Gaming glasses not a scam after all
Ars Technica recently decided to try out a set of Gunnar Optiks, glasses which are designed to improve your gaming performance. You may recall we found another use for them during PAX 2009. The Gunnar website espouses scads of advantageous features, including scientifically miraculous coatings, tints, shapes, and materials -- which are purported to do everything from reducing glare to "blocking out evaporative air currents."
Given such claims, we're sure many gamers might scoff or, at the very least, cock an incredulous eyebrow. Ars Technica harbored similar feelings, but it turns out the glasses actually do help. The site spoke to a optometrist, who noted that she offered many of the same features in the glasses she sells in her practice. More importantly, Ars Technica took the glasses for a spin and found that they did have a positive effect during prolonged gaming sessions.
Still, at prices hovering around (and above) $100, Ars suggests you price glasses with similar features with your eye doctor before taking the plunge.
Given such claims, we're sure many gamers might scoff or, at the very least, cock an incredulous eyebrow. Ars Technica harbored similar feelings, but it turns out the glasses actually do help. The site spoke to a optometrist, who noted that she offered many of the same features in the glasses she sells in her practice. More importantly, Ars Technica took the glasses for a spin and found that they did have a positive effect during prolonged gaming sessions.
Still, at prices hovering around (and above) $100, Ars suggests you price glasses with similar features with your eye doctor before taking the plunge.













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Someone Sneaky @ Oct 9th 2009 7:03AM
What? This a random story.
Smoke_me_a_Kipper @ Oct 9th 2009 7:10AM
Do they have them in bifocals for the older gamers?
untitled @ Oct 9th 2009 9:22AM
What about a monocle version, for us super wealthy and indubitably smug gamers?
chickenfriedsteak @ Oct 9th 2009 7:35AM
Weeeellll .... my son has ASD ( a sort of autism) and he wear yellow tinted glasses to improve his concentration at school and the difference they make is ASTOUNDING! BUT - he has a medical condition that benefits from this sort of thing. Anyone else who buys these are just chumps and suckers.
wormania @ Oct 9th 2009 8:08AM
This is for a completely different purpose, and they work for what they are meant to in this circumstance. Whether they are worth your money is up to the individual.
Duke @ Oct 9th 2009 9:54AM
Really worm? Does that mini lecture come from experience or just reading the above short story? You know, hydroxycut had doctors saying how great it worked too. (Never mind the FDA ordering its use be halted immediately due to causing liver damage)
jron @ Oct 9th 2009 10:06AM
Yellow tinted glasses/goggles have been used for year in shooting/hunting sports.
Duke @ Oct 9th 2009 10:12AM
I know, I'm a target shooter. I am not saying these don't work (for computer games as opposed to shooting). They may work great.
freaparn @ Oct 9th 2009 12:56PM
We also use these type of glasses in the welding trade (behind a proper helmet), they help cut down on the glare from arc flash and allow you to get a better view of the workpiece. That being said, those go for about $25 a pair, $100 sounds like they're trying to pitch it to the Alienware/Monster crowd and create a brand.
-Vexx- @ Oct 9th 2009 7:33AM
Hey
If they look badass I wont mind either.
If I ever have the money I would buy em :P
bagbozo @ Oct 9th 2009 7:46AM
Girl's Hot!
phobic99 @ Oct 9th 2009 7:49AM
Girl's hot what? Potato? Mmm... baked potatoes.
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst] @ Oct 9th 2009 7:55AM
Hot grease?! Baba-da ba-ba-ba...
...PORKCHOP SANDWICHES!!!!
Obie @ Oct 9th 2009 7:56AM
@bagbozo: Actually *you* are watching her through rose colored glasses!
BigD145 @ Oct 9th 2009 12:50PM
My beer goggles are obviously working.
Gnoll @ Oct 9th 2009 8:09AM
I still have my old Nintendo glasses. They did not have special features aside from a Nintedo logo however. But my cousin worked at the shop I got them from and she managed to get me a Bowser action figure from the display when they stopped selling them. They don't fit on my head anymore though :(
Obie @ Oct 9th 2009 8:28AM
Cool story bro!
Gnoll @ Oct 9th 2009 8:38AM
I'm living proof that Nintendo can sell anything with their name on it to someone.
That "someone" being children.
Anthony M. @ Oct 9th 2009 12:51PM
I have some unopened Super Mario 64 walkie-talkies. Official Nintendo Branded.
Ghen @ Oct 9th 2009 8:17AM
I'd buy them if I had the $$. I wear sunglasses most of the time at work because the indoor lighting is just so harsh. People think I'm a little crazy, but that's ok because I'm in IT. It's expected.
globgloop @ Oct 9th 2009 5:57PM
stop trying to look cool at work
Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Oct 9th 2009 8:19AM
Note to self:
* Get girlfriend to wear gaming glasses
OldElvis @ Oct 9th 2009 8:28AM
Buy.com has these for $44 today.
http://www.buy.com/prod/gunnar-optiks-st001-c012-attache-pipeline-digital-performance-eyewear/q/loc/66740/210478004.html?adid=17992
ScottG13 @ Oct 9th 2009 8:39AM
Nice find!
Heavytoka @ Oct 9th 2009 9:42AM
I might buy a pair for 44 bucks!
the_pop @ Oct 9th 2009 12:47PM
I guess there really is one born every minute. I wouldn't wear them if they were free, enjoy looking like a tool! Oh and they sell gaming gloves as well you know.
freaparn @ Oct 9th 2009 1:01PM
Heh, reminds me of those finger condoms they used to advertise so kids wouldn't get "Nintendo thumb" back in the day. To be fair though, those D-pads were brutally angular.
Ballistic H @ Oct 9th 2009 1:54PM
I'm nearsighted: paid around $600 for my prescription glasses and another $600 for my presciption sunglasses.
IonAion @ Oct 9th 2009 8:38AM
Great! Now take all those features and add "For 3-D Movies/Games" on top of it. It maybe worth the effort of putting it on.
borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Oct 9th 2009 8:43AM
Well, in addition to price at your eye doctor you can also submit glasses to yon medical flex plan (for US residents). Tax Free goodness. Once, I got a prescription for an electric toothbrush so I could do the same.*
* I would advise however you not take that too far in case of an audit.
tcc3 @ Oct 9th 2009 8:54AM
I read that the first time as Audi. Mmmm Medically prescribed German luxury.
Evan_ARRRR @ Oct 11th 2009 7:36AM
You could move to New Hampshire, where ALL your purchases are tax free goodness!
Huzzah for living in the least taxed state in the country.
marzz @ Oct 9th 2009 9:51AM
It's foreign. The T is silent.
borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Oct 9th 2009 10:16AM
I wonder what disease would mandate an Audi as medical equipment? Doc, I feel the need...the need for SPEED! Can you prescribe me 2000cc of A6?
LunarAura @ Oct 9th 2009 8:49AM
Placebo effect?
peEtr @ Oct 9th 2009 11:00AM
Exactly what I was thinking. I bet if you gave someone some random shades and told them they would make them better at gaming, they would do better.
Spartan [Planeteer | Power of Sunshine & Lollipops] @ Oct 9th 2009 8:51AM
Can I get contacts?
OldElvis @ Oct 9th 2009 8:52AM
More like Dumb luck. I got an email with it and actually looked at because I thought "Bogus!". Then I looked at Joystiq right after. Glad I could help
oedipus @ Oct 9th 2009 9:19AM
I've had a pair for a while now... I work in IT so pretty much I'm stuck on a computer 24/7. Do they help? Well honestly it's sort of questionable. They do cut glare out, which does help me allot, but the slight magnification actually bothers me at times. So I'd guess it's probably up to personal preference. They do look a bit dorky which if it doesn't bother you, it may be worth a shot if you already have issues.
Sith Draven @ Oct 9th 2009 9:56AM
After suffering from daily headaches from staring at a computer monitor at work(multiple times a week) I dropped the dough on a pair six months ago. I was skeptical at best, but I haven't had a headache since. The glasses have eliminated any strain I was putting on my eyes. Unfortunately the style I chose isn't great for gaming but they do still help. I like them so much I've considered getting a second pair just for gaming.
G.G. @ Oct 9th 2009 9:19AM
cool, now people can look like Bayonetta while playing Bayonetta. All they would need is a hair suit.
George Morris @ Oct 9th 2009 9:22AM
These ROCK.... I've used them for 1 year now and I don't get migraine headaches anymore. If you are in front of a computer 24/7 and you get eyestrain then you need these.
The other day I left them at home and my eyes killed me after looking at the screen for 8 hours.
Here is my experience with these from last year.
http://imulus.com/blog/george/opinion/dont-call-me-bono-these-here-are-computer-glasses/
KindaGamey @ Oct 9th 2009 9:22AM
strange you posted this now. i just had to buy new glasses the day before yesterday. it cost an extra hundred for anti-static, anti-glare, lenses but it supposedly makes it much easier on the eyes for television and computer screens. that sold me. :)
Naota @ Oct 9th 2009 9:50AM
I was considering getting a pair since I wear prescriptions anyway.
Phizzy @ Oct 9th 2009 10:16AM
Isn't a point of a glare filter on a pair of glasses to remove the glare that's caused when the glasses don't have such a filter?
Smoke_me_a_Kipper @ Oct 9th 2009 10:33AM
I don't think so. It helps remove the glare from the inside surface of the lens. That way you don't see glare from behind and the lens is more invisible to your eyes. At least that's how my glasses work.
arkweld @ Oct 9th 2009 10:27AM
Problem with these of course is that if you have any interest or need to see colors correctly, then they don't work.
swimtedswim @ Oct 9th 2009 10:40AM
"blocking out evaporative air currents."
does that include the steam from my hot pocket that mom brought down to my man cave???
DEEZNUTZ @ Oct 9th 2009 12:03PM
That comment didn't read well. "Steamy hot pocket", "mom", and "my man cave" should NEVER be used in the same sentence. Ever.
BananaBoat @ Oct 9th 2009 10:57AM
Do these do anything that a normal pair of sunglasses wouldn't do?