**Oakley Prizm Transitions Ember Lens Review (New 2026 Lens for the Oakley Meta Vanguard) — Transcript & Summary | SozAI**
Source: https://sozai.app/transcript/oakley-prizm-transitions-ember-lens-review-meta-vanguard/

Sunglass Science reviews Oakley's first PRIZM Transitions lens, the Ember, covering specs, photochromic performance (64% to ~25-30% VLT), tint, and limits behind windshields.

## Key Takeaways

- Ember transitions only moderately darken, so it suits users wanting a light all-day lens rather than a dark sun lens.
- Fast transition speed is a real strength compared with competing photochromic lenses.
- Color enhancement from PRIZM technology is largely absent, making this a weaker choice for cyclists and sport users who value PRIZM benefits.
- Performance drops sharply inside cars, so the lens is not ideal for driving.
- Coating limitations and a fragile mirror are drawbacks, though impact resistance is adequate.

## What the video covers

- The Oakley PRIZM Transitions Ember lens is Oakley's first photochromic lens with PRIZM technology, expected to resemble PRIZM Road but behaving differently.
- Lens is polycarbonate, impact resistant, with a non-AR, non-hydrophobic, non-oleophobic coating set and an iridium mirror coating that is fragile and needs delicate care.
- Official specs list VLT of 64% unactivated and 14% activated, but in full midday sun the reviewer measured only about 25-30% VLT.
- The lens is lighter than many PRIZM and PRIZM Sport lenses, so it is not suitable for users wanting a truly dark sunglass.
- Transition speed is fast, reaching target darkness within roughly 10-20 seconds, faster than Smith and Rudy Project transition lenses.
- The lenses do not darken meaningfully behind a windshield because windshields block nearly all UV.
- Tint is mostly neutral gray with little of the color enhancement that defines PRIZM Road, though the mirror is solid outdoors.
- Indoors the lens is clear enough for wear, but the mirror and wrap frame make it an odd choice for extended indoor use.
- The reviewer questions who the target user is, suggesting possibly delivery workers or people moving in and out of buildings.
- The video is structured in three parts: specs and coatings, photochromic behavior, and tint comparison with other Oakley lenses.

## Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to the PRIZM Transitions Ember lens
2. 00:46 Subscribe call and video overview
3. 01:26 Lens materials and coatings
4. 02:14 Scratch resistance and AR coating considerations
5. 03:01 Photochromic performance and VLT testing
6. 04:22 Transition speed and windshield limitations
7. 05:14 Tint and color comparison with PRIZM Road
8. 06:52 Indoor use and target audience

Answers

## Questions about this video

What is the official VLT range of the PRIZM Transitions Ember lens?

The official specs list 64% VLT when non-activated and 14% VLT when activated by UV. The reviewer found the lens only reached about 25-30% VLT in full midday sun, so it is lighter than the official activated rating suggests.

Do these lenses work well inside a car?

No. The reviewer notes that windshields block almost all UV rays, so the lenses will barely darken behind a windshield and are not recommended for driving.

How do the Ember lenses compare with PRIZM Road in color enhancement?

PRIZM Road produces a deeper, richer color view, while the Ember lens has mostly neutral gray tint with little color enhancement, though it offers a brighter view overall.

## Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

00:00

Speaker A

Hey everyone, welcome to Sunglass Science. Today, we're going to be taking a look at the new PRIZM Transitions Ember lens, which is Oakley's first transition lens with the PRIZM technology included. Now, I expected this to be a version of the PRIZM Road lens, like for cycling and things like that, where it would get lighter and darker, whereas PRIZM Road is the same tint throughout, but it isn't. It doesn't have the same darkness as the PRIZM Road. It's kind of a light lens, and also it doesn't have the same color enhancement.

00:13

Speaker A

lens, like for cycling and things like that, where it would get lighter and darker, whereas PRIZM Road is the same tint throughout, but it isn't. It doesn't have the same darkness as the PRIZM Road. It's kind of a light lens,

00:25

Speaker A

So, let's get into it. There's going to be three parts to this video. There's going to be the specifications of the lens, like the materials and coatings. Then I'm going to talk about the photochromic element, how light and dark it gets, and what that's good for. And I'm also going to talk about the tint, and how that compares to some of the other comparable tints from Oakley, and why you'd want one versus the other, and I'll try and show you simulations of what those look like as well.

00:35

Speaker A

to talk about the photochromic element, how light and dark it gets, and what that's good for. And I'm also going to talk about the tint, and how that compares to some of the other comparable tints from Oakley, and why you'd want

00:46

Speaker A

For more lens reviews, lens science, and everything to do with sunglasses, subscribe below because we're going to be doing a ton of that.

00:55

Speaker A

getting into the lens specs here, this is going to be a regular PRIZM lens in terms of the material and the coatings.

01:03

Speaker A

Now, getting into the lens specs here, this is going to be a regular PRIZM lens in terms of the material and the coatings. That means that it's a polycarbonate lens, which means it's very impact resistant. And Oakley does a little bit of extra processing with their polycarbonate to make it a little bit better. That's another story.

01:16

Speaker A

non-prescription lenses, it's a little bit lacking. There's no anti-reflective coating, there's no hydrophobic, no oleophobic, and it's unclear whether they're scratch resistant also.

01:26

Speaker A

And the coatings here, as always with Oakley non-prescription lenses, it's a little bit lacking. There's no anti-reflective coating, there's no hydrophobic, no oleophobic, and it's unclear whether they're scratch resistant also. There is a mirror on the outside called an iridium mirror coating, which is a metallic oxide coating that creates this cool, um, reflective effect on the front.

01:37

Speaker A

Um one of the issues with that is that it's extremely fragile. Oakley says it in their own material, and I'll show you a screenshot right now from Oakley's own website, that these require delicate care. So, be careful when, you know, not

01:51

Speaker A

One of the issues with that is that it's extremely fragile. Oakley says it in their own material, and I'll show you a screenshot right now from Oakley's own website, that these require delicate care. So, be careful when, you know, not on your face, um, and handling them and cleaning them, because these can scratch more than other ones.

02:03

Speaker A

take a tumble, any lens is going to scratch even if it has a scratch coating. So, that's not really the biggest deal. Not having anti-reflective coating is also not the biggest deal because since this is a wrap frame,

02:14

Speaker A

Now, the lack of scratch resistance isn't the biggest issue here because for the most part, impact resistance is the main thing, and if you're going to take a tumble, any lens is going to scratch even if it has a scratch coating. So, that's not really the biggest deal. Not having anti-reflective coating is also not the biggest deal because since this is a wrap frame, there's not really going to be any light coming in from the sides or the top anyways, so not really a big deal.

02:28

Speaker A

64% of light when they're non-activated, but when they get sunlight and UV rays hitting them and they get darker, they let in 14%. But, that is the official specs.

02:38

Speaker A

Now, getting into the photochromic element, these go from a 64% VLT to a 14% VLT officially. It means they let in 64% of light when they're non-activated, but when they get sunlight and UV rays hitting them and they get darker, they let in 14%. But that is the official specs.

02:49

Speaker A

clear skies, and I don't think these got to maybe 25 or even 30% VLT. They were very light lens as as compared to some of the other Prizm lens, even some of the Prizm Sport lenses, which have a

03:01

Speaker A

When I put them on myself, they do get very clear, and a 64% is actually a very clear lens, and you can wear them indoors with no problem. But I stood out in full sun in the middle of the day, clear skies, and I don't think these got to maybe 25 or even 30% VLT. They were a very light lens as compared to some of the other PRIZM lenses, even some of the PRIZM Sport lenses, which have a higher VLT because it's better to have a little bit more light for sports. These were a very bright lens.

03:13

Speaker A

to get that. I've seen it's not just myself who's seen this, but also online I've seen other people complain that this doesn't get that dark. So, don't expect a very dark lens, and if you're light sensitive or you just want a

03:23

Speaker A

So, don't expect to have this very dark lens that you can wear like a 14%, which is a pretty decently dark lens. Don't expect to get that. I've seen it's not just myself who's seen this, but also online I've seen other people complain that this doesn't get that dark. So, don't expect a very dark lens, and if you're light sensitive or you just want a regular dark pair of sunglasses, this is probably not going to be the one for you.

03:31

Speaker A

show the tint as well, but it's not going to be that dark. Now, one thing to say in favor of this lens is that it changes very quickly, faster than a lot of the other Transitions lenses that I've seen out there from other brands

03:42

Speaker A

Now, it is dark enough to make it bearable, so it's not like there's no tint. It does get it, and I'm going to show the tint as well, but it's not going to be that dark.

03:56

Speaker A

range that it has. But you should know these won't work really well behind a windshield. They already don't get that dark, but they're not going to get dark pretty much at all because a windshield blocks almost all UV rays. So, that's

04:07

Speaker A

Now, one thing to say in favor of this lens is that it changes very quickly, faster than a lot of the other Transitions lenses that I've seen out there from other brands that change, brands like Smith and Rudy Project. These change very quickly, so getting darker and getting lighter, these within 10 to 20 seconds, they pretty much reach exactly what they should be in those conditions, assuming the darkness and the lightness, the range that it has.

04:16

Speaker A

exposed. And now, when I pull away the towel, you can see the difference between what it looks like activated and non-activated.

04:27

Speaker A

But you should know these won't work really well behind a windshield. They already don't get that dark, but they're not going to get dark pretty much at all because a windshield blocks almost all UV rays. So, that's not going to let them change in a car. So, if you expect to use these in a car, these are not going to help you.

04:40

Speaker A

gets pretty solid pretty quickly even with a just a slight tint. Now, as to the lens tint, and this is a big one because Oakley Prizm, this is like their major selling point, the fact that they can manipulate the colors of the light

04:51

Speaker A

Now, you can see here I covered one lens with a towel and the other one I left exposed. And now, when I pull away the towel, you can see the difference between what it looks like activated and non-activated.

05:04

Speaker A

lot of the colors of the sky and the road and it's a more like a reddish lens, but I was a little disappointed here because for the most part, this is pretty gray lens. There's really barely any color tint at all. There's a

05:14

Speaker A

Now, the mirror here is a pretty solid, nice mirror, but it's not as apparent when you're indoors. When it's a mostly clear lens, you could see through it and you could see someone's eyes. But outdoors, it gets pretty solid pretty quickly, even with just a slight tint.

05:27

Speaker A

it's like the sky has a much deeper, richer blue and all the colors are brought out, whether they be the greens or the reds. But when I put these on, it's a much a brighter view because there's let more light coming in, but

05:43

Speaker A

Now, as to the lens tint, and this is a big one because Oakley PRIZM, this is like their major selling point, the fact that they can manipulate the colors of the light spectrum to make colors more vibrant and clearer and more boosted. So, I expected this to be a version of the PRIZM Road, like a rose lens that takes away a lot of the annoying colors but brings out a lot of the colors of the sky and the road, and it's a more like a reddish lens. But I was a little disappointed here because for the most part, this is a pretty gray lens. There's really barely any color tint at all. There's a slightly, slightly tinge of rose to it, but for the most part, most people would just look at it as a gray lens.

05:56

Speaker A

more alertness or something like that, you're not going to get this from this lens. So, in that sense, I'm a little disappointed.

06:02

Speaker A

If I were to take out the PRIZM Road lens and put these on, it's like the sky has a much deeper, richer blue and all the colors are brought out, whether they be the greens or the reds. But when I put these on, it's a much brighter view because more light is coming in, but the colors are not enhanced, they're not defined. They're just a regular gray tint.

06:17

Speaker A

wearing these indoors. It's not like the mirror goes clear. So, you're still wearing this big bulky pair of sunglasses with a mirror on it. If you're running in and out of stores or whatever it is, um if you're a delivery

06:28

Speaker A

So, if it's a nice sunny day outside, you don't really need such a vibrant, enhanced view, then fine. But if you want some color boost, you want some more alertness or something like that, you're not going to get this from this lens. So, in that sense, I'm a little disappointed.

06:38

Speaker A

exactly what they were going for, but if you're someone who wants to spend a decent amount of time in the sun, I would say choose one of the other options for the Vanguard and for Prizm in general, I don't think this

06:52

Speaker A

But again, it might help indoors, because if it was very vibrant and had a tint indoors, then it won't be as usable in that setting. So, I'm not sure if that's what they were going for, but I don't really know who's going to be wearing these indoors. It's not like the mirror goes clear. So, you're still wearing this big bulky pair of sunglasses with a mirror on it. If you're running in and out of stores or whatever it is, um, if you're a delivery person or something like that, that might make sense that you're not hanging around. But for someone who's going to actually spend time indoors with these, I don't think you're going to choose the Vanguard for that.

06:57

Speaker A

It's for someone who wants to use them indoors and outdoors, wants to be okay enough indoors and okay enough outdoors, but isn't going to be that bright outside. So, again, if you want them as sunglasses, go for a

07:11

Speaker A

So, I'm not sure exactly what they were going for, but if you're someone who wants to spend a decent amount of time in the sun, I would say choose one of the other options for the Vanguard. And for PRIZM in general, I don't think this does the job for most people as good as some other options.

07:21

Speaker A

right now a simulation with no sunglasses on and then with these Prizm Transitions Ember on and with the Prizm Road, so you can sort of see the difference. Um it won't really be possible to put them through. I'll I'll

07:35

Speaker A

So, who is this for?

07:47

Speaker A

way our brains work and I explain more of that on Sunglass Science, but check out the simulation so you can see. This is what it looks like with nothing on.

07:56

Speaker A

It's for someone who wants to use them indoors and outdoors, wants to be okay enough indoors and okay enough outdoors, but isn't going to be that bright outside. So, again, if you want them as sunglasses, go for a different tint. But if you want them as sort of like a hybrid inside and

08:09

Speaker A

Now that's just my review of the Prizm Transitions Ember lens, but if you want to know my take on the full Vanguard, subscribe below cuz I'm going to talk about whether these are actually good sunglasses, not just cool tech. Because,

08:20

Speaker A

you know, ultimately is it just a a cool gadget with sunglasses or is it sunglasses with a cool tech and is it worth the price over something that you can get for a similar price. So subscribe below for more. I'm also

08:31

Speaker A

looking forward to the new Transitions lens that has a blue mirror. Maybe that's going to be different than this one, so stay tuned for that one as well.

08:39

Speaker A

Thanks for watching. Subscribe for more and I'll see you in the next one.

Topics: Oakley PRIZM Transitions lens Ember lens Oakley Meta Vanguard photochromic lens VLT lens review sunglasses polycarbonate iridium mirror

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