- and that's what you get. But for $20 for a pair of knockoffs, maybe it ok for some folks- but the Amazon aviator and concordes definitely aren't good knockoffs.

[@dbg4651]

Very nice review. I"m wondering why you didn't just buy a pair of Randolph frames if you are going to be replacing the lenses anyway with prescription lenses. Might have saved you some money unless you plan to switch out the lenses for maybe wearing contacts sometimes.

[@ByronETAWheels]

The RX frames are not sold without a prescription inside the US unfortunately, so buying a set and swapping out the lenses is the only way. There isn't a local Randolph engineering dealer on the island of Maui. It would cost double for a plane ticket, eye exam. The dealer on Oahu won't sell the frame without an exam and doesn't carry the lens I would replace them with also. Hoya Phoenix lenses are amazing. It's not super urgent as I can drive without glasses. When I go back overseas, I can get them made with prescription lenses easily.

[@soundknight]

This was great info. Have you ever compared these to Maui Jim's? I have had about 4 pairs of the cliff house and my first two pairs had the Maui Jim glass in them which is really a polycarbonate they looked really lovely through that scratched up really easily and then started looking very crappy very quickly and no I don't think I abuse my equipment this was just wear and tear. With my prescription from my optic needs I got glass made in Israel by shamir, I quite like them but the glass is so large heavy and bulky within the Aviator frame that they began to pull apart these screws d thread them, damage the structure of the frame over a couple of years. Also the glass would fracture on its edges when I drop it somewhere further decreasing the ability of the frame to hold the glass in place. I'm really looking for some advice on these glasses you have compared to the Maui Jim brand because I want to see if there is something that's has a stronger longevity? As I said before I have had about 4 pairs and so I have a bountiful amount of spare parts for my Maui Jims but perhaps now my eyes are not so great and I do like the using real glass that I need to investigate something that's a bit more substantial to hold the glass in. Any advice would be appreciated thank you.

[@ByronETAWheels]

Maui Jim makes good stuff, but it's owned by Luxottica. Randolph is still independent, which is why I went with them. My suggestion is look into the Hoya Phoenix lenses, they are light and fantastic. I had my last set of regular glasses last me 5+ years in Abu Dhabi without an issue.

[@christopherweis7811]

@@ByronETAWheels thanks for the great video. I just bought a pair of Randolphs . Regarding Maui Jim’s, I believe they are owned now by Kering Eyewear. Which in my opinion is better than luxottica .

[@tomhorn6156]

Love em. Its just enginering for your face.