Favorite IFR hood?

rframe

rframe

pǝʇɹǝʌuı
I'm in the market for another hood and I'm reminded how much I dislike them.

What do you consider to be the best general-purpose IFR training hood?

Here's my wish list:
  • Works with glasses or contact wearers
  • Quick and easy on/off to complete an ILS landing at mins or throw back on for a missed approach from circling, etc.
  • Does not cause temporary blindness if worn on bright days or when flying into the sun (plain white foggles are horrible in this area)
  • Durable and portable enough to keep in a flight bag without being cracked/snapped/smashed
I borrowed a pair of JeppShades the other day and they were probably the best I've used to date, but I dont think they'd work with glasses. I'm leaning toward those or a big old classic hood but want one that isn't fragile plastic that will crack and break, and if I could find something portable enough to store nicely in a flight bag that would be great.

Any suggestions?
 
I've used quite a few hoods and the viban is by far my favorite. It comes with an unobtrusive nose rest and easily slides on and off without having to remove your headset. Not sure how wearing glasses would work with them though.

M%20VIB%20105.JPG
 
matthew said:
I've used quite a few hoods and the viban is by far my favorite. It comes with an unobtrusive nose rest and easily slides on and off without having to remove your headset. Not sure how wearing glasses would work with them though.

M VIB 105.JPG
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3nd
 
ASA Overcasters
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I've only used 3 hoods but I think these are the best for glasses. They are super light and flip up/down. Don't leave them on the dash though, apparently they melt. And put heatshrink on the frame pinchers, the stock rubber tears away after some use. They're still the best for me.
 
Wanted to put in a plug for http://www.bestifrhood.com/ ... It's super cheap, folds up smaller than a sectional chart, and is a great backup to keep in the flight bag in case you forget your big, expensive bulky VLD.

Oh yeah, and lest I forget, the thing works /great/.

-Fox
 
Acrofox said:
Wanted to put in a plug for http://www.bestifrhood.com/
Click to expand...

I've seen this and it does seem like a cheap backup idea to keep tucked away in a flight bag for those forgetful moments.
This is just cardboard, so it's only suitable as a backup type device, right? I assume with much use it gets beat up, ripped, and sweaty but for $5 you just toss it and get a new one?
It also looks like the loop ties around the head, so I'm assuming you cannot quickly take this off or put it back on without removing the headset, right?
 
rframe said:
I've seen this and it does seem like a cheap backup idea to keep tucked away in a flight bag for those forgetful moments.
This is just cardboard, so it's only suitable as a backup type device, right? I assume with much use it gets beat up, ripped, and sweaty but for $5 you just toss it and get a new one?
It also looks like the loop ties around the head, so I'm assuming you cannot quickly take this off or put it back on without removing the headset, right?
Click to expand...

Actually, no... it's durable.. heavy duty, and the loop is elastic.. I use it over my headset, not under.

It also does a GREAT job as a view limiting device... best I've seen, and that's just me being honest. I've also used the jepp shades, foggles, standard hoods, and a bunch of other VLDs, but they all give me too much periph. I haven't tried the classic "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR FACE" hood, but I think for $5, the cardboard one is a great bargain.

-Fox
 
Make your own. I went to Home Depot/WalMart/Lowes and bought several different plastic safety glasses....even have one pair that goes over regular eyeglasses. on the inside of the lens, mask off a small square viewing area with a piece of tape, and spray paint the rest of the lens with some flat black paint. They are cheap ($5 or so), durable, and work great (and look good, too). Try it.
 
Acrofox said:
Wanted to put in a plug for http://www.bestifrhood.com/ ... It's super cheap, folds up smaller than a sectional chart, and is a great backup to keep in the flight bag in case you forget your big, expensive bulky VLD.

Oh yeah, and lest I forget, the thing works /great/.

-Fox
Click to expand...

Started using these myself recently after my JeppShades finally broke. Seem to work ok, but durability may be an issue. I keep mine in the envelope they came in.
 
Acrofox said:
Wanted to put in a plug for http://www.bestifrhood.com/ ... It's super cheap, folds up smaller than a sectional chart, and is a great backup to keep in the flight bag in case you forget your big, expensive bulky VLD.

Oh yeah, and lest I forget, the thing works /great/.

-Fox
Click to expand...

I second that. I use this hood at least once a week. Durability has not been an issue at all. I have used one hood for almost two years now and it has been used for probably around 100 flight hours. The band is elastic so it is easy to put on and take off.
 
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