If you’re trying to choose between different Pilla lenses or understand which filtration is right for your shooting conditions, this guide explains how the system works and how to select the best option.

Whether you shoot sporting clays, skeet, trap, game or competition disciplines, selecting the right lens can significantly improve target definition, colour separation and visual comfort across changing light conditions.

Unlike many shooting eyewear manufacturers, Pilla has developed an extensive range of specialist lens filtrations designed for specific lighting conditions, backgrounds and shooting environments. Combined with ZEISS optical technology and advanced colour science, these lenses help create a more consistent and controlled sight picture.

This category contains the full range of Pilla lenses available across the Outlaw X6 and Outlaw X7 platforms, including Standard Outlaw, Top Gun, Razor and Pilla Outlaw Vista lenses.

Understanding How the Pilla Lens System Works

One of the reasons Pilla shooting glasses are so highly regarded is the ability to tailor the system to your exact requirements.

When choosing Pilla lenses, there are three separate decisions:

• Platform
• Lens Family
• Filtration

The platform determines the overall geometry of the system—within the Outlaw range, this is either the X6 or X7.  You can explore our full range of Pilla X6 models here, or view the complete X7 range here.

The lens family determines the shape, coverage and visual presentation of the lens. Depending on compatibility, shooters can choose from Standard Outlaw, Top Gun, Razor or Pilla Outlaw Vista lenses.

Finally, filtration determines how the lens manages light, contrast and colour. This is where lens codes such as 18CED, 26ED, 40CN and 52CHC become important.

Understanding these three layers makes choosing the right Pilla setup significantly easier and explains why many experienced shooters build systems that can be adapted to different environments and conditions.

Understanding Pilla Lens Filtration

Every Pilla lens is engineered to perform in a specific set of conditions.

Rather than simply making lenses darker or lighter, Pilla uses advanced filtration technologies to selectively enhance certain colours, suppress others and improve contrast where it matters most.

Factors that influence lens performance include:

• Available light
• Cloud cover
• Background colour
• Target colour
• Shooting discipline
• Individual eyesight and colour perception

This is why many experienced shooters build a collection of lenses rather than relying on a single option.

A lens that performs exceptionally well on a bright summer layout may not be ideal for a dark woodland shoot or overcast winter conditions.

Understanding Pilla Lens Names

Pilla lens names provide useful information about how a lens is designed to perform.

The number within the lens name refers to the approximate percentage of visible light transmission.

As a general guide:

• Lower numbers allow less light through and are typically used in bright conditions
• Mid-range numbers are suited to variable or mixed light
• Higher numbers allow more light through and are generally used in low-light or overcast environments

The letters within the lens name identify the filtration technologies used.

Examples include:

• C – Chromashift
• ED – Enhanced Definition
• HC – High Contrast
• I – Infra Red
• MX – Max Orange
• N – Neutraliser
• P – Progressive Filtration

Each technology modifies the visual presentation in a specific way, helping enhance contrast, improve colour separation and increase target visibility.

Lens Families Within the Outlaw Range

Before selecting a filtration, shooters must first choose the appropriate lens family.

Lens families determine the shape, coverage and visual presentation of the lens, while filtration determines how it manages light and colour.

Standard Outlaw

Standard Outlaw lenses form the foundation of the Pilla ecosystem and remain the benchmark choice for many shooters. They provide excellent coverage, proven performance and access to the majority of Pilla’s filtration options.

Top Gun

Available exclusively for the Outlaw X6 platform, Top Gun lenses increase coverage above and below the eye while maintaining compatibility with the X6 setup.

Many shooters who use prescription inserts or prefer a larger viewing area favour the Top Gun design. The increased coverage can help reduce frame awareness and create a more consistent sight picture during the gun mount.

Razor

Available exclusively for the Outlaw X7 platform, Razor lenses feature a reduced lens height that creates a lower-profile visual presentation.

Many shooters appreciate the cleaner, more streamlined sight picture, with less lens visible in their field of view. This can reduce visual distraction and create a more precise, uncluttered view of the target.

Pilla Outlaw Vista

Pilla Outlaw Vista lenses represent the premium lens platform within the Outlaw ecosystem.

Available on both X6 and X7 platforms, Vista lenses combine panoramic geometry with proprietary LIVE (Light Interference Vacuum Effect) technology to deliver increased field of view, enhanced light management and a more immersive visual experience.

Compared to standard Outlaw lenses, Vista provides greater coverage above, below and to the sides of the eye while helping reduce visual noise and unwanted light interference.

Shooters seeking the highest level of optical performance within the Outlaw range often choose Vista as their preferred lens platform.

Building a Lens Kit

Many experienced shooters build a collection of lenses rather than relying on a single filtration.

A common approach is to own:

• A bright-light lens
• A medium-light lens
• A low-light lens

This provides effective coverage across the majority of shooting conditions.

This approach works particularly well in UK conditions, where lighting can vary significantly throughout the day and across seasons.

Some shooters prefer to build their setup around colour families, selecting lenses best suited to specific backgrounds or target presentations.

The right approach depends on your shooting discipline, environment and personal visual preferences.

Need Help Choosing the Right Lens?

Choosing the correct lens filtration is often the most important decision within the Pilla system.

Factors such as sunlight, cloud cover, background colour and target presentation all influence which lens performs best.

To help simplify the process, we’ve created a number of detailed resources, including our Pilla Lens Chart and Filtration Guide to help understand filtration across both standard lenses as well as the more advanced Outlaw Vista lenses. Or our Pilla Lens Style Guide to help choose what type of lens is best for you.

If you’re building a new setup, you may also wish to explore our Pilla Bundle Configurator, which allows you to create a customised multi-lens package tailored to your preferred platform and shooting conditions.

You can also browse our Outlaw X6, Outlaw X7 and Pilla Outlaw Vista categories to explore the different frame and lens platforms available within the Pilla ecosystem.

For shooters looking to maximise performance across changing conditions, building the right combination of lens family and filtration is often the single biggest factor in creating an effective Pilla setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do the numbers in Pilla lens names mean?
A: The number indicates the approximate visible light transmission percentage of the lens, showing how much light passes through under normal conditions.

Q: What is lens filtration?
A: Lens filtration refers to how colours and light are managed within the lens to improve contrast, target visibility and overall visual comfort.

Q: What is the difference between a lens family and a filtration?
A: Lens families determine lens shape and coverage, while filtration determines how the lens manages light, colour and contrast.

Q: Which Pilla lens is best for bright sunlight?
A: Lower transmission lenses are typically best for bright sunlight, although background colour and target presentation also influence the ideal choice.

Q: Why do shooters own multiple Pilla lenses?
A: Different lenses are designed for different lighting conditions, environments and backgrounds, so having multiple options allows shooters to maintain consistent visual performance.

Q: What is the difference between Standard Outlaw and Pilla Outlaw Vista lenses?
A: Vista lenses add panoramic geometry and LIVE technology, providing increased field of view and enhanced light management compared to standard Outlaw lenses.

Q: Are all Pilla lenses compatible with both X6 and X7?
A: No. Lens compatibility depends on the specific lens family, with some designs exclusive to either the X6 or X7 platform.

Q: What are Razor lenses?
A: Razor lenses are exclusive to the X7 platform and feature a lower-profile design that creates a cleaner, more streamlined sight picture.

Q: What are Top Gun lenses?
A: Top Gun lenses are exclusive to the X6 platform and provide increased coverage above and below the eye.

Q: Can I build a custom lens bundle?
A: Yes. Our Pilla Bundle Configurator allows you to create a customised multi-lens setup tailored to your shooting style and conditions.

Q: Where can I learn more about individual lens filtrations?
A: Our Pilla Lens Guide and Lens Chart provide a detailed breakdown of each lens and the conditions it is designed for.