FOG HORN April 2019

Twobirds Flying Publications

Wiley X DETECTION Ballistic Eyewear

Copyright 2019, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 Wiley X DETECTION Ballistic Eyewear 2019

Wiley X DETECTION – save those In this review, I’ll give you a look at what I think
is a superb ballistic eye protection product, the
precious peepers
Wiley X DETECTION.
By: Sal Palma
The DETECTION is a multi-lens system designed
to meet a variety of light and environmental
conditions.

I don’t find it redundant to introduce or

reintroduce Wiley X, a global leader in
commercial and military eye protection
products, in this review, because they operate
in a space inundated with sport optics and
knockoffs from China, and consumers should
clearly understand that few suppliers can
approach what Wiley X delivers for their global The DETECTION glasses come in a three lens
customers. system, the subject of my review, and a five
lens system. The five lens system ships with a
In 1987, Wiley X, Inc. started on its initiative to
clear, copper, purple, orange and yellow lenses;
become a world leader in the research,
selling at an M.S.R.P. of $210. The three lens
development and marketing of protective
system includes Clear, Copper and Yellow
eyewear and gloves for military, law
lenses; selling at an M.S.R.P. of $150.
enforcement and civilian markets. Their focus
gave rise to a close relationship with the U.S. Wiley X uses shatterproof Selenite™
Armed Forces resulting in Wiley X becoming Polycarbonate Lenses. These lenses meet MIL-
standard issue eye protection for military PRF-32432(GL) Ballistic Standards1, ANSI Z87.1-
personnel including SOF units. The company’s 2010 High Velocity and Mass Impact Standards,
success allowed them to move into the and EN 166 FT at High Speed at Temperature
commercial space, and in 2019 Wiley X is a Extremes Standards, as well as US Federal OSHA
force to be reckoned with in the military and 1910.133(b)(1)(i) standards.
commercial space.

1
MIL-PRF-32332 (GL) is a much more stringent
specification than the ANSI Z87.1-2010

Copyright 2019, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 Wiley X DETECTION Ballistic Eyewear
All Wiley lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB
protection and all lenses have T-Shell™ lens
coating to resist scratching in extreme
environments.
The DETECTION glasses ship in an excellent case
along with a bottle of spray anti fog solution,
cleaning cloth and instruction card.
The DETECTION glasses are frameless in the
traditional sense. The lens mounts directly to
the two 135mm temples; changing lenses does
not require a mechanical engineering degree.
Simply press on the latch at the temple base
and gently pull the lens out.
The form fitting temples are constructed with a
wire core so they can be easily adjusted to
provide the best possible fit even with hearing
protection.
Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2019
The second adjustment point is the nose bridge
and here too Wiley X makes it very simple to
achieve a very comfortable fit. I have a difficult
nose bridge and these glasses allowed me to
adjust the fit to perfection.
Eyewear reviews are invariably subjective, so
here is my observation.
The Wiley X DETECTION is superbly comfortable
with the clarity and light transmission
performance uncommon in competitive
offerings. I have to describe them as being
crystal clear; even looking down iron BUIS.
Wear the yellow lens in low light conditions to
enhance contrast with 85% light transmission.
At indoor ranges switch to the clear lens with
89% light transmission.
Out in bright sunlight; install the copper lens for
a sharp well defined image and a 12% light
transmission.
In closing, if you want the best ballistic
protection eyewear available, Wiley X needs to
be at the top of a very short list of suppliers,
and the company’s DETECTION glasses are not
just professionally competent they’re pretty
damned nice looking too. Check them out!
-SP