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Maui Jim Greets the Sportfishing World With Four New Aloha-Style Offerings
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Date: |
8/10/07 |
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Tackle type: |
Apparel |
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Manufacturer: |
Maui Jim |
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Reviewer: |
Cal |
Introduction: Bearing a name that reflects the company's origins, Maui Jim Sunglasses has a strong reputation for quality optics. In fact, anyone who has tried on a pair of shades from this manufacturer knows that the clarity of the Maui Jim polarized
lens is quite extraordinary. Up until now, however, the majority of their product seemed tailored more for casual and sport wear rather than boating and fishing. So we were excited to visit their booth at this past year's ICAST to see what products they've developed to answer the needs of the angling public.
Hibiscus: First up in our coverage is the new Hibiscus line available in three frame/lens combinations including a new, burgundy fade frame with Maui Rose® lenses. The frames on this product are made from Grilamid resin and feature an anti-corrosive nickel/silver spring hinge. The scratch-resistant, Polarized, glass lens is made from Maui Jim's new SuperThin glass - a product that is just under twenty-percent thinner than the original Maui Jim glass lens. The Hibiscus retails for $199.
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The Hibiscus features glass lenses and wrap around styling cues intended for a female audience
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Maui Jim Hibiscus
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MSRP
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Frame/lens Combinations
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Prescription Option
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Lens
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Appeal
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Frame Shape
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Face Shape
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$199
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3
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Yes
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Glass
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Female
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Rectangle, Wrap
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Round, Oval
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Maka: The Maka is a sort of hybrid aviator style frame featuring a single, wrap around polycarbonate lens. Interesting that this product is intended for both men and women even though it seems more feminine than the Hibiscus. The Maka is available in two frame colors, each with a matching lens. Shown here is the Gold frame with HCL® (high contrast lens) Bronze lens. The other color is a black frame with a neutral gray lens. The frame itself is a mix of Grilamid and Nickel/Silver alloy. The Maka retails for $269.
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The Maka is a hybrid aviator wrap-around style frame
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Maui Jim Maka
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MSRP
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Frame/lens Combinations
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Prescription Option
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Lens
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Appeal
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Frame Shape
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Face Shape
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$269
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2
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No
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Polycarbonate
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Unisex
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Rectangle
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Round, Oval
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Nunui: The Nunui features the type of aggressive, wrap around styling that any high speed sports buff will appreciate. Whether it's traveling at speeds in excess of 70 mph in a bass boat or spinning in a paceline with a dozen other cyclists traveling 30 mph or more, the Nunui's polycarbonate lens and Grilamid TR90 rimless frames look up to the challenge. This design is available in a single frame color, gloss black, but with two lens options, neutral gray or HCL® Bronze. The Nunui retails for $199.
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The Nunui has the type of wrap around wind protection that bass anglers and even cyclists should enjoy
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Maui Jim Nunui
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MSRP
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Frame/lens Combinations
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Prescription Option
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Lens
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Appeal
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Frame Shape
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Face Shape
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$199
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2
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No
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Polycarbonate
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Unisex
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Rectangle
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Round, Oval
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Palms: Like the Hibiscus, the Palms is another classically styled frame with extra-large sides to help protect against wind intrusion. This frame also features Maui Jim's new SuperThin glass lens and Grilamid frames but is available in only two frame/lens combinations. The Palms retails for $199.
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The Palms combines classic styling with a bit of wrap around protection
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Maui Jim Palms
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MSRP
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Frame/lens Combinations
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Prescription Option
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Lens
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Appeal
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Frame Shape
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Face Shape
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$199
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2
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Yes
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Glass
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Unisex
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Square, Wrap
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Round, Oval
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Karen Bower shows us what's new with Maui Jim, Mahalo Karen!
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Conclusion: Maui Jim started off with but a handful of products available only in Maui, Hawaii, but today their product totals over 50 styles and are sold worldwide. We've highlighted some of their newer product introduced at ICAST 2007 and intended for the sportfishing enthusiast seeking something just a little bit more than the prototypical wrap around style frames. Have they made a successful foray into this rather specialized market? Stay tuned as we select one of these styles for our own, up close evaluation and field testing.
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