A great pair of sunglasses are a must for the armed professional. It seems that the market has been dominated for years by the well-known brands such as Oakley and Wiley X. These brands are so successful because they’ve made great products and have developed a sort of cult following within the military and law enforcement communities.
I used to be part of that following, until I finally got my hands on a pair from Gatorz Eyewear. The Blackout Magnum is part of the Magnum Collection offered by the company. If you’re familiar with the company and their products, you know that they offer up some pretty damn indestructible sunglasses.
The Blackout Magnum is touted by Gatorz as the #1 most requested pair for the Special Operations community. Instead of the silver edged logo on the frame, the Blackout Magnum opts to use a matte black logo. The frame itself is non-reflective and sturdy as hell. The entire thing is cut from 7075 Billet Aircraft Aluminum, which results in a frame like no other.
Straight out of the box, the first thing you notice is how durable it feels. The aluminum frame can be customized to fit any user in only a few steps. First, you adjust the frame itself by flexing it outward. The next adjustment is for the narrow end of the temples. This adjustment takes the pressure off the ears and can prevent the terrible headaches that come with wearing a pair all day long. The last adjustment is for the nose piece, which brings the frame away from or closer to the face.
The TruRay Optics provide 100% UV protection and the lenses are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate. An anti-scratch coating extends the life of your lenses, which is crucial for working in austere environments. The 5 barrel hinges are riveted in place to the frame. Gone are the days of the single plastic hinge that is usually the first to go on any other brand.
One of the first things I noticed after wearing the Blackout Magnum is the crystal clear image. It’s pretty much the equivalent of upgrading to a 4K television after having a vacuum tube set from the 1950’s. Once you get a pair, you will never go back to anything less.
With a variety of lenses, you can be sure to find the style you prefer at a cost that, while not cheap, is completely worth it for the quality. MSRP is $160 to $230, depending on the lens. You can own the last pair of sunglasses you’ll ever need from the Gatorz website.
Author – Rodney Pointer is a former Army Infantryman. After graduating from Airborne School, he was ruthlessly assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana to live out his days as a dirty leg. He served with the 2nd BN, 30th Infantry of the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Following his deployment to Afghanistan, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Operations. He currently works as a nuclear security contractor.
