Please Explain

[johnwoitalla]

How can a scope or a pair of binoculars cost less than my new eye glasses? Today I spent over 5 C notes to get new prescription lenses put into my frames. There is one piece of plastic per lens in my glasses made with what I assume is a computer controlled lens cutter, and I would not be surprised if they are made in just a few minutes. Whereas a decent middle of the road scope has a milled air craft aluminum tube, multiple highly polished multi coated glass lenses, seals, nitrogen purging, tens to hundreds of tiny precision made parts, and who knows what else it takes to make a middle of the road scope. Really, I am just venting here. I know pretty much it is about the market place. But come on! If a scope can be made for that cheap, then why do I have to pay so dang much for eye glasses?

 

[ThatGuy]

How can a scope or a pair of binoculars cost less than my new eye glasses? Today I spent over 5 C notes to get new prescription lenses put into my frames. There is one piece of plastic per lens in my glasses made with what I assume is a computer controlled lens cutter, and I would not be surprised if they are made in just a few minutes. Whereas a decent middle of the road scope has a milled air craft aluminum tube, multiple highly polished multi coated glass lenses, seals, nitrogen purging, tens to hundreds of tiny precision made parts, and who knows what else it takes to make a middle of the road scope. Really, I am just venting here. I know pretty much it is about the market place. But come on! If a scope can be made for that cheap, then why do I have to pay so dang much for eye glasses?

Because insurance. Plus they're custom built. Go order custom made binoculars, tell me how much you pay

 

[Treefrog]

I imagine that regulations, taxes, and the cost of living in your state have quite a bit to do with it. Here in N.C., an eye exam and two pairs of eyeglasses were less than $250 a couple of years ago. But then, I negotiated and paid cash. I did the same when out there, but they weren't nearly as cheap. About $300 a pair.

I do feel for you.

Cheers,

J~

 

[DARKHORSE1967]

I have no idea why top tier prescription lenses are so expensive here.

I have my eyes checked here but have the lenses done in the Philippines by a very reputable optical shop when a member of the family goes home.

I own 5 pairs of the same brand (Oakley) and model and always insist on Crizal lenses.

$50 vs $250 more or less is what we’re talking about.

 

[Chukar60]

basically one is specialty produced for your specific need. The other is mass produced and manufacturers have a lot of competition. A lot more in the last 10 or so years. Seems everyone wants in on the sporting optics game

 

[6gun]

500 is still on the lower end for a decent quality optic ime.

 

[woogie_man]

$500 is cheap for an optic.

Glasses and exam in my area is around the $200. My mother has horrible eyes and needs the plastic lenses that are as thick as coke bottle bottoms. Even these are only around the $500 mark.

Glasses are all custom made per person, and made to order. So they are all one of a kind. There is a lot more work and tooling needed for eyeglasses vs a scope. That is why a scope has an adjustable diopter on them, and your glasses dont

 

[Booder98]

Google 'Zenni' for your eyeglasses. You'll still need to get your prescription, but they're way cheaper at Zenni.

Some crazy percentage of eyeglass retailers and brands are owned by luxxotica. Like 75-80% Stolen from Wiki:

"Luxottica retails its products through stores that it owns, predominantly LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Pearle Vision, Target Optical, and Glasses.com. It also owns EyeMed, one of the largest vision health insurance providers. In addition to licensing prescription and non-prescription sunglasses frames for many luxury and designer brands including Chanel, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Michael Kors, Coach, Miu Miu and Tory Burch, the Italian corporation further outright owns and manufactures Ray-Ban, Persol, Oliver Peoples, and Oakley. Luxottica's market power has allowed it to charge price markups of up to 1000%."

I think Zenni is owned by them too. But the price is right.

 

[AirNGasman]

I recall in the Fifties you could order those X-Ray Vision, See-Through-Clothing glasses from ads in comic books for only a buck. Man, inflation really hits HARD!

 

[boscoebrea]

I got 2 pairs of custom glasses for $300 ,I already had the exam ,I live in California so properly paid more

 

[rikkochet]

I live in the UK.
I've just had an eye test, no cost as I'm over 65.
Picked a frame, cost me £45 (around $60), but I will not have to pay for the lenses.

 

[Filnez]

Goggles4u.com is where I get mine from. My daughter told me about them a few years ago. Saved a whopping load of money. Yearly eye doctor appointment paid for by medical insurance, they give me the prescription and I can buy glasses anywhere. There are several popular places on the 'net to buy from, Goggles is just one, Zenni already mentioned is another. Huge prices at optical shops are unaffordable to most of us.

 

[Croxton63]

Costco is good value for eyeglasses. Additionally, they keep your prescription and order online. So if you have a repair/replacement need anywhere in the country they can help you.

 

[tommyb]

How can a scope or a pair of binoculars cost less than my new eye glasses? Today I spent over 5 C notes to get new prescription lenses put into my frames. There is one piece of plastic per lens in my glasses made with what I assume is a computer controlled lens cutter, and I would not be surprised if they are made in just a few minutes. Whereas a decent middle of the road scope has a milled air craft aluminum tube, multiple highly polished multi coated glass lenses, seals, nitrogen purging, tens to hundreds of tiny precision made parts, and who knows what else it takes to make a middle of the road scope. Really, I am just venting here. I know pretty much it is about the market place. But come on! If a scope can be made for that cheap, then why do I have to pay so dang much for eye glasses?

My wife and I both just had our annual eye exams. Both of us have progressive lenses with stigmatism's. After VSP insurance the ”out of pocket” costs were $1100, for just the lenses at Triangle Visions. We kept our old frames.

Looking forward to Cataract surgery in a few years.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Maybe your glasses were made in the usa in a high-tech shop with skilled people with all that wallpaper hanging and fancy equipment . not massed produced in a china back alley factory with Shanghaied employees at a bowl a rice a day .

 

[JimD]

I am convinced the reason for the high prices is the consortium Brooder98 mentions in the preceeding. When one party controls most of the market guess what happens to prices. I went to a place that advertises very low prices but when I got there they said "Oh, that is for people without insurance". I paid $600 if I remember right for a pair of glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses. The sunglasses are single vision, the eyeglasses are progressive. I am overdue to get my eyes checked and will in a few weeks. I plan to go to Walmart. I will at least try to get my prescription complete with pupil to pupil distance so I can try ordering on line. My daughter does it. The dramatic difference in price tells you something is up. But I might also buy may day to day glasses at Walmart and try ordering a pair of perscription sunglasses on line. I can see fine but my physician has started bugging me to get my eyes checked.

 

[cavedweller]

How can a scope or a pair of binoculars cost less than my new eye glasses? Today I spent over 5 C notes to get new prescription lenses put into my frames. There is one piece of plastic per lens in my glasses made with what I assume is a computer controlled lens cutter, and I would not be surprised if they are made in just a few minutes. Whereas a decent middle of the road scope has a milled air craft aluminum tube, multiple highly polished multi coated glass lenses, seals, nitrogen purging, tens to hundreds of tiny precision made parts, and who knows what else it takes to make a middle of the road scope. Really, I am just venting here. I know pretty much it is about the market place. But come on! If a scope can be made for that cheap, then why do I have to pay so dang much for eye glasses?

Your glasses are made for you (one off) the scopes and binoculars are mass produced. Then your glasses are also MUST haves and the others luxury items. Still shop around. New glasses from COSCO were $275 with the frame.

 

[Solo1]

Don’t feel bad i went for glasses and got an eyelash in my eye the eye doc charged me $100 to pick up a pair of tweezers and take it out!

 

[wimpanzee]

My wife has been getting very cheap prescription eyeglasses from here for a couple years now.

Affordable Glasses & Sunglasses from $6.95 | Zenni Optical

Looking for affordable glasses? We have you covered! Shop our range of high-quality prescription and non-RX frame styles from classic to trendy and save!

www.zennioptical.com

I see some others have mentioned Zenni as well. Decent stuff.