evil eye e-sense e036 cycling glasses with photovoltaics

Once you have experienced the comfort of self-tinting filters, you won't want to miss it. Whether during a gravel ride in changeable weather, a road bike uphill from the shady valley to the sunny mountain peak, or the 200-kilometer long Salzkammergut Trophy experience, which starts at 5 a.m. in the dark and often lasts into the evening hours: Cyclists - and especially their eyes - are frequently exposed to changing light and weather conditions.

It's no wonder that sports glasses with self-tinting Vario lenses have declared the older interchangeable lenses a thing of the past. After all, who wants to pack suitable interchangeable lenses in 2023 and stop every time to deal with the sometimes fiddly swapping?

The only disadvantage from a functional perspective so far was that filters of this type - depending on the technology - needed around 20 seconds to switch from category 1 (lightly tinted) to category 3 (darkly tinted). Although the seamless and even tinting is absolutely sufficient for all the light fluctuations of a cycling adventure, it is still much too slow to facilitate a spontaneous change during tunnel passages or the rapid light-shadow play in the forest.

With the evil eye e-sense, the Austrians are now bringing their first electronic sports glasses to the market, which adjust the tint of the LST eVARiO filter within 0.6 seconds to the prevailing lighting conditions using a built-in LCD module. No charging, no switch, lightning-fast and fully automatic. This is intended to provide better visibility and more safety during fast descents and changing weather or lighting conditions - all while keeping both hands on the handlebars.

The innovative LST eVARiO filter from e-sense quickly and seamlessly adapts its tint between the traffic-suitable protection categories C2 and C3 (10% to 28%) according to the current light conditions. For this purpose, two LCD modules were installed on the inside of the filter, which are controlled by photovoltaic technology. The more light that falls on the photovoltaic cell in the center of the glasses, the darker the filter becomes. At the same time, the base tint of the IPX4 splash-proof LST bright blue mirror base filter ensures improved visibility - especially in adverse lighting conditions.

The reaction time of 0.6 seconds was deliberately chosen to prevent flickering under normal circumstances, so the eye does not perceive the change as unpleasant. By the way, the e-sense also works behind a car windshield, as the photovoltaic cell reacts to any light, not just UV radiation.

Evil eye e-sense

Apart from the photovoltaic cells that shimmer through the middle of the filter, and a broader shading inside the frame, the electronic Made in Austria sports glasses are hardly distinguishable from the normal evil eye roadsense. They feature the same cylindrical polycarbonate filter, which not only ensures good peripheral vision but also provides 100% UVA, B, and C protection, as well as effective defense against insects, wind, and more. Additionally, they have a fully shielding frame made of lightweight, robust, and flexible PPX material.

Moreover, the e-sense, which is exclusively available in Large, comes with everything one typically appreciates in sports glasses manufactured at the Silhouette factory in Linz: a two-way adjustable nose pad, three-way adjustable temples, and non-slip traction grip temple ends for a good, secure fit and perfect, individual adjustment. In addition to the mounted "double-snap nose pads," a second pair of "nose pads" is included as a slightly lower-sitting alternative. Good for crash pilots or those with clumsy fingers: under high stress, the temple releases from the frame thanks to the quick-release hinge and can be clicked back in afterwards.

With the clip-in feature, the e-sense can also be used with optical lenses (RX lenses) in the wearer's prescription, making it the first choice for eyeglass wearers. Manufacturing in the Silhouette Vision Sensation Lab in Austria guarantees the highest quality and precision.

Put on the glasses and you're ready to go. If the large roadsense fits you, then the e-sense will suit you as well, because aside from a few extra grams of weight, their external features in terms of style, design, and adjustment features are largely identical. The most significant difference is, of course, the seamless tinting, which activates immediately as soon as light hits the photovoltaic cells.

Whether on the bike, while running, or in the car - the LST eVario filter takes over the automatic tinting and seamlessly adjusts to light-shadow changes. Even when real light conditions change as quickly as ever, something different reaches the eyes: a consistent, optimal compromise - never too bright and never too dark.

If you want the high-tech cycling glasses, you have to dig deep into your pocket quickly. They are strictly limited to 500 pieces and available from March for 649 euros in sports and eyewear specialty stores as well as in the evil eye online shop (www.evileye.com).