NASA LENS TECHNOLOGY

NASTEK® ZAIO LENS
HIGH PERFORMANCE IN LIGHT TRANSMISSION

Of all the colors the human eye is capable of seeing, it is particularly sensitive to blues and greens, which comprise the middle wavelengths of the visible electromagnetic spectrum. But, our sensitivity to these colors comes at the expense of peripheral hues, like red, when the two colors are seen simultaneously. The phenomenon, called center-loading sensitivity, can interfere with visibility in certain situations like spotting targets or judging distances.

Several years ago, NASA scientists discovered unique lenses and optical filters which allowed the human eye to see things, which cannot be seen with the unaided eye. Following research and development that began in a partnership with NASA, NASTEK® lenses use NASA technology to optimize visibility on the ski slopes.

D•CURVE’s NASTEK® lenses use the same foundational technology derived from NASA research to help skiers see terrain more clearly. For them, it’s not the color green, but rather blue, that can be a hindrance. Blue light comprises wavelengths of the visible spectrum that are easily scattered by air molecules, which is the reason the sky appears that color. But, this scattering also causes blue light waves to bleed into mountainsides and other land features, creating a haze that can be troublesome for skiers visually, especially on overcast days. To remedy that, NASTEK® lenses cancel out a significant amount of blue light. The industry standard lies at around 79-80 percent filtration. D•CURVE’s lenses filter more than 98 percent, which results in an incredible definition of terrain in flat light as well as bright sun conditions. For people who aren’t color blind, that means an average increase of 12-15 percent in visual acuity and depth perception.

The lens is also versatile. Some ski goggles are designed for low to variable light conditions, but are not ideal for bright conditions, because they let in an intense amount of sunlight that can be uncomfortable on the eyes. For that reason, many skiers switch lenses depending on the weather. However, the NASTEK® lens handles low and bright, incoming light equally well. In fact, D•CURVE has many professional skiers and ski patrollers who wear D•CURVE goggles every day and never have to change the lens.

Additional features of NASTEK® lenses include a careful design, which prevents air gaps, and therefore fog, from forming in the goggles. Second, the high-grade polycarbonate lens is impact-resistant and provides complete protection from ultraviolet A, B, and C radiation.  Finally, in order to create a reflective surface, many lens makers apply a thin titanium coating to the outside of the lens, where it’s easy to scratch. NASTEK® applies the reflective coating to the inside of the lens, instead. The outside of our lens is pretty robust as far as durability is concerned because you don’t have that thin layer taking the brunt of all the impacts and cleanings and handling.

D•CURVE.  See the Difference.