Hi-
I am about to buy a pair of action optics i think, but would like to hear about people’s experiences with their warranty. Is it like no questions asked, or do they only help you out in some certain situations?
Also, which would you recommend, photocromic copper or photocromic brown?
Thanks.
Sorry, can’t help you on this one. We both have had their top of the line glasses for many years, but have not had any reason to try the warranty. Probably a good thing I guess.
Oh, and they are going on eight years as a sponsor supporting FAOL. 
RCream,
I like mine a lot, never had a problem so can’t tell you about a warranty. I have a pair of mariposa’s, one of the few models that can be groundt to prescription lenses. Mine are dark brown (not photochrome) for flats fishing they pick up contrast very well, but it’s in very very bright light. My sense was that the photochrome wouldn’t be dark enough for down there.
I’ve spoken to a woman there over the phone a number of times and she was always very helpful named Janet Bagely in Idaho at 800 654-6428. If she’s still there I’m sure she could recommend a good color and provide upside/downside of photochrom for your needs.
Hoope this helps,
Peregrines
My wife and I have 4 pairs of Action Options glasses. On one pair, a hinge cracked on a 4 year old pair. Probably operator error and not defective. I sent them in for repair. Instead of an estimate for repair cost, I received a new pair in the mail a week and half later.
I prefer photo copper for streamside work or other areas where there may be light and shade at the same time and photo brown for wide open spaces, flats, ocean, etc. I would be happy with either for all around usage.
I had a set that was pretty new (a couple of months), fall off of my hat when I was bent over un-hooking a fish (Stupid me, no Chums on them and I had just placed them up on my hat above the bill) and crack both lenses on a rock when they fell. Couldn’t believe it, it got both lenses, just my rotten luck.
I sent them in and fessed up. While it was no fault of Smith Action Optics, they replaced the lenses for a fraction of the cost of a new set. I can’t remember the exact amount, but I remember that it was a very good deal for me. I think they are a service-oriented, customer satisfaction type company, and warranty will be as they state, and they won’t BS or try to wiggle out of actual issues that are associated with their product.
I will not hesitate to by Smith Action Optics glasses again. I have both the photo Copper and photo Amber lenses and find they cover all situations I have been in. Amber is better on overcast and dark light conditions as it has a better light transmission, but if the sun is in full go, the Copper are better.
thanks folks,
As far as lens color, the main thing I am concerned about is light transmission. I am opting for the photo copper because they say it gives good definition and reduces eye strain, but its light transmission only goes up to 25% I think, while the photo brown maxes out at 40% Just worried that if i get the copper, I might have to take them off for dawn and dusk. What do you think?
I use my photo copper lenses for dawn to dusk as well as overcast days. I usually wear them from sunup to sundown.
I find my photo copper to be as bright as I would want for a bright day, yet still light enough for low light conditions. For me, this is the best compromise for a single pair of glasses for all around usage.
I have a pair. Have had them for about 8yrs now. The lenses got very scratched up so I bought a different pair and wore them. Some mentioned to me to send them back. The fact that the main plant is 20 minutes away from me, I gave them a call and told them what my problem was. I sent them back with a $30. check and they sent me a brand new pair. WAHOO! gotta love it!
hmmm the warrenty sounds like its no problem, I just cant decide which lens color.
Call and ask them? Tell them exactly what you are going to use them for.
Good points all. My take on AOs are the are superb glasses. So good, in fact, that I picked up two or three pairs from ebay when they wouldn’t help me with broken frames. To explain a bit I like the pilot style frames, preferrably Tortoise and in the standard AO Brown but the frames cracked at the top unexplainably a year or so after I got them. I called and found they couldn’t repair or replace as they, like so many of the glasses folks, keep switching frames and models thereby leaving some of us out in the cold. Were I them, I would have at least kept track of who is making that frame still and passed that alone. The style in my case is very popular still among many other glasses and frame makers.
I may give them another call as I was one of their best salesmen for a few years there, while working with fly shops and on the stream.
I have the Guides Choice in photo copper, I where them all day until dark and have no problem with the glasses getting to dark in the evening. I have had them for 2 years and would’nt trade them for anything! Can’t help you with the warranty, I treat them like gold and have not had any problems.
That is weird, mine being 6 years old, was no longer in production either. She told me this over the phone, then said they would replace with something as close to that frame as possible. Personally I can’t see any difference, but I don’t have the old ones to compare them to. Mine are the Tortoise frame also with Bronze/brown lenses.
AO replaced my glasses with a newer model when the previous one was discontinued too.