Originally designed for the Apache helicopter’s windshields, the new Rudy Project ImpactX-2 polyurethane lens material is virtually unbreakable, and it offers better, faster photo chromatic changes and prescription compatibility.
Compared to ImpactX, the new X-2 iteration’s photochromatic range is wider, letting them go clearer and darker on either end of the spectrum, and it reacts to UV light 25% faster than before. Another bonus to the new material is that it’s sensitive to light outside of the UV spectrum, letting it partially darken even behind windows, like when you’re driving. Fortunately, that doesn’t include the LED lights used for cycling in the dark, which means the clear-to-dark lenses will still work for night riding.
The new ImpactX-2 is available in clear to dark, clear to brown and clear to red, and the black and red are available in standard and mirrored “laser”, making five options total. Clear to dark originals went from 18% to 78%, the new ImpactX-2 changes from 9% to 74%.
It’s available on a wide range of their cycling and sport models, including the Rydon, Agon, Proflow, Noyz and Genetyk.
In addition to working better and faster, the new photochromatics claim to be 20% more temperature stable, so they’ll work better when it’s really cold out. The pigments incorporate new filters that block invisible portions of the spectrum to reduce eye fatigue and enhance the visible parts to improve contrast.
As for prescriptions, they’re able to accommodate most corrective levels on many of their models, and it’s all custom cut on the actual lens, so there’s no secondary eyeglass lens between your sunglasses and eyes. They can even do no-line bifocals and progressive lenses.