Clash Of Titans! The New American Optical Vs. Randolph Engineering Sunglasses! AO vs Randolph!

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Here we have the two independent titans of pilot sunglasses (i.e. not rayban). I've got my hands on the randolph engineering competing pairs, and of course have the latest redesigns from American Optical to compare with. AO Has heritage on it's side, but in many ways, so does Randolph Engineering! But who makes the best sunglasses of the two? Well, as often isn't too surprising, it's the higher cost pair, and randolph just edges out the win!
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[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

This video was not sponsored in any way, so I don't have any fancy code for you for Randolph, but here is the link if you want to browse their selection: www.randolphusa.com/pages/shop-by-frame If you're considering American Optical I would love if you chose to purchase through my shop! To purchase these from me follow the link below! We can ship worldwide as well! thatglassesguy.shop/collections/ao-optical

[@usmansabir1407]

Bought concorde after drooling over Raybans for years. No way I am going to consider any other maker for a tear drop aviator design. Randolph for me is absolute perfection. For original pilot though, I will go.for AO. Randolph construction and quality is miles better but there are subtle design differences between AO and Randolph. Randolph has more curve which technically makes it better at doing its job but AO has a more subtle curve which i prefer. So as much as I would like them to be identical so I can consider buying Randolph, i will probably got for AO in the end. Also, the lens angle in the frame is a bit different which gives Randolph when wearing , a bit of a bug eye look. Purely for vanity and design preference, i will go for AO. ALso, a lot of comparison videos do not mention these differences or pretend they are identical in appearance which i don't think they are.

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Very solid points, there are some VERY subtle differences most would never notice 👏. Sharp eye my friend, and I do agree old AO specifically vs randolph was absolutely night and day difference with randolph LEAGUES ahead. The new AO is better... but I still give a firm lead in overall construction to randolph and overall finish quality is higher as well. At the end of the day, either of them is built to hold up well beyond what the average person will do to them 🙂. What I do love about both is they have remained true to their original designs 😁

[@usmansabir1407]

@@ThatGlassesGuy03 Thanks. You are right. Randolph is simply brilliant in terms of quality and construction. It is worth every penny of the extra money. Comparing General to Concorde, Concorde design simply pops and stands out compared to General. It looks more refined and evolved. General looks a bit too 60s. Not saying its a bad thing, its just a THING. The ideal pilot glasses for me would be the AO design but made to Randolph construction standards :D . I think it would nice if you do a side by side comparison video pointing out design and geometry differences. I am sure a lot of people deciding between the two will appreciate.

[@trmbtrmb]

AO doubled in price it seems. Was thinking about buying a pair a year ago. Was shocked to see the current price.

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

AO has been around $200 since inception. Rogue sellers, overstock supply, military leftovers, etc. Were creating the impression of a lower market price. All those are gone and only brand new authentic product direct from the mfg exist now after a change of ownership and policy.

[@trmbtrmb]

@@ThatGlassesGuy03 Ok. I was unaware they changed ownership until seeing this video. Their site has also greatly improved.

[@trmbtrmb]

@@ThatGlassesGuy03 Do you think quality has improved with the new owners?

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Yes 😁 they're headed in the right direction for sure now, quality is up across the board as well 🙂

[@didamnesia3575]

I love my Randolphs. They're worth putting in my contacts for

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

absolutely great stuff, no denying it!

[@Snake_holiday]

Glad to see a breakdown of the new AO's in comparison to RE. Just ordered a pair of AO's myself and I'm looking forward to them. While I can see the differences in craftmanship that you point out in the video, to me the differences are not significant enough to make a huge difference for me, both choices are still leaps and bounds better than the run-of-the-mill Luxotica or Ray Ban frames. As some others have said, I just slightly prefer the aesthetic of the AO Pilots compared to RE's version, hard to put my finger on exactly what it is but they just seem to compliment faces a little better. Definitely planning on getting some Randolph's at some point down the line tho.

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

The ray ban have a more prominent uptilt to the fit, that I, and many.. find slightly unflattering. It's super subtle but keeps rhe fight going! FWIW, the AOs gave improved a LOT since this video. The solder joints I mentioned are now flawless. It's the closest fight it has ever been if they could get their QC a little more consistent and the stock adjustment better.. it would be a no brainer. As it is their out of the box adjustment from AO directly is absolute garbage.

[@rashidmohcin1672]

Wich i should chose the green or the grey lenses ?

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Depends on your preferences and needs. Try a few in different situations you’ll be using them in if you can. I have some newer videos on specific lens color I would recommend watching as well though 😎

[@kabuKkKkaakl]

Iam locking for a video to fix uneaven glasses can you do a video about it

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Got it right here 😁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/on-vn3-Nnp5gpNk

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

You're welcome 😁

[@totot1881]

I purchased a model of each: Randolph Aviator 55mm AGX Polarized mineral 200€ & AO Eyewear Pilot 55mm Green Calobar Polarized mineral 319€ here in Europe recently (August 2023) from authorized dealer and from AO Eyewear directly. No contest, Randolph wins hands down. Less optical distorsion, better clarity, higher comfort, better perceived quality. Both the nosepads and temples plastics feels cheap on AO Pilot whereas it feels neat and grippy on Randolph. And finally, even design wise, AO Pilot also has this visual twist effect on current model... Of course, AO Pilot has been return.

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

No doubt and no argument here. Since this was recorded AO has seemed to go downhill even further. It’s no contest today.

[@joycefromns]

Points for honesty - reason why I purchased my Saratogas from you. You imply since the change in ownership the quality of the Pilot & General has improved. Can you discuss that or maybe do a Video on that topic?

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

I would love to if I could get my hands on one of the original ones 😅. Overall it's minor changes in construction such as the design of the monoblock hinge and screws used to hold it together 🙂 they sweat more of the minor details now 😁. Though I'm hesitant at this point in time.. We've seen some recent QC that has required touchup before I was comfortable enough to ship or display. We've been working directly with the owners and designers on this, so hope to see it resolved soon (speaking specifically to the saratogas here, I'm not judging them on it YET... but if it continues after working directly with the higher ups in charge of AO I will definitely be recording an updated saratoga video 😬)

[@joycefromns]

I ask that because I have a pair of Pilots from the 90's - its solder joints and the metal seating near the hinge is far superior to those on your video which I assume is typical to those offered today as you see them every day. Full disclosure I am not brand loyal to one over the other - owning & wearing frequently 2 AO's and 4 RE's

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Ahhh, gotchya, the 90s were a whole different animal for AO! I would wager to say that's made better than any of the newer 2010s or 2020s stuff. The hinge material is still relatively thin vs what I've seen photos of from the earlier true originals.

[@operamatthew]

Randolph is built and finished to a higher standard

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

No disagreement here! It's not the large gap it once was, but there is still a notable difference in overall finish quality 😁

[@ragetobe]

@@ThatGlassesGuy03 I would agree, RE are just better, I have both and I would not buy the AO again.

[@chris975d]

Nice Randolphs! 😉

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Haha! Wonder where those came from 👀🤫🤣

[@balkee42]

What lens is that on the randolph aviator

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Hi Don, unfortunately I'm not sure. It doesn't appear to be one they currently offer but it was a fair pleasant lens to the eye. I would compare it to the Maui Jim rose lens.

[@clausgedved8728]

Looks like skyforce air harvest

[@BC08]

I think Randolph is the gold standard for US Aviators. Quality is top notch and they are an awesome USA-first company. I have a pair and they are great. I definitely want a pair of American Opticals in the future though simply because their legacy is unmatched by anyone including Randolph and Ray-Ban. AO - not Bausch & Lomb (or Ray-Ban) - was the first to design and produce aviator sunglasses for the US military and AOs were the first sunglasses on the moon.

[@didamnesia3575]

Randolphs are great

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

truth!

[@walterlee4796]

I wear a lot of Moscots, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Moscot Zulu compared to Randolph or AO

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

🤔 I know a few guys that carry Moscot in their shops, I'll see if I can make something happen! I will say these definitely use the same glass as AO, so there's your optics comparison done. 🤣 the naming and color mixture is spot on, that part was easy. Frames are another story 🙂🙃

[@nenadnedovic9246]

Why the mask dude

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Because it’s fun.

[@VeritasEtAequitas]

LOL what is on your face? Is that some weird kind of kink thing like those people wearing cartoon animal heads?

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

Why don’t you just come find out for yourself 🙃

[@androidgamingyt4056]

Bull

[@ThatGlassesGuy03]

🤷‍♂️. I sell and work on AO daily. Still don’t own even one. And I even own a rayban. ☠️