Sunglasses test: Out Of Bot 2+ - the best self-tinting sunglasses on the market?

Self-tinting sunglasses are the perfect protection for any light situation. They make changing lenses superfluous because their lenses darken and lighten automatically. The automatic darkening of classic photochromic or photochromic lenses is based on silver compounds melted into the lenses or applied as a layer, which change their chemical structure on contact with UV radiation, thereby tinting the lens. When the UV radiation decreases, the molecules return to their original form.

The disadvantages of self-tinting

A great thing in itself, but the classic photochromic glasses have several flaws. The lenses only darken slowly. While most models darken by a good 50 per cent in ten seconds, it takes up to two minutes for the lens to become clear again - far too long if you are travelling at high speed into a patch of shade. The speed and intensity of the darkening also depends on the temperature. The colder the temperature, the faster the process and the darker the glass becomes. Foggy winter days can therefore pose a problem. In addition, most self-tinting glasses do not work behind UV-absorbing car windscreens.

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Tint change in real time

But watch out: The solution to all these problems is provided by the Italian manufacturer Out Of with the Bot 2+. The manufacturer relies on electronic photochromic technology. Thanks to an in-built solar panel, these glasses are supposed to darken in less than a second without the need for batteries. The panel measures the intensity of visible light - not UV light - and feeds a liquid crystal film that adjusts the tint of the lenses in real time. What's more, this responsive liquid crystal technology, which is also used in high-performance welding masks, is not affected by temperature fluctuations.

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The Out Of Bot 2+ comes with a high-quality hard case and a soft microfibre bag. The glasses themselves are superbly made, fit comfortably in the hand and sit on the head without any annoying edges. While the temple tips can be finely adjusted to the wearer, the nose clip is fixed and sits more securely on slightly wider nose bridges.

Great fit, best protection

Thanks to its pronounced curve, the Bot 2+ hugs the face very closely. It reliably blocks the wind and projectiles such as small flies or dirt from the vehicle in front. What is hardly noticeable from the front is that the frame of the Out Of is much more bulky on the inside and is always present in the rider's field of vision. A half-frame construction would probably have been the better alternative for many bikers.

However, it becomes impressive once you are off-road with the Out Of. If you drive from blazing sun into deepest shade, it only takes the blink of an eye and the disc is bright. The same game works just as well the other way round. Compared to classic photochromic glasses, this is a sensation! The best way to test the effect is to stand in the sun and slide your finger in front of the sensor - impressive. Only when the light changes in quick succession, for example in a light forest, does the rapid change in tint become distracting and feel like a "flickering" in the eyes. Great on the other hand: the slightly contrast-enhancing effect of the blue-violet disc.

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Unfortunately, the version of the Bot 2+ that we tested is relatively darkly tinted right from the start. This means that they are not the best choice for riding at dusk or in poor weather conditions. However, the manufacturer also offers a version with a significantly lower initial tint, which in my opinion would be more suitable for bike use.

Out Of Bot 2+ - Info & Price

• Price: 359 Euro >> available here
• Made inItaly
• Weight: 34,7 g
• Width / temple length: 141 / 137 mm
• Nose bridge width / lens height: 17 / 64 mm
• Adjustability: Temple ends
• Filter colour / filter class: blue-violet / 1 - 3
• Fitfor medium to wide faces; medium to wide nose bridge
• Equipment / special featuresHardcase; microfibre bag
• Alternatives5 filter colours; one version without adjustment option

BIKE Conclusion: Out Of Bot 2+

For me, self-tinting glasses are the perfect protection for any light situation - but they have three flaws: they react slowly to changes in light, are sensitive to cold and don't work in the car. Out Of solves all these problems with electrochromic lenses. A solar panel measures the intensity of the light - independent of UV radiation - and supplies a liquid crystal film that tints the lenses in real time. A battery is not required for this, which keeps the weight surprisingly low. In the field, the Bot 2+ reacts sensitively to every change in light. From blazing sun to deepest shade, it only takes the blink of an eye and the lens is bright. Perfect! The only thing that bothered me was the "flickering" of the lenses during constant rapid changes. On the other hand, the slight contrast enhancement and the almost ideal protection from the wind are great. Thanks to the adjustable temple tips, the Out Of also sits securely on rough terrain. However, the wide frame restricts the field of vision. - Stefan Frey - BIKE test editor