What kind of sunglasses for flying?

Brett Naquin

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98

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I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be
many different types and brands. I've noticed there are many types of
lens colors. What is a good lens color for flying. I've had the
Serrangiti "blue blocker" style recommended at a local pilot supply shop
but I was concerned about not being able to "see blue". I've also looked
at Randolph Engineering sunglasses and liked the look and quality but I
don't care for the "ear piece". They felt like they would slide off. Of
course there are always the Ray Bans with the wrap around cords.
If anyone can give me some info on lens colors, brands and fit I would
appreciate it.

Thanks,

Brett

Charron

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98

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Most IFR is IFR on top. Real bright. Add flight over water or snow and
you should be very concerned about eye protection if you are a pilot. My
pilot opthamologist buddy says the human eye wasn't designed to work in
bright conditions for as long as people are living (or flying) now. His
recommendation was that you can't spend enough on sunglasses.

We had an informal survey a while ago where we were allowed to try
different sunglasses. As I recall, Serengeti's (Drivers lens) came out on
top, closely followed by Raybans. Both have decent quality frames with
good lenses. I wouldn't go any cheaper.

If money is no object, take a look at REVO. Exceptional frame quality and
lens quality.

The reason for the Randolph straight arms is so you can slide you
sunglasses on and off while you're wearing your helmet. I prefer a good
pair of sunglasses to the flip-down visors on some helmets.

--
Guido Lepore
Remove the NOSPAM in header to reply

Wes Grady

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98

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Why limit yourself to a few choices? Go to an optician in your area,
pick out a frame you like and have him make you up a pair.

I have three pair that I use. One is the standard G-15 gray, one is the
B-20 Brown and the other is the Yellow [not really a sun-glasses type,
but I use it in haze conditions]. I prefer glass lenses as opposed to
plastic for clarity and scratch resistance. I also prefer polarized
lenses, but since my eye surgery I no longer require an Rx in them, and
the brown is not available in a plano lens with polarization.

Wes

Glen Thompson

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98

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I use an aviator style frame with a plastic prescription lens tinted
brown. I can still see blue fine. Visibility in haze is close to 50
greater than with clear lenses.

The most important thing is to get good quality lenses. Many of the
cheaper sunglasses are optically imperfect and can cause headaches and
vision problems. I've flown with the Serengeti Drivers and really
liked them. They use glass lenses and get very heavy with a
prescription. The non-prescription aren't too bad. If you are hard
on glasses the glass lenses stand up better to scratches.

Glen E. Thompson
'77 Piper Lance

Brett Naquin wrote in message <34DE5444...@ibm.net>...

Jerry Bransford

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98

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Brett Naquin wrote:
>
> I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be
> many different types and brands. I've noticed there are many types of
> lens colors. What is a good lens color for flying. I've had the
> Serrangiti "blue blocker" style recommended at a local pilot supply shop

> but I was concerned about not being able to "see blue". I've also looked
> at Randolph Engineering sunglasses and liked the look and quality but I
> don't care for the "ear piece". They felt like they would slide off. Of
> course there are always the Ray Bans with the wrap around cords.
> If anyone can give me some info on lens colors, brands and fit I would
> appreciate it.

After trying several styles of sunglasses, I went with the Randolf
military style sunglasses. If you wear headsets, I feel these are by
far the most practical because you can easily take the sunglasses off or
put them on without removing the headset. That's why they have the
'paddle' style design, so they can slide under headsets. By the way,
they're quite secure, especially under the headset LOL! The gray color
seems very optimal and I like the natural color presentation it gives.
I believe the military did a lot of tests before settling on that color
for their pilots. If that color is good enough for them, it's good
enough for me<g>!

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To send me email, remove "junkmail" from my email address.
PP-ASEL, C.A.P., KC6TAY
The Zen hotdog... make me one with everything!

Peter Henry

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98

to br...@ibm.net

I had my optician make a pair of heavily graded sunglasses - dark
at the top and light near the bottom, kind of like foggles. It's
great for keeping the instruments clear and getting rid of the
outside glare. They will play around with the gradation and the
darkness to your desires, and you can have them prescription
if you want. I did mine in brown, and am quite happy. They're
especially good for IFR, in and out of clouds & on top.

Brett Naquin wrote:
>
> I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to

(...)

Ryan R. Healy

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98

to br...@ibm.net

Brett Naquin wrote:

> I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be
> many different types and brands.

I have a pair of Ray Ban's which I have had forever, and they have given me
continuously reliable service despite being dropped, dragged, sat on, stuck
in numerous seat pockets, shirt pockets, headset bags, etc. They have the
standard G-15 lens and gold metal frame with conventional earhooks. I
purchased them about 10 years ago or so from the local eyeglass store and
had the frames custom fit to my head. The reason I had them custom fit is
so that I wouldn't be troubled with them either sliding down my nose or
otherwise moving around when I didn't want them to. With having them custom
fit, they slide on to exactly where they belong and stay precisely put until
I'm ready to remove them. Within the next year or so, I likely will have to
have them replaced due to age, and the likely replacement will be a pair
exactly like the ones I have now.

--
Blue Skies,

Ryan R. Healy
mailto:rhea...@sprynet.com
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/rhealy707

...1972 -- Watergate 1998 -- Zippergate

Mike White

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Feb 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/9/98

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On Sun, 08 Feb 1998 18:56:37 -0600, Brett Naquin <br...@ibm.net>
wrote:

>I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be

>many different types and brands. I've noticed there are many types of
>lens colors. What is a good lens color for flying. I've had the
>Serrangiti "blue blocker" style recommended at a local pilot supply shop
>but I was concerned about not being able to "see blue".

Actually this is exactly the type of glasses I use and I am generally
happy with them, however there are times that I wish the lenses were a
little darker. I have the lenses that darken in bright light but they
still seem a little light sometimes. They are great in that you can
see well outside and also see well inside the cockpit.

My brother, who is also a private pilot, recommends buying the
cheapest sunglasses you can find. That way you are not out $200 if
someone at the local FBO walks off with them or if you accidentally
damage them. He may have a point. I keep a cheap pair in my car for
driving (Panama Jack "blue-blocker" type) and they seem to work just
as well in bright sunlight.

As to lens color, I personally prefer the blue-blocker type amber
lenses. I find that color lens helps me see the more faint parts of
clouds and also helps me pick out light colored airplanes against a
hazy sky.

Mike White
Private Pilot & Instrument Student
Comair Aviation Academy
Orlando, Florida

Anti-spam countermeasures in effect. Remove "1" to reply.

Ludger Humpert

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Feb 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/9/98

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Brett Naquin wrote:

Snip

> I've also looked at Randolph Engineering sunglasses and
> liked the look and quality but I don't care for the "ear piece".
> They felt like they would slide off.

Snip

Brett,

I also liked the design of the Randolph Aviator sunglasses
but disliked the bayonet temples. If you take a look at their
website www.randolphusa.com you will notice that the Aviator
sunglasses are available with skull or cable temples as well.
As there is no Randolph dealer in Germany I contacted them
directly and asked if they would send me two frame sizes with
both skull and cable temples so I could pick the right
combination for me and send the rest back for a refund.
That is what they did so I could choose the right pair for
me (actually I kept them both and used the larger frame
for prescription sunglasses and the smaller one for normal
glasses). If you do not need prescription lenses you might
try something similar by ordering the lens colors you would
like to compare and just keep the one you like best. One
thing you should try is if the lens colour makes any features
on the maps you use disappear. When I selected the colour
of my precription lenses I noticed that even minor changes
in colour changed the readability of the maps I use quite
a lot. Bottom line: My experience with the Randolph customer
service was excellent and I like their sunglasses a lot.

Regards

Ludger Humpert

Stephen Dalfollo-Daley

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Feb 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/9/98

to br...@ibm.net

i have arosish/yellow that i love...everything is clearer
and shadows are easier to deal with....they are a simple pair
of clip on type as i need to wear my glasses during flight....
they are a no name brand but check out the color...

stephen

Brett Naquin wrote:
>
> I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be
> many different types and brands. I've noticed there are many types of
> lens colors. What is a good lens color for flying. I've had the
> Serrangiti "blue blocker" style recommended at a local pilot supply shop

> but I was concerned about not being able to "see blue". I've also looked

> at Randolph Engineering sunglasses and liked the look and quality but I

> don't care for the "ear piece". They felt like they would slide off. Of
> course there are always the Ray Bans with the wrap around cords.
> If anyone can give me some info on lens colors, brands and fit I would
> appreciate it.
>

> Thanks,
>
> Brett

Phaedra A Hise

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Feb 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/9/98

to

I've had my RayBan Aviators for about 10 years, so I don't have much
comparison experience. I'm interested in those military ones, now though,
after reading this thread.
I like mine because of the large lenses and the cable temples. They don't
hurt from being pressed into my head by the headset on long flights.
--
____________________________________________________

* Phaedra Hise * phaedr...@inc.com *
author of "Growing Your Business Online"

Derek Wade

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Feb 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/9/98

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Cat wrote:
> I have a pair of prescription Oakley e-wires with an amber lens
> that I like very much. I've yet to use them while flying, but in
> other fairly intense conditions (riding a motorcycle directly into
> the direction of very bright sunlight) they've held up quite well.

Cat, where can I get info about Px Oakleys and so on? Are yours regular
Oakleys with a Px insert, or are the lenses Px? I asked at the Sunglass
Hut and also at a LensCrafters and everyone told me that Oakleys weren't
available in Px. I've found a few intriguing pairs of sport glasses
that have snap-in Px lenses "sold separately" in bicycling catalogs, but
(a) I can't try them on cuz they're mail-order and (b) I still have to
look through two lenses = four surfaces which can collect dust and
smears.

For the original poster, here's some info I collected from the net when
I first started flying:

========================================================================
Derek's aviation prescription sunglass summary
========================================================================

1. Clip-ons / overshields
--------------------------
1a. Get the simple, ~$10 clip-on, flip-up attachments that you can find
in the drug store in a sunglasses display. There are several (at least
3) different clip mechanisms, one is sure to fit your glasses. PRO:
cheap; flip-ups help in changing light conditions. CON: usually flimsy
construction; can be knocked off while fiddling with headset, hood, etc.

1b. High-end clipons with two hooks on each lens, and a springy
nosebridge. Serengetis received a good review but I was unable to find
them. PRO: they'll stay on. CON: cost -- hard to find a good set for <
$40. Not recommended for "rimless" glasses (like mine).

1c. Overshields. PRO: nothing. CON: they cut down your field of view,
they're uncomfortable, they slip, and the huge earpieces reduce the NRR
of your headset.

GENERAL PROS FOR CLIPONS: usually much less expensive than prescription
sunglasses; potentially easy to deal with changing light conditions.

GENERAL CONS FOR CLIPONS: extra layer means more to see through, an
additional surface for dust/prints to adhere to, potentially less
visibility; potentially awkward / added weight to your regular glasses
making them tend to slip; may scratch plastic lenses

2. Prescription sunglasses
--------------------------
2a. When you go to get your new prescription, have your old lenses
tinted. PRO: fairly cheap. CON: doesn't work if you *really* need your
new prescription to see.

2b. Some high-end sunglass companies like Ray-Ban and Serengeti offer
their own lens in a prescription. Ray-Bans were not recommended due to
rickety frames and problems with lenses not staying in. Serengetis were
recommended for their "drivers" high-visibility coating. PRO: you get a
really *great* set of sunglasses. CON: you get a really *great* hole in
your wallet. Prices can be $200 or more.

2c. High-end "sport/cycling sunglasses" with an optical insert. These
are the polycarbonate sunglasses like Briko, Smith, Adidas, etc that
take a clip-in set of prescription lenses. PRO: you get a good set of
sunglasses, often with 3 different lenses (tint, yellow, clear) for
changing light conditions; if you need sunglasses for sports/cycling,
these are more durable/safer than prescription glass. CON: pretty
pricey, ~$160 for everything; again you've got two surfaces which can
pick up smudges, dirt, etc.

2d. Buy a new pair of dedicated prescription sunglasses. The lens tint
"G15" was recommended, and is the same tint that Ray-Ban uses. Price
will vary depending on prescription, but you can probably get away for
~$80 but see note "E" below.

GENERAL PROS FOR PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES: they'll stay firmly on your
head; you'll have lenses on your face that are suited for flying.

GENERAL CONS FOR PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES: more costly; need to deal with
two pairs of glasses for changing light conditions although carrying
both sets on your neck with neck cords helps.

3. Photochromic lenses
----------------------
One set of glasses that gets dark when exposed to bright light.
However, the photochromic response varies depending on whether you get
plastic or glass lenses. Also, some airplane canopies block UV which
will prevent your glasses from darkening. An advantage is that you only
have to carry one set of glasses. Probably not so great an idea for
students, and more for people who fly only one plane.

4. Contacts with regular sunglasses
-----------------------------------
Responses varied widely, but most people had a strong opinion. Bottom
line is that it seems to depend on the relationship you and your eyes
have with your contacts. The breeziness of the cabin is also a factor.
If your eyes tend to get irritated or dry out with your contacts just
walking around, and you're flying a really windy plane, you might not
like this solution. If your contacts don't bug you at all, you'll
probably like this solution the best. There are some precautions,
though:

Carry rewetting drops, and a contact case and prescription glasses just
in case they start bothering you. They may not, but it's always nice to
be prepared. Carry spare glasses in any case, if you are worried about
losing a lens.

PROS FOR CONTACTS: better peripheral vision; only the regular sunglasses
can fog/get dirty and they are easily cleaned; transition between
varying light conditions is very easy.
CONS FOR CONTACTS: need to carry spare glasses / contact case /
supplies; possible concern about losing lens; possible dryness

5. Modify the airplane, not your head!
--------------------------------------
Use sun-visors for your airplane. Rosen visors were recommended as
good, if expensive. (Like, several hundred dollars expensive.) The
slap-on tinted patch is a less expensive alternative, if you'll be
flying mostly one direction and just need to dim the sun in one place.
This patch runs about $10 and adheres to the canopy by "static cling."
Again, by it self it is probably not the best thing for students, but is
another useful tool out there for the using.

Other general comments
-----------------------
A. Pick a frame with "huge" lenses so you get a good field of vision.

B. Polarized (Polariod brand or not) were recommended as yielding
exceptionally clear vision. I can second this: I was on the ground
looking up into a clear, empty sky (I thought) and then put on my new
polarized clips -- and an airplane sprang into existance right where I
was looking. However, polarized lenses tend to interfere with viewing an
LCD screen like your E-6B or a GPS.

C. Antireflective (AR-coat) coating on glasses is great when they are
*totally* clean. Any speck of oil from your hands puts an 'oil rainbow"
spot on AR-coat lenses and makes them worse than non-AR lenses. One
poster wrote (and I agree) that AR isn't worth it, and you should
instead combat internal glare from light reflecting off your face with a
very dark lens tint and/or a baseball hat.

D. Wear glasses with a solid metal rim, black recommended. This also
cuts down on internal glare or prismatic effects.

E. Look for "total solution" sales at popular eyecare stores.
"Two-for-one" sales can be used to get a pair of regular glasses and a
pair of sunglasses. Or you might get a deal on high-end clipons which
can be tried for fit there in the store.

F. LensCrafters has a satisfaction guarantee that let one person change
prescriptions 3 times free of charge until they got it right.

G. If fogging of sunglass or regular lenses is a problem, try an
anti-fog compound. "Smith No-Fog Cloth," an "overpriced chunk of cloth
sold in a little ziplock bag which is easy to tuck in a flight bag" was
recommended.

--
=====================================================================
/ derek...@alliedsignal.com / South / There's no way that Allied /
/ SP -- almost there... / Bend,IN / wants me to speak for them /
=====================================================================

Gary McKinnis

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Feb 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/9/98

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Brett Naquin (br...@ibm.net) wrote:
> I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be
> many different types and brands.

> I've also looked at Randolph Engineering sunglasses and liked the look

> and quality but I don't care for the "ear piece". They felt like they
> would slide off.

Hi, Brett.

Randolph has a web site, www.randolphusa.com. You can get their Aviator
(military-issue) sunglasses with cable (wrap-around) ear pieces.

Gary

Matt Dossey

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Feb 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/10/98

to

Don't be fooled by "military issue" glasses.

My helmet has a visor that works a bit better than glasses, and since most
other military pilots wear a helmet as opposed to headsets (save some
airframes), I think it is a better idea to go with the glasses you
personally prefer rather than listen to the hype.

Matt Dossey

Phaedra A Hise wrote in message ...

Bob Mann

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Feb 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/10/98

to Gary McKinnis

My personal favorite: the Bausch&Lomb G-15 lense...in the (no longer
available) Caravan frame. Try sunglass catalog merchants "Hidalgo"; they
have everything including Randolph.

- Bob Mann

Gary McKinnis wrote:

--
- Bob Mann
R.W. Mann & Company, Inc.
Airline Industry Analysis and Consulting
Port Washington, NY 11050 USA
office 516-944-0900, fax-7280, mailto:rwma...@interport.net
http://www.interport.net/~rwmannco/

Mark

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Feb 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/11/98

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Brett Naquin wrote:
>
> I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be

> many different types and brands. I've noticed there are many types of
> lens colors. What is a good lens color for flying. I've had the
> Serrangiti "blue blocker" style recommended at a local pilot supply shop
> but I was concerned about not being able to "see blue". I've also looked

Just a note on "blue blockers" - I had a pair once (NOT Serengeti - I'm
too cheap when it comes to sunglasses, and don't require a prescription)
and found it difficult to see some features on my charts.

The best I've found so far are the wrap-around kind used by mountain
bikers and skiers (lenses wrap around to cheek bones). I like the
fact that the frames don't block my peripheral vision, and sunlight
can't get through the sides so easily. Just be prepared for people
to occasionally call you "dude". ;-)

Derek Wade

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Feb 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/11/98

to

Mark wrote:
> The best I've found so far are the wrap-around kind used by mountain
> bikers and skiers (lenses wrap around to cheek bones). I like the
> fact that the frames don't block my peripheral vision, and sunlight
> can't get through the sides so easily. Just be prepared for people
> to occasionally call you "dude". ;-)

Ya, I went to an Oakley dealer last nite and found the nicest pair of
lightweight, comfortable, high-contrast lens, all wrap-around sunglasses
I've ever worn: M-Frame Heaters. I don't know how well the Dan Jansen
look would go with my headset, but they were great shades.

Aside: Hey, Cat, did you get my email? I had a few questions regarding
your experiences with the Rx Oakleys. BTW, the Rx Heaters are >> $350
<< !!!

--
=====================================================================
/ derek...@alliedsignal.com / South / There's no way that Allied /

/ SP -- almost there...(?) / Bend,IN / wants me to speak for them /
=====================================================================

Message has been deleted

Roger Halstead

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Feb 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/15/98

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--

H Howard Lewis Bloom wrote in message
<34e1e512....@news.supernews.com>...

If you wear prescription glasses like I do, and particularly bifocals I'd
suggest the good old Polaroid prescription lenses.
They are quite expensive -- about on par for the expensive sunglasses, just
not as "trendy". And... I only have to clean the one pair of lenses rather
than two with seperate sunglasses.

I've heard warnings about problems with windshields and the interference
patterns, but the only windows that I've had a problem with were older car
windows.

So far with nearly a thousand hours PIC and either having flown, or flown
in, Cessna 150s, 172s, !82s, Cherokee 180s, 140s, 160s, the newer Archers,
Aztec, A GP-4, Baracuda, Bonanza, Debonair, and Glasair III (I know I've
missed a few and the spellings may be wrong) I've yet to see, or fly in a
light aircraft where there was a problem wearing Ploaroids.

One of the better glasses was the "Photo Gray" type which worked very well
and would actually get darker than my Polaroids. However I've yet to see
anything match the glare reduction of the Polaroid lens.

I currently have some of the new plastic "Transitions" lenses which don't
work worth zip as sunglasses in cars or airplanes. At least mine don't.

This way I end up having to take two pair of glasses along, but I'm required
to have a pair "in my possesion" when flying. I don't have to wear them,
but my eyes get tired sooner if I don't.

Roger Halstead K8RI and EAA Chapter 1093 Historian
N833R World's oldest Debonair? S# CD-2
http://members.tm.net/rdhalste
>
>http://vqsunglasses.com/kinetix.htm#strata
>http://vqsunglasses.com/
>
>"We would be pleased to hear any questions or comments you may have,
>so, feel free to call us toll-freein the U.S. at 1-888-806-5227 from
>9:00am to 7:00pm EST, fax us at 1-919-402-1427, use our Secure Order
>Form 24 hours a day, or
>E-Mail us at sa...@vqsunglasses.com "

>
>
>
>>On Sun, 08 Feb 1998 18:56:37 -0600, Brett Naquin <br...@ibm.net> wrote:
>
>>I really need a good pair of sunglasses for flying and there seem to be
>>many different types and brands.
>
>

>H Howard Lewis Bloom con...@pc-man.com http://www.pc-man.com
>======================================================
>Article Posted with explicit reservation of all rights.
>
>"The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in the insidious encroachment
>by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding."
>
>--Justice Louis D. Brandeis (1928)