A Tackle Shop Guide to Tonic Sunglasses
After decades in the fishing eyewear industry, Australian founder Doug Phillips set out to solve a common problem: eye strain. Tonic Sunglasses was born from that single focus: to create the lightest and clearest glass polarised lenses possible, specifically for anglers who spend all day scanning the water.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"When a customer makes contact and says their current sunglasses feel heavy or give them a headache after a long day, Tonic is often the brand I'll get them to take a close look at. Their lightweight Japanese glass lenses are noticeably clearer and more comfortable than many other brands. It’s a difference you can feel immediately.
They’ve put a lot of work into the science of their lenses, especially with how they enhance colours. For sight-fishing in the clear waters of St Georges Basin or spotting fish over the weed beds in Lake Illawarra, that extra bit of colour separation their lenses provide is a genuine advantage.
I own a few models and brands of sunglasses, and I rotate them occasionally depending on what I am doing. In Tonic, I wear their Spirit model with copper lenses. While this model has been discontinued by Tonic in favour of the latest fashionable designs, they are still going strong for me years on. I really like the copper lenses when I am freshwater fishing for trout and Australian bass. For me, the lenses light up the underwater structure, and I can often see where I need to cast and where not to."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop
Why Tonic is a Premium Choice
Tonic's reputation is built on a foundation of cutting-edge Japanese lens technology and a focus on angler comfort.
✔
VistaView Japanese Glass Lenses: At the heart of every pair of Tonic sunglasses is their VistaView lens. It's an ultra-thin, lightweight Crown Glass lens that provides superior optical clarity and scratch resistance without the weight of traditional glass.
✔
Advanced Lens Coatings: Each lens is treated with an anti-reflective coating on the back surface. This stops "bounce back" glare from hitting your eye, which is a major cause of eye strain during a long day in the sun.
✔
Focus on Lightweight Comfort: By combining their thin glass lenses with lightweight and durable frame materials like TR-90, Tonic creates a pair of sunglasses that is exceptionally comfortable and balanced, perfect for all-day wear on the water.
Pro-Tips for Your Tonic Sunglasses
- Match the Lens to Your Fishing: For sight-fishing in shallow estuaries and rivers, a **Copper Photochromic** or **Neon** lens will provide the best contrast. For bright, open-water offshore conditions, a **Blue Mirror** or **Silver Mirror** will provide the most glare reduction and comfort.
- Avoid Dashboard Damage: This is the most important tip for making your investment last. Never leave your Tonic sunglasses on your car's dashboard. The intense, direct heat can damage the lens layers and coatings over time. Always store them in their case and in a cooler spot like the glove box.
- Use the Hard Case: When you're not wearing them, store your Tonic eyewear in the supplied hard case. This is the single best way to protect them from being accidentally crushed or damaged in your car or boat.
- Clean with Care: To protect the advanced lens coatings, always rinse your Tonic eyewear with fresh water to remove salt and dust before gently wiping them clean with the included microfibre cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Tonic sunglasses compare to other premium brands like Mako and Spotters?
While all three are exceptional Australian brands, Tonic's key point of difference is its focus on creating the lightest and most comfortable glass-lens sunglasses on the market. Their unique VistaView lens system, with its anti-reflective coating, is specifically designed to reduce eye strain over a full day of fishing.
What is Tonic's "VistaView" lens?
VistaView isn't just the lens itself; it's Tonic's entire optical system. It combines their ultra-thin Japanese Crown Glass with an anti-reflective coating and, most importantly, a unique **Melanin** filter. Melanin is a synthetic version of the same pigment that is naturally found in the human eye to protect it from sun damage. By incorporating this into the lens, Tonic creates a filter that not only provides exceptional colour enhancement but also blocks all harmful UV and damaging HEV light, which is a primary cause of eye strain and long-term damage.
Are Tonic's glass lenses heavy to wear all day?
No, and this is one of their biggest strengths. Tonic uses a proprietary, ultra-thin and lightweight form of Crown Glass. When paired with their lightweight frame materials, the result is one of the most comfortable and well-balanced glass-lens sunglasses you can buy, perfect for all-day wear.
What is the warranty on Tonic sunglasses?
Tonic sunglasses are backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects, valid from the date of purchase. It's important to note that this does not cover issues like scratched lenses or damage from misuse. For any warranty claims, you will need your proof of purchase from us as an authorised dealer, and the claim is handled directly with Tonic Eyewear in Victoria.
What are my options if I wear prescription glasses?
This is a very common question for premium eyewear. Tonic has a dedicated prescription lens program that is handled through their network of authorised optometrist dealers. We recommend visiting the official Tonic Eyewear Australia website to find a prescription dealer near you who can discuss your specific needs.
