Serengeti makes some of the best sunglasses for bright and mixed conditions and the Serengeti 555nm lens is easily one of the best bright conditions lenses on the market today.
Check out the Serengeti 555nm lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Serengeti's website).
If you want to know more about how green lenses work, click here.
This Serengeti 555nm lens review is only for the Serengeti 555nm in mineral glass lenses, not the Saturn or PhD 2.0 lenses.
In This Review
Lens Specs | Serengeti 555nm Polarized |
Technology | Spectral Control, Photochromic |
Lens Color | Green |
Mirror Color | N/A |
VLT | 8% to 21%, Category 3 to Category 3 |
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 |
1 |
The clarity of the Serengeti 555nm is off the charts because of the quality of the mineral glass lens and the fine-tuning of colors.
The mineral lenses are made with borosilicate optical glass, from Corning, which is 20% thinner and lighter than standard glass. They provide exceptional visual acuity.
They are also chemically tempered to ensure scratch and impact resistance.
All Serengeti lenses are photochromic, adapting to any light condition in any setting. They are activated by the amount of UV radiation in the atmosphere and engineered to gradually transition from light to dark.
In bright conditions, UV radiation is more intense. The lens molecules expand in size, darkening the lenses. Less light can then pass through.
In darker conditions, UV radiation is less intense. The molecules shrink and separate, lightening the lenses. More light can pass through.
Your eyes are always protected and receive the optimal amount of light needed at any time and in all weather conditions.
This lens has changed in recent years in terms of the mirror coating. Until relatively recently, the 555nm had a subtle silver mirror. Serengeti has since removed this. This was most likely done because the brand has been moving in a more dressed-up direction that mirrors, which are more casual, do not work well with. I think the lens looks better without a mirror.
As to whether the photochromic lenses darken behind a UV-protective windshield, you can read about that here.
The lenses include a light management technology called "Spectral Control". Besides dealing with potentially harmful High Energy Blue light, Serengeti claims the filter "enhances a natural color balance and improves contrasts and perception by acting like an “HD” visual equalizer to achieve the perfect mix of colors across all conditions. It selectively manages light wavelengths, distinguishing reds, greens, and yellows. Landscapes that would be washed out, dull or flat with other lenses become defined, vibrant, and vivid — while your eyes remain cool and relaxed."
The reason the lens is called "555nm" is, in Serengeti's words, "555 nanometers marks the center of light’s visible color spectrum, right on the border of yellow and green. This is where the human eye sees best."
In other words, the lens is a dark, comfortable tint, but because it allows in more light at the frequency we are most sensitive to we feel as though the view is brightened.
Is it eligible for prescription?
Yes, one of the only brands that makes mineral glass lenses.
Glass lenses are available +2.50 to -3.50* (Cyl +3.00) - Conventional surfacing and +2.50 to +4.00 and -3.50 to -7.00 * (Cyl +3.00) - VarioDrive Thin Design.
In Trivex, prescriptions can go from +6.00 to –8.00* (Cyl 4.00) for the Serengeti® sunglasses range.
Flightsunglasses.com has partnered with Serengeti to provide these options, though many local options may be able to work with Serengeti as well, depending on location and availability.
For non-prescription, check out the Serengeti 555nm lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Serengeti's website).
How Does the Lens Look?
The front has a deep green tint, with no mirror. The green is classy, sharp, and subtle.
The back has a blue shine from the anti-reflective coating. The color is grey/green, relatively closer to the yellow side of the spectrum than some other green lenses on the market, which can lean towards the bluer side of green.
What Does the View Look Like?
Green lenses are generally not considered contrast-enhancing lenses, which are needed for sports. They are used more for relaxing the view, cooling the bright light, and facilitating a more or less neutral view. They are mostly used as an alternative to gray lenses.
Green lenses are great at being a "relaxing" or "soothing" lens, as they can use a high tint to darken the lens more than other tints, but still elicit a feeling of brightness since the green colors are more boosted for our eyes.
The 555nm is different from most other green lenses. Though the view is much more relaxing than a warmer tint like brown or rose, this green lens brings out the colors beautifully. It is sort of the green version of Maui Jim's Neutral Grey lens, or the dark version of Maui Jim's HT lens.
The effect of the color enhancing and high-energy blue light blocking, with the perfect tinting, is to make everything on a bright day feel clear. It is a calming but colorful experience. When most green would tamp down on reds and dull blues, here the reds are left bright and the blues have a deep, pleasant hue.
Sunny Conditions
The 555nm is, in my opinion, the best green lens for bright conditions, period. The view is comfortable, clear, and calm, but with colors balanced perfectly.
These photos are what Serengeti 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 Serengeti 555nm lens for yourself? Check out the Serengeti 555nm lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Serengeti's website).
This picture is what Serengeti uses on its product page but it does not represent a good view of the lens. It is more accurate to say it is a good depiction of the tint.
This picture, from Serengeti's 2018 catalog, is a fairly accurate depiction of what the lens can do in bright light. The green is the water is boosted and the rocks still have the reds brought out without overdoing it the way a brown lens might.
Here is my simulation of how the lens looks compared to a grey lens:
The 555nm feels brighter than the grey lens, while still calm and relaxing. The greens are brighter while the details in the rocks and water do not get washed out. The grey is redder in comparison and feels a bit duller.
As long as it is a bright day, even in shadows this lens performs excellently.
This photo from Randolph Engineering is a good depiction of what the 555nm lens would look similar to, with the 555nm performing even better than the Randolph AGX in similar conditions.
Cloudy Conditions
The 555nm is not as bad as other green lenses in cloudy and overcast conditions, but it is not nearly as good as a brown or rose lens. The contrast it creates is not enough to make up for the gloomy feel any green lens has when the light isn't bright enough. It will hold its own and can manage fine when clouds or shadows temporarily interrupt a sunny day, but I wouldn't take them out when the forecast does not call for much sun.
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
The 555nm is best for green environments when keeping the greens boosted is desired, or for red environments like dry or desert conditions when the reds are too much. I was happy with this lens where I live around the Great Lakes, but when I took it to work in Arizona in 120 degrees and blasting sun I really felt the magic of this lens. It absolutely thrives in hot and sunny conditions.
I rarely wear this lens in the winter, since there are few greens to boost and I’m looking at increasing contrast and color, something this lens doesn’t do much of compared to rose and brown.
It’s amazing at the beach, especially when the water has stark green highlights, which is often the case on lakes and even the ocean. I would take the 555nm on any vacation to a sunny and colorful place.
Sports
I wouldn't recommend this lens for sports unless you live in an area with a lot of sunlight. Even then, a brown or rose lens will provide more color and contrast which help with acuity, comfort, vibrancy, and perception. This lens is better for relaxing in beautiful views.
Avoid the glass lens if the activity has any chance of significant impacts to the face. Avoid this lens entirely if polarized lenses would not work for your sport.
Keep in mind for long exposure in bright conditions brown may be fatiguing, and the 555nm may be a good compromise in those situations.
Interested in experiencing the Serengeti 555nm lens for yourself? Click here to buy on Amazon.
How the lens is marketed
"555 nanometers marks the center of light’s visible color spectrum, right on the border of yellow and green. This is where the human eye sees best. That’s why our 555nm lens was created specifically for optimal sight in bright climates. In low light conditions, this lens allows more yellow and green to pass through, creating relaxing conditions for the eyes. Because the brain can recognize these two colors most easily, yellow is widely used on caution signs while green on black are used on radar screens, night vision devices, LED displays and DVD players. Very bright light conditions — Ocean, Driving, and Everyday."
"555 nanometers marks the center of light’s visible color spectrum, right on the border of yellow and green. This is where the human eye sees best. In low light conditions, this lens allows more yellow and green to pass through, creating relaxing conditions for the eyes, while the light silver metalized mirror coating (available only on mineral lens) reflects glare."
Is the brand’s marketing accurate?
Serengeti can do a better job of marketing this lens, especially because it sells itself so well.
I do not know what they mean by low light conditions, as this lens does not perform that well in those situations. If you want a green lens for low light conditions the Maui Jim HT is better for that.
The mirror has also been removed from the lens. I imagine the website will be updated.
Comparison to the same brand - Serengeti
Serengeti Drivers Polarized
The Drivers lens is a wonderful brown lens that is the most color-enhancing and vibrant lens I have ever worn. The 555nm is better in full light than the Drivers, as it is more calming, but the Drivers is more versatile and the views are more amazing in all other conditions. I view the 555nm as a great full-sun condition compliment to the Drivers. My wife keeps both in her car.
See here for the full Serengeti Drivers review.
Serengeti 555nm Blue Polarized
The 555nm Blue lens is the same as the 555nm but with a reflective (but not solid) blue mirror. The effect of the blue mirror is to push the tint of the green lens a bit towards yellow. This adds to the brightening effect of the 555nm and greens and yellows really pop with bright color, while blues and reds stay pleasant. The 555nm is bit more relaxing and the 555nm Blue is bit more vibrant. I prefer this lens to the 555nm and I keep the 555nm Blue in my car.
See here for the full Serengeti 555nm Blue review.
Serengeti Sedona Polarized
The Sedona lens (here in its bi-gradient silver mirror version), is a rose-based lens that boosts reds and blues while keeping greens highlighted. This lens takes a minute to adjust to but quickly settles down to feel like a grey lens with the colors glowing with brightness and vibrance. The Sedona excels in bright haze, winter, golfing, and when you want to dial up the color to an even warmer and colorful degree. In some sense, the Sedona is the opposite of the 555nm.
See here for the full Serengeti Sedona review.
Comparison to Green Lenses of Different Brands
Ray-Ban G15
Sort of the less colorful, more boring version of the 555nm. The G15 is more blue than the yellower 555nm. The Ray-Ban does not have all the coatings the 555nm does, only having an anti-reflective coating.
See here for the full Ray-Ban G15 review.
Randolph Engineering AGX
Compared to Serengeti 555 the AGX is a lot more grey/blue and "calm"; putting Serengeti 555 lenses on after wearing the AGX feels like someone turned the contrast and color saturation right up. I wear the AGX when I want the Randolph look or when I need an even calmer feel than the 555nm provides. The AGX has all the coatings the 555nm does.
See here for the full Randolph Engineering AGX review.
Revo Smokey Green
This lens is nearly identical to the AGX, and the differences are very hard to discern. The Revo is slightly more comfortable in direct sun and the AGX has slightly better color rendering, but it's really splitting hairs. Both are less vibrant and colorful than the 555nm. The Smokey Green has all the coatings the 555nm does.
Persol Green
A slightly more grey lens than the 555nm. If you do not like grey but green is too much, it is a good in-between choice. Green is rarely too much though, as the same conditions the Persol excels in the 555nm performs just as well if not better. The Persol does not have all the coatings the 555nm does, only having an anti-reflective coating.
Conclusion - Serengeti 555nm Lens Review - Should you buy it?
Serengeti makes some of the best sunglasses for bright and mixed conditions, and the Serengeti 555nm lens is easily one of the best bright conditions lenses on the market today.
The combination of superior optical clarity, advanced photochromic technology, and exceptional color balance makes these lenses a standout choice. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, driving through sun-soaked landscapes, or simply enjoying a sunny day, the Serengeti 555nm lenses will provide unparalleled visual comfort and clarity. This is why it is a Tier 1 lens. If you value high-quality lenses and top-notch performance, the Serengeti 555nm lens is definitely worth considering for your next pair of sunglasses.
Ready to experience the unparalleled visual comfort and clarity of the Serengeti 555nm lens?
