Gunnars + Astro's = Unfair advantage against randoms

[AJRogers]

Which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

I'm sure you've all heard it..."How did you know he was around that corner?!", "You act like you can hear them a mile away, wtf!?", "Do you have Turtle Beaches!!!?! ZOMG!!" etc, etc... I always reply to the later by saying "No way! Astro A40's!" then educate the randoms on how they need to invest in a nice headset...or not, so we A40 users can continue to pwn them.

Now to add to my arsenal I have a pair of Gunnar Optiks and they are pretty amazing so far. I used them all day at work yesterday on a 22" lcd (software engineer), then in the afternoon for editing some video on the 13" MacBook Pro, then at night while playing MW2 on a 42" lcd...My eyes never once felt dry or fatigued when they usually would have, I had no headaches, I was achieving better reaction time and a greater since of depth.

I'm in front of a digital monitor for AT LEAST 12 hours a day. Usually more, occasionally less, especially in the summer time lol. Gunnars are going to save my life :D

First Match of the night with the Gunnars...then continued to do well in Hardcore S&D and some Hardcore TDM before calling it a night...
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs126.snc3/17368_772728628594_12313987_44024658_8182374_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs374.snc3/23994_780875262674_12313987_44241402_4434912_n.jpg

[AJRogers]

Forgot to mention...I have a MW2 controller being delivered tomorrow. I'm anxious to try the mappable buttons on the back of the unit.

Another tool to add to the arsenal :)

[ASTRO Warblade]

Nice. While I'm not (as an individual) a big proponent of Gunnars glasses, they do have a good marketing standpoint to gamers and those who use computers a lot. Fortunately I'm a type of person who doesn't get eye fatiege often.

[AJRogers]

Nice. While I'm not (as an individual) a big proponent of Gunnars glasses, they do have a good marketing standpoint to gamers and those who use computers a lot. Fortunately I'm a type of person who doesn't get eye fatiege often.

I used to be fine in front of a computer/tv all day. I've been a computer guy and a gamer since I was a little boy. There is no way I could ever count the amount of hours I've been face to face with digital monitors LOL :D

I just recently started getting headaches and fatigued/dry eyes, at work mostly. I was skeptical of Gunnars at first, because I'm not one to believe hype...but they do indeed work. I'm pleased. :)

[nymyth]

great thread, because I was just complaining about how im in front of screen ALL day and my eyes are beg. to hurt....i'll take a look at these...any other options??

[AJRogers]

great thread, because I was just complaining about how im in front of screen ALL day and my eyes are beg. to hurt....i'll take a look at these...any other options??


The Gunnars are kind of pricey, so I did try a few google searches on other brands but I found nothing relevant. Maybe I didn't put enough effort into it, but I found Buy.com selling Gunnar's cheaper than buying them directly through the company and went that route.

The ones I have are the eSport paralex's...they are 80 bucks via the Gunnar page, and they were like 54 shipped via buy.com.

I wouldn't mind to leave these at work and eventually get a paif of MLG Legends for home/gaming use (they are only 99 via Gunnar)...but only because I like the style better...my everyday sunglasses are aviators and that's what the Legends are :D:D

Some retail stores also carry them,
http://www.gunnars.com/retail/

[nymyth]

Thanks AJ, I'm not too concerned over the price as long as they help my eyes...staring a screen is hell on them...lol...wonder if i can claim workmans' comp??HAHA!!

ps..dammit why is nobody on PS3, I need some people to group up with as i'm still a n00b at MW2...lol

[AJRogers]

I'd definitely say pull the trigger on a pair then. I'm thinking about asking work to cover the price of these and then buy the Legends for personal use LOL

[nymyth]

good point, maybe i'll ask my boss...but i doubt the answer will be Yes, as I'm in international finance...but still no harm in asking

[hybrid]

Last semester at school I had 3 classes at 75 minutes on the computer plus another 5 hours or so on xbox / computer. So thats 8 hours and 45 minutes not counting my weekend gaming by the end my eyes were killing me, I was seriously considering gunnars but now that the semester is over I don't get it anymore. Glad they work because I was worried I would have to buy them without knowing if it is true or not. BTW My Astro's are coming next week!

[Holiday]

I'm getting a pair of Legends :)

[Little Miss BR]

You, sir, are TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL! =)

[AJRogers]

And you're a good lookin' girl with Astro's...I guess that makes you TOO HOT TO TROT!?!


I keed, I keed.


I wish I was too cool for school...School left me in debt. :) Degrees are overrated anyway.

[Izzy]

lol gg. to hot to trot made me lol

[nymyth]

My friend made me a deal that if i quit smoking she'll get me a pair...(need to for at lease one month)....3 weeks in baby...w00t

[Izzy]

maybe i should start smoking and then quit so people will buy me stuff :) lol, im sure its easier said than done.

[nymyth]

well im going cold turkey, and the first 2 weeks were brutal...i was cranky as hell, hungry all the time, i literally stayed home both weekends and played MWF so i wouldnt be tempted to smoke...

This past weekend it was one my boy's wedding and I managed to pass the alcohol test...lol

DONT EVER START...

[Neomop]

After reading this thread, I went out and bought a pair of MLG Phantoms at my local computer store! Will post later

[XxL3THALxX]

what are Gunnars doing for you exactly? gaming wise?

[Holiday]

what are Gunnars doing for you exactly? gaming wise?

Not only for gaming, also when looking at a digital screen. It reduces eye fatigue significantly resulting in less headaches and longer gaming hours or computer work. They also look quite stylish ;)

[AJRogers]

They also reduce glare and normalize colors. Just one example...In MW2, it's a tad easier to see the snipers in Wasteland that hide in the brush. Which is pretty cool.

[DJBBOX]

i`m ordering mines on Thursday. i can`t wait man. i`m getting the carbon fiber shell for my controller now but i cant wait for the RAZER ONZA to be released.

[nymyth]

yeah ordering mines soon...in like one more week...

[Neomop]

Returned mine after a day. I don't normally wear glasses, and I just couldn't get them to fit right. They would sit too close and push against my eyelashes, but further away, the frames would block vision. Oh well, not everything is my thing :s at the very least, the Astros still are :p

[Thrillamanjaro]

I've got the Gunnar Rockets... I love them. I used to get headaches from staring at my monitor for too long... The Gunnars have seriously helped that out.

[Izzy]

i dont know if these would help me but, after playing for long periods of time i start to feel dizzy/nausious do you think these would help?

[nymyth]

i dont know if these would help me but, after playing for long periods of time i start to feel dizzy/nausious do you think these would help?
I think they would, it's one of the reasons why I'm getting them....im getting old :-/

[AJRogers]

They should help you out Izzy. It's what they're made for ;)

[DBakerr]

I'm sure these work for quite a great population of the gaming community, or something around that.. but.. hrmm..

When I was in MLG Anaheim, they had a station for the Gunnars.. I put them on, and they didn't do anything for my self personally. As a matter of fact, they kind of hurt my eyes, lol. As Warblade, I'm fortunate enough to not really suffer from eye fatigue etc. I'm glad that you guys are enjoying them though! :)

[sandz]

gaming glasses hahaaha

[AJRogers]

Thanks Warblade.

Update: After a week of use at work and home, my eye fatigue and headaches are no longer an issue.

[shawneb0y]

thats pretty cool.. too bad the ppk are out of stock on the website.. those are the ones i wanna get..

[Holiday]

My MLG Chrome Legends are coming in on Tuesday :) 1 more day!

[nymyth]

Thanks Warblade.

Update: After a week of use at work and home, my eye fatigue and headaches are no longer an issue.
This is great news....I'll be ordering mines soon

[Izzy]

mines isnt a word >=) lol, i wanna get some gunnars gotta get the $$$$ first tho

[Little Miss BR]

And you're a good lookin' girl with Astro's...I guess that makes you TOO HOT TO TROT!?!


I keed, I keed.


I wish I was too cool for school...School left me in debt. :) Degrees are overrated anyway.

Hahaha! Sorry, I didn't read this until JUST NOW.
Queen of Delayed Reactions!
I dunno about "too hot to trot!" but I'm with ya in the school boat. I'm just working all the time =)

[Izzy]

lol, modest

[nymyth]

agreed....

ps..im back in school and working full time :ugh:

[Izzy]

=( no job for me yet...

[nymyth]

make sure you don't write "lulz, interwebz, i poop on ur jobz, amirite, ur kdr iz weaksAuce" etc on your resume...it will not bode well for you....lulz

[Izzy]

lol, ya i use normal grammar and all that in school and stuff like that, just liek to let it go on teh interwebz rawful

[Holiday]

UPDATE!:

So, my Gunnars have arrived today! I must say they work like a charm so far, they magnify things to see easier, they're very comfortable, lightweight, and my eyes really aren't as strained after long gaming hours :)

[Steggy]

way to attribute any success in a game to the gear that you own. I bet my 5 year old cousin will become a pro in mw2 because i bought him a headset gunnars and a tv. because that's the logic you're setting forth right? >_>. A headset helps, but it doesn't absolve a player from needing to have a set skill level in order to perform well in a video game.

[AJRogers]

way to attribute any success in a game to the gear that you own. I bet my 5 year old cousin will become a pro in mw2 because i bought him a headset gunnars and a tv. because that's the logic you're setting forth right? >_>. A headset helps, but it doesn't absolve a player from needing to have a set skill level in order to perform well in a video game.

Way to take personal experience and try to apply it to a whole. :rolleyes:

Gunnars help me personally, A40's will definitely give the average gamer an advantage in games like MW2, but that advantage won't mean anything if they don't have skill to back it up...and sure, I've seen lots of guys possess the skill to be top scorer with a cheap mic. A40's really shine with a perk like sitrep pro that makes footsteps louder.

[nymyth]

way to attribute any success in a game to the gear that you own. I bet my 5 year old cousin will become a pro in mw2 because i bought him a headset gunnars and a tv. because that's the logic you're setting forth right? >_>. A headset helps, but it doesn't absolve a player from needing to have a set skill level in order to perform well in a video game.
actually for a lot of people your success can be attributed by the gear you own. Why do you think every year companies in industries such as sport spend so much money on R&D for their products. Can you compare a Tiger Shark driver to a Taylor Made one?? I know for a fact I can drill the ball farther with my TM driver than I did with my TS one. Granted I'm sure there are people that could probably do it with either, but i'll bet most people cant...it's no different with gaming. My K/D has improved dramatically with the A40's, however my friend has a regular bluetooth and he torches the competition on a regular basis...to each his own..but for me they def. help out

[Izzy]

quick reaction time i think is what gets you doing the best, the astros dont really make a difference (i can play with ot without them) but the tv is what really makes a defference for me

[DBakerr]

make sure you don't write "lulz, interwebz, i poop on ur jobz, amirite, ur kdr iz weaksAuce" etc on your resume...it will not bode well for you....lulz

Pfft, if I was a manager of a store and someone managed to write that on their resume to apply.. they'd be hired! ;)

EDIT: Which.. is probably why I'd never manage a store, lol.

[DBakerr]

quick reaction time i think is what gets you doing the best, the astros dont really make a difference (i can play with ot without them) but the tv is what really makes a defference for me

Haha, when I take a good shower I do much better, generally. ;D Gets me ungreasified. The A40's definitely help out in ways, small and large.

Been playing a lot of Bad Company 2 and I can hear enemies sneaking up on me, jump and turn around and noscope em to the face with my M95! :)

[Izzy]

that actually helps me to lol then i have the problem of wet smelling a40s

[DBakerr]

Dry your hair you silly goose!

[Izzy]

lol, i do but it just stays wet even if i let it dry for like an hour and then take a towel to it for 30 minutes

[RecklessProdigy]

mw2 xbox live get at me RecklessProdigy

[Steggy]

Way to take personal experience and try to apply it to a whole. :rolleyes:

Gunnars help me personally, A40's will definitely give the average gamer an advantage in games like MW2, but that advantage won't mean anything if they don't have skill to back it up...and sure, I've seen lots of guys possess the skill to be top scorer with a cheap mic. A40's really shine with a perk like sitrep pro that makes footsteps louder.

I created the cousin story to prove a point that gear isn't the only factor. you make it sound like it gives you some divine gift and everyone who didn't spend 250 dollars on a headset are "random kids". It's just a bad attitude to have.


actually for a lot of people your success can be attributed by the gear you own. Why do you think every year companies in industries such as sport spend so much money on R&D for their products. Can you compare a Tiger Shark driver to a Taylor Made one?? I know for a fact I can drill the ball farther with my TM driver than I did with my TS one. Granted I'm sure there are people that could probably do it with either, but i'll bet most people cant...it's no different with gaming. My K/D has improved dramatically with the A40's, however my friend has a regular bluetooth and he torches the competition on a regular basis...to each his own..but for me they def. help out

like I said, i'm saying it isn't the only factor. I'm sure driver X is better than driver Y, but that doesn't mean that I can walk onto a golf course with no prior experience and out drive tiger woods because i spent the most on my gear. Lot's of people buy the 250 dollar headsets and the 100 dollar gunnars and the 150 dollar no slow controlles and wearing their kaeneto hat and the attitude that that makes them a better player while they go negative 12 against someone who is skilled at the game.

[Lt. Croaker]

I'm curious Steggy as to why you've joined these forums? You're the guy that published the review on a number of headsets and the A40's pretty much got body slammed in your review, or whoever actually did the review.
And why the hostility towards another member?

-Lt. Croaker


"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them
all they want." -Gen. Sherman

[Steggy]

I'm curious Steggy as to why you've joined these forums? You're the guy that published the review on a number of headsets and the A40's pretty much got body slammed in your review, or whoever actually did the review.
And why the hostility towards another member?

-Lt. Croaker


"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them
all they want." -Gen. Sherman
While I find that there are better options for the money spent as far as sound quality goes, the Astro still deserves some respect. it was the first kind of headset that was taking gaming towards the direction of stereo+dolby headphone, it's just that other big companies followed suit and produced excellent products afterwards for cheaper prices while the astro has remained the same(though with occasional sales from Dell.com in which case I recommend them over others because 70 dollars for the Astro A40 + the 130 for the mixamp is a good deal IMO). But I still give respect towards the A40 system, because without it, hell, none of the new headsets that are out would even be usable at MLG events without the mixamp's private communication network. The A40 remains to be the most convenient headset to use with the Mixamp, and that's a big reason people buy headsets in the first place, and Astro is still the official MLG headset, so it's still the choice for those who support MLG and want the official MLG gear used by a lot of professional teams.

I came to the site because I wanted to post an opinion towards a topic i was reading, and I've just been joining in discussions on the site. i think I'm entitled to do so as anyone else is. And I wouldn't call it hostility towards another member, I just disagree with his methodology that gaming gear is on a pedestal of "1337ness" and the idea that simply spending more money on gear makes you a better player when practice and raw talent come into play, something in which I haven't heard mentioned in the thread at all. I'm not openly attacking another member in an irrational manner, I'm just having a debate.

[AJRogers]

I created the cousin story to prove a point that gear isn't the only factor. you make it sound like it gives you some divine gift and everyone who didn't spend 250 dollars on a headset are "random kids". It's just a bad attitude to have..


First off, I didn't take the time to read your posts after this quote...it's not worth my time. This will be my last post on the subject, but it's a free country and you can continue the argument if you wish, but that's not my thing so don't expect a comeback.


On to my post...

NEWSFLASH! It's an A40 forum! We all know how great (or not great) the headset is (it's called opinion), but that wasn't my only point. The term RANDOMS is used by any gamebattles/MLG'er for players that aren't in a sanctioned matched.


If you weren't ignorant to the subject and actually knew what I was talking about when I used the term randoms, then I suspect you wouldn't have taken my post so seriously. By the way, ignorant is not an attack on your character, just a term used for someone lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact. I wouldn't want to you take that the wrong way also :rolleyes:


People like you are what drive me away from forums, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Constructive criticism is always accepted, a good debate is always accepted, but nobody needs to hear your two cents just because you want to start some sort of argument. You can take your negativity elsewhere. :rolleyes:

If you didn't think you were negative, I obviously did...you have to remember, people can't read body language on a forum, so a well placed emoticon can totally change the attitude of a post. If that was the case, you should learn to use them.

But no hard feelings, I just don't argue on forums. I stay positive, and I'm the type of guy that has a huge temper (Italian!) so if I ever get so fed up with something that I finally do go off and get angry, it's usually pretty bad.

If it was all a misunderstanding, I apologize. But at least now you know where I'm coming from. :)

[Steggy]

You can add an emoticon and say its light hearted, but you say you don't even read the posts I wrote, which means you missed the entire point of my argument yet you'll call me ignorant.. I know the term random, rando, randy travis, etc. A lot of people do say it, I know this, but that doesn't mean that it is a good mindset to have in a gaming community, where unless you're a top 8 team you're a random. It's a derogatory term used towards other gamers, and that kind of negativity is what drives other people away from a site. I'm glad that you enjoy your Astro's and that they work well for you, I really do, but the point I was trying to make is that performing better in a game shouldn't raise an aire of elitism over other people.

Getting past that, for those who are interested in Gunnar Optiks, they are currently running a promotion where if you purchase a set from www.newegg.com, and fill out and send this form: http://www.mlgpro.com/content/news/302696/Buy-MLG-GUNNARS-on-Newegg-com-and-Get-a-Free-MLG-T-Shirt

you get a free MLG tshirt. Just a lil somethin extra if you can't nab a discount.

[FrozenIpaq]

Enough with the fighting, it will get you us no where. To put it simply: The Astro A40's (or any surround sound setup) provides you a distinct advantage over your opponents. That is to say, you'll be able to pinpoint footsteps and gun fire in-game whereas if you did not have such a setup it would be more difficult. A surround sound headset in general (not just the A40's) will provide a better gaming experience and an "edge" over the competition if they are not using a similar setup. Granted, you'll still have to listen for those footsteps and gun shots as well as identify where they are in the game, but the headset truly helps.

Gunnar Optiks don't really "improve" your gaming, just puts less strain on your eyes over a long period of time. For someone like me they would be ideal since it's a constant problem, although I would require a prescription version of the glasses and those will definitely ramp up the price and you have to go to a physical store to purchase them.

[Steggy]

Can you not just ask your optometrist for your prescription from your latest vision test, then just send Gunnars the numbers?

[FrozenIpaq]

Can you not just ask your optometrist for your prescription from your latest vision test, then just send Gunnars the numbers?

On their site they said you have to go to a store to order prescription versions of their glasses, I'll send them an e-mail however to see if I could send them the numbers electronically though.

[Izzy]

i think i agree with what steggy is saying, unless your on like the first page of gb ranks nobody knows you lol... nobody important anyways :P but ive never heard of you so that makes you a random in my eyes :)

[nymyth]

you guys are assuming we buy these items because we think we're going to be god like players...I'm fully aware i'll be no Hutch or Seananners, however I want to be best I can be and these certainly do help....its no fun getting capped from behind because you don't know someone is shooting from that area...lol

[Izzy]

true dat! love being able to hear behind me and not disturbing others that are in the room with me =)

[Astro]

Which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

I'm sure you've all heard it..."How did you know he was around that corner?!", "You act like you can hear them a mile away, wtf!?", "Do you have Turtle Beaches!!!?! ZOMG!!" etc, etc... I always reply to the later by saying "No way! Astro A40's!" then educate the randoms on how they need to invest in a nice headset...or not, so we A40 users can continue to pwn them.

Now to add to my arsenal I have a pair of Gunnar Optiks and they are pretty amazing so far. I used them all day at work yesterday on a 22" lcd (software engineer), then in the afternoon for editing some video on the 13" MacBook Pro, then at night while playing MW2 on a 42" lcd...My eyes never once felt dry or fatigued when they usually would have, I had no headaches, I was achieving better reaction time and a greater since of depth.

I'm in front of a digital monitor for AT LEAST 12 hours a day. Usually more, occasionally less, especially in the summer time lol. Gunnars are going to save my life :D

First Match of the night with the Gunnars...then continued to do well in Hardcore S&D and some Hardcore TDM before calling it a night...
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs126.snc3/17368_772728628594_12313987_44024658_8182374_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs374.snc3/23994_780875262674_12313987_44241402_4434912_n.jpg

ur the pub* sounds like ur the random jk....but seriously

[SocksWthSandals]

ur the pub* sounds like ur the random jk....but seriously

lol @ astro

[AJRogers]

edit...


Not even wasting my time with anyone on these boards. Don't worry about what it said.

[Alpha I Omega]

edit...


Not even wasting my time with anyone on these boards. Don't worry about what it said.

how did you like the MW2 controller?
I bought one on launch and thought it was trash because the sticks drifted constantly, so ended up returning it.

[AJRogers]

how did you like the MW2 controller?
I bought one on launch and thought it was trash because the sticks drifted constantly, so ended up returning it.



I didn't like it at all. I ended up returning mine as well. I think most of the youtube community I game with did the same, nobody liked it! LOL

[Alpha I Omega]

I didn't like it at all. I ended up returning mine as well. I think most of the youtube community I game with did the same, nobody liked it! LOL

They had the right idea but the parts were trash.
I would have loved to keep it.

[ASTRO Warblade]

I didn't like it at all. I ended up returning mine as well. I think most of the youtube community I game with did the same, nobody liked it! LOL
LOL, I bought one and ended up returning it the next day too. It was lousy.

[Riggs]

I'm not really sure if this has been asked before but do Gunnars work with people with glasses? I mean I can put on my contacts, but that just adds to eye irritation after prolonged use & defeats the purpose.

[Alpha I Omega]

I'm not really sure if this has been asked before but do Gunnars work with people with glasses? I mean I can put on my contacts, but that just adds to eye irritation after prolonged use & defeats the purpose.

Gunnar offers Prescription glasses.

[LuNaTiiK]

Gunnar offers Prescription glasses.

Yeah, that's what I use but it definitely adds a lot to the price tag. Riggs, you might check with your health insurer to see if they'll take on some of the cost :p

[kaka23]

i hope that a mixamp would give me that k/d ratio