Sunglasses?

I have multiple pairs of raybans and I love them.....I would recommend getting a pair with thin frames though.
 
I realize that wearing Ray Ban aviators make me look like a huge tool, but they are just great at keeping the sun out while not making everything look dark. RAYBAN FOR LIFE! :cool:
 
I had a nice pair of Randolph Concorde's that I either lost or had stolen. Couldn't figure out which. ;) Randolph makes some that aren't the toolbag Top Gun style ones (the ones I own).
 
I use my visor in the airplane, but on the ramp before I walk, I use some Spy wraparounds, or some pretty low key cheap ray bans. Both get banged up in the leg pocket of my flight suit since they are in there with keys, cell and constantly being taken in and out before and after flying.
 
You can't separate me from my polarized Maui Jims. I can spot traffic faster with them on for sure. The polarization takes the glare out of the haze. I'm on my 4th pair of them, and I still own 2 pairs with one at Jim's getting new lenses this week.
 
Never had a problem with polarized Ray-Bans, but I guess that's one positive aspect of flying 30+ year old planes. On a couple 430s they were dark until I turned my head, but for most of the other 430s didn't have any effect with the polarized.
 
I've been considering getting higher quality sunglasses as well. I usually get mine at CVS/Walgreens for more or less $15 but lately I've been going through a pair every 2 months or so. No problem with losing them, they just crack because they are so cheap.

You might want to go to a Ross or TJ Max. They have designer merchandise for a lot less.
 
I wear Maui Jim's when I'm off work, and I love them. However, like others said, the polarization causes many problems with the instruments and the windshields. So, I keep my Serengeti sunglasses that I've had for my entire airline career in my flight bag. I love them! They offer some outstanding cloud definition and reduce glare. I find that I wear them even when it's cloudy, just to help reduce eye strain.
 
I had a pair of Polarized Oakleys for the last few years. I had the wire frame that way they slipped under my DC's and they was no noise difference. The polarized is great up North during the winter months so you can get rid of that glare off of all the snow, but the problem I had was every time I went to look at the 430 or mfd, I'd have to tilt my head. If you don't have any glass in the plane, I would recommend polarized.. just don't loose them like I did 3 years later!!

FWIW, I now have a pair of non-polarized Ray Bans. I brought my headset into the sun-glass hut and tried the glasses on with the headset just to make sure they fit comfortable. I now love my Bans...
 
Polarized cheapo's. I'm a firm believer and you get what you pay for; that being said, i break 'em so often i doubt i'll ever spend more than $20 on a pair of shades
 
Hi Katie,

Hope some of this helps:

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob from an older locked post that can't be necroposted

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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