posts/polarizer-glasses/

[utterances-bot]

Polarizer Glasses for Outdoor Computing

I built some variable angle polarizer glasses based on camera optics!

https://mgsloan.com/posts/polarizer-glasses/

[mgsloan]

Note: Ability to comment was added after this was posted!

[echim]

This is cool, what's the weight of these ?

[mgsloan]

@echim 72 grams. Glad you find these interesting!

[oalx]

great idea! Ive been looking to figure this problem out as well. Do you have an update to adapting a pair of glasses you mentioned at the bottom? I put in an order for the closest product I could find to this

Ive been thinking to adapt this guy's ideas and mix with yours, heres the idea: Pop out the lenses of a round pair of glasses; Epoxy into the frame a set of 49mm UV filters (maybe make an adaptive shim as needed); Mount the polarizers as you did

I wanted to know your thoughts after using what you made though:

I can comfortably use the computer monitor while facing roughly in the direction of the sun.

1. To clarify, is this when the sun is reflecting off of the screen? How well do these hold up to screen glare as compared to a screen cover? This is my main concern as my work laptop has so little light output, and I think I got some retinal burn by trying.

2. did you say 72 grams? I cant fathom those being comfortable over time, are they? Im betting a 49 mm dia setup will only make a marginal difference. I already avoid my current 26g glasses. Could remove the UV lens to cut down weight i guess... wish they made a combo filter/polarizer.

From your initial inspiration:

I went to a Lens Crafters store when they weren't busy, brought my laptop, and spoke with the tech directly as he setup the lens making machine.

Fom my alternative inspiration

I found some round polarized sunglasses on Amazon that have lenses that can be rotated. It's not an advertised feature, but one reviewer said he was able to do it

3. Sounds like these two are the only viable options. Back up to question 1: Knowing how your makeshift pair works, would you say either of these options are worth it?

[mgsloan]

Do you have an update to adapting a pair of glasses you mentioned at the bottom? I put in an order for the closest product I could find to this

Yes! I really should have updated the post, they do actually work surprisingly well! You just take off the non rotating polarizers. The polarizers with gear teeth can be pressed to unmesh them with the adjustment gear, allowing the angles to be decoupled. I don't use them because they are pretty narrow on my face and the lenses are also much smaller than the optics I used, and so much of my peripheral vision can still receive glare. The distance between the center of the frames seems to be about 70mm, so if your interpupillary distance is less than that they could work decently.

To clarify, is this when the sun is reflecting off of the screen? How well do these hold up to screen glare as compared to a screen cover? This is my main concern as my work laptop has so little light output, and I think I got some retinal burn by trying.

Sun actively reflecting off the screen doesn't work well. Sunlight is very bright. Something like 68000 lux / 3.14 = ~21000 nits, whereas most laptop screens are < 500 nits. So, the purpose of the glasses is instead to dim the glare from the sunlight bouncing off things in my peripheral vision.

did you say 72 grams? I cant fathom those being comfortable over time, are they?

I find them ok for an hour or two, but yeah comfort isn't great, especially on the ears. I suspect more padding would help. If you find 26g too heavy then yeah probably go with another approach!

Sounds like these two are the only viable options. Back up to question 1: Knowing how your makeshift pair works, would you say either of these options are worth it?

I'd say that it could be worth it if you are looking for an incremental improvement in your outdoor computer setup, but it isn't a game changer that unlocks outdoor computing - you still need to consider the position of the sun / typically make use of some source of shade. It only reduces the luminance of the glare by about half. These days I usually only wear my polarizer glasses for supine setups where the sky is behind my screen (and this mitigates the weight problem too!).

[mgsloan]

Updated the post with more info about the adjustable dial sunglasses.

[oalx]

Wow, quick response! thanks for all of the detail. Ill keep all of this in mind for the near future.