Target Opical - Too good to be true?

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MrkCrwly - 09 Apr 2005 18:41 GMT

Target optical is running a "Profile Ovation Progressive Package"
special that provides no line progressive lenses and $99 off any pair
of frames for $199. In other words if the frames cost $130 then the
total will be $229.
They say it is their best lens package, but lets just say I'm skeptical
that I would be getting as good a lens as the $370 quote from other
opticians. The regular lens price for just the Target progressive
lenses was said to be over $230 without frames.
Anybody know what kind, quality, 1.60, 1.67, they sell in this package?
Up to now I have purchases every pair of glasses I have owned from a
OD or from Gerry Optical.

Thanks for any help
Oh, and I'm an idiot about this topic.

Mark

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Mark A - 09 Apr 2005 20:06 GMT

> Target optical is running a "Profile Ovation Progressive Package"
> special that provides no line progressive lenses and $99 off any pair
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Mark

The Ovation is a mid quality PAL design from Essilor. The Essilor premium
PAL line is called Varilux (Comfort, Panamic, Liberty). Whether or the
Ovation is the best lens design available at Target is irrelevant.

In order to know whether a mid-level design is sufficient, it would help to
know exactly what you wear now and what your exact Rx is. If your Rx is
mild, the Ovation may be sufficient, especially if you a similar design now.

Keep in mind that the markup on frames is astronomical, so these kind of
deals are not unusual.

Regarding the lens index for this "deal." why don't you call up Target and
find out?

Among discount stores, I have found that Wal-Mart, Sams (at to lesser extent
Costco) carry "some" premium PAL lens designs.

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MrkCrwly - 09 Apr 2005 20:51 GMT

Thanks. I talked to a different person today and got better info.
Ovation is Essilor polycarbonate probably 1.60
They also sell Seiko Proceed? 1.67 for $270 plus 1/2 off frame price.

I'm looking at 1/2 rimless frames so probably want as thin as I can
get.

Distance
Right - 450 sph
Left -275 -275 030

Near
Right +200
Left +200

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Mark A - 09 Apr 2005 22:30 GMT

> Thanks. I talked to a different person today and got better info.
> Ovation is Essilor polycarbonate probably 1.60
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Right +200
> Left +200

Polycarb is about 1.586 index.

Seiko Proceed is a very good high index lens. The higher index the index of
the lens, generally the poorer the optical quality (measured as abbe value),
except for polycarb, which at 1.586 has a lower abbe value (30) than even a
1.67 lens.

Essilor Ovation comes in other materials besides polycarbonate, including
regular plastic 1.50 (aka CR-39 or hard resin), and 1.67.

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MrkCrwly - 09 Apr 2005 20:53 GMT

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Brian - 10 Apr 2005 00:04 GMT

At Target you will get a Poly-c Essilor Ovation lens. A good mid
quality lens almost the same as the Varilux Comfort. That lens sells
for 99.00 every day at Costco, and a better quality high index 1.67
Essilor Ovation would be only 129.99.

>Target optical is running a "Profile Ovation Progressive Package"
>special that provides no line progressive lenses and $99 off any pair
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
>Mark

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Dr. Leukoma - 10 Apr 2005 04:28 GMT

In my shop, I try different, and then make my recommendations based on
my first hand experience. Then, I make sure that I employ experienced
opticians who know how to fit lenses. Finally, I worry about price.
For those whom price is a primary objective, I recommend that they go
to Target, Costco, Walmart, or Sam's.

DrG

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