Costa Del Mar is renowned for its lenses, which excel in extremely bright conditions and prolonged sun exposure. Their Copper Silver Mirror lens stands out as a top-tier option, offering exceptional contrast and a darker tint for enhanced visual clarity.
Check out the lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Costa's website).
If you want to know more about how brown lenses work, click here.
This Costa 580 Copper Silver Mirror lens review is for the Costa 580G (glass) lens, not the 580P (polycarbonate). This review applies to the copper silver mirror and the non-mirrored copper lens, as they are essentially the same with the aesthetic difference of the mirror.
In This Review
Lens Specs | Costa Del Mar 580 Copper Silver Mirror |
Technology | 580 Technology |
Lens Color | Brown/Copper |
Mirror Color | Silver/None |
VLT | 12% for both variations |
ABBE | 58 |
Coatings | Anti-reflective, Scratch-resistant, Oleophobic, Hydrophobic, UV, Infrared and Blue-light blocking |
Material | Glass |
Weight | Moderate |
Scratch Resistance | High |
Prescription Available | Yes |
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Costa’s 580G lenses deliver exceptional clarity. Every Costa lens is polarized.
Although these lenses are made from thinner-than-average glass, they tend to feel slightly heavier than those from brands like Maui Jim or Serengeti. Despite this, they remain comfortable for extended wear.
Costa's lenses come equipped with all the essential coatings, and in my experience, the quality of these coatings is second to none. Water and oil bead off effortlessly, and the anti-reflective layer performs as effectively as any I've tested.
One standout feature of Costa's glass lenses is their unique approach to mirror coatings. Instead of applying the mirror coating to the outer surface, Costa sandwiches it between two layers of glass. This design offers superior protection against scratches, a vulnerability for most mirrored lenses. The only other brands I’m aware of that do something similar are Revo and Otis, but they offer just two mirrored glass options each.
The brand’s transparency is a rare find in the industry. Costa openly shares its patent numbers and encourages customers to explore the technology behind their lenses. This openness is refreshing, and based on my experience, their performance lives up to the hype.
Is it eligible for prescription?
Yes. Costa is one of only a few brands that offers glass lenses (with color-enhancing tech) in prescription. For some higher prescriptions where glass will not work, they use Trivex, a top alternative.
For non-prescription, Check out the Costa Blue Mirror lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Costa's website).
How does the lens look?
The front of the silver mirror version has a solid silver mirror with a brown undertone.
The non-mirror copper lens is a reddish-brown lens.
The back has a green shine from the anti-reflective coating. The tint is reddish-brown, more red than most other brown lenses, though not as red as Costa's green mirror version of this lens, as we will see below.
What does the view look like?
It’s often beneficial to introduce warmth to sunglass lenses, as it enhances the vibrancy and richness of the world around us. Blue light, which has a cooler hue and higher energy, tends to overpower other colors, making them less distinct. Brown lenses, in particular, filter out more blue light compared to green or red lenses, offering a warmer, more colorful view. This added warmth not only improves visual clarity but also promotes a sense of alertness, energy, and happiness in the wearer. The copper silver mirror lens is a very red-brown, which boosts reds the most but still keeps greens bright and pleasant.
Unlike many sunglass brands that prioritize aesthetics by fine-tuning the light spectrum, Costa focuses on user comfort in intense light conditions. Their lenses are designed to reduce eye strain in extremely bright environments, such as open water or sunlit beaches. Costa’s 580 lens technology achieves this by filtering out harsh yellow light in the 580nm range and blocking high-energy visible (HEV) blue light. Although other brands make similar claims, Costa’s approach is notably effective. Users frequently notice a significant reduction in visual "noise," as if the most irritating wavelengths of light have been entirely removed.
The glare reduction offered by Costa’s Copper Silver Mirror lens is unlike that of other brown-tinted lenses. It’s not just about how much light is filtered but also about how the remaining light is processed. With these lenses, the most aggravating wavelengths are essentially "erased" from the visual field, giving the sensation of being indoors even when outside. While many lenses feature a 12% visible light transmission (VLT) rating, Costa’s 580 technology goes beyond this figure. By eliminating "bad" light while allowing "good" light to pass through, the lenses often feel darker than their 12% VLT rating would suggest—particularly in glare-heavy conditions.
A "sunset effect" is one of the most notable visual experiences with the Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens. Colors are enriched to create a warm, golden ambiance reminiscent of a sunset’s glow. This effect is most apparent when facing away from the sun, adding to the overall viewing experience.
This lens is designed for contrast enhancement and color enhancement in bright, full-sun environments where glare reduction and eye comfort are essential. Its ability to balance protection, comfort, and vibrant color makes it a popular choice for inshore fishing and boating enthusiasts. While it can perform reasonably well in overcast conditions, it’s not optimized for low-light scenarios. Instead, it thrives in bright, sunlit environments, where its performance is unmatched among brown-tinted lenses.
The visual difference between the the Silver Mirror version and the non-mirrored version is only that the Silver Mirror version feels slightly darker, though the listed VLTs for both are the same.
Sunny Conditions
These photos are what Costa and other sources have used to show the view. Keep in mind that photos will never look as good as the real view looking through the sunglasses with your own eyes.
Interested in experiencing the Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens for yourself? Check out Costa on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Costa's website).
This is the visual Costa uses for all lenses on any product page. It is nice, but it is not particularly accurate, especially since their lenses are very different from each other and one picture cannot possibly represent all the views.
Costa seems to have a hard time showing what their lenses look like. This simulation, which they used for most of their lenses and seems to be done with little effort, is not even close to accurate. They have since removed it from their website and currently have no display on how specific lenses look.
Here is my simulation of how the lens looks:
The glare is gone and the colors, especially reds and greens, are boosted and more defined. The view has a very "hot" feel to it, which is energizing but can be somewhat exhausting after prolonged use. That is why in this kind of mid-day blinding conditions many prefer to use a grey lens, which keeps colors neutral, like this:
The copper silver mirror is designed for full sun use and does as great a job as any brown lens in bright conditions. This is especially true of bright conditions where we want to boost contrast like for sports.
Cloudy Conditions
The Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens showcases impressive adaptability in cloudy or mixed-light conditions. It’s especially useful when low-contrast lighting, like bright overcast skies, dulls the environment, as the lens enhances brightness and color. Unlike grey or green lenses, which can sometimes feel too dim in such conditions, this lens adds warmth and vibrancy for a more pleasant visual experience.
However, as a relatively darker lens, it’s not as well-suited to cooler, dimly lit environments as some other brown lenses. While it’s still effective, it’s not perfect in cloudy conditions. The lens’s reddish tint, combined with its darker nature, makes it less ideal for overcast conditions where other brown lenses might excel.
Interestingly, the Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens, together with the Green Mirror lens, occupies a unique position in the world of brown-tinted lenses. It’s one of the top-performing options for full-sun environments, where brown lenses are often not the first choice. Yet, it’s also not the best pick for overcast days, a scenario where brown lenses typically shine. This balance of strengths and trade-offs makes it a compelling option for those who need versatility in a wide range of lighting conditions.
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
The Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens shines in bright, sunlit environments where contrast and color clarity are essential. Activities like driving, inshore fishing, and fast-paced sports benefit from the lens’ ability to boost color and reduce glare. Its high level of visual clarity and comfort makes it a top pick for people who spend significant time in intense sunlight.
If I lived in a location with abundant sunshine and minimal overcast weather, this lens would likely be my go-to option for a brown lens.
It’s effective across a variety of lighting conditions, including full sun, low light, and even winter—where its red-brown tint enriches colors that might otherwise appear flat. There’s hardly a scenario where this lens underperforms.
Sports
Given its superior performance in bright light, the Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens is an outstanding option for sports enthusiasts. The enhanced contrast and warmer color profile give athletes a visual edge, particularly in sports where depth perception and color clarity are crucial. It’s also capable of handling overcast conditions, ensuring dependable performance no matter the weather.
However, it’s important to note that glass lenses, while highly scratch-resistant, aren’t as impact-resistant as other materials. This means that for high-impact sports, non-glass lens options may be a safer choice. Whether boating and fishing are considered "impact-risk" sports depends on the individual’s activity level and preferences, but it’s something to consider when choosing a lens material.
It's worth noting that Costa has a notice on the booklet that comes with the sunglasses that states that all of their copper-based lenses are unsuitable for driving. This is due to ANSI guidelines related to how the lens will affect how the green, red, and blue streetlights are altered. For what it's worth, I’ve driven with all of these lenses and I had no difficulty with streetlights or any other issues. It's just how the lenses fit the ANSI criteria.
Interested in experiencing the Copper Silver Mirror lens for yourself? Click here to buy on Amazon.
Comparison to the same brand - Costa Del Mar
Costa Del Mar 580G Green Mirror
The Green Mirror is very similar to the Copper Silver Mirror. The Green Mirror lens reflects away green light and makes the view a bit more rosy and red, an even more saturated and dark lens. The VLT of the Green lens is 10%, vs the 12% of the other Copper lenses. The main difference is the aesthetic choices of the mirrors or no mirror at all. To me, that is the only reason I am choosing one of these options over the other, as the view is not too different.
See here for the full Costa 580 Green Mirror review.
Costa Del Mar 580G Gray Silver Mirror
The Gray Silver Mirror, and the Gray without a mirror, are similarly dark lenses with the colors crisp and sharp, but without the warm hue and with a neutral view. The glare reduction is excellent and the color boosting is pleasant but much more subtle. This lens will feel much fresher, cooler, and calmer than the Green Mirror, but only performs well in full sun.
See here for the full Costa 580 Grey Silver Mirror review.
Costa Del Mar 580G Blue Mirror
The Blue Mirror is the grey lens overlayed with a blue mirror that reflects blue light and has a bit of amber effect that boosts greens and reds. This makes the Blue Mirror an in-between lens from the Grey and the Copper Silver Mirror, as it is not neutral but not a full brown either. It thrives in full sun and performs even better in those conditions than the Copper Silver Mirror for general use, but is not as versatile in mixed or overcast conditions.
See here for the full Costa 580 Blue Mirror review.
Comparison to Brown Lenses of Different Brands
Serengeti Drivers
This is one of the lenses that can easily compare to the versatility of the 580 Copper Silver Mirror lens, and the view is much nicer as well. The colors are even more vivid, the clarity is off the charts, and the view is stunning. This lens is photochromic, so it gets much lighter than the Costa but never gets quite as dark. The Drivers lens is better in mixed or overcast conditions, but the Costa is more comfortable in full sun. The Serengeti is more of a Rose/Brown than a red-brown. Keep in mind, as mentioned above, that the Copper Silver Mirror is a comfort-first, beauty-second lens, and the Drivers is the other way around.
See here for the full Serengeti Drivers review.
Maui Jim HCL Bronze
One of the best brown lenses in the world, the colors are vivid, the clarity is off the charts, and the view is stunning with the HCL Bronze. This is the lens that can best compete with the 580 Copper Silver Mirror, as it performs well in full sun, with more natural colors, and is much better in mixed and overcast conditions. The lens is more yellow-brown, which means reds are calmer and greens are more highlighted. I find people who like the Maui Jim do not enjoy the Costa Green Mirror and vice versa. Some people just enjoy the redder lens more.
See here for the full Maui Jim HCL Bronze review.
Ray-Ban B15 Polarized
The Ray Ban B15 is an excellent brown tint that is actually not too far off in hue from the HCL Bronze lens, just slightly redder. The HCL having the PolarizedPlus2 technology included makes the big difference, as the colors are noticeably richer and more pleasing. It also does not have any other coatings besides anti-reflective.
See here for the full Ray-Ban B15 review.
Conclusion - Costa 580 Copper Silver Mirror Lens Review - Should you buy it?
The Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens is a versatile option for those seeking a balance between performance and comfort. Its copper base tint offers warmth and contrast, while the silver mirror coating helps reduce glare in bright conditions. This combination enhances colors, making reds and greens more vivid while maintaining natural, pleasing color tones.
Ideal for activities like driving, fishing, and outdoor sports, the lens excels in medium to bright light conditions. Its performance in overcast weather is respectable but not its primary strength. Overall, the Costa Copper Silver Mirror lens provides a well-rounded experience, making it a reliable choice for those who need adaptable performance in changing light conditions.
If you're interested in trying out the Costa 580 Copper Silver Mirror lens, you can find it on Amazon, often at a lower price than Costa's official website.
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