Eyeing some new goggles.

The sun, wind and dust goggles (SWDG) date back to the 1950s. For years they've been the standard goggles providing ballistic and laser eye protection. But times have changed and now the Army offers you a choice: the old standby SWDG or a new generation of protective goggles.

A Closer Look

Besides the SWDG, you're now authorized to order and use the Wiley-X SG-1 goggles, the Eye Safety System (ESS) land operations goggles and the ESS low provide night vision goggles. Here are a few things you need to know about them:

* These are commercial substitutes for the non-laser SWDG. None of them protects your eyes from lasers. So, if you have a mission or training that requires laser eye protection, you must wear the SWDG with laser lenses. So far the Army hasn't authorized any substitutes to the SWDG with laser lenses.

* The components of the SWDG and the new goggles are not interchangeable. For example, you can't put a SWDG lens in the commercial eyewear frame.

* If you regularly wear prescription eyeglasses, order the ESS land operations goggles. They'll fit over most glasses.

* Although ESS makes a prescription lens carrier for their low profile night vision goggles, you're not authorized to order it. The carrier has not been field tested for durability.

* It's not a good idea to fit the Wiley-X SG-1 goggles with prescription lenses. For one thing, it's costly. For another, you run the risk that the prescription lenses won't protect you as well as the ballistic lenses that come with the goggles.

Here's a more detailed look at each of the new goggles, along with replacement parts:

Wiley-X SG-1 Goggles Kit

The kit comes with two pairs of ballistic lenses, one clear and one green smoke. The eyewear has black frames. A foam seal around each eye prevents dust and wind from getting in. You can detach the temples and replace them with an elastic strap that comes with the kit. One size fits all.

           Item                   NSN 4240-

Wiley-X SG-1 goggles kit         01-504-0994
Clear lenses                     01-504-5326
Green smoke sunglass lenses      01-504-5312
Temples                          01-504-6474
Elastic strap                    01-504-5754
Frame (includes temple           01-504-6524
  arms and elastic strap)

ESS Land Operations Goggles Kit

The kit comes with two single piece ballistic lenses, one clear and one smoke gray. The lenses are made with anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings. The eyewear has an olive green frame and a black elastic strap. A foam seal between the face and the goggle frame allows ventilation while keeping dust out. You can order the kit with or without an anti-reflective sleeve that reduces glint when the goggle is not in use. One size fits all.

           Item                      NSN

Land operations goggles
  kit (with anti-reflective    4240-01-504-0052
  sleeve)
Land operations goggles
  kit (without                 4240-01-479-8657
  anti-reflective sleeve)
Smoke gray sunglass lens       4210-01-492-5725
  (pack of 50)
Clear lens (pack of 50)        4210-01-492-5722

ESS Low Profile Night Vision Goggles Kit

The kit comes with two single piece ballistic lenses, one clear and one smoke gray. The lenses are made with anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings. You can order the kit in one of three frame colors: black, olive drab or desert tan. A foam seal between the face and the goggle frame allows ventilation while keeping dust out. An anti-l-effective sleeve reduces glint when the goggle is not in use. One size fits all.

           Item                   NSN 4240-

Low profile
  night vision goggles kit       01-504-6222
  (black frame)
Low profile
  night vision goggles kit       01-504-5706
  (olive drab frame)
Low profile
  night vision goggles kit       01-504-5727
  (desert tan frame)
Smoke gray sunglass lens         01-504-6143
  (pack of 50)
Clear lens (pack of 50)          01-504-5641