Sunglasses?

I've been rocking polarized wire frame Maui Jims for about 9 years now, the same pair I dropped $250 on back in UPT. Served me well in my AF flying career and still working just as great at Colgan. I love 'em. Never had any issues with seeing glass screens in cockpits. Do get the occational faint rainbow through windscreens but well worth the glare reduction.
 
Thanks Captain Bob for your insight. I never understood why people would wear yellow lens sunglasses. They sure wouldn't block much sunlight, isn't the whole purpose of sunglasses to do just that?
 
No problem Katie,

As for the Yellow "Sun"glasses... I'd dare say that most people who use them for practical purposes don't actually wear them in the sun.

Because of the high contract ratio that a yellow lens offers, they are primarily used by shooters, hunters, and other sportsfolk so that they can see their targets/prey in low light conditions and the prey "stand out" or "pop" more in the brush & woods where light levels are low due the forest canopy or low light conditions of hunting in the woods in the early morning/late daylight hours or in situations where contrast is the only thing that may help them see the movement of their prey such as in snowy or foggy conditions. Also why you'll see skiers wearing yellow or bright orange lenses.

Believe it or not... many people with poor night vision will wear a yellow lens while driving at night due to the enhanced contrast effect they offer too.

So... yeah... I'm not sure why people wear yellow lenses for "sun"glasses either. ;)

Probably TMI... but, there ya go.

Bob
 
I am at work and just becuase of this I got my co-workers polarized sunglasses and went to the flight deck. I say colorful circles all over the windows and couldn't see the mission computer or MFD, PFD unless I was looking directly at them.
 
Serengeti with the Drivers Gradient Lenses are the ones for me. The clarity they provide, particularly in hazy/low viz conditions can't be beat.

I have several quality sunglasses, including Ray Ban which is mentioned often here. None of them were as good as the Serengetis for flying. They also come in prescription if needed.

http://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/index_en_na.cfm
 
BillPerryCFI said:
http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?DID=19&Product_ID=12171&CATID=185


The Randolph Aviators...I've been wearing them 6 hours a day for the last 15 months...nothing better that I've worn and worth every penny in the cockpit. I fly in the southwest US where there is barely a cloud in the sky 98% of the year and I never get eye fatigue.
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Seconded.

I had traditionally worn very small framed sunglasses. After about 10 months of constant eye strain, I had to move into something larger. I appreciate Randolph's long history and dedication to a quality product. No eye strain or fatigue issues since switching to larger frames.
 
A300Capt said:
Get cheap ones...you'll only lose the expensive ones!
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Agreed. If you get an expensive pair you will lose them very quickly. If you get a cheap pair you can throw them out the window of your car on the way home and they will be waiting for you at home on the kitchen table.
 
aorta said:
I am at work and just becuase of this I got my co-workers polarized sunglasses and went to the flight deck. I say colorful circles all over the windows and couldn't see the mission computer or MFD, PFD unless I was looking directly at them.
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That's too bad. What brand were they and how old is your flight deck? These are two big factors.

Just as I mentioned before... it's worth trying several pairs and seeing what works best for your needs. Overall though... the less expensive polarized models that you can buy at wal-mart, CVS/Walgreens, or your local convenience store do tend to have worse results on the flightdecks. You can see several people on here flying professionally with Maui Jim's, RayBan P's, etc. with no real issues.

Captain Bob said:
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.
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Bob, are you a hunter? You seem to know quite a bit on that subject. I will resume shopping for the perfect sunglasses. Maybe I'll ask for them for Christmas.
 
I never knew about the free shipping. What kind of secret question are you talking about? I would like free shipping, too.
 
KTRN said:
I never knew about the free shipping. What kind of secret question are you talking about? I would like free shipping, too.
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It changes month to month, but they will ask some question about something. The question is hidden among the product description.
 
When you order, do you have to do it by phone or can you do it online & put in the secret question? I usually order stuff online & not by phone.
 
Worst advice would be to go to the gas station or wherever and get the $5 ones.....

I have been flying with Serengettis for several years now, and will not fly without them.....The Photochromatic lenses are great for reducing glare, seems like it adds a quarter to a half mile to the vis on those hazy days....

I think I paid $160 or so for mine, worth every penny and i'd do it again...

They are not really sold in stores anymore, at least not most of them....So you have to go online to buy them, which means buying a pair without trying them on, which would be tough......I'm not sure what the company was thinking when they started to pull them from stores...?...
 
I can attest to the Serengettis adding what seems like a 1/4-1/2 mile improvement in visibility on hazy days. Used to fly traffic watch in Los Angeles. Some days I would need a Special VFR clearance to get around. Wouldn't go anywhere without the Serengettis.

They aren't sold in many stores, but the Pilot Shop by me sells them. Check around

As for the cheap glasses because you always lose them??? If the Serengettis aren't on my face, they're in the case and inside my flight bag. Never came close to losing them.
 
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