Capt. Stephen Ferrell

Capt. Alissa Vinoski

PERFORMANCE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES AND TACTICAL EYEWEAR.

LEVIATHAN SERIES

The RCI Optics Leviathan Series is designed with our Ballista 2.0 (exclusive to the Leviathan Series), a specially designed high-end, ballistic-grade frame material. This material is engineered to work with the Helius 780 or Helius L25 RCT High Impact Polarized Lens system to pass the MIL-STD 662 ballistics fragmentation test for tactical eyewear. The RCI Optics lens technology utilizes our proprietary Helius™ advanced polymer, up to six times denser than polycarbonate or other lens materials. Our Leviathan Series™ sunglasses made with Ballista 2.0 frame material and used with Helius H780 or L25 lenses will pass the ANSI Z87.1 and MIL-STD 662 ballistics fragmentation tests.

CLASSIC SERIES

The Classic Series frames are made of TR-90 Grilamid, a lightweight and durable material designed for sports eyewear. These frames feature the Helius lens system, the same technology used in our popular Leviathan line. Our RCI products are designed to offer exceptional clarity and polarization, along with long-lasting functionality and durability. In addition, RCI lenses come with our Xiphos 4.0 coatings, which provide water-shedding, anti-static, and oleophobic treatments, and have a mass density six times greater than traditional polycarbonate lenses.

ABOUT US

We established Shady Characters Sunglass Emporium in 1998 as a team from the east coast of central Florida. Our experience of selling various brands in our stores gave us valuable insights into the manufacturing and design of sports and fashion brands. This led us to create the next generation of performance-based sunglasses, leading to the birth of RCI Optics in 2012.

RCI Optics initially started selling sunglasses in Cocoa Beach and identified a gap in the market. Our goal is to address the unique needs of consumers and become the most customer-focused brand by pushing the boundaries of optical technology. We constantly innovate and leverage cutting-edge technologies to exceed our customers’ expectations. We collaborate with experienced watermen who rigorously test our sunglasses under tough conditions. Our focus on optical advancements allows us to offer eyewear that provides tactical impact protection, exceptional clarity, and superior glare reduction. Our sunglasses are specifically designed to endure the challenges of a coastal lifestyle, serving as both fashion statements and performance tools that fuse technology with resilient style. With over 80 years of combined experience in eyewear, our specialists have crafted lenses tailored for the world’s elite angler and outdoor enthusiast.

RCI OPTICS Tech. Click the link below for more information.

Product Technology

Helius 780 lenses
Helius 780 lenses
The HELIUS 2.2 Lens after being tested by the MIL-STD 662 specifications.
The HELIUS 2.2 Lens after being tested by the MIL-STD 662 specifications.

RCT

Radius Curving Technology RCT is an acronym that stands for Radius Curving Technology. In order to provide distortion-free vision, a lens must be shaped in such a manner that allows light to travel in a straight path on a high curve lens system. The outcome is high clarity distortion-free optics.

HELIUS 780 INFRARED LENS SYSTEM

The Helius 780 or H780 IR (Infrared Reducing) lens technology. This lens system is by far the most advanced offering to date in all market segments. Light is part of the electromagnetic radiation in which the visible light that the human eye can observe range between 390 and 700 nanometers. Ultraviolet radiation that causes eye disease, stops at the 400 nm or nanometer scale. Most polarized eye wear protects you from these harmful UV radiations but there is another harmful radiation that has never been addressed. Infrared light lie beyond the red end of the visible light spectrum with wavelengths between 780 and 10.000 nm. They can be a potential hazard since they produce heat, therefore raising the overall temperature in the anterior of the eye. IR also damages the crystalline lens and the retina. RCI Optics has produced a lens system that incorporates a revolutionary IR filter that can absorb harmful infrared between 780 and 2.000 nm. H780 Lenses reduce the total heat load reaching the eye and preventing nuisance and damages, such as visual loss, haze, flare, dry eye syndrome while improving glare reduction and eye fatigue.

Ballista 2.0 (Leviathan Series Only) is a specially designed material that is a high end ballistic graded frame material that was developed to work alongside the Helius 2.2 RCT High Impact Polarized Lens system to pass the MIL-STD 662 ballistics fragmentation test for tactical eyewear.

The Multi-Layer mirror is a completely encapsulated mirror system that is designed to accentuate the lens hue while adding extra protection from glare.

Xiphos 4.0 is a permanently bonded application to the Helius RCT High Impact Polarized lens system that provides superior hydrophobic, oleo-phobic, anti-scratch and at the core is its anti-static properties that makes it perfect for extreme weather conditions while providing a durable performance application that is easy to clean and is durable to scratching while repelling dirt, oil, water and other contaminants.

  • Purposed Built

    Our products were designed with the most discerning outdoor enthusiast in mind such as Sight Fisherman, Hunters, Intrepid Spirits and Elite Watermen of the world but with the East Coast Vibe ~ Right Coast Independent.

  • Military rated technology for civilians

    Levithan Series are manufactured with the Helius 2.2 or Helius 780 IR RCT High Impact lens system. In short, you have a lens that is 6 times more dense than traditional polycarbonate. In fact this is not a poly lens but a remarkable material that can absorb an impact that is 7 times greater than that of the ANSI  Z87 rating. Applications range from full tactical operations, hunting, sight fishing to anything that can be imagined outdoors.

    Classic Series utilize the same lens system while using traditional frame materials such as TR-90 Grilamid and is designed for more casual wear but still offers more protection than any others on the market.

  • One of the few

    We are one of the few companies that exist in our field that is American Owned, Florida Grown and will compete for hearts and mind for the most discretionary outdoorsmen. Our Products are 100% produced in Italy, which is the pinnacle of the eye wear industry. Our products are not built in China, Taiwan and any other place that is only known for cheap labor and low quality production. Only the best for our customers!

  • Warranty

    All RCI Optics eyewear is warranted against manufacturer defects for two years from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase is required and must be from an authorized dealer. Warranty is void if no valid proof of purchase is provided. The RCI OPTICS sunglasses warranty does not cover scratched lenses or breakage caused by misuse, neglect or normal wear and tear.  Alteration of RCI products will void warranty. All claims are to be handled by RCI Optics direct .Additional lenses can be purchased through RCI OPTICS.

Subscribe to our newsletter for instant savings coupon of 10%

Some Infos

We accept payments through the Stripe Payment Gateway, ensuring a secure and trusted experience for our customers.

Call Us toll free and we will be glad to help! Call us at 3214738741 and we will gladly assist.

You can use the drop down menus to locate your model or just type in a search question to retrieve to most relevant answer or product.

What others say about us

RCI Optics has Addressed the failures of high dollar manufactures with the drive to produce the most reliable, stylish and performance driven eyewear on the market. I can honestly say I’ve never seen eyewear perform like my RCI’s. Optical clarity, eliminated eye strain, polarization that leaves competitors in the dust and frames built to withstand the extreme heat, salt and sunscreen I put them through on a daily basis. I’ll never leave home without my pair.

 

Our mission at Operation Home Shores, Inc. is to give back to our veterans for their sacrifice by way of fishing, hunting, and shooting sports. We spend countless hours in the field pursuing the ultimate adventure and we expect our gear to hold up to the pressure. RCI Optics provides a lens that exceeds our demand in regards to mission effectiveness, and is proven to be the best polarized optic we have used in our 15 years plus of sight fishing experience.

When it comes to spending my hard earned dollars on equipment, I only reach for the best. The Leviathan series have stood the test on the water and in the woods, time and time again. No other manufacturer has stood by their product with outstanding customer service and a no excuses mentality. If you are into fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and boating then you owe it to yourself. Make no mistake, the advantage is truly clear.

“RCI Optics and their Helius 2.2 lens system have helped me find countless fish out on the water and cut through the glare when it counts. RCI is a company that’s turning heads in the sunglass world and putting out a great product. I would recommend RCI Optics sunglasses to anyone serious about putting fish in the boat and wanting to truly experience what it’s like to own a serious pair of polarized sunglasses.”

These are Serious!
Skiff Matt

Product tags

L25 Low Light Lens System MIL-STD 662 Ballistics Fragmentation ( Passed )

Copyright © 2025
RCI Optics
All rights reserved.
321 473 8741