Whats a good pair of sunglasses for flying?

[neilharris360]

Hi, im looking at getting a good, high quality pair of sunglasses. Im just curious to hear some oppinions on different sunglasses, and what to look for in sunglasses to be used for flying.
I was looking at Serengeti's, mainly the Velocity... id like to hear your thoughts on Serengeti's as well as any other makes you may think are suitable...
Thanks

[Dr. Mcillicuddy]

Dark ones.

[TopperHarley]

Well I wear a pair of $1 sunglasses I got from No Frills. But since you're looking for good high quality ones, I wouldn't recommend mine.

If I had to drop $$ on a new pair, Id probably go Serengetti. I find them more comfortable compared to RayBan. I really dont think there's any difference in quality when you're comparing the expensive brands, they're all good and they all keep the sun out. Just pick a pair that you think looks good and most importantly, feels comfortable.

[paydaymayday]

Be careful with polarized. I wear polarized Ray Bans, and I've had no problem with them save for a faint pattern on the windscreen on a few in the fleet. I think it's either the lamination or the heating element that causes it. I find it's much easier to visually spot other aircraft with polarized ones, though. Perhaps how the light reflects.

Make sure the sides are thin and slight, though. When your headset crushes thick pieces of metal into your cranium for a few hours, you'll know what I mean.

[. ._]

Forget all of these guys' advice.

The Raybans get the chicks.



Nuff said.

-istp

[canwhitewolf]

Ray Ban " The General " Bausch & Lomb Ray-Ban 50th Anniversary Sunglasses / Special Limited Edition 1937 - 1987 / Model# W063
http://www.squidoo.com/ray-ban-aviator-sunglasses

theres some vintage on ebay

[CelBatrin]

It's time to take the next step and buy those aviator sunglasses all your favourite movie stars seem to be wearing.

While you browse through the wide array of choices, there are a few points that are very important to remember. The size of the lenses correlates directly to how good an aviator you are, and should more or less cover half of your face (if you're man enough, just spring for the fighter-jock helmet). Also, the frames should be gold, indicating how much money you have because you are a pilot. After you buy them, don't forget to wear them night and day, inside and out. As a pilot, your eyes are extremely important, and you can't risk even a single photon of UV light getting past those bad boys. Plus, a talent scout might spot you, and you could end up starring in the next big top gun film.

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=57427

[co-joe]

Can't beat the Groucho's

[deflux]

I wear non polarized Oakley Whiskers



I picked them because the sides are very thin. They are really comfortable under a headset for hours at a time. And the frames are pretty much indestructable.

[5x5]

Not sure that price = quality, but to each their own. I have had good luck with much less expensive, but very satisfactory Foster Grants.


They're only about $20 (usually around now London Drugs will put them on sale 40% off) so if I squish them, drop them or lose them I don't have a heart attack. The arms aren't as thick as they look in the pic or at least they haven't caused me trouble under a DC 13.4 or a Zulu. They're spring loaded and take a fair bit of abuse without breaking.

[SuperchargedRS]

Randolph Engineering, glass lenses, built for flying, made in the US.




Whatever you choose, dont get polarized lenses.

[AeroDiaz]

I consider myself an expensive (but this ones aren´t) sunglasses addict. I collect them.

I have tried them all. For REAL flying the Serengeti Aviator is the best IMHO (for now). It is a really good investment. (gotta take care of the eyes man!)

You can find them for less than 100 bucks on the net.

DÍAZ

[jpilot77]

I have to second the Ranolphs. They are US Airforce issue and they look alought like ray bans (slightly more square lensese). You have 3 different lense sizes, 3 different color patterns for the frames and 3 different temple styles (regular, bayonet and wrap around wire). I really love my pair and they are comparable in price to similar Ray Bans if not a little cheaper. Also they cme with spair nose grips and screws.

[Sulako]

Serengeti makes the best lens for flying. Try on a pair of aviators or drivers and take a look at some clouds or haze. You'll see exactly what I mean. I had Raybans while I was in flight school, but at my first job I tried on a pal's Serengetis and haven't looked back. Prices can really vary though, and it's worth your while to search around online to get a good deal.

[5x5]

Just remember to be careful when searching around the net for lowest prices on "name brand" products like sunglasses. Do your best to confirm the veracity of the seller. I've heard that there have actually been instances of knock-offs being sold as the real thing. It's just possible that $85 pair of Serengetis isn't exactly the deal you think it is.

[albertdesalvo]

Just remember to be careful when searching around the net for lowest prices on "name brand" products like sunglasses. Do your best to confirm the veracity of the seller. I've heard that there have actually been instances of knock-offs being sold as the real thing. It's just possible that $85 pair of Serengetis isn't exactly the deal you think it is.

The same goes for Snow Goose parkas on Avcanada. The seller might be the most honest guy in the world, but if he got that parka on eBay, it's fake.

[fingersmac]

Maybe things have changed recently but as far as I know Oakley are the industry leader in sunglasses. Private Pilot magazine did an independent review of various sunglasses back in 2002 and Oakley led each category. Cheap 1$ sunglasses may be affordable but who knows if they're really protecting your eyes, not to mention the cheap materials used in the lens may cause you to have headaches and eye fatigue.

Here's the PDF of the Private Pilot Magazine study:

http://rubensmenswear.com/pages/photogr ... t_2002.pdf

Don't choose a lens that blocks out too much sunlight; something around 20-30% light transmission. Too dark and you might not see things in the shadows. Photochromatic lens are generally not recommended because it can sometimes take too much time to change tint.

Online is your best bet for purchasing sunglasses; my Oakleys were almost $80 more in Canada!

[FastFlyBy]

I had bad luck with the $20 sunglasses. They always ended up mangled or destroyed one way or another. I'd go through a pair every 6 months.

Then I bought my first pair of Ray Bans, they've lasted me ten years so far with minimal damage. When I first put them on I was amazed at the different in lens quality and swore that I'd never go back to the cheap ones.

I'd like to try the Serengetis.

[Siddley Hawker]

Ray Ban Ambermatics if you can still find them.

[Mode C]

I love my serengeti's. Very clear, sharp, scratch resistant glass lenses on them. Just not too stylish.
Costco has them on sale all the time and even at regular price, they're sub $100 for the non-polarized ones.
I've also read that the brown tint is best for what we do. Blocks out the blue light that reduces sharpness. So regardless of brand, at least go for a brown tint over the greys and oranges etc.

[trampbike]

Maybe things have changed recently but as far as I know Oakley are the industry leader in sunglasses. Private Pilot magazine did an independent review of various sunglasses back in 2002 and Oakley led each category. Cheap 1$ sunglasses may be affordable but who knows if they're really protecting your eyes, not to mention the cheap materials used in the lens may cause you to have headaches and eye fatigue.

Here's the PDF of the Private Pilot Magazine study:

http://rubensmenswear.com/pages/photogr ... t_2002.pdf

Don't choose a lens that blocks out too much sunlight; something around 20-30% light transmission. Too dark and you might not see things in the shadows. Photochromatic lens are generally not recommended because it can sometimes take too much time to change tint.

Online is your best bet for purchasing sunglasses; my Oakleys were almost $80 more in Canada!

I have to agree about Oakley lenses. Too bad we can't say the same about their metal frames. I'm using Oakley Crosshair with the black iridium lenses, and I had to send them many times in warranty because the lenses were moving inside the frame. One even popped out once. I've been told they changed something with the frame and are now okay... Great lenses, but I doubt they will "make history" like the brand claims.



I like the fact that their lenses are almost unbreakable http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_GL9XNjcBI.

[edit]: typo

[trampbike]

On Oakley website about the Crosshair:

We make eyewear good enough for people who commute at three times the speed of sound. So it’s only natural that we sculptured a frame with aviator styling.

Oakley's marketing department is so funny, everybody should spend some minutes on their website to read some of the awesome bullshit they throw at us to hype their sunglasses...

[brokenwing]

what's wrong with polarized? as long as you're not flying something with a glass cockpit?

[fingersmac]

I have a pair of Crosshairs too; no issues with the frame though.

[Expat]

Very dark ones...And buy a white cane. Check the reaction of your passengers. Blind piloting anyone? Navy term...