Category: Eyewear Technology



Action Sport Optics blog is a service of ActionSportsOptics.com learn more about eyewear technology from the best brands of sunglasses and athletic goggles for skiing and snowboarding, lifestyle optics, and sunglasses for sports. Visit ActionSportOptics.com where eyewear is our vision, we pride ourselves in the great products, from the best brands, and superior service.

2014 Dragon Goggles w Chris Piatek

Dragon AllianceWe got together with New England Dragon Alliance sales rep Chris Piatek to learn about his background, what he does, and his insights into the 2014 Dragon Goggles collection.

Tell us a little about yourself & where you are from:

Chris Piatek, New England sales for Dragon, along with the RomeSDS, 686, Matix, DVS,  Spacecraft, Leatherman  & Pukka Authentics. Right Empire www.rightempire.com is my sales agency covering the territory. I started in retail as a 15 year old developing a snowboard department for a Alpine Ski Works in western CT where I grew up. This business gave me my first real direction into a career path, from a rider, to a buyer, manager & then a rep. I attended Champlain College in Burlington, VT and got a associate degree in marketing, fell in love with Vermont and have called it home ever since. I am very fortunate to have a very supportive family and network of accounts I work with, if I won the lottery tomorrow I would still be doing this.

Are you a skier, rider or both? Where can we find you on the hill?

Rider, never been skiing, I only cross country to train for split-boarding, I usually ride Sugarbush, Stowe & occasionaly Jay Peak when it gets good dumps!  My work also gets me out to some other areas in New England like Mt Snow, Killington, Loon & Waterville Valley.

How did you become a Dragon Alliance sales rep?

The sales director Mike Montemurro found out I was re-setting the brands I was working with in the fall of 2010. I had over a decade of work experience with a couple of other brands and it was a great fit for both of us.

When you’re not on the road selling Dragon, where can we find you?

Running my kids around Waterbury/Stowe, doing yardwork, or fly fishing on one of northern Vermont  rivers & surfing all over the New England coastline when I can.

What is involved with being a sales rep for Dragon Alliance?

Service visits to accounts, checking in on their inventory & assisting with the management of their business with Dragon products. Showing the lines at regional/national trade shows & on-snow demos. Order entry & continually analyzing target accounts. Also making sure I have some up and coming riders on my regional team.

What do you enjoy most about working with Dragon Alliance?

The product and marketing mix is the most balanced in our industry for the category (eyewear/goggles/apparel).  I am very proud to represent and work with what I see as a best in class brand.

How long has Dragon been in the goggle business? give us a little history on the brand:

Dragon just turned 20 years old! I have always been impressed with how Will Howard started the brand in a garage and evolved it into a market leader with innovative products. Many of the original team riders for surf & snow are still supporters of the brand including surfers Shane Dorian, Rob Machado  &  snowboard legend Jamie Lynn.

What makes 2014 Dragon goggles stand out from other brands, what makes Dragon unique & original?

Being one of (if not the first) to look at building goggle frames based on face size, the DX/DXS family has been out in the market for almost 18 years! Starting the product design process with customer use/functionality in mind first & price being secondary. The super anti-fog coating used between the lenses throughout the entire line.

Why should someone buy Dragon goggles?

Honestly when I explain how Dragon offers the best “bang for your buck” from the technology, innovative designs and broad range (frame choices & lens options) the product line offers a product that should fit every rider or skier out there.

The Dragon APX & APXs Goggle collection is going into its 3rd season, tell us a little about this series and why someone should consider this product:

It has been amazing how many other brands have had to step up their game in design & functionality of product after the release of the APX collection. With Dragon owning patents on the frameless designs and how the lenses are mounted/change out there is a lot of other stuff coming out to market with gimmicks & unproven functionality.



Tell us how the Dragon APX x Nike collaboration project came about, why and how did Dragon get together with one of the biggest and most influential sports brands on the APX products?

Dragons  parent company (Marchon) is the licensee that builds and distributes the sport line of Nike eyewear, having some shared team riders like Gigi Ruff it was a great fit. The colorways/graphics are a perfect match to some outerwear designs Nike has in their winter collections for this season.
Dragon APX x Nike

Is there specific features on 2014 Dragon goggles you are most excited about?

How we offer a fit for every rider/skier, also our great range of helmet fit compatibility.

What is the most versatile frame for the price in the collection?

The one that fits your face the best, offering different sizes in models. We have also really expanded our price range for this season, so its great to have a piece for every rider’s budget.

Tell us about Infinity Lens Technology in the APX & APXs collection, how does this benefit the user?

Less is more with Infinity Lens Technology, by completely eliminating the frame profile, peripheral vision and ease of lens interchangeability has never been better. The patent pending design integrates both bracket and gasket to our existing dual lens system ensuring a sealed thermal boundary between both lenses and allowing male post connectors to securely attach the lens to frame. Combined with our proprietary Super Anti-Fog formula, the vision is endless and fog free. Also the armored venting in the APX family is a better system then foam as it provides proper airflow without the risk of tearing foam when ice & snow is removed.

Infinity Lens Technology
Thanks for linking up with us Chris, and final words or shout outs?

Thanks Action Sport Optics for this opportunity to answer some questions about Dragon & what I do. I would not be as successful in this industry without the support of my family, accounts & brands.  It’s also rewarding to get into any lift line or pull up to any surf break & see customers wearing Dragon product, I always try to have stickers in my pocket or in my truck & try to thank those that support the brand.

Visit Action Sport Optics for Dragon Alliance products, ASO is your #1 online source for action sport related optics. We pride ourselves in great products from the leading brands, superior customer service & fast shipping. Eyewear is our vision!

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Electric Optics Melanin Infused Lenses

Electric Optics Melanin Infused Lenses are a interesting new technology released by Electric Visual for summer 2013.  Melanin is a natural pigment found through out the human body that protects against harmful  UV and Blue light. By filtering 100% of UV and 98% Blue light Melanin is the best natural defense against the harmful effects of the sun. Other benefits include protecting the skin around your eyes, improved clarity, prolonged retina health and a relaxed feeling to your eyes. Available in both Polarized and non Polarized options there is a product at multiple price levels that offer the Melanin Infused technology. Combined with Electrics style, top quality materials & Italian craftsmanship and you have some of the sunglasses to hit the market for summer 2013.  Action Sport Optics is proud to stock the leading Electric Optics styles with Melanin Infused lens technology.

2013 Electric Knoxville, click image to learn more & see available frame / lens options:
Electric Knoxville

2013 Electric Knoxville XL, click image to learn more & see available frame / lens options:
Electric Knoxville XlElectric Tech One, click image to learn more & see available frame / lens options:
Electric Tech OneElectric Charge, click image to learn more & see available frame / lens options:
Electric Charge
Visit Action Sport Optics, ASO is your #1 online source for action sport & lifestyle related optics. We pride ourselves in great products from the leading brands, superior customer service & fast shipping. Eyewear is our vision!

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Performance Eyewear

Performance Eyewear for sports are a key component to your gear for sports like running, cycling and any active outdoor activity that involves being active and working up a sweat.  In todays Performance Eyewear market there is a product available at every price point that delivers key features like lens interchangeability, photochromic lenses, non slip materials, wrap around frames, adjustable nose pieces & polarized lenses.  The staff at Action Sport Optics is a very active bunch, and has curated a collection of the industry leading Performance Eyewear for sports from the industries best brands including Smith Optics, Tifosi Eyewear, Native Eyewear & Spy Optics.
Smith Optics has 2 frames that we really like, first up is the Smith Pivlock V2 Max with Interchangeable lenses, this frame will deliver high end features, 3 lens options, and is quite simply one of the best performance frames in the industry.

Learn more about this product by clicking the product image:
Smith Pivlock V2 MaxThe Smith Optics Parralel frame is the perfect choice for a sunglass that can walk the line between Performance Eyewear & lifestyle equally as well.  On the bike in the morning or out on the town in the afternoon the Smith Optics Parralel with interchangeable  Carbonic TLT Polarized lenses delivers for both.

Learn more details about this product by clicking the product image:
Smith Parralel
Spy Optics has jumped into the Performance Eyewear  category and introduced a new style for 2013 called the Spy Screw Under. The Spy Optics Screw Under is a performance sunglass with a minimalistic approach, if your looking for Performance Eyewear for sports with a smaller lens & an understated look, the Spy Optics Screw Under is for you.

Learn more about this product by clicking the product image:
Spy Screw Under

Tifosi Eyewear makes high quality Performance Eyewear that is technically advanced and very affordable.  If your on a budget and want quality performance driven eyewear with both interchangeable lenses or Photochromic lenses ( lenses that change tint on the fly based on light conditions your dealing with ) look no further then Tifosi Eyewear.  The all new 2013 Tifosi Podium comes in both interchangeable lens or Photochromic lenses with prices under $100.00.

Learn more about this product by clicking the product image:
Tifosi Podium

Native Eyewear is based out of Denver Colorado, and makes the highest quality Performance Eyewear for the active lifestyle.  The Native Eyewear team are a passionate crew of  world class athletes on a mission to create the best Performance Eyewear on the market.  What we like the most about Native is the attention to detail with high end features, the best polarization available, interchangeable lenses & the frames can be used for both active sports & every day around town use. The Native Blanca has been a real success and was voted by Outdoor Magazine as one of their favorites for 2013.

Learn more about this product by clicking the product image:
Native Blanca

Visit Action Sport Optics, ASO is your #1 online source for action sport & lifestyle related optics. We pride ourselves in great products from the leading brands, superior customer service & fast shipping.  Eyewear is our vision!

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2013 Arnette Eyewear

2013 Arnette Eyewear styles have arrived in stock at ASO and they have introduced some amazing new frames.  With brand new frame styles combined with quality materials & craftsmanship Arnette Eyewear is known you have some great options for spring summer 2013.  With features such as the Arnette Creative Exchange System your able to customize your style with interchangeable arms, and a Fuzzy frame option that gives a satiny soft subtle texture.  Arnette uses nothing but the best materials including bombproof Grilamid frames, mold injected optical hinges, and Polycarbonate lenses in both Polarized & non Polarized options.  Arnette Eyewear is the original action sport eyewear company with a family made up of an eclectic group of personalities from the surf, skate, snowboard, bmx, wake & music communities. Arnette Eyewear was born during the glory days of action sports and is found on todays most influential athletes.

The Arnette Squaresville with interchangeable arms ( From $89.95 ).
Click product image to learn more & see available frame / lens options.Arnette Squaresville
The Arnette Slickster sunglasses with sleek lines & high style points ( from $69.95 ).
Click product image to learn more & see available frame / lens options.
Arnette Slickster Sunglasses

The all new Arnette Roboto sunglasses have a sleek look and are a great option for a wrap sunglass that screams style ( from $79.95 ).
Click product image to learn more & see available frame / lens options.
Arnette Roboto SunglassesThe Arnette Hot Shot is a classic wrap that can’t go wrong ( from $69.95 ).
Click product image to learn more & see available frame / lens options.
Arnette Hot Shot Sunglasses

Visit Action Sport Optics to view the entire 2013 Arnette collection, ASO is your #1 online source for action sport & lifestyle related optics. We pride ourselves in great products from the leading brands, superior customer service & fast shipping. Eyewear is our vision!

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