REVIEW: Smith Optics Elite Tactical - Aegis Echo II Compact Field Kit

Oakley? ESS? Smith! To keep things interesting, this time we present to you the ballistic protective eyewear from Smith Optics - Model Aegis Echo II Compact.

Smith Optics has long been a staple in the field of sports sunglasses. Over time, the company also introduced eyewear with and without ballistic protection in the military sector. The Boogie Regulator is also quite well known, often mistakenly criticized as poor and unstable. No wonder, it is completely misused - it is actually only designed for skydiving and then a different pair of glasses is worn. Here is a commercial clip from Smith Optics that clearly also showcases the military sector:

The Aegis Echo II presented here is a timeless design ballistic protective eyewear - at first glance, similar to Oakley, ESS, Swiss Eye, and other comparable glasses. We tested the model "Aegis Echo II Compact". In general, "Compact" covers most head sizes. The standard model is really designed for larger heads - so definitely try/try it on.

The Aegis Echo II comes in a "Field Kit" which includes the glasses with a clear and tinted lens, a padded transport case with zipper, an anti-fog cloth, a microfiber cover for the spare lens, a headband, and a Smith sticker.

What sets the Aegis Echo apart from the competition? One feature is the TLT Technology (Tapered Lens Technology) - which corrects distortions - so you can see almost parallax-free:

Next, we have the PivLock Quick Change System - allowing the user to quickly and comfortably swap lenses. All you have to do is raise two tabs at the top of the frame, and the glass can be removed. We especially like that after a few tries, you can figure out how to do it without leaving fingerprints on the glass, as we have experienced with other manufacturers.

To prevent the glass from falling out when the lock is open, the frame has two small raised points that fit into holes in the glass at the top edge.

We must also commend the extremely thin metal temples. They are so comfortable that you forget you are wearing the glasses in no time. Additionally, they can be bent individually to better fit the shape of your head.

Even under ear protection, the material thickness makes a difference: the typical pressure that occurs after a while with other glasses is completely eliminated. Here is a comparison of the temple thickness to an ESS Crossbow:

Not only are the temples adjustable - the nose piece can also be adjusted. We have not seen this feature before and we are impressed.

Regarding the tinted lens, the high contrast is worth mentioning. This is noticeable, especially when transitioning from bright light to darker rooms - the glass is still usable and not too dark.

The lenses have an anti-fog coating and are scratch-resistant. They also offer 100% protection against UV A/B/C rays. Glasses wearers can have prescription lenses inserted behind the glasses with Smith's Rx system.

The ballistic protection complies with US MIL-PRF-31013, Section 3.5.1.1. Additionally, the glasses meet ANSI Z87.1 and EN 166 standards. It is guaranteed safe according to military standards.

We will soon provide a review of the ballistic properties, as we did for Oakley - including glass impact testing.

At the shooting range, the Smith Aegis Echo II Compact wears as expected very well. The thin temples allow for pressure-free wearing of ear protection, and the adjustable nose bridge adds to the comfort.

Regarding fogging, we cannot find any negatives - the Smith performs just as well and poorly in this aspect as other manufacturers. We have not yet come across the perfect glasses that do not fog up at all.

CONCLUSION: The Aegis Echo II Compact offers an all-around worry-free package in terms of comfort, style, construction, and price. Ultimately, personal taste will decide - however, we find the frame's individual adjustability to be significantly superior to other manufacturers. Everyone has different preferences for lenses and visual clarity - some prefer polarized lenses, others are satisfied without, as long as there is high contrast. It's definitely worth taking a closer look at Smith when purchasing a new ballistic eyewear!

The Aegis Echo II Compact and all other Smith glasses are available at CSC European Defense Business Management GmbH in the webshop S4Supplies. The price for the Echo II Compact is 109 Euros.

We will soon conduct