Randolph's Blue Hydro lens stands out with its striking light blue tint and premium craftsmanship, but its utility is as niche as its look. Ideal for fashion or indoor settings, it offers relief from bright lights and flashing cameras, though its everyday practicality is limited.
Check out the lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Randolph's website).
If you want to know more about how blue lenses work, click here.
In This Review
Lens Specs | Randolph Engineering Blue Hydro |
Technology | SkyTech Glass |
Lens Color | Blue |
Mirror Color | N/A |
VLT | 37% |
ABBE | 58 |
Coatings | Anti-reflective, Scratch-resistant, Oleophobic, Hydrophobic, UV, Infrared and Blue-light blocking |
Material | Glass |
Weight | Moderate |
Scratch Resistance | High |
Prescription Available | No |
4 |
The Blue Hydro lens offers impressive clarity, reflecting Randolph's craftsmanship in high-quality glass lenses.
It features essential coatings, including anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, oleophobic (oil-repellent), hydrophobic (water-repellent), UV protection, Infrared blocking, and blue-light blocking layers. These coatings work together to provide a clear, durable viewing experience.
This is a Category 2 lens, with a VLT of 37%, meaning 63% of light is passing through the lens. Relative to a standard 15% VLT lens, which is typical of regular sunglasses, a 37% VLT allows about 147% more light, about 2.5 times more. 37% is getting close to a Category 1 lens, which has an upper range of 43%. So this lens is very light, completely unsuitable for sunny conditions, and borderline for cloudy conditions.
Is it eligible for prescription?
No, although a local optician could make a similar lens, not in glass material, and easily put it in the frame.
How does the lens look?
The front has a great-looking blue tint, that is light enough to make the wearer's eyes visible no matter the setting or conditions, even with reflections on the lens.
Johnny Depp made The look popular, but it should be noted that Depp's lenses are actually a custom tint and not the same as the Blue Hydro.
The back has a blue shine from the anti-reflective coating. The tint is a soft light blue.
What does the view look like?
These photos are what Randolph has 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 American Tan lens for yourself? Check out the lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Randolph's website).
I think this is an exaggerated presentation of the view. If the sky was that bright the Blue Hydro would take some of the edge off of it, but not be as comfortable as depicted. The lower part of the photos are accurate, with the buildings losing some color even as the slight haze is removed.
Here is my simulation of how the lens looks:
The difference is there, but you may have to swap the photos back and forth a few times to really see it. That's because the lens does not have a prominent effect at all. This is even in these conditions, which is where the Blue Hydro has the best chance of making a difference. The bright highlights in the sky have some of the edge taken off, the slight blue haze is removed and the colors are slightly cooled.
To be honest, you do not need to be wearing sunglasses in a place where you would not be squinting. If you are light sensitive, the Blue Hydro will probably help somewhat in this kind of scenario, and look good, but if looks didn't matter I would suggest a light rose or brown instead of the blue. Even light grey might be better.
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
The Blue Hydro should not be worn in full sun. It will not work well in bright cloudy conditions.
It will be a bit helpful in borderline squinting conditions, but that is basically it for outdoor use.
Where it is more useful is indoors, in bright light, especially for light-sensitive people. Blue sunglass lenses offer a unique advantage indoors because the lighting environment is typically warmer in tone compared to natural outdoor light. Indoor lighting, such as incandescent or certain LED lights, often emits more red, orange, and yellow wavelengths. Since blue is the complementary color to these warmer hues, wearing blue-tinted lenses creates a visual balance, effectively "cooling down" the overall appearance of the environment. This can make the view appear cleaner, crisper, and less visually fatiguing in certain indoor settings.
In addition to their functional benefits, blue lenses have a strong aesthetic appeal. Their cool, modern look is often associated with luxury and sophistication, which is why many celebrities and fashion-conscious individuals choose them. Fashion-oriented brands frequently feature blue lenses in their collections, as they stand out more than traditional grey or brown tints. Unlike performance-focused lenses designed for specific outdoor activities, blue lenses are often marketed as a style statement.
Truthfully, Randolph probably made this lens for that purpose and I am a bit confused as to why they did not market it that way. Instead, they tell customers the lens "Sharpens outdoor clarity and makes the colors of nature pop to life. A medium mid-range tint, highlighting green, yellow, and red, gives an overall effect of enhanced contours and sharper color definition." None of that is true. It's like someone got all the facts backward.
This lens looks cool, and that is the main benefit. If you want something to wear indoors it works for that too. That's how to think of this lens.
Interested in experiencing the Blue Hydro lens for yourself? Click here to buy on Amazon.
Comparison to the same brand - Randolph Engineering
It is not useful to compare any other lenses from Randolph to the Blue Hydro, as the rest of them work well in full sun and not indoors. You can click here to see the other Randolph lens reviews.
Alternative Options for Low Light Lenses
If you are searching for a low-light lens to wear outdoors, and do not want the Blue Hydro after reading this review, here are some alternatives:
Maui Jim HT
A light green lens with a VLT of around 30%, this lens works well in sunny mornings and overcast or hazy weather, especially in green environments. The color-enhancing technology is easily noticeable and the quality of Maui Jim lenses is outstanding.
See the full Maui Jim HT lens review here.
Oakley Prizm Low Light
A light rose lens that has just a small effect on the view. Originally meant for sports played under stadium lights, and many NFL players wear it on their visors, it takes the edge off of bright lights and adds a bit of contrast and color without making too much of a difference.
Costa Silver Sunrise
A 30% VLT yellow lens, the Costa Silver Sunrise is meant for low light conditions and is geared towards anglers and fishing.
Conclusion - Randolph Engineering Blue Hydro Review - Should you buy it?
The Randolph Blue Hydro lens is a visually striking option, but its practicality is limited to specific use cases. With a Category 2 rating and 37% VLT, it allows significantly more light than traditional sunglasses, making it unsuitable for bright, sunny conditions. Instead, its strengths lie indoors or in mild lighting, where its light blue tint helps balance the warmer tones of indoor lighting, offering a cleaner and more comfortable view for those sensitive to bright lights.
While Randolph markets it as a versatile outdoor lens, its true appeal is its fashionable aesthetic. The light blue tint, visible eyes, and subtle reflection from the anti-reflective coating give it a unique, high-end look that has become a style statement, often associated with celebrity fashion trends. For those seeking an eye-catching lens to wear indoors or in low-light situations, the Blue Hydro delivers in style, though it falls short in practical outdoor performance.
If your main goal is fashion-forward eyewear or relief from indoor lighting, this lens could be worth it.
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