Chamelo Music Shield Bluetooth Sports Glasses

We begin this review with an observation that we have already made in the last three eyewear stories: "Anyone who has ever worn photochromic (self-tinting) glasses during outdoor sports does not want to miss this comfort. Especially as a cyclist, you are often exposed to changing light conditions and nowadays you don't want to bother with interchangeable lenses or forego protection by taking off the glasses altogether."

Most photochromic lenses automatically react to UV or visible light and switch from category 1 (lightly tinted) to category 3 (darkly tinted) within 20 seconds. However, this is often too slow for spontaneous light changes, such as those occurring when passing through tunnels or quickly alternating between light and shadow in the forest.
Meanwhile, the market also offers electronic cycling glasses that use an integrated LCD module to adjust the tint of the filters to current lighting conditions within a second - without batteries, without charging, and completely automatically. Naturally, this technology comes with higher weight and relatively high costs.

The Music Shield sunglasses from Chamelo Eyewear presented here cost less than most electronic cycling glasses and can be adjusted in tint lightning fast - but only manually. Additionally, the sports glasses connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing phone calls and music playback for up to 6.5 hours.

The Music Shields are available in various frame colors as well as with gray, blue, or red lenses. Common to all models is their striking design with the one-piece, curved visor and the extremely wide arms that house the battery, charging port, and all audio technology. The overall appearance is high-quality, and the workmanship is solid, but it does have some minor weaknesses in detail: The arms can neither be adjusted nor tilted, tend to creak when put on, and the adjustable nose pads stick out a bit, leaving a somewhat unharmonious impression.

The weight of the high-tech glasses is acceptable at 49 grams, which is why they do not press uncomfortably on the ears or nose despite their massive temples. Unfortunately, they are not available with corrective lenses, but Chamelo plans to offer other models with this option in the future.

Many cyclists use self-tinting cycling glasses and enjoy their favorite music or podcasts via in-ear headphones. In this context, the Chamelo Music Shield might seem like a hidden gem, as they promise a combination of all three functions (sunglasses, tinting, and audio enjoyment) at least on paper.

In our assessment, they could indeed be a practical and relatively affordable gadget for some users, one that comes without much weight, annoying cables, or arms on the ears. However, there are two limitations to consider.

First: The rider must manually adjust the tinting during cloudy weather, twilight, tunnel passages, or in the forest, even if this is done with just a quick swipe.

Second: Although the sound of the integrated speakers is fundamentally good, it struggles to compete with loud ambient noise or strong wind, especially at high speeds on a racing bike. Podcasts or navigation announcements become unintelligible, and at full volume, the music sounds tinny.

It is undeniable that Chamelo offers an innovative and stylish alternative for athletes with the Music Shields, allowing them to enjoy music while engaging in their hobby without losing sight or sound of their surroundings. They are also recommended for those who struggle with in-ear headphones and are satisfied with a manually adjustable tinting of the lenses.

Thanks to their good fit, they can also be easily integrated into everyday life, offering 6.5 hours of music enjoyment and 100 hours of tinting on a single battery charge - an effect that consistently impresses.