Gaming eyewear is glasses that are specifically marketed for those who stare at computer screens for countless hours each and every day. Instead of improving vision, these glasses simply help mitigate the negative effects of using screens. Whether or not these actually lend a hand when it comes to protecting vision against strain by making it easier to gaze at a display for extended periods of time is a debate best left to the experts, but many swear by said eyewear and I personally rely on them. Here are my thoughts on the HyperX Gaming Eyewear.
The magic behind the lens
Various features that can be found in computer glasses include anti-reflective coated lenses and even colored tinting. In the case of HyperX, we have a "crystal clear lens" design with blue light protection in mind. That's the important part, which is the major factor in shielding the eyes. Prolonged exposure to blue light can have a harmful impact on the retina, which is responsible for converting light rays into impulses that head to the brain.
As an added bonus, there's also a coating to repel water, oil, and dust. This may not sound like such a big deal, but when such particles hit the lens, it can cause issues with vision. The last thing you want to have is the task of wiping lenses every hour.
The lenses themselves are created using a premium material called MR-8, which offers the following:
The best balanced high index lens material with the largest share of the R.I. 1.60 lens material market. MR-8 is suited to any strength ophthalmic lens and is a new standard in ophthalmic lens material.
What the MR-8 brings to the table is better efficiency at minimizing color distortion compared to that found in lower index lenses like glass, polycarbonate, and CR-39. What sets HyperX's offering apart from more popular competing products is the lack of a yellow tint. Rocking clear lenses make the company's specs excellent to wear during media consumption and gaming where colors are not masked before hitting the eyes.
Unfortunately, the company is not yet releasing any details on Rx prescription support. Plans are in the pipework, however, as noted in the FAQ; "we are working hard to provide them as soon as possible." For anyone with decent enough vision (20/20 will do nicely), these glasses will be absolutely fine, but everyone else will need to hold off for now or pick up a pair from another company that can cater to personal requirements.
HyperX quality
If you've used HyperX products you already know about the quality of their hardware. The new eyewear is no different and is extremely comfortable to use, even for extended periods of time. The company hasn't sacrificed on performance to make an attractive pair of specs either. After spending a few days with the pair we received, I experienced no eye strain after wearing them while looking at a monitor, tablet or phone throughout the day.
The frame itself resembles that of a traditional pair of glasses, rather than something more aggressively designed for gaming. This plays into how comfortable the specs are to wear. There's very little in the way of flex with the frame and overall construct being more than sturdy enough. Spring hinges are present for quick release and folding of the temples, and they feel high enough quality to last for some time.
It's lightweight too. One downside to the construct is how the nose pads are integrated into the frame and cannot be adjusted. This can be viewed as a positive by those who don't manipulate them and would rather have something less difficult to keep clean. Lastly, something worth noting is that the HyperX Gaming Eyewear lenses are not polarized but do provide UVA/B 400 protection.
Bundled in the packaging alongside the glasses is a protective bag, as well as a hard case — everything you need to take them along for the ride to LAN events.
Looking through the glass
Are the HyperX Gaming Eyewear worth picking up? Absolutely, especially if you find such lenses to help in keeping your eyes in top condition. Personally, I found them to offer similar levels of protection against harmful rays as Gunnar specs, but without the yellow tint present on my other pair of computer glasses. They're comfortable to use, even after some hours, and should last for a long time (so long as proper care is employed).
For $100, the eyewear isn't affordable by any means, but the investment is well worth it when health is affected. Availability officially only includes the U.S. for the time being.
