1/1/2024 0 Comments Smith 4d mag xl![]() Improving on the Smith I/O Mag’s design, the 4D Mag offers one of the fastest and most user-friendly quick-change systems. In the end, most folks shouldn’t have an issue here. To be fair, however, it’s something I only noticed when first putting on the goggles in the day and when sedentary (such as on the lift), but it never negatively impacted my vision while skiing. In the standard field of view above the curve, it’s quite similar to other ChromaPop lenses I’ve tested-including the I/O, I/O Mag, and Skyline goggles-but there is a faint but noticeable line and small amount of distortion right at the base of the lens where it bends. On the other hand, those who live in areas with a lot of exposure and sunlight will find the Red Mirror to be their go-to.Īll that said, it’s worth noting that the 4D Mag’s curved lens does have a minor impact on overall optical quality. I did find it to be a little dark for cloudy days, even in mixed conditions, so riders in regions that are frequently socked-in will likely not utilize this lens often. The mirrored finish cut down on glare, and everything was clear and precise. On bluebird days and later in the year with more light on the hill, the Everyday Red Mirror similarly excelled. It was also surprisingly versatile given its high VLT: Even when the sun popped out for stretches, it blocked just enough light (combined with the small bill on my Smith Level MIPS helmet) to keep me from wanting to swap to the mirrored lens. As with all goggles we’ve tested, a whiteout is still a whiteout, and no fancy lens tech can fix that, but otherwise, the lens was excellent. And it proved to be a great match, letting in ample light for skiing in the trees and on stormy days. They do a nice job highlighting bumps even in shadows and have a very natural look and feel that’s almost HD-like.Ĭonditions vary quite a bit at my local hill in central Washington: Early in the season, we get a lot of dark days with the sun tucked behind the mountain for long stretches, so the Storm Yellow Flash saw a lot of use. Overall, like our previous experiences with Smith’s ChromaPop designs, both lenses provided fantastic clarity in a range of conditions both on and off trail. There are a range of ChromaPop options to choose from, but I opted for the Everyday Red Mirror (25% VLT), which also includes the Storm Yellow Flash low-light lens (65% VLT). Like most goggles in the $200+ price range, the 4D Mag comes with two premium lenses that can be swapped out depending on conditions. But for those who prioritize unencumbered and comprehensive views, the 4D Mag is hard to beat. Most of the time on the hill, you’re looking out in front of you rather than directly downwards or in the bottom corners. ![]() And to be fair, not everyone truly needs the added field of view. That said, you certainly pay a premium for the added performance-it comes in $50 more than the I/O Mag, which offers similar visibility on all sides except the bottom. Peripheral visibility is more on-par with oversized designs like Oakley’s Flight Deck and Smith’s own Squad XL-impressive considering the Smith is only a medium/large fit goggle-and you can just barely see the frame at the base and top of the lens. In addition to the benefits of the curved lens, the 4D Mag's low-profile build delivers excellent overall field of vision. It's worth noting that the boost in visibility was most apparent while stationary-sitting on a lift or stopped mid-run-but in those situations, it easily beats out the competition. What previously required tilting my head back and down was now fully in view: It was noticeably easier to access my jacket’s chest pocket, adjust the sternum strap buckle on my pack, and verify all my pockets were zipped up. It's hard to quantify, but in use, the difference was immediately noticeable. The biggest news with Smith’s 4D Mag is the curve at the base of the lens called BirdsEye Vision, which significantly increases visibility straight down and in the corners (by a claimed 25%). To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best ski goggles. Below we break down our full experience with the 4D Mag. The 4D is extremely user-friendly with a fast lens-change system and delivers standout optics, fog prevention, and comfort. We tested the high-end goggle over a full ski season and found that while the added field of vision may be overkill for some, it’s yet another high-quality Smith product. Building on Smith’s popular I/O Mag snow goggle, the newer 4D Mag features a curved section at the bottom of the lens designed to greatly increase downward visibility.
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