The P added to the Ray Ban logo indicates that polarized sunglasses lenses are used. For the wearer, this means a great advantage in a situation where reflective surfaces dazzle. Polarized Ray Ban sunglasses do not just make reflective surfaces appear darker but block the reflection of the reflective surface very effectively.
Polarized sunglasses are especially useful for drivers or anglers. Both have to do with surfaces that can reflect. The road after the rain, windshields of other vehicles or the water surface.
If you are blinded with conventional Ray Ban sunglasses and despite the sunglasses pinch the eyes does not happen with polarized lenses because no glare is perceivable at all. Just look at the image below. Here you can see a photo taken with normal Ray Ban glasses and with polarized lenses from Ray Ban. I guess the result speaks for itself.
What Does 3p Mean on Ray Bans?
Category 3 stands for stronger glare protection and the P stands for polarization, which further reduces glare.
Ray Ban lens designations are always composed of a number followed by a letter. The categories are ordered by numbers from 1 to 4. One stands here for very little glare protection, so very bright lenses while category 4 stands for a very strong tint, which should only be used in the mountains.
After the description of the tint then follows the letter. If the following letter is a P then you have a polarization. If you do not have polarized lenses the number is followed by an N. Which stands for non-polarized lenses.
Are Ray-Ban P More Expensive?
Ray Bans with polarized lenses cost approximately 50$ more compared to the nonpolarized lenses.
Depending on the type of coating which may be applied to the lenses in combination to the polarization option the upgrade can cost even more than 50$ compared to the nonpolarized option.
Are Polarized Ray Bans Worth It?
For most people is worth paying the extra for polarization. The reason is the increased contrast and improved protection against glare. For most people, these are big advantages.
However, caution is also required with polarization, as wet surfaces or sometimes even displays can no longer be recognized. For example, it is not recommended to use polarized sunglasses while riding a motorcycle, as a puddle of oil will no longer be perceived as reflective.
Similarly, head-up displays often work by reflecting in the windshield. When viewing such a display with polarized glasses, it remains black.
So you always have to weigh up whether you want polarization and where it should be used. If in doubt, just sit in your car before buying and see if all displays can be seen normally.
What Options Do You Have When It Comes to Polarized Lenses From Ray Ban?
There are several variants of polarized lenses from Ray Ban. Here below you can see a list of possible variants.
- Polarized non gradient
- Polarized with gradient
- Polarized non gradient with flash
- Polarized in combination with even better contrasts (chromance)
The most common variant has had uniformly tinted lenses. This tint has a darkening of 85% and is ideal for sunny days.
However, while driving your car, you may prefer exactly this tint in the upper area, but the instruments will appear too dark. Here there is then the possibility of a polarized lens in combination with a gradient to take. Thus, the tint of this glass becomes lighter towards the bottom and the dashboard in the car will be easier to see.
In case the normal already dark tint does not cut for you an additional flash makes looking through the lenses even a tiny bit darker. Ray Ban has some decent colors that really pop if you want to combine a flash (mirror effect) with the polarization technology.
If you do not necessarily want the glass darker but the maximum contrast is particularly important to you, the Chromance lenses in combination with the polarization are just right for you.
Ray-Ban® Chromance lens technology combines polarization with amazing color enhancement. The Chromance lens filters the light and leaves the color spectrum more intense and clear instead of just darkening it and losing contrast.
This is especially noticeable in situations where you go from a very bright light to a slightly darker environment. This can be an advantage, for example, when driving out of the blazing sun into a forest or a tunnel. The human eye often has short adjustment difficulties in such a moment.
With these contrast-enhancing glasses, however, this works amazingly well I can say from experience. That is why the Chromance lenses are also my personal favorite Ray Ban glasses when it comes to all-rounder glasses for driving.
Especially the colors red and green come out really well through the Chromance glasses. Blue light, which leads to more aberrations due to the structure of the human eye, is filtered out more strongly with this glass variant.
Can I Get My Ray Bans Polarized?
If you already have Ray Ban sunglasses then you can also have polarized sunglasses lenses fitted afterwards. In most cases, the manufacturer of Ray Ban (Luxottica) has ground replacement lenses in stock. these are already prepared so that they only need to be inserted. In most cases, the cost of a pair of new lenses is about $75.
If the lenses are no longer in stock then Luxottica also has blanks that your optician can grind to the shape of your Ray Ban. It is best to talk to your local optician and they will be able to tell you which way works best for you.
