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April, 2025

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Flat Light Lens

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ShadowXVX
Posts: 216 - Karma: 1,027
The consensus a number of years ago was that the Smith Sensor Mirror and Oakley HI Yellow were the two best options for flat light. Having been using the Smith Sensor Mirror for a number of years, I very much agree with that consensus. The Sensor Mirror is perfect. However, both of those two lenses have been discontinued. I haven't been keeping up to date on gear so much the last few years. It looks to me like the Smith ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash is basically the successor to the Sensor Mirror. Does anyone here have experience with the ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash? Can anyone comment on how it compares to the Sensor Mirror (specifically the standard yellow Sensor Mirror, not the red or blue Sensor Mirrors) in flat light conditions? Are there any other lenses I should be considering? I want whatever is the absolute best for flat light.

I'm not interested in general advice like "get high VLT, get something yellow, etc", I already know all that. I am looking for specific suggestions/personal experience with specific lenses. Preferably Smith or Oakley because I already have Smith and Oakley goggles that I could get new lenses for.

Thanks.
5 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10049 - Karma: 76,045
If it's Oakley, make sure it's prizm type lens to make definition stand out better
5 years ago
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ShadowXVX
Posts: 216 - Karma: 1,027
BST_PoliceIf it's Oakley, make sure it's prizm type lens to make definition stand out better


I do have a red Oakley lens which I'm 90% sure is Prizm and is not nearly as good in flat light as my Sensor Mirror. Of course, given that it's red rather than yellow and not a flat light specific lens, that's not surprising. I think the one I have is the Prizm Rose and it looks like the only higher VLT Prizm lens is the HI Pink. I'm a bit hesitant to try that partly because even the HI Pink is still only 35-40% VLT (Sensor Mirror and ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash are 65%), and because I doubt a pink would do as well as a yellow in flat light. That said, I'm open to changing my mind if people have really good experience with the Prizm HI Pink in flat light. From what I can see, it looks like there is no yellow Prizm lens.
5 years ago
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6470 - Karma: 66,297
Not sure what it’s called anymore but Oakleys pink irdium is awesome in flat light. Better than Hi yellow in my opinion. Also a clear lens is always perfect. I got one for my Squad XLs and hardly ever swap them.
5 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10049 - Karma: 76,045
ShadowXVXI do have a red Oakley lens which I'm 90% sure is Prizm and is not nearly as good in flat light as my Sensor Mirror. Of course, given that it's red rather than yellow and not a flat light specific lens, that's not surprising. I think the one I have is the Prizm Rose and it looks like the only higher VLT Prizm lens is the HI Pink. I'm a bit hesitant to try that partly because even the HI Pink is still only 35-40% VLT (Sensor Mirror and ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash are 65%), and because I doubt a pink would do as well as a yellow in flat light. That said, I'm open to changing my mind if people have really good experience with the Prizm HI Pink in flat light. From what I can see, it looks like there is no yellow Prizm lens.

If it's prizm, it says it on the lens on the lower left hand corner. I have the rose and that's not even for low light but does decent, so I'd be confident getting hi pink.

Thats said chroma pop is awesome too so if you're looking for most light transmission, I'd do that and go smith. The chroma pop is a similar tech to prizm if I'm not mistaken.
5 years ago
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ShadowXVX
Posts: 216 - Karma: 1,027
Thanks guys. My Oakley lens is Prizm, I checked. It's not a bad lens, but in flat light it sucks compared to the Sensor Mirror IMO. I wear the Sensor Mirror (65%) even on bluebird days, I like high VLT, so I'll probably go with the ChromaPops which are also 65%. TGR seems to like them. I looked up the Pink Iridium and it's only 37 so I don't think it's the one for me. Still open to other suggestions though. I still love my Sensor Mirrors, they're just a bit scuffed up and have a number of seasons of use.
5 years ago
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jburumba
Posts: 10 - Karma: 60
Prizm Hi Pink is definitely the best way to go for Oakley’s

**This post was edited on Jan 22nd 2020 at 12:14:21am
5 years ago
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Chunderface
Posts: 2563 - Karma: 10,028
CatdickBojanglesAlso a clear lens is always perfect.

I kinda think this too, unless its straight bright sun.
5 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
Prizm HI Pink from Oakley is hands down the best lowlight/flat light lens in the game. I’ve skied all the major ones (Oakley, Smith, Giro, etc) and Oakley HI Pink wins all day.
5 years ago
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ShadowXVX
Posts: 216 - Karma: 1,027
Thanks guys
animatorPrizm HI Pink from Oakley is hands down the best lowlight/flat light lens in the game. I’ve skied all the major ones (Oakley, Smith, Giro, etc) and Oakley HI Pink wins all day.


Which specific Smith flat light lenses have you tried?
5 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
ShadowXVXThanks guys


Which specific Smith flat light lenses have you tried?

The Storm Yellow Flash chromapop one, Oakley beat it
5 years ago
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,185
animatorPrizm HI Pink from Oakley is hands down the best lowlight/flat light lens in the game. I’ve skied all the major ones (Oakley, Smith, Giro, etc) and Oakley HI Pink wins all day.


Might have to try it.... flat light is my worst fucking enemy. If vis is shit I don’t even bother skiing cause I just eat shit.
5 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
HYP3R_REAL1TYMight have to try it.... flat light is my worst fucking enemy. If vis is shit I don’t even bother skiing cause I just eat shit.


I felt exactly the same until I got my HI Pink lens. I skied the Prizm Rose at first and even then it was tough to see in flat light but the HI Pink is nuts, definitely get one if you can it’s 100% worth it
5 years ago
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ShadowXVX
Posts: 216 - Karma: 1,027
Thanks guys. I'm gonna try the Chromapop Yellow Flash Storm first because it seems to be the most similar to the Sensor Mirror which worked best for me (both yellow, both 65% VLT) and was infinitely better than the Prizm Rose. If the Chromapop doesn't end up working out in flat light, I will then try the HI Pink after hearing the good things you guys have said about the HI Pink.
5 years ago
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