If any one has heard and you are allowed to say, are the Ti Whisker and Square Wires gonna be available any time soon? Are they available already and not listed on the site?
Thanks

Good question, I've been wanting a pair of both myself and have been looking forward to the Ti Square Wires being released. The Ti Whiskers are available as far as I know, they're listed on oakley.com:

http://oakley.com/pd/3477

TiTANIUM SQUARE WIRE

12-922 Pewter Black Iridium Polar 339,00
12-923 Polished Black Vr 28 black Iridium Polar 339,00
12-924 Olive Chrome Tungsten Iridium Polar 339,00
-
TiTANIUM WHISKER

- 12-925 Brown Chrome VR28 Black Ir. Polar 335,00
12-926 Brushed Chrome Tungsten Ir. Polar 335,00
12-927 Pewter Black Ir. Polarized 335,00

Should be out by the end of the month

I can't be the only one who hates that the Ti frames typically only come with polarized lenses. The Square Wire and Whisker are two of my favorites, but I can't wear the stock Ti versions. Bah!

/ I know, call the whaaambulance
// Will buy and wear them regardless
/// Will walk into shit on a regular basis whilst doing so

The Square Wire version are nice since they've got spring hinges; sadly, Oakley failed to include spring hinges on the Whiskers, so I'm not even interested in a pair. For the price Oakley charges, spring hinges should be standard on all wire frames.

Oakley failed to include spring hinges on the Whiskers, so I'm not even interested in a pair.

I don't think they failed to do so. The frame is uber light for the non-Titanium version and they have a nice flex to the frame.

and there are a lot of people that hate spring hinges.

I for example... It feels as if springe hinge models fit less snug. I were very happy that the've made the crosshair without them.

UK info here

http://web.mac.com/rogerbyrne/iWeb/OAKLEYUNDERGROUND/News/3283CBBD-8E63-4A22-A0C3-F6C4007278C3.html

Whether the frame is lightweight or not does not at all compensate for the fact that there are no spring hinges. Some people "hate" spring hinges? That's not me; I hate wire frames that do not have spring hinges. Therefore, in my opinion, yes, Oakley failed in this particular endeavor. It is a proven fact that spring hinges are likely to increase the durability of a frame considerably - by as much as 80%. Within that context, I consider it a failure of great magnitude to "not" include spring hinges on a wire frame. If there are a number of people who dislike spring hinges, perhaps Oakley should do two different versions: one with and one without. I see this as more of a measure to create glasses that have less durability and therefore wear out more quickly... and consumers would then purchase more glasses (as replacements). I have a problem with that and think that Oakley could have easily done a version with spring hinges (as well as without) and allowed the consumers to make the ultimate decision on which version would be better.

It is a proven fact that spring hinges are likely to increase the durability of a frame considerably - by as much as 80%. Within that context,

Where did you get that fact? An actual fact is that frames that have/had spring hinges for Oakley such as A wire 2.0, C wire, and E wire 2.0 and 2.1, (and their TI counter parts) did not sell as well as the frames with out spring hinges. (the exception being SQ wire 2.0 and Big SQ wire, which is why the new SQ as well as their TI counter part have them)

I see this as more of a measure to create glasses that have less durability and therefore wear out more quickly... and consumers would then purchase more glasses (as replacements).

Your kidding right, having a spring hinge means more moving parts, more moving parts mean more to break. I have seen more problems from sunglasses with spring hinges than those without.

Hey, I have a great idea... let's argue about it! Guess what? In my opinion, it was still a great failure that Oakley did not include spring hinges on all of their wire-frame models. Period. And no, I'm not kidding.

I am still interested to know where you got your fact about spring hinges.

In my opinion, it was still a great failure that Oakley did not include spring hinges on all of their wire-frame models. Period.

Well we all know what the say about opinions.

In fact, the one pair of non-spring hinged wire frames in my collection (T-Wire 2.0) have only been worn a handful of times. I have already noticed that the frames have "bent" due to the lack of spring hinges, while all of my other wire-frame Oakleys do not have bent frames - and the T-Wire 2.0 are titanium, which are supposed to be far more durable material than the standard C-5 alloy. Proof? I need no more.

Here's my challenge for you: prove that spring hinges do "not" increase the durability of a frame.

I don't rem E-Wire 2.0 having spring hinges. And that was why it was surpassed by the Square Wire 2.0 SH. I rem the EW2.0 clamping like a vice. Yeah, I am interested in where that fact came from too. I've never read/heard it in any of my years of selling glasses. And I can recall more spring breaking in the little mechanism than plain hinges on other brands I've serviced.

As far as you T-Wire 2.0 go TERRORISM, the frames are made to be adjusted when need, so the metal bends. And with smaller frames, at times they need to be widened. And Ti is not necessarliy more durable when it's that thin, just lighter. I rem when the first T-Wire came out and the store I saw it at had a pair with a huge kink in the stem from bending it so easily. It's a strength to weight thing.

But I'll say that a spring hinge most likely increases the durability of the frame overall, but I don't see a non-spring hinge detracting from it either. It's all in how you wear it, treat it and adjust depending on the size of the head.

opinions are opinions and one is entitled to them, but without a need to be so defensive about it...

that said, i have a ton of Wires and with my experience i've never had any problems with them being Spring Hinged or not... all of them seem very durable to me. i've had most of them adjusted to fit me by my optician so maybe that's why i never had any unusual flexing or stress on the frames, or maybe i obsessively take care of them, so that's why i never had problems with them.

i have both Whiskers and New Square Wire and both are very comfortable to wear. like some other members mentioned, the lack of Spring Hinges on the Whiskers didn't distract me from buying a pair (or three) as they're super light (especially the Titanium versions) and offer a surprising flex and adjustment.

It's amazing how no one can mention anything that is not 100.00% supportive in every way, shape, and form of Oakley without being ostracized. I simply do not like the fact that Oakley continues to create wire frames that do not have spring hinges. I call it a failure and BAM! Here comes the calvalry. I love Oakley just as much as anyone else, and have no need to prove this to anyone. It's simply a matter of fact that from my personal experience that the spring hinges are far more durable for wire frames. I do not need to engage in an argument over this issue, because it is firsthand experience - that's all. I'm sure everyone at one time or another has had a disappointment with an Oakley product, and for me this is one of the few. Apparently I have no right to address this issue on a thread that specifically discusses the product (wire frames).

Of course everyone one here has had their own "failure" with an O product. I think they keep failing to make the perfect day pack or messnger bag. But it's all opinion. hey didn't fail everyone, they failed me. The wires weren't a failure, because they sell well, but they failed you. My first comment wasn't to incite any arguements, and I don't see this as such. It's just discussion. One reason why we're here. To discuss Oakley. It's a review site, so it's based on opinions. Address any issue you want and go with it. Don't make it or take it personal. Everyone here is going to come back with a different threory or idea.

Please do not get so defensive about something so trivial.
We are all entitled to our own opinion, but trying to force it upon others or openly saying "I have a great idea... let's argue about it!" will only upset others needlessly.

We are all here for the same reason, so lets try to respect each other and get along.

Thanks.

No need to get up in arms. Simply stating that you found spring hinges to be more reliable would have been fine. Saying it's a failure on Oakley's part or a con to get products to wear out faster can only stir up trouble, and there's no need for that. It's a pair of glasses, not a lightbulb.

I think I can kinda relate to some of what TERRORISM is saying. I have had a pair of SH SW 2.0's for 6 years now and the spring hinges have allowed them to put up with a helluva lot of abuse. When wearing them I dont take them off when I go in doors or want to put my RXs on. I just wrap them right round to the back of my head. Something which the SH accomodates remarkably well. In that 6 years I have gone through about 3 pairs of normal hinged titanium framed glasses (admittedly not Oakley). I usually remove them from my face one handed and after about 18 months the side I grab them on when removing them usually suffers some sort of hinge failure. (now I have a pair of Chop Top 2.0s so hopefully wont be happening again any time soon).

With regards to built in failures, I think that may be a little off (just my opinion though) but I can understand why it was said. As far as I know though, the whole reasoning behind the whisker is the flexy frame. I know this is taking it to extremes but it is a bit like asking for a spring hinge on a silhouette. The whole arm acts as the spring.

Very well then, carry on! ;-)

LOL, see William, that's where you went wrong!
:P
taking glasses off with one hand on one side of the frame is a big no-no. i remember once when i was young i did that to a set of glasses in front of my optician and she slapped my hand (playfully of course) and said "NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!" since then i always take off my glasses two handed, one hand on each temple. i think that's why my Oakleys are in great condition after all these years.

if you must take glasses off one handed, at least grab them at the bridge, not one side of the frames... that puts a lot of stress on the frames.

Yes, everyone here is entitled to their own opinion (and encouraged to share it), but to make a blanket statement that Oakley pumped the pooch by not putting spring hinges on every wire is just plain argumentative.

For the record, I own 18 pairs of wires, 10 of which are non-spring hinge. The only issue I've had with any of them was loose hinges on my E Wire 2.1 (spring hinges).

My father-in-law owns one pair of Oakley glasses, a Big Square Wire. Well, about a year after he got them, one of the spring hinges snapped apart while he was putting them on. The internal spring just broke and left the glasses unwearable. Since all the mechanisms are internal, he had to send them to Oakley for replacement (not repair, but an entire new frame because the spring hinge mechanism is not easily serviced).

Do I like spring hinges? Sure I do. Are some wire frames better without them? Absolutely, especially thin and flexible frames like Whisker and Why 3.


Now, let's get this thread back on-topic.