Established May 1994 by outdoorsman and optometrist, Dr. Gary Nesty. Doc Nesty realizes the importance of eye protection and razor sharp vision for peak performance in the outdoors. Solar Bat® sunglasses are not built for sissies. We build sunglasses for people who play hard outdoors no matter what the conditions. Solar Bat® sunglasses perform if it is smokin’ hot or freezin’ cold. If you have an active outdoor life style, then the rugged performance of Solar Bat® sunglasses is the only choice for you.;xNLx;;xNLx;In 2010 Solar Bat made the commitment to make each of our polarized sunglass a USA product. In 2011 Solar Bat introduced the Chevrolet line of sunglasses and each sunglass in that line is a USA product. Solar Bat believes we need to put people to work in the USA.
Welcome to the Solar Bat Sunglasses Timeline. Here, you can learn more about Solar Bat Enterprises Inc. by navigating through photos, videos, and web pages.
Gary Nesty, O.D. meets with good friend and smallmouth expert Billy Westmoreland to discuss his ideas for fishing sunglasses. To learn about how Billy Westmorland became a legendary angler, click "Find out More."
Dr. Nesty begins research on lens materials for a line of polarized sunglasses.
Dr. Nesty has first meeting with spotted bass expert Tom Mann Jr. To visit Tom Mann Jr.'s home page, click "Find out more."
Dr. Nesty attends B.A.S.S. events to watch the pros in order to research a potential pro staff. To visit the B.A.S.S. website, click "Find out more."
Tom Mann Jr. agrees to assist not only in the design and development but also in the acquisition of a pro staff.
Dr. Nesty establishes Solar Bat Enterprises Inc. as an Indiana Corporation.
Solar Bat attends what is now called ICAST to introduce the Solar Bat. The Solar Bat is the first polarized shield in the fishing market. The sunglass has an interchangeable lens, totally adjustable temples, and can be ordered in prescription. To learn more about ICAST, the world's largest sport fishing trade show, click "Find out more."
Nearly half of the BASSMaster Classic field are wearing Solar Bats. Tommy Biffle wears his Solar Bats to second missing the victory by less than half a pound. To watch Tommy weigh in during the 1994 BassMaster classic at High Rock Lake, NC, click "Find out more."
Dr. Nesty, with the assistance of sight fishing legend, Guido Hibdon and clearwater expert Tom Mann Jr., initiate research and development that leads to the Mossback green polarized tint.
Design starts and testing follows on a revolutionary new frame design with right and left lenses that mount on metal pegs making them interchangeable. The frame has top ventilation holes and is totally adjustable without heating.
After nearly a year of testing, Solar Bat introduces the Mossback green tint. The original Solar Bat is replaced with two newly designed one-piece shield sunglasses, the Solar Bat 2 and the Bat Wing. Both have a new prescription system.
Solar Bat introduces the Bat Eye at the BASSMaster Classic. This is the first non-shield sunglass with interchangeable lenses. Dion Hibdon wears the Bat Eye to victory. To watch Dion claim victory in the 1997 BASSMaster Classic, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat starts design and development on a sunglass that will weigh less than half an ounce. Solar Bat will introduce the first optical quality sunglass to weigh less than half an ounce in 1999. The sunglass will be called Flyweight.
Davy Hite wins the FLW Championship wearing Mossback Bat Eyes. Tommy Biffle is a close second wearing Mossback. To read about Davy Hite winning the largest cash award in angling history, click "Find Out More."
Davy Hite blows away the competition in the BASSMaster Classic wearing Mossback Bat Eyes. To read about Davy's victory at the 1999 BASSMaster Classic, click "Find out more."
Dion Hibdon wins the FLW Championship wearing Mossback Bat Eyes. To read about Dion's victory in the 2000 FLW Championships, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat introduces the Sonar which is the first sunglass in the fishing market with temple ventilation to reduce lens fogging.
Solar Bat introduces the V Max which is the first metal frame sunglasses with temple side shields in the fishing market.
Solar Bat develops the Hi Con Yellow tint as a polarized tint for low light and tannic water fishing. Hi Con Yellow becomes available late in 2002.
Solar Bat introduces the first sunglass in the fishing market with temples that interchange with elastic straps, the G-Bat.
Dr. Nesty initiates research and development of PNV optics to be introduced in 2005. Solar Bat expands its line of prescription sunglasses to 5 non-shield styles.
Solar Bat introduces the Armor which is the first sunglass in the fishing market with an extended bridge to eliminate sunglass lift and vibration at high speed.
Solar Bat introduces the Speed which is the first sunglass in the fishing market with interchangeable temples/elastic strap and removable foam eye liner. To visit Solar Bat's website and read about the features of the Speed, click "Find out more."
Payden Hibdon wins the Junior BASSMaster Classic distinguishing the Hibdon family as having three generations of classic winners. To read an article on the three generations of winners, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat initiates research and development of the Mossback gradient. This will be introduced in 2007 and is the first double gradient polarized lens in the market.
Solar Bat sets a two year goal to achieve the entire Solar Bat line being built in the U.S.A.
Boyd Duckett wins the BassMaster Classic wearing Mossback XL Eyes. To watch a video of a big surprise Boyd gets at the end of his line, click "Find out more."
Solar bat introduces the Tran IZ, the first transitional base curve polarized lens in the market.
Solarbat introduces the Mossback Gradient. To read a 2007 review of the Mossback gradient, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat introduces the PCR1, the first co-injection molded frame in the fishing market.
Dr. Nesty initiates research and development of PNVX optics to be introduced in 2009. To learn about a product with PNVX optics, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat introduces the AL IZ, the first all aluminum sunglass in the fishing market.
Solar Bat initiiates research and development of a performance tint for golf.
Solar Bat expands its line of double gradient polarized tints to include amber gradient. To learn more about Amber Gradient tint, click "Find out more."
Dr. Nesty initiates research and development of PNVXD optics to be introduced later in 2009. To learn more about PNVXD optics, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat initiates research and development of a performance tint line of sunglasses for tennis.
After a year of testing, Solar Bat introduces the Mossback and Amber Inverted gradient polarized lenses. To learn more about Mossback and Amber Inverted Gradient, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat introduces the Leverage performance sunglasses line for Tennis Players. To learn more about the Leverage Series, click "Find out more."
Dr. Gary Nesty is awarded a U.S. patent on the polarized gradient tints.
Solar Bat announces a full line of Officially Licensed Chevrolet sunglasses. To view Solar Bat's Officially Licensed Chevrolet Sunglasses, click "Find out more."
A.J. Foyt wears Solar Bat Chevrolet 100th Anniversary sunglasses while driving the pace car at the start of the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 mile race. Make sure you view the images and watch the video of A.J. to the left!
Solar Bat announces a line of performance Golf sunglasses.
Solar Bat introduces a line of officially licensed Camaro sunglasses. To view Solar Bat's inventory of Camaro sunglasses, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat announces a line of Corvette sunglasses. To view Solar Bat's Corvette sunglasses line, click "Find out more."
Solar Bat announces research and initiates development of a line of Officially Licensed Realtree Sunglasses
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