Editor's Review: Oakley SI Ballistic Det-Cord

I have come to the conclusion that people view their eyewear just about the same way they view their watch, knife, gun, etc.: They are very particular, usually find that ONE that they like and they remain dedicated to it even in the face of proof that there might be something else that better suits their purposes.  As an example of what I mean I cite the folks who will never carry anything other than a government model 1911 pistol; the people who will never ride anything other than a Harley Davidson; those who will never carry any folding knife except an Emerson.  You know the folks I’m talking about… and it’s not a bad thing, that dedication.  That said, there is quite often more than one tool that suits your need.  Where protective eyewear is concerned, Oakley makes quite a collection, any one of which might suit your need.  The Ballistic Det-Cord is one such example.

Being completely practical about it, not taking fashion or aesthetics into consideration, what does a pair of protective eyewear really need to do?

The short answer is, “protect your eyes.”  That’s a two part answer though when you think about it.  They need to protect your eyes from bright light AND they need to protect your eyes from physical harm. Almost all sunglasses will protect your eyes from bright light (although some do a far better job based on what they filter and what they don’t), not all of them protect your eyes from damage.  Of those that do protect from damage, some do a better job than others.  Of those that do a better job, some are compatible with other equipment and some aren’t.

In the category of “does a good job filtering light, protects from damage well and works well with other equipment (such as helmets and communications gear),” the Oakley Standard Issue (SI) Ballistic Det-Cord protective eyewear that I tested did well.  Now, the caveat I always have to include:  I’m not a vision laboratory; I don’t have the equipment to test what light is and isn’t filtered, the clarity of the lenses, etc.  For such information I have to depend on the information published by the manufacturer.  According to the Oakley SI website, the SI Ballistic Det-Cord is “fully compliant with te ballistic and optical standards of MIL PRF32432 and ANSI Z87.1 (2010).”  “The SI Ballistic Det Cord is also ‘fully equipped’ with its anti-fog coating, comms compatible ear stems, and rubberized unobtanium nosepiece.”

I could list out all of the specifications for MIL PRF32432 and ANSI Z87.1(2010) but the list probably wouldn’t mean much to you all either.  Essentially the SI Ballistic Det Cord protective eyewear is rated to keep out the light we don’t want hitting our eyes and have been tested to an acceptable level (by military standard) of impact resistance.  As you recall from above, those are the two things we require from such eyewear.  That’s all well and good, but if they’re uncomfortable or just look plain goofy the people wouldn’t tend to wear them much anyway, right? And if you don’t wear them you can’t benefit from the protection offered, SO…

I had to wear them for both day to day activities and to the range.  For the day to day wear testing I chose the gray lenses in matte black frames.  After a couple of weeks of daily wear for driving, hikes, etc. I felt they were comfortable enough. Having worn glasses to correct my nearsightedness all of my adult life (and then some), I tend to find ALL glasses to be a slight annoyance.  If I can put in my contacts and not HAVE to have glasses of any kind on, that’s my preference.  Unfortunately, on bright days and at the range, some kind of vision protection is required.  When required, the SI Ballistic Det Cord protective eyewear was comfortable.  That “rubberized unobtanium nosepiece” kept them from sliding down the bridge of my nose even while engaged in vigorous activity.  The wide ear stems, which I expected to be noticeable and/or uncomfortable, weren’t either.  And although there’s no curve to the stem behind the ear, the fit is snug enough that I didn’t observe any motion or movement during the previously mentioned vigorous activity.

On the range I used the SI Ballistic Det Cord protective eyewear with Oakley’s prism lenses.  (See this article for a review of the vision benefits you get with the prism lenses.)  On the one hand, I was concerned about the reduced amount of peripheral vision with the SI Ballistic Det Cords. On the other hand, those wide ear stems provided excellent side protection from any incoming shrapnel, dust, carbon bits, etc.  The reduced peripheral vision MAY be of concern to some folks in operational settings but, except in very specific circumstances, I don’t see it as a big issue.  The eyewear is comfortable, functional and relatively stylish.

For more information, check out the Oakley website for the SI Ballistic Det Cord.  Whether you choose this particular type of eyewear or something else, make sure you wear proper protective equipment while shooting.

Stay safe!