So many are "mesmerized" by the opportunity to own a "custom" pair of X-Metals (or other "custom" Oakleys, for that matter)... Yet, there remain issues which are not brought to the forefront.

Disclaimer: Some people may not like what I have to say. That is too bad. I am not "bashing" anyone; I am merely making factual, emotionless statements. If you are offended, that's not my fault. Nor is it my problem. I don't usually have much to say, but when I do have something to say it is very purposeful and meaningful. Nevertheless, people may do whatever they wish with their money. I only wish to educate and bring important issues to the attention of some so that informed decisions may be made. Once again, in the end, you may do whatever you wish. As for me and my house, we shall side with Oakley.

Several major issues need to be carefully considered when obtaining a pair of "custom" Oakleys. While the overwhelming majority (I believe, anyway) of us are here for the love of the O, there are still some who suffer greatly from a bad case of myopia (nearsightedness, for those inclined to inquire). After all, why do we love Oakley? For almost all, that can be summed up in two words - Oakley's motto, in fact: "art" and "science".

Consider the first issue: art. All of us would probably unanimously concur that most (or all) custom X-Metals are art. Why? Because they are Oakleys - with custom color schemes... or are they really? Let's take a closer look.

Most "custom" Oakleys are made with 100% Oakley materials. This translates into the best possible durability, but does NOT necessarily mean you're getting the best optical quality. In fact, you're not. But we'll touch on that issue later. For now, let's focus on the materials themselves.

For most collectors, the customization offered by these custom-cut lenses is a dream regarding the concept of art. After all, where else could one obtain a pair of G26 Juliets or Pennys? Or what about a pair of +Red Juliets? Simply amazing in the category of art. But then we consider the importance of functionality: science.

Recently I obtained my first pair of "custom" (that is, lenses that were not cut by Oakley) X-Metals: a pair of Titanium/G26 Pennys. While the glasses themselves are simply beautiful (some of my favorites, no question), the optics are HORRENDOUS. Make no mistake, the refractive properties of the lenses are in no way, shape, or form even CLOSE to what Oakley intended. That's because the curvature of the lenses do not match their "genuine, Oakley custom-cut" counterpart. Now this does not apply to, say, Juliet lenses that are swapped from one frame to another - what I'm referring to here, specifically, are those lenses that are "custom cut" from another Oakley lens (i.e., G26 Penny lenses cut from a G26 M-Frame lens).

Fortunately, most of my "customs" were actually done by Oakley Rx, so the refractive properties of the lenses remain intact. It was with reservation that I added the G26 "custom-cut" Pennys to my collection. And again, while they are 100% genuine Oakley materials and are truly astounding, I am more than disappointed in their poor optical quality.

And there is more... Again, we are here for one purpose and one purpose only: Oakley. I do not see (and do not hope to see) reviews here about Killer Loop, Rayban, or Revos. Yet there are those of us who rush out to purchase FAKE "custom-cut" Oakley lenses. Liquid Metal? Ghost Red? Violet? Is this some kind of a sick joke? That is NOT Oakley. We might as well start custom cutting lenses from Raybans and inserting them into Oakley frames. That is tantamount to pure desecration and total disrespect for the brand that we all love. I'm just not a big fan of some "Frankenstein-job" glasses, and certainly would never add anything to the collection that is not 100% Oakley product. The bottom line is this: it is either 100% Oakley, or it is NOT Oakley!!!

Again, anyone may do whatever they want, and their own decisions determine their outcome. I do feel, however, that it is necessary for us to consider all aspects of "custom" eyewear and to be properly informed prior to making a purchase.

its funny how you said you're not bashing on anyone here but didnt you just call our custom glasses "FRANKENSTEIN JOBS" since they are non Oakley lenses? Do yourself a favor man. Whatever your issues are regarding his product, you should just keep it to yourself. Venting your dissatisfaction on whatever it is you guys dealt over on ebay through forums such as this, and BASHING on another member I might add on this awesome website I believe is a really good way to get yourself banned. I know the story behind this brother so save it. This is really not your issue

While some may agree or disagree, I don't see that as emotionless. I personally use Oakley source products in my customs, but if others want to get unique lenses, then that's up to them. Despite opinions, I hardly see them as Frankenstein lenses. They're professionally cut and a lot cleaner than the cuts I end up with when dealing with a source lens. True the optics may be off on any custom, but we don't all have the resources to Rx our customs, so this is an alternative should people pursue it. If you have some issues behind the scenes, it may be best to resolve them there.

Without taking sides on this issue, I'm not sure why it's even pertinent. Buy what you like, customize what you want or just collect "stock" colorways. To each their own.... On a side note, if you want to sell those G26 Pennys, pm me...... I'd love to add them to my collection.

In my opinion all the people who make their own customs have a choice whether to take genuine Oakley lenses or not. Some guys make those pieces for their collection only and are happy about it. Why should we judge them not using always original parts?

while TERRORISM's statement may not be emotionless and just stating facts, i'm afraid i'll have to agree on certain points. personally, i don't think i'll ever put non-Oakley lenses into my Oakleys; it's just personal preference and it's the way i am... just 100% Oakley. i'm on the fence on the topic of custom cutting Oakley lenses for Oakley frames. While lenses remain 100% Oakley, the optical quality will be lost if you try to fit a toric lens into a frame that was originally meant to fit cylindrical lenses. i wouldn't wear any of these customs since my eyesight is bad enough, but i agree it's nice to display these customs in the collection.

I personally think that is up to each individual what they want to do with there collection and it is no one elses business. I know alot of people don't wear several of there pieces in there collection. I am on the other end of that, if I have it I am gonna wear it at some point. I have had a few different pieces chopped(all from mframes) and love them all! I am gonna visit the rolling o lab on thursday and I am gonna see if they can test a couple of them. I love monster dogs and juliets and I have yet to run into a problem with any distortion with any of them. My romeo 1 is a little funny but that is it. I will post what I find out after I test them. I think that it is cool to add whatever they want to there collection. I have a liquid metal for a pair of dogs and I really like them. The quality is there and the look is top notch. Just my thoughts on the matter.

With such a long posting, it would've been nice if there was something we didn't already know. :o)

Anyway, thanks everyone for all your help (whether you like or dislike customs)!!! I think we certainly have differences in opinions, but let's not let our differences keep us from having fun, sharing useful information, and helping each other.

I cant say that I didnt see this coming...

anyway options are options and more options is always better.


And yes we are all entitled to our own opinions.

So I hope none bashes at me when I say that I personally think that other oakley products other than the glasses SUCK!

There will always be room for improvement... Lets give it the benefit of doubt.

Not to be a jerk,but that is about the dumbest thing that I have ever heard anyone EVER say! Have you ever checked out a Timebomb or Timetank just to name a couple. You could not be anymore WRONG with that statement and I think you are by yourself on that thought.

Like I said... We have our own opinions..

Well im a big fan of watches so is my dad and most of the people around me.I got an Omega contellation for my HS grad gift ?(I know it isnt much but its a mid range watch)

If you knew better youd look like a clown wearing a battery operated (quartz) watch beside someon wearing something an Omega or better yet a Patek.

see what i mean?

hey mars, lets not forget that you are in O-review. O stands for Oakley and this is a website for Oakley lovers. You just bashed on the one brand everybody here loves and what this website is about. This might not be a smart thing to say here. Yes everyone is entitled to their own opinions but when it comes to saying something bad about Oakley in general, its best that you keep that to yourself much like what I adviced Nike. Statements like that will upset majority of the members here so pls watch it.

first of all, chill out. even though you may not mean it, your rant is making you sound like some sort of Oakley elitist. Saying your customs are RXed is basically saying..."my customs are better than yours". Stop, take a step back, and reflect. Making something custom is just that...it is customized to someone's personal liking. Oakley product or not. Everyone can choose what they want, that doesn' mean the product is any less because its not all oakley. It's with cars, people can buy a rolls royce and still buy aftermarket custom parts.

As my dad always say.

"If its not Automatic Its not a watch... so get that toy off your wrist"

Some people are not after the brand... Quality is Quality.

oakley watches may not be the cream of the crop, but they don't suck either. there are plenty of watches out there that suck. oakley watches do not. now, is someone who wants a classic, timeless, ultra high grade watch gonna rush to oakley to buy a time tank? probably not, but thats not taking away anything from oakley watches.

well said Victor and Mars keep up the bashing, dont be surprised when you log on one time and it wont let you anymore cause you probably got yourself banned. The Timebomb is an automatic and not battery. So maybe your dad will like it

If you knew better youd look like a clown wearing a battery operated (quartz) watch beside someon wearing something an Omega or better yet a Patek.

see what i mean?

Maybe to someone to someone so shallow that their entire personality resides in a clock on their wrist. I'm not sure what type of reaction you were looking to get by saying all Oakley products other than Sunglasses suck on the Oakley fanatic site but I'm guessing to meant to be inflamatory otherwise you would've kept that tidbit to yourself.

We are all here for the same reason.....we love the O and ANY O related products, whether manufactured by Oakley or by someone who is making an Oakley product better(like keystone corp).
I for that reason feel we need to show each other support and RESPECT. We can't forget that everyone is different and has different style tastes and we need to respect that about each other. There are many customs that I have seen that I do not like but I will respect the style of the individual who made them.
That's my 2 cents........time to make another drink!!!

Hahaha I really wasnt bashin.. I apoligize If I gave you that Impression.

Thanks for the info Chester! =P
Thanks for clearing that up for me victor.

I really just wanted to give an example that we all have opinions that other might not be agreeing with.

Its amazing how we all meet at one point when we really have different tastes.

For me its the glases that I adore!...
I rest may case about the other products.

cheers!!

oh and Mars Jim Jannard himself ( Oakley owner ) went on this website and gave us inside info about the upcoming release of the time tank before it even came out so for someone to talk down to it, might just hurt the owners feelings :-( and certainly not a good idea. But after all that has been said, much love to all lol! and enough bashing Oakley!! :-D

oke, man. i get your point..
oke i have in watches, gucci, cartier roadster.,philippe charriol cable braclet.. timebomb, d1,crush

i used to wear my cartier everyday.....
but since the clasp got damage, and i don't have the rush to fix it, since i already bought a new leather band. $300.
i started to wear my tiem bomb back, and still is on my hand.

oakley has a lot of gr8 products and some with defects, or not as best as other brands.
oakley's main focus is glasses.
so they would beat every one in there.

my next watch will be a time tank.

and yes you are on a site that loves ,worship oakley.
so in my opinion be critic but not annoying. give respect to get respect.

and if you have a custom if the lens is oakley or not or factory or chopped.
if you love it.. that is all that matters..

my opinion

It's all about your preference. I chop, others choose not to. It's like an automobile...Lamborghini is probably on of the finest vehicles in the world in many aspects: They are beautiful, hands down, the engines purr like no other, they are wicked fast, DEMAND ATTENTION (LIKE OAKLEY), and are quite a bit more costly than the average auto...But, does that mean you can't customize them by changing the wheels, or how about a better stereo? Do some make them perform even better than originally engineered? Yeah, hell yeah they do. So what's the beef? Do they use Lambo Factory option parts? No, I don't even think outside of minor things, they offer options after production.

Nothing wrong with a mod here or there so long as it's all in good taste. That is the real point. Women augment their bodies, men build muscles, but none of them came that way...It's all perspective I guess, Oakley, Keystone, Me, You, who cares so long as you are passionate about your cause..Not to the extreme of a terrorist, but willing to express your opinion without harming another as they too have a passion and opinion...There is my $.25 cents, I spent a little more than usual HAHA...And David, I like your direction, nice lenses, smokin' colors, and good quality!!

Thanks Josh! I like Oakley lenses, and the correct base curvature at that. I just can't get any in different colors that are large enough to cut into different Oakley frames. I already tried getting Oakley uncuts, and they wanted to charge me full Rx price for plano uncut lenses, ouch!

"If its not Automatic Its not a watch... so get that toy off your wrist"

I usually stay out of this stuff but I had to chime in here. In my experience automatic watches tend to be less accurate that those with a (battery) quarts movement. While automatics are harder to make it doses not make them a better watch nor dose it make non automatic watches "toys". TT (or Minute Machine if you prefer) for instance is Swiss made, with 13 Jewel gold plated movement. It has a pure Safire crystal lens and a full titanium case and band. Not being automatic makes it more accurate at keeping time, not to mention the art of the TT blows any bland looking Omega out of the water. I could go on a fill rant about why Oakley timepieces are not perceived as excellent watches but I am holding back as this thread is off topic enough as it is.

Holy crap...what happened to this thread???!?! Fells like I'm on one of those tuner forums were you have stupid lil 16-19yr olds arguing how Honda is better then Toyota, vice versa, and which intake and sticker combo gives you the best 3hp gain...

I want the time back I spend on just reading thru the majority of the posts on this page...

Unless Keystone is now selling 'custom watches' shouldn't all this be in a seperate thread?