Nov 29, 2024 BY Luke Rees (Original review: https://awe365.com/cylindrical-vs-toric-ski-goggles-panda-optics-dual-vision-review)
As a snowboarder, I’m always on the lookout for gear that enhances my experience on the slopes. In this Panda Optics Dual Vision review, I’ll share how these goggles stand out for performance and style. Furthermore, I directly compare cylindrical vs toric ski goggles and discuss how these lens types differ.
The first unique thing about these Panda goggles is that the same frames can hold either a cylindrical or toric polarised lenses. I have owned both and liked both, but have never been able to test both in the same frame. As a bit of a geek, this excited me as I could do a proper ‘scientific’ like for like comparison.
The eight point magnetic attachment system makes switching lenses on the go easy. Every pair sold comes with either cylindrical or toric lens, plus a low light yellow lens so you can still get out on the slopes when the visibility is poor.
Spherical Vs Cylindrical Vs Toric Ski Goggles
The traditional opinion is that cylindrical lenses are inferior to spherical ones. As toric is a type of spherical lens, I expected to see distortion in the cylindrical lens during this Panda Optics Dual Vision review. But my fully-scientific experiment gave some surprising results.
Before I get into the results lets talk about the different lens shapes:
What Are Cylindrical Lenses?
Cylindrical lenses are the original goggles. They curve horizontally around the face but remain flat vertically. This is the classic goggle look that was standard in ski and snowboard eyewear for many years.
While they provide adequate performance cylindrical lenses may have slight distortion at the edges due to the flat vertical design. However they are easier to make so are generally more affordable.
Advantages of Cylindrical Lenses
Cost-Effective: Cylindrical lenses are typically less expensive, making them a popular choice for beginners or casual skiers.
Lightweight: The simpler design often results in a lighter goggle, enhancing comfort during long days on the slopes.
Limitations of Cylindrical Lenses
Reduced Field of Vision: The flatter vertical curve slightly limits peripheral vision compared to toric or spherical lenses.
Glare Increases: The lack of a vertical curve can increase glare.
Edge Distortion: The edges may distort images slightly, which can impact depth perception.
What Are Spherical Lenses?
Spherical lenses curve both horizontally and vertically to maintain the same radius across their surface. This design closely mimics the curvature of the human eye, resulting in superior optical clarity and reduced distortion.
Due to the extensive curvature, spherical lenses are more expensive to make. They often appear larger and more bulbous compared to cylindrical lenses.
Advantages of Spherical Lenses
Exceptional Optical Clarity: The uniform curve minimises distortion, delivering a clearer and more accurate view.
Wide Field of Vision: The expansive lens design offers unparalleled peripheral vision, ideal for spotting terrain changes or obstacles.
Reduced Glare: The shape helps distribute light more evenly, reducing glare.
Limitations of Spherical Lenses
Cost: The advanced design makes spherical lenses one of the most expensive options on the market.
Bulky Appearance: Their larger profile does not looking as cool as the low-profile cylindrical design.
What Are Toric Ski Goggles?
Toric lenses are a recent innovation designed to more accurately mimic the natural curvature of the eye. They curve both horizontally and vertically with varying radii. The subtle shaping creates a hybrid between cylindrical and spherical lenses.
The theory is that it creates improved optics and eye comfort, whilst avoiding a bulbous profile. Unfortunately they are even more difficult to produce than standard spherical lenses.
Advantages of Toric Ski Goggles
Enhanced Optics: The dual curvature reduces distortion and improves clarity even further, and across the entire lens.
Wider Field of Vision: Toric lenses expand peripheral vision without adding bulk to the goggles.
Improved Aesthetics: The flatter shape combines style with the improved vision.
Limitations of Toric Ski Goggles
Cost: Toric goggles tend to be the most expensive due to their advanced design and manufacturing processes.
Heavier: Slightly more material is usually required to make toric goggles. So they slightly heavier than cylindrical options, though you shouldn’t notice the difference.
Cylindrical Vs Toric: My Scientific Test
During this Panda Optics Dual Vision review I set up two simple experiments to decide whether the toric or cylindrical lenses gave me a better view. In three different positions, towards the sun, away from the sun and the sun to the side, I did the following with both the cylindrical and toric lens:
Look ahead, note the clarity, glare and any distortion in looking long and short distances.
Pick a vertical object and move my head so it is at the far right of my goggles, just about still in my peripheral view. Then keeping my head still look as far left as possible and note the furthest thing I could make out, and the furthest thing I could see clearly.
Put the horizon at the top of the lens, just in my field of view. Then keeping my head still look down and noted the furthest thing I could make out and the furthest thing I could see clearly.
Cylindrical Vs Toric: Which is Best
What I noticed was that looking straight ahead there was no noticeable difference in the vision. There was no glare or distortion whichever position I was in in relation to the sun.
Looking to the extreme horizontally I did not notice a difference, in fact the field of view is so wide that my eyes didn’t reach the far edge of the lens. Looking at the extremes vertically I picked up very slightly more distortion in the cylindrical lens at the very edge of my field of view.
My conclusion is that the massive field of view in the Panda Dual Vision goggles, which is 20% more than most goggles, meant that any distortion was so minimal that the difference was negligible. Furthermore, with both lenses polarised there was no issue with glare with either the toric or the cylindrical lens.
So don’t worry about performance difference in lens types – both are great.
Panda Optics Dual Vision Review
Beyond my little toric vs cylindrical lens experiment I have worn the Panda goggles for around 25 days. This included bright sunny days, overcast days and in complete white outs. From exploring nine ski areas in nine days of snowboarding in Austria to a backcountry adventure in Turkey they’re my go to eyewear.
Here is what I have loved during this review of Panda Optics Dual Vision ski goggles.
What a View!
The Panda Dual Vision minimizes the gap between the edge of the frame and the visible lens to just 2mm. Goggles typically have up to 10mm of dead space and this market leading innovation by Panda gives a 20% larger field of view.
This was noticeable during my experiment, with my eyes rather than the equipment being the limiting factor. It is especially useful on the slopes, as peripheral awareness can make all the difference when avoiding obstacles and other slope users.
Older/smaller goggles can feel a little like looking through a tunnel. During this Panda Optics Dual Vision review it was more like watching a huge HD TV rather than one of the comparatively tiny TVs I grew up with.
The hot pink and blue lenses both allow a similar amount of light to pass through. Although they have a different tint. The hot pink toric lens gives a blue/green tinge which I slightly prefer in bright light. While the blue spherical lens has a slightly pink tint that I prefer in overcast conditions.
But both lenses are very good all rounders, there only weakness being low light. Which is where the maize yellow low light HD lens comes in. I have used it in a full on whiteout and at night, and found it enhances the light so that details stand out better than I would expect.
Comfort, Durability and Practicability
Snowboarding often involves rough spills, at least for me anyway! With stiffer TPU frames these goggles are more rigid than some, which means the lenses don’t pop out during crashes.
Despite the increased rigidity, the Panda goggles are very comfortable. The three-layer foam cushioning with a fleece finish meant I never felt any discomfort or pressure points.
Fogging is a common complaint you’ll hear, but the Guma® anti-fog technology performed admirably. They stayed clear during snowstorms, in deep pow and through more face plants than I care to admit. The only time they steamed up was during some very sweaty snowshoe ascents in Turkey (so I switched to sunglasses).
As with most ski goggles they are helmet-compatible. The adjustable strap has silicone grips to keep them secure no matter what.
Review of Panda Optics Dual Vision Goggles: Conclusion
At £160, the Panda Optics Dual Vision goggles are not cheap. But with goggle prices hitting £350 they are far from the most expensive on the market.
Ultimately they are worth paying for because if you can’t see you can’t ski or snowboard. The Panda googles versatility and innovations mean you will see more whatever the conditions. Which improves your day on the slopes so is money well spent.
Whether you’re carving the piste, playing in the park, or powering through powder in the trees, these goggles help you see more. I recommend the Panda Optics Dual Vision to slightly more serious snowboarders and skiers who put performance above price, but who still want good value for their spend.
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