Sunglasses

I have a pair of Bolle Polarized Anaconda's. I don't have many issues with them. Occasionally I will get slight rainbowing and will take a second to adjust to any glass that I might be fortunate enough to be flying, other than that, I mostly struggle seeing my cellphone. Polarized aren't really all that bad.
 
$10 SolarX non-polarized from the flea market in Daytona. Better than any $200 pair of sunglasses I've ever seen.
 
After having PRK surgery I looked into what might be the best sunglasses for my eyes. I ended up buying Eagle Eyes sunglasses. Pretty good I'd say. Still have the same pair 2.5 years later. They even won an award from the Space Technology Hall of Fame. I have no idea if thats a crackpot organization though.
 
If you KNOW that you'll imminently be flying something with glass, then yes, I'd avoid polarized. For myself, I use polarized sunglasses, but I also fly beaters with steam gauges. Works out fine.

I've always owned a couple different pairs. Namely, non-script ones for use with contacts and prescript ones for use without contacts. I've had my prescription sunglasses since September 2006..Definitely a personal record.
 
I have a pair of Maui Jims and absolutely love them. I think they are called the Kahuna. They have a dark lens which is great for those blue sky days. The polarization really makes things pop out, which helps big- time for traffic spotting. If you are flying something without glass like me (glider), I would recommend them. Spend the cash money on the Jim's. They are expensive but the quality is worth it.

I also keep a pair of classic Ray Ban aviators on hand when it's not quite as bright out or I want to look like Maverick:laff:
 
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I have always used polarized lenses and LOVE them! I fly steam gauges and haven't ever had any problems. However, I will probably buy a pair of non-polarized sunglasses before I get my seaplane rating.

As far as brand, I don't have any brand loyalty whatsoever and will buy whatever works for me. What works for me may or may not work for you, as I wear prescription sunglasses.

Go to an optician, try some frames on and see what you like. I would spend the money and get a GOOD, COMFORTABLE pair of glasses though. Don't go cheap, these are your eyes we are talking about, not to mention the headaches (literally and figuratively), misery, and regret that will follow if you go cheap.

My recommendation is that you stay away from department stores and go to an optician. You can find some really nice, high-quality, non-prescription sunglasses at most optician shops. Browse the frames, lenses, and coating options and discuss your needs with the optician. All of the prescription sunglass frames can usually be fitted with non-prescription lenses, also most (if not all) regular eyeglass frames can also be fitted with sunglass lenses.

Know EXACTLY what you are getting, and know that you will be happy with it BEFORE you buy them. By going to a good optician, you can get more options and a custom pair of sunglasses that are tailored to specifically fit your needs and comfort, not just a run of the mill assembly line pair of glasses. Most opticians will also provide a warranty and assistance with repairs, adjustments, etc if you ever need it.

Also, if your sunglasses don't come with a HARD case, buy one. You will never regret that investment, trust me on that.
 
An oldie but a goodie... ;)

Captain_Bob from an older post said:
Bob's Super Duper Sunglasses Post:

I used to sell sunglasses as an aspect of one of my many previous careers, so bear with me... and remember... choosing a pair of sunglasses is a very personal choice. A choice that I believe to be an important one. Just like you need to take care of your ears/hearing with a good headset... so should you take care of your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses:

Darker gray or green lenses are good in bright light... but when looking down in the cockpit they can be too dark. Thus... Amber lenses are a great compromise in this situation. Amber provides some great contrast and doesn't make the flight deck that dark when not looking outside. Rose lenses actually provide the most contrast and are awesome for IMC and lower light situations. That's most likely the reason why many aviators like the serengeti rose lenses.

I carry both amber and rose lenses in my flight bag for those reasons.

Here's a quick rundown on lens color for you from what I can remember:

  • Gray/Green lens: Very dark and most color accurate/least color distortion, with little to no contrast. Great for outdoor activity in bright conditions
  • Amber/Brown lens: Somewhat dark, some color distortion. Higher contrast. Great all-around lens for driving/flying and when having to change views quickly from outside (bright) to inside (lower light) situations.
  • Rose lens: Lighter lens and higher color distortion (looking at life through "rose colored" glasses), very high contrast and great for drivers and low light situations where contrast is important (also, friggin awesome when looking at the fall leaves.
    wink.gif
    ).
  • Yellow lens: Lightest color lens and extreme color distortion with the highest level of contrast. Not practical in bright conditions. Best for hunters and drivers in low light situations where contrast is very important.
Everyone is different... so what works for me may not work for everyone else obviously. I'd buy a couple different ones and try them out in different conditions. Take back what you don't like, and keep the ones you do. You are on your own in determining if Polarized or Non-Polarized are best for you in the above colors... but, I hope some of that helps.

Personally... I've been flying with Polarized lenses from day one (PPL). Can't stand anything else. I am very sensitive to light and harsh reflections (very light blue/gray eyes). I tend to get headaches when flying with non-polarized lenses.

A good pair will actually prevent the loss of viewing of the RMU/GPS/LCD display until you are at a very harsh angle. In order for me to start to lose sight of it, I have to have my head cocked at least 45 degrees... and I can't think of any situation that I would normally have my head in that position while attempting to change Freqs. The cheaper polarized lenses seem to have the polarization set at a much lower angle.

Also, the nicer lenses actually absorb reflective "back" glare. Making your eyes more comfortable and less stressed in bright high-glare situations... (think CAVU at 35,000 ft.).

There are no "dark blotchy" images on the windows with a good pair (Maui's for example)... just a very slight color change effect that appears in different lighting situations, but nothing that prevents you from seeing the standard Red/Green/White lights.

The contrast enhancement in overcast/low light situations is what makes the amber polarized lenses stand out for me. I'm able to visually pick out aircraft/airports from a longer distance with polarized lenses due to the higher contrast and lack of glare from the surroundings (roads, lakes, the other pilot's humungous "pilot" watch, etc).

The whole issue about seeing another plane due to the glare off of it is kind of hokey to me. First of all... the sun isn't always shining on said aircraft in such a way as to create said glare. Secondly... if it's coming right at you... there's not much surface area facing you to create the glare. Thirdly... not all planes are bright and silvery like AA's. ;)

All of the above are simply my observations... YMMV.
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jgdeleon said:
Hey guys, thank you for the quick reply, I'm going to check out the Serengeti brand tomorrow.
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I personally use the Medium Frame Drivers with the brown lenses and they are great in IMO and well worth the investment. You can wear them from Dawn to Dusk and cut the haze well.
 
Eh, Ive always had polarized Maui Jim's and have never had a problem flying with them in glass or standard six pack.
 
I find teaching as a CFI to be rather unforgiving on sunglasses. The constant transition from airplane to school and from one airplane to another. So they come on and off often. As a student my glasses had a much longer life span since it was easy to remember to take them out of the hard case and put them back in after every flight. Then put on my every day sun glasses once I get to my truck where those would stay. For some reason, this seems impossible to remember and do as a CFI. The result:
1) I broke the arm off my $300 Armani's which I loved. They fit with my headset on perfectly and the lens was such high quality it seemed as if they made my vision better than normal. They lasted me for almost 2 years of normal life and flight training. But broke after about 4 months in the CFI environment.
2) I then had a pair from Lens Crafters I bought that I really liked. They were non-prescription and ran me about $175. Those lasted maybe 6-7 months since the non scratch lens ended up with many scratches from the abuse a CFI's glasses seem to go through.
3) I now actually use those (or similar ones) to the Forever21 glasses for under $15 with tax. They last me about 4-6 months I estimate. Either they get scratched or the arm breaks off. It's a gamble on with one happens first. And they fit with my David Clark headset quite well. So they are my choice for now.

And all that said:
1) Make sure you get a pair that are comfortable with your headset on. I find this sometimes to be the biggest challenge!
2) I prefer the amber lens or grey lens but that's just me. It's bright in Texas.
3) I go cheap since the life span of any sunglasses I use for flying is about 6 months. In my normal life they seem to last about 2 years. And $300 for something to only last 2 years is way out of my CFI budget. I go with $10 to $20 every 4-6 months as the best deal out there.

And even all that said:
I will change over to a nice $200 to $300 pair when I fly professionally in corporate or airlines since then all the craziness of my CFI life is over and I can much better care for the expensive sunglasses. Until then, I will stick with what ZZ Top said. Wear the cheap sun glasses!
 
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