In celebration of Season 2 of Amazon’s Fallout, self-proclaimed first “gaming glasses’ company GUNNAR is back in partnership with Amazon, another take on Wasteland wear.
While the original “Vault 33” frames were polished and pristine, based on the bold blues and olive greens of Vault life, the new “Brotherhood of Steel” fells more brash and borrowed — not unlike that faction’s famous Power Armour [Sorry, I spell Canadian, eh]. California-founded GUNNAR sent me a couple of pairs — non-prescription and prescription — to try out. It’s almost like they want me to commit to their order or something… not saying I will yet! I don’t look so good in Power Armour.
Welded for The Wasteland
As I said above, the “Brotherhood of Steel” frame is intended to have a patina of the before times. GUNNAR has updated its signature gunmetal grey colourway with distressed amber elements, making this Aviator-style frame look desert-aged and as if it’s spent some time in the Nevada sun.
They also have a decidedly steampunk feel, with overly thick rims and wiry, worn temples. They look very much like steampunk cosplay glasses with an elevated feel and build quality.
Similar to their precursor, the “Brotherhood of Steel” frame is actually pretty understated, choosing to put Easter eggs on the frame, while putting the “gamer glorification’ quite expertly on the cases and accessories.
On the frame, you get the faction motto “AD VICTORIAM” in bright red letters on the inside of the left temple, which is visible when my slim-faced wife wears them, less so when I do.
Aside from that, you’ve got a red faction logo on the outside of the right temple, but good luck telling what it is, as it is far too small and thus appears blown out, which makes me very sad.
Another Easter egg that makes me sad is that the non-prescription frame I was sent came with an emblazoned faction logo on the lower outside of my right lens, and that is not here on the prescription frame.
I’ll end with another positive, though. I am in love with GUNNAR’s decision to do a thin double-bar bridge common to Aviator-style frames that looks practically welded together at a workbench. I like to imagine this look is something I achieved by bending over a weapon’s workbench in-game!
Where GUNNAR goes all-out is in its modifications to its classic metal clamshell case, as well as a microfibre pouch and cleaning cloth. Though I never actually picked them up, I was a big fan of the crisp, blue-and-yellow, freshness-sealed look of the accessories that came with the “Vault 33” frames. I am in love with the military might of this new kit. On the bottom, there is a larger version of the “Fallout X GUNNAR” logo.
Taking on major Enclave vibes, the clamshell case is Enclave black, with “AREA 51” written across the top to the left of a no unauthorized use warning that contains the actual coordinates for Area 51 in real-life.
On the inside, a bold faction logo is emblazoned in metallic red on a soft-touch fabric shell.
Both my wife and I have started using the cases as our main glasses cases, replacing our normal felt sleeves. I’ve never been a fan of metal clamshell cases, as I find them to be often cheaply made and quickly becoming cock-eyed or dented. GUNNAR’s case takes me back to that significant steel book feel we all miss so much!
The microfibre case contains an original image of the faction logo spliced together with a T-45 helmet, as well as another collab logo on the back. Similarly, the microfibre cleaning cloth features Season 2 promotional material of Brother Maximus [Aaron Moten], while the back has yet another collab logo.
I appreciate the focus this time around on adding more Fallout and more Amazon than was found in the “Vault 33” frame, and everything in this kit feels Fallout fantastically.
Wearing The Wasteland Thanks to GUNNAR
As I said, I don’t own a pair of the “Vault 33” frames, but I did briefly get to wear a dummy pair at an event once.
I recall liking the lightweight, but not being crazy about the high-sitting nose pads or the way the nylon temple tips sat on the back of my ears.
The “Brotherhood of Steel” has a thicker set of nylon tips that feel much cozier. And the nose pads sit low enough to be comfortable.
Aviators have come back into style in the past couple of years, having seemingly pulled off a perfect Fallout parallel, being both old and new at the same time.
GUNNAR maintains that this frame is a style that suits multiple face shapes.
I personally was hoping they would come and make me look like international superstar Tom Brady. However, I think they may actually make me look like a Super Mutant that forgot he’s supposed to be green. My face seems much more suited to chunkier, more square acetate frames.
I will say that my wife is nailing the Brady vibes, though.
V.A.T.S. Vision
GUNNAR sent me my very own wild and strong prescription in their “Amber” starting lens, but they also offer a more premium “Amber Max” and the truly colossal “Amber Sun Shift”.
As glasses intended to block blue light emitted by screens, GUNNAR guarantees 65% blockage with “Amber,” 98% with “Amber Max,” and a shift of 65% to 90% with “Amber Sun Shift.”
GUNNAR still controls production of their proprietary “GUNNAR GSHIELD” lens, which I enjoy for its light weight, as I normally wear a thicker, high-index lens in my left eye, outfitted with a low-grade prism.
I found myself somewhat uncomfortable with the “GUNNAR GSHIELD” lens in the early days, as GUNNAR uses a magnifying lens in their lenses, which they say helps your eyes focus and relieves the strain of near-distance sight. I’ve found that this takes some getting used to, at least for those with a perfect case of nearsightedness.
However, I also want to bring up a common issue with online glasses companies: measurement failures. GUNNAR asked me for my pupillary distance during the review process, and I used an app as instructed to measure it. Despite giving them the 60mm measurement the app gave me, I am convinced this is off, either on GUNNAR’s side or mine. I’ve noticed double vision and discomfort when looking at things at a distance or to the left of my field of vision. Once again, I want to state that this could be a measurement error on my end, not on GUNNAR’s, so I will be lenient, but I can’t fully review the optics.
I will conclude by reviewing the screen-viewing benefits GUNNAR offers. Now, the argument about the dangers of blue light and the necessity for blue light filters is in the same realm as whether pineapple belongs on pizza or not. I have tended to skip the blue light filter, as I currently do on my everyday glasses.
I’ve noticed that I feel less eye strain and fatigue when using the “GUNNAR GSHIELD” lenses, especially at night, when viewing screens, and at close distances.
Verdict
Those looking for a touch of discreet geekery will find it in GUNNAR’s latest Fallout collab. The “Brotherhood of Steel” is a wonderfully worn-down homage to Amazon’s take on the classic gaming series.
While it is hard to tell these are video game glasses when worn, GUNNAR excels at hiding Easter eggs around the frame and splashes them all over the case and accessories.
“GUNNAR GSHIELD” lenses are great for looking at screens. Unfortunately for those of us who are nearsighted, these feel like lenses meant for those who don’t need as much help seeing far away. Also, the magnifying GUNNAR uses can be a lot to get used to in the early days.
[GUNNAR provided a launch retail unit for this review.]
