For Jet EFIS there's only one must have:

Serengeti's with Driver Gradient Lenses.

And they are NOT polarised so no probs there!!!

does the colour of the lens tint matter?

comparing a brown lens and a gray lens.

assuming both are Number 2 lens, non polarised with 20-30 percent light transmission, which is more suitable for use during flying?

the driver gradient lenses are photo chromatic so does it cause any lightening / darkening problems as mentioned in the posts before this?

No there are no such problems with the serengeti drivers gradient lenses and I agree wholeheartedly with Suvarnabhumi - they are outstanding.

looking to get either the 555nm lenses or drivers / driver's gradient.... undecided though cos of the lens colour (grey vs brown). Serengetis are costly so don't wanna make a wrong purchase :cool:

Polarised Glasses-try this test
 

Try this test:- put on your Polarised Glasses and look at a digital clock by tilting your head to the right...and you will see the screen go completley black. This will also effect your instruments when flying.

Tried and testd:- Polarising sunglasses should not be used when flying. The polarising filter interacts with the cockpit transparency to produce a distorted and degraded visual image.

Ray Bans- boring but they work
 

US airforce made Aviators compulsory for years. + They have been around since the 30's.
http://www.ray-ban.com/

555nm or driver's gradient ? which one is better ? I m thinking about velocity titanium matte black (mod #6691 ) or lassen titanium (mod #6698) pretty expensive though (270 euros)

With Moderator Bad Medicine's permission a post from 2003.

"Sunglasses are a topic dear to the heart of aviators. There are a number of factors which determine the suitability or otherwise of sunglasses for use in the aviation role.

Narrow frames that carry large lenses are the most desirable from a field of view standpoint. The most critical problem with frames arises from the presence of wide sidearms which can significantly impair the peripheral visual field.

Lenses should not be too dark, and should transmit at least 15% of incident light. The tint used should be "neutral density"
(N.D.), that is, a greyish tint that does not distort colour perception. Much has been written about the perceived benefits of various coloured lenses, especially in regard to contrast and perceived brightness. Coloured lenses have been shown to reduce the colour information received, and to have a detrimental effect on both perception and reaction time.

Lenses of polycarbonate material are preferred because of their impact-resistance and ability to absorb ultra-violet and infra-red rays. However, these lenses can scratch easily. Harder materials may be suitable, however these may be more prone to shattering in an impact.

Different jurisdictions and countries have standards to which sunglasses are manufactured. Sunglasses should be chosen which conform to the appropriate standard. For example, the current Australian Standard ensures that sunglasses meet acceptable standards for lens quality, frame strength and lens retention and also ensures that sunglasses provide adequate protection from solar radiation.

Polarising sunglasses should not be used when flying. The polarising filter interacts with the cockpit transparency to produce a distorted and degraded visual image. This effect can also be seen with laminated car windscreens. Better keep the polarised lenses for fishing.

Pilots who wear prescription spectacles can choose from a number
of options for glare protection. Prescription sunglasses with N.D.15 lenses can be obtained, or N.D.15 clip-on or flip-up sunglasses may be worn over prescription spectacles.

Back to the original issue of photochromatic lenses. Photochromatic lenses have several disadvantages that render them unsuitable for use by pilots.

Firstly, their transition times are relatively slow. Photochromatic lenses take about five minutes to increase their density to the level of sunglasses, but more importantly, the bleaching time from maximum to minimum density can be as long as 30 minutes. Although there is a rapid lightening of the lens in the first five minutes, this may be too long when there is a sudden variation in light during a descent into or under cloud, or because of a rapid change in cloud cover.

Their second disadvantage is that, even when fully bleached, photochromic lenses still absorb slightly more light than untinted lenses. Since vision is critically dependent on ambient light levels, even this small decrease of light reaching the eye through photochromatic lenses is undesirable, especially at night or in low light levels. The inherent degradation of these lenses with time causes them to progressively become darker, as they become unable to reach the fully bleached state. This effectively prohibits their use in flying or controlling air traffic.

I hope that "sheds some light" on the subject.

Cheers,

BM"

I think the latest generation of photochromatic lenses have much faster response time, not sure how much though

What's the best Serengeti frame for flying? I've decided on getting the Drivers Gradient lenses, but I'm undecided on the frames. Any thoughts?

eP

Most sunnies have a coated layer of UV ray absorbtion material which fades over time.
As far as I know only Oakley and Serengeti has this UV ray absorbtion material built into the lens, i.e. no degradation on UV ray absorbtion.

And only Oakley lenses claims to eliminate 100% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays, while Serengeti only claims to eliminate 98.5% UVA and 100% UVB and no mention of UVC.

So it is a no brainer for me, been Oakley or nothing for me for as long as I can remember:ok:

Decisions Decisions
 

I'm currently trying to decide between the following

1) Oakley CROSSHAIR™ ACTIVATED BY TRANSITIONS.

2) Serengeti Velocity Titanium with drivers gradient lenses

Any advice would be great the new transition lenses from oakley are relatively new to the market does anyone have an opinion on response time to light changes etc.

I was dead set on the exact pair of Serengeti's as you've stated RHCP. I didnt know about those Oakley CROSSHAIR™ ACTIVATED BY TRANSITIONS you've listed - I've just checked them out and they look great! Choices Choices!

For looks, its the OAKLEY's, but I'll hold off on a purchase to see what peoples opinions are of the OAKLEY transition lenses.

These are the ones I went with:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-RAY-BAN-AVIA...QQcmdZViewItem

Feel great and no EFIS problems even though they are polarized.

I think i'll stay away from polarized after all the warnings on this forum just in case.

Try optics-online.com.au,got my Serengeti's about $100 bucks cheaper than sunglasshut,delivered within 2 days.(latest look had them at $231AUD for the Velocity) .Heaps of other brands,or they will get it!

This is all very well and aside from looking cool, can anyone recommend a pair of durable, comfortable, light, non polarizing grey-tint glasses that don't cost a fortune and don't end up on your forehead during aeros ? and will survive at least a 30 second window with a 2 year old ?

Pinkhyppo is correct , my raybans are currently in the process of peeling, which is rather satisfying considering I've had them slightly over a year.

If you can get them to fit your head (they're a bit small) try a pair of Oakley Fives. About £50 in the UK and should meet all your criteria. I was very impressed when I accidentaly dropped them off an 8 storey building, breaking them into the 5 component parts, then found I could put them right back together again as good as new!

Hi all...
in a previous life i used to sell oakley in the outdoor activity industry in the UK's largest oakley retailer.
I've used serrengetti's ray ban etc, but without a doubt Oakley's did the job for me and i haven't looked back!

As others have said, Oakley do claim (and i've seen it proven) that UVA, UVB and UVC are blocked 100%. So you all know; UVC is the "blue light" reflected of snowy surfaces. so ideal for skiing etc.

They use a molecule called iridium which is imcorporated into the polycarbonate, to remove the glare. All UV and IR is removed by the lens material not the "iridium" so if the lenses get scratched, you will still be covered.

They also offer a wide array of lens hues to choose from. my tips for the cockpit would be gold iridium, black iridium (for particularly bright cockpits) and my personal fovourites emerald or Ice....

I haven't read thro all this thread but Oakley have done many comparisons between many manufacturers and surveys have been done in the states i believe for pilots. last time i looked details we're on their website... :cool:

Who is the largest UK Oakley retailer? If you can't advertise, can you PM me please.

Cheers mate :ok:

eP

Actually, UV-C (100 to 280 nm) is totally blocked by the ozone layer. So unless you do alot of skiing on the poles, you don't need UV-C protection at all. Seems to me like it's just to make them sound better.

I recommend Skylet lenses from Carl Zeiss.

You can get them framed from Zeiss or you can buy only the lenses to be mounted in any frame you like. I have mine in a Silhouette Minimal Art. Excellent comfort while wearing a headset.

Regards,

Do a search on ebay; there's loads there.
I bought and am happy with this chap



Edited to remove advertising link. BM

rayban's
 

Hi,

does anyboday have and info on rayban lens, I like rayban glasses and i want buy a pair, with G-15xlt lens, i have a job sailing in greece for the summer so what a pair that are good for that but with a view to using the for flying aswell. thats the dilemma, i dont want to spend a fortune on a pair of polerized for sailing that i cant use for flying! so are G15 good? i hear they are a good alrounder but waondered if any had any experience on the water and in the air?

thanks

Oakleys - wouldn't touch them again. The lenses kept breaking in the only pair I tried to keep. After 4 pairs of lenses and 400 excuses I threw them away. Used raybans for over 30 years with no problems and currently the best I have ever had are Serengetti drivers glasses with the gradient lenses and titanium frames. I have no interest in their looks; only that they're comfortable for up to 8 hours a day, tough and do the job.

... yeah, this discussion is endless ...

HOWEVER:
I can't believe there's still pilots around who see advantages of changing or gradient lenses.

For an aviator there is not always earth where is the lower part of the sunglasses. Even if you don't do aerobatics, you do turns, and your eyes will be less protected on the "upper" side of the turn.

Also in quick changing brightness, which happens in the cockpit all the time, changing lenses are nonsense.

UV-C is the radiation with less than 400 nm (also called blue light) and is suspected to be reason for damages on eyes when you get old. Swiss National Healthcare Institute SUVA came to this conclusion (and invented the Suvasol lenses). It's also wrong to think that UV-C only occures in polar regions. Everyone knows that it's a question of dosis, and in the air on high FLs there is considerably more UV rays than on ground. Latest stratospherical research come to the conclusion that "ozone holes" not only happen in polar winters but everywhere on the planet.

There is another factor to be considered: The form is not only fashionable and a comfort question. Straight models (conventional pilot glasses' frame) let more rays entering your eye from the side and from the back. A "round" model ("wrap around") is not only "cool", but absolutly necessary from a medical point of view. Mountain climber knew that already before those wrap around models existed.

If you consider all these points you come to the conclusion that Oakley is the only way to go, if you like it or not. Or if you don't want a famous brand go for Suvasol or any other brown glass with UVC filter capability.

Bear in mind that until now Oakley is the only provider who has solved the problem of corrected RX prescribed wrap around lenses. It needs very complicated production steps to do so. Other lenses sometimes show abberations when you move your head, very disturbing!

Dani

sun-glasses and PFD & ND
 

For pilots flying NG planes ... I mean watching screens not analog instrument....::

What sun-glasses do you wear just to see what is going on on the screen and dont let the sun bother you?

Argh I just broke my Rayban 2030s (about 5 years old) and now I cant find a UK stockist to replace them... any ideas chaps?
And if anyone has ordered from the US what extra taxes did you have to pay?

I've a pair of raybans which are oval shaped and slightly wrap-around. They are pretty good although I recently got a pair of Oakley Hatchet glasses and these are a little bit bit better. Headsets and frames is always a problem though.

I wouldn't touch any Transistions lenses. I have the regular prescription ones (latest generation) and they will NOT go dark in a car or cockpit.

The first gen had problems with the speed of darkening and the depth of colour. (In fact the UK Advertising Standards Authority forced them to pull their TV ads.) They have improved them since then but what's the point if the windscreen blocks enough UV and heat to stop them 'reacting'??

oakleys - for ladies only?!
 

Hi all
Been to a couple of shops trying on various sunglasses today and finally found a pair that I really like - thin enough to go under headset, wrap-around lenses, nice and light etc etc, and thought Id come home and find them cheaper on the web...

When I looked up the style in question (Oakley Dart) all the sites I found listed these as "exclusively for women"! Yet nobody in the shops mentioned this to me. Would it be an inexcusable error for me to buy and wear a pair of "ladies" sunglasses?

GullWing :confused: (very male)

I see people repeatedly refering to Serengeti Drivers Gradient lenses as transition lenses. They are NOT transition lenses. Transition lenses are also known as photochromatic lenses and AUTOMATICALY change color based upon the amount of UV available which is related to how bright it is.

The Serengeti Drivers Gradient lenses are in essence nothing more then lenses that are darker colored on the top and lighter colored on the bottom of the lens. The do NOT change automaticaly. So no problems there.

I also constantly see people refering to Oakley's as the only lenses that filter out UV-A, B and C. Also this is not true. Just have a look at the Serengeti manufacturers website. Serengeti's do in fact filter out UV C.

Then there are people that think that only Oakley's filter out UVA, B and C out for a full 100%. Again not true. You are comparing polycarbonate lenses of the Oakley's with glass lenses of the Serengeti's. If it bothers you that the Serengeti glass lenses "only" filter out 100% UV-A, 98.5% Uv B and C, and feel that the 1.5% UV B that is allowed to enter is big turn-off for you, you can get Serengeti's with Polarmax lenses. Same type of lens as the Oakley's with the same properties.

So if you want a true distortion free, color true lens go with glass and go with the awesome Serengeti Drivers or Drivers Gradient. Drawback, slightly heavier then polycarbonate and more prone to shattering.

If the lack of 1.5% UV-B filtration bothers you in a glass lens, go with polycarbonate Oakley's or Serengeti PolarMax. Drawback, not 100% distortion free.

Strangely enough I went to buy a pair or sunglasses only today in readiness to doing flight training in the US.

I hadn't read this thread until now, but my criteria were:

• The arms of the frames should be as thin as possible so they would pass under my headset
• The arms of the frames would not stick out from my face too much so (again) would pass under my headset.
• Not polarised.
• Offer 100% UV protection

I went to an optician after going to a sunglasses-hut kind of place and being very unimpressed by their technical knowledge of what they were selling.

The opticians were great, and got a (non-prescription, ie. no correction) pair of Silhouette 8592 /55 6086. These have titanium nose bridge, and arms so you can bend them out completely and they spring back into shape again. They are frameless. Got them for £80 from a high street 'express' optician (who had a 50% offer on a range).

I've not tried them in the air yet, but I have tried them under my headset (DC 10-13.4) and the ultra-thin arms (about 500 micron) pass under perfectly.

Tiggermoth

Gullwing,
If they are ideal, then don't worry about it.

(When I was at uni I used to run in a pair of pink "for ladies" trainers because they were cheaper and better than the gents ones at the time.)

As long as you have an adams apple and perhaps some indication of facial hair then don't fall into the trap of the marketing man. :)

Tiggermoth

Ray Ban Presciption sunglasses
 

Anyone out there know where I can get prescription ray ban sunglasses?
Im talking about the frames that are more curved.... ie. the ones that all the opticians seems too scared to put a prescription in!
Ive found a few web sites, just wondering if anybody had any recommendations.
Thanks in advance

A while ago, I saw a Rayban pair that I fell in love with. Bought the pair, did the eye test from the same optician. At the begining they felt a bit strange, just like any other new pair, after a while you get use to them. No problem there.
P.S. the glasses are progressive and curve like you describe.
:ok:

I believe, and I am no optician, that to be able to have certain shaped prescription lensdepends on yours actual prescription. My eye sight is -0.25 in both eyes and therefore my lenses are very thin and I apparently can have virtually any frame. I know those with eyes in the 2-3 range who have thicker lenses and therefore have less choice when it comes to sunnies.

I have been wearing straight line bi-focals for a decade now. I would strongly recommend them in lieu of "progresive lenses" while in the cock-pit. As far as sun glasses go you can get any lense you wish tinted to match Ray Ban colors. I have used G-15 exclusively and have been very happy. Be sure to get "non-polarized" lenses if you are working with EFIS as polarized lenses really play havok with the screens.

hello people,

I have a set of Revo polarised sun glasses, i've used them for all my GA flying and now I have my sights set on doing an IR in the future but my chosen provider does the IR in a DA42 with Glass instruments...I fear the anti glare filters mixed with my polarised lenses will fight over what picture to give me so im looking for another nice pair of sunglasses..

I like the styling of Revo, they're comfy and never fell off when doing aeros...can anyone recommend a pair? After looking through the past 6 pages, its between Oakley and Serengeti (although I looked over Serengeti's website, I couldn't find a pair I liked)...Any opinions?? :D

When the weather is rainy and grey, I use Oakley A-Wire and remove the rubber socks at the ears to relieve the pressure points where my headset contacts with them.
Bose X don't give me as much of a pressure problem as the David Clark ANRs did though.

I also have Serengheti that I use on very sunny days or in places where there is a lot of haze. I have never used a pair of sunglasses that cut through mist and haze like the Serenghetis do.
My only problem with the ones I have is that they get a little bit heavy after a while on the bridge of my nose. I think it's the weight of the lenses as the frames are as light as the Oakleys.

If I was to part with one pair.......it would be the Oakleys as the Serenghetis are better all rounders.