Recently, I was able to add the Crossfire Doubleshot interchangeable lens kit to my range bag. With multiple frames and lenses in a single package, it’s designed to cover pretty much any lighting situation a typical enthusiast might encounter.
Crossfire Doubleshot Interchangeable Lens Kit contents
Inside the handy case, which is about the size of a small lunchbox, are two frames, six lenses, a carry pouch, and lens cloth. There’s also a handy instruction sheet that explains how to swap the lenses in and out of the frames. The frames themselves look pretty basic – just black with black/clear temples. Lenses include clear, smoke, amber, lavender, brown, and vermillion. With foam cutouts and even a divider separating the two sides of the case, everything is well protected during transport.
Frame and lens specifications
Both frames have anti-fog vents, and are lightweight. Although they are fairly hard plastic, the clear over the temples is softer and more flexible. Each lens includes a patented adjustable wire core nosepiece for comfort as well. Lenses also feature anti-reflective and anti-fog coatings, and protect the wearer’s eyes from 99.9% of harmful UV rays. They also comply with ANSI Z87.1 standards.
I had to look up the current standard since there was a change in 2020. This compliance ensures that they meet the minimum requirements set forth in several areas. They include optical quality, coverage area, high velocity and high mass impact, and lens penetration. Each lens bears the Z87+ rating, along with any relevant UV and Glare rating. For example, the smoke lenses are rated Z87+ U6L3. That translates to impact protection, the highest UV filter, and some visible light (Glare) filtering. I can trust my eyes to these lenses.
Swapping lenses
First, I need to point out that with two frames included in the Crossfire Doubleshot interchangeable lens kit, you’re probably less likely to need to swap lenses. Either way, after the first time, it’s fairly easy. Not going to lie here – I was worried they might break when I first tried. Grasp the lens and pull the frame up in the middle. The lens will pop out, although it may feel like something is going to give, and not in a good way. To replace the lens, just slip the corners into the frame, and then press down on the center. With a little practice, it’s a quick process, although that lens cloth will be needed as I got fingerprints everywhere.
Lens color options explained
My guess is that most shooters get by with one or two different lenses, but this kit offers an expanded selection that many will find useful. I had been using clear and grey for most of my shooting, and I definitely appreciate the new options I now have available.
For low light or indoor shooting, clear is probably the go-to. On a cloudy day, the amber (actually yellowish) help cut out some of the blue light for increased contrast and depth perception. And they can enhance the orange of a clay pigeon too. Brown is similar, increasing the overall contrast of orange and red, but better suited for bright days. Smoke is a variation of grey, reducing the amount of light without affecting colors. Vermillion is a specific shade of red, and gives the orange of clays or targets some extra “pop”. Lavender is another enhancer, best for improving contrast between greens and oranges.
Fit and optical quality
Picking up the Crossfire glasses, my first impressions are both good and bad. They’re very light. Tugging on the frames a bit, they creak a little, and kind of felt like the bulk-pack safety glasses they rent out at the range. Putting them on, that’s clearly not the case. They fit great and are hardly noticeable. That nosepiece was compliant without creating pressure points. Same with the temples. Definitely wearable for extended periods.
Part of the ANSI compliance is related to optical quality. From my last eye exam, I know that my peripheral vision isn’t ideal. Yet, these glasses offer great optical performance out to the edges of my periphery. Even if they were bad, I wouldn’t be able to tell while wearing them. But the quality is there. And I do like that they wrap around my head and protect my eyes from the sun as well as any flying objects coming at my eyes from an angle.
In the field/on the range
Located in Utah, I don’t usually have issues with low light. Even though we are up early to shoot, the sun is generally pretty bright. So smoke and brown are the most common choices. Especially since we’re usually shooting steel, or some green splatter targets. For fixed targets that don’t move (other than the steel swinging when hit) that’s all we usually need. Well, most of the time. On one particularly overcast day, I did try the yellow, and they definitely improved the otherwise flat light and low contrast.
In the interest of really testing out each lens, I used the vermillion and lavender as well, just not in the typical manner. The public land we shoot on has no shortage of unbroken clays. While shooting prone with a .22, I used both lenses for picking out clay pigeons that other shooters had missed. Although they made the orange “pop” a bit more, it’s not something I would necessarily use often. Unless I was shooting clays with a shotgun. For that, I would not hesitate to swap lenses.
Click here to check the price of the Radians Crossfire on Amazon.com
Conclusion
Radians markets this kit to competitors, but really, anyone with a diverse interest in shooting sports would find it useful. Even if you didn’t think you need the full range of lenses, it may surprise you how handy they are. For me, some of the color options won’t see as much use, but they will get used. I just need someone to send me a clay thrower to review. Lol. But in the interest of growing the recreational shooter base where I live, I try to bring along other shooters as often as possible, and having several extra pairs of shooting glasses certainly can’t hurt there. Especially since new shooters and other guests don’t always have proper eye protection.
I’d like to thank Radians for providing their Crossfire Doubleshot interchangeable lens kit for our review. Since they don’t sell direct, I’m giving a shout-out to Creedmor Sports, as they currently stock this kit.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.