Founded in 2006, GUNNAR Optiks is a name many of you are probably familiar with. Though they started life as being gaming-centric, the brand has since evolved into something much larger, shifting its focus to a broader audience of glasses wearers that not only includes gamers, but also remote professionals, creative designers, and anyone whose daily life is tethered to a digital screen. Still, GUNNAR hasn’t forgotten its roots, which has led to some pretty exciting collaborations over the years, with two big gaming franchises recently teaming up with the brand: Fallout and The Witcher.
Not only do these collaborations serve as a nod to some of the most beloved worlds in gaming, but they also prove that eye health doesn’t have to look like a clinical afterthought. By blending their signature lens technology with high-quality, themed frames, GUNNAR has turned a utility tool into a genuine collector’s item. In the case of their latest venture, the results are nothing short of magical.
A Witcher’s Touch
Being someone who puts in nearly eight hours a day of work on a PC, more when gaming is taken into account, one nagging annoyance that has been growing with age is eye strain. I’ve heard about GUNNAR Optiks and other blue-light filter glasses before, but I’ve always believed them to be gimmicks, a cheap marketing ploy to sell you on a product that probably doesn’t do anything. Boy, was I wrong.
Although the verdict on the blue-light filter blocking is still up in the air, I will say that testing a pair of GUNNAR Optiks glasses over the past few weeks has yielded some positive results for me. The yellow-tinted glasses have not only reduced the glare from my OLED monitor but also significantly reduced the eye straining I’ve been experiencing. So much so that I wear the glasses anytime I’m working from my PC.
They do have a pretty strong yellow tint compared to a lot of other lenses out there, but it’s a tint that I found myself getting accustomed to, in little to no time at all.
The most exciting aspect is the collaborations. Being glasses, you don’t think too much about their frames, let alone seeing them themed on a gaming franchise. For their Witcher collection, GUNNAR has crafted two sets of frames, each themed after the series’ main protagonists, Geralt and Ciri. In terms of designs, these look fantastic, with White Wolf (Geralt) in an aviator style and Ciri in a rounded style that really pops.
What comes in the box:
- Collectors Case
- Collectors Microfiber Pouch
- Collectors Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
- 12-month Warranty
Both sets use stainless steel, with the White Wolf brushed with a nickel coloring and Ciri in gold. Both sets also have leather wrapping, a fitting touch that callsback too the armor worn in the games. Of course, there are some game logo markings on the glasses, and on the White Wolf version of the set, there are signs from the game on the framing. The Ciri version has these on the case, with the White Wolf having the The Witcher logo in place of that.
In addition to The Witcher themed-case, you’ll also get a pouch and a microfiber, also themed after The Witcher.
Build quality, the glasses feel sturdy enough to take a bit of a beating. Granted, they are glasses, so they’re still prone to the occasional smudge or scratch if you aren’t careful. The stainless steel material gives them a premium heft that feels far more durable than most glasses, but not so much that it affects comfort. There’s some flexibility that provides just the right amount of comfort, giving them a snug fit around my face.
The overall build quality is fantastic, and they also have a look that conveys a sense of style you wouldn’t expect from a gaming-themed item.
Prescription, Blue Filtering, and Transition Options to Help See Roach
One neat thing about GUNNAR Optiks is that they offer prescription custom lenses in addition to their standard lenses, so not only can you get a set that helps filter blue lighting, but you can also get a pair tuned to the needs of your own eyes.
This isn’t just pre-selected lenses to choose from, either, as GUNNAR allows buyers to submit a signed prescription from their optometrist, which ensures the lenses are accurate when they are sent in.
It’s not an option I had to use, but it’s also one I didn’t know GUNNAR even offered. Of course, once you start getting into the customization side of things, that’s where you are going to see piece increases move from relatively affordable to more on the enthusiast side, with the different collaborations GUNNAR offers.
Nonetheless, taking them from being only a “gaming/workplace” set of glasses to being usable for everyday use is, in my opinion, a major pro, even if the price can get high depending on your setup.
Blue-light filtering and transition options are also available with prescription lenses for those seeking extra eye protection.
Slaying Monsters
If you’re someone who works long hours at either a work or personal desk, or experiences eye-strain during everyday gaming, it might not be a bad idea to start looking at a pair of blue light glasses. I was skeptical about them working at first, but after putting a pair through the paces, I can confidently say that they really do help prevent my eyes from straining.
Not only that, but GUNNAR Optiks also has a collection of glasses to choose from, from preset lenses to custom options in your own prescription, that not only feel good to wear but also look fantastic from a fashion standpoint. Ultimately, the GUNNAR Optiks bridges the gap between high-end fan memorabilia and essential wellness tech, and who can possibly hate that?
- Beautiful frame options that blend
- Snug and flexible
- Premium build
- Prescription options
- Helps with eye straining
Verdict
9.5/10
GUNNAR Optiks delivers with exceptional quality that not only feel good to wear, but also look great, mashing high-end fan memorabilia with essential wellness technology.
- Though affordable, they can get quite expensive depending on lenses
