Ski goggles have advanced a lot in the last 10+ years. Optics are better, lens changes are simpler, tint options are plentiful, and perhaps most importantly, the field of view has improved dramatically. By Field of view, we mean how much you can see through your goggles. Not only have goggle lenses gotten bigger, but frame and lens technology have evolved to offer better peripheral vision, too. It all adds up to creating a better field of view, allowing you to see and do more in a broader range of weather conditions.
Whether you run spherical, toric or cylindrical lens goggles (read more about choosing goggles and lens types), you can thank Dr. Bob Smith for the double-walled thermal lens technology used in modern goggles. Smith invented the sealed thermal lens with breathable vent foam in the late 1960s, and Smith Optics continues to innovate.
A recent addition to Smith’s goggle tech is what they call their 4D lens with BirdsEye Vision. It takes a spherical lens and further rounds the bottom edge. The result is an increased field of view, especially in the downward direction. Smith claims BirdsEye Vision increases the field of view by 25% compared to the regular spherical lens found on the Smith I/O MAG goggles.
The Smith 4D lens is curved along its bottom edge, offering an increased field of view.
Maximizing Field of View
Besides a good fit and clear fog-free vision, the most important goggle feature to consider is the field of view. The broader your field of view, the more you can see. The field of view is influenced by lens type (spheric, cylindric, toric), frame design (rimless, semi-rimless, traditional) and overall frame size and shape.
If you haven’t shopped for goggles in the last few years, the big news is that frames are bigger than ever. Frame size alone has boosted the field of view for many goggles. Add a modern rimless design to an oversized frame, and you get a great view. Smith’s 4D BirdsEye Vision further expands the field of view compared to a traditional lens. The Smith 4D MAG Ski Goggles offer the widest field of view and sharpest optics of any goggles in the Smith line, and just about any other goggles for that matter.
Premium Optics and Goggle Techs
The 4D MAG goggles are Smith’s top-tier ski goggles. They include all of Smith’s top tech and features, including high-quality spherical lens optics, ChromaPop color and contrast boosting tech, robust fog-resistance and effective venting. They also feature Smith’s quick-change MAG lens retention system. The MAG system uses a magnetic connection with a simple clip integrated into the frame that allows for simple, fast lens changes.
In general, spherical lenses typically offer the highest quality optics. They are curved on the horizontal and vertical axis to match the natural shape of the human eye. Smith’s BirdsEye Vision adds curvature along the bottom edge of the lens, increasing the field of view at the bottom of the goggles and opening up visibility towards the ground. So, even when looking forward, you have increased peripheral vision, allowing a better view of ski tips, knees and your ski line.
Upgrade Your Goggles and Upgrade Your Experience.
As the saying goes, you can only ski it if you can see it, and the Smith 4D MAG goggles set the bar for a wide field of view. Between an oversized frame, a premium spherical lens and BirdsEye Vision, the 4D goggles put more terrain and features on your radar than any goggles we have tested. Of course, leading-edge tech comes at a price. In this case, it’s $340+. Of course, you get some extras for your hard-earned cash, like a lightweight, sturdy case, a second lens and a quality lens cloth. The 4D MAG is available in three sizes to match different face and head shapes: small, regular and x-large. We tested the regular and think it will work great for most people. Step up your program with the best field of view possible.
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Check out the latest holiday season prices for the 4D lens with BirdsEye Vision direct from Smith.
Smith 4D MAG Goggles with BirdsEye Vision
