Good sunnies to wear for flying?
A factor to consider in sunglasses purchase is the type of headset you wear. Glasses with thick side arms can be a problem if wearing a David Clark style of headset. The weight on the bridge of your nose also changes when wearing a headset so needs to be considered if you are buying glasses specifically for flying.
Just my thoughts.
Just my thoughts.
been designed and tested by NASA
Not what I said, NASA had nothing to do with designing a piece of Australian innovation. But they became a customer, as did the USAF and US Navy.
You don't need to go to a seminar to understand the importance of protecting your eyes, particularly if you are in a profession that needs two.
It's clear, from some of these posts, that a few pilots have a very cavalier attitude to eyesight self preservation, I hope they don't carry this through to their operations in general --- but my observations suggest all too many do.
Tootle pip!!
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Had a pair of Ray Banns for 2 years and never had any or heard of problems with the lens falling out. The brown lenses seems to work fine. They are not aviators.
After reading Leadslead's post there I think he should declare if he's on the take or has any interest in Martin X Hogan, his post sounded a little too much like an advert. My optometrist says that any of the major brands are fine for flying. Differentiation between sunglasses these days really is more of a fashion statement than a technical one.
After reading Leadslead's post there I think he should declare if he's on the take or has any interest in Martin X Hogan, his post sounded a little too much like an advert. My optometrist says that any of the major brands are fine for flying. Differentiation between sunglasses these days really is more of a fashion statement than a technical one.
Any pilot who uses cheap sunglasses is not smart enough to be a pilot ...
and you really are a pilot, all that does is say something about your basic intelligence. ...
It's clear, from some of these posts, that a few pilots have a very cavalier attitude to eyesight self preservation, I hope they don't carry this through to their operations in general --- but my observations suggest all too many do.
and you really are a pilot, all that does is say something about your basic intelligence. ...
It's clear, from some of these posts, that a few pilots have a very cavalier attitude to eyesight self preservation, I hope they don't carry this through to their operations in general --- but my observations suggest all too many do.
After reading Leadslead's post there I think he should declare if he's on the take or has any interest in Martin X Hogan, his post sounded a little too much like an advert.
My optometrist says that any of the major brands are fine for flying.
I will bet it is none, and, indeed, there are quite important differences between the usual requirements for ground level versus flying. This even before we get to corrected lenses, where standard focal length guidelines used by optometrists are quite inappropriate for a pilot.
As I said in a previous post, the human head is optimised to see at ground level, not high up.
But, looking at so many of these posts, it seems like ignorance is bliss --- until you have eyes damaged or lost --- in entirely avoidable circumstances.
Stupid is as stupid does.
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OK time for a new set. Looking at the Serengeti Dante 7314, Serengeti Velocity GG6692 and the Randolph Jag with the new AGX Flash Mirror lens. Anyone had trouble with any of these models and headsets etc?
All have grey/ slight green non polarized lenses. I have had velocity's before, lasted 5-6 years, excellent frames. My current set is the Serengeto Pilot 1 with the drivers gradient lens, not overly happy with the cable temples as they keep breaking off where the cable attatches and parts are no longer available.
SN
All have grey/ slight green non polarized lenses. I have had velocity's before, lasted 5-6 years, excellent frames. My current set is the Serengeto Pilot 1 with the drivers gradient lens, not overly happy with the cable temples as they keep breaking off where the cable attatches and parts are no longer available.
SN
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Been trying some on here and there as I see them. Learned something about each brand along the way. Not all Seri's, Ray Ban's and Randolps are glass, they all make some PC.
My pick so far is the Serengeti Velocity GG6692, titanium frame with the grey/green glass lens. I have not yet seen a PC lens that comes close to the clarity of the glass. I have not yet been able to get hold of the Randolphs but I would like to try the Jag's.
SN
My pick so far is the Serengeti Velocity GG6692, titanium frame with the grey/green glass lens. I have not yet seen a PC lens that comes close to the clarity of the glass. I have not yet been able to get hold of the Randolphs but I would like to try the Jag's.
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The best sunnies by far are the ones your predecessor left on the flt deck in his/her haste to go home...the price is unbeatable, however the quality does tend to be a bit inconsistent.
After a few weeks you may feel ravaged by guilt and return them to their rightful owner (the onset of guilt usually coincides with the discovery of a superior pair under similar circumstances)..i.e. "maaaate..saw some sunnies poking out from under the rudder pedals in ABC...looked a bit like the pair you said you lost the other month".
After a few weeks you may feel ravaged by guilt and return them to their rightful owner (the onset of guilt usually coincides with the discovery of a superior pair under similar circumstances)..i.e. "maaaate..saw some sunnies poking out from under the rudder pedals in ABC...looked a bit like the pair you said you lost the other month".
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Bought a pair of Zeiss sunnies when I first started flying in 78 and they were expensive. Wore them flying and driving but they retired 4 years ago when one of the hinges died. Took some getting used to since they were made of actual glass and were heavy on the bridge of the nose, not like the light plastic items of today. If I can find a frame to fit them, they shall live again. Dropped several times during their life and they have ZERO scratches or chips.
Now forced to wear RayBans that are nice and light but the
ing screws keep coming loose. 
Now forced to wear RayBans that are nice and light but the
ing screws keep coming loose.
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Used to have a pair of Raybans which i thought were the sh&t until I woke up one morning to find they were broken... big night... just got my pair of Serengeti Saltos last week and will never touch Rayban again!! Amazing sunnies even with David Clarks and in a bongo!!
RANDOLPH AVIATOR........or another model in their aviation range. Specs and details here--
Randolph Sunglasses
or Randolph Engineering :: Sunglasses and Shooting Eyewear
I didnt check prices but may be cheaper to buy direct from USA.
Over 7million pairs issued since 1977 as it says. Milspec design. Standard issue for NASA and USAF, USN for decades.
I can vouch for how tough and scratch resistant these are.
Once they were flung off my face hard onto steel decking on a dumb show ride that was a lot more violent than it looked. They were only a few mo old and I would have sworn they would be in pieces, I was stunned to see not so much as a scratch on them, let alone being in pieces.
Highly recommended.
Randolph Sunglasses
or Randolph Engineering :: Sunglasses and Shooting Eyewear
I didnt check prices but may be cheaper to buy direct from USA.
Over 7million pairs issued since 1977 as it says. Milspec design. Standard issue for NASA and USAF, USN for decades.
I can vouch for how tough and scratch resistant these are.
Once they were flung off my face hard onto steel decking on a dumb show ride that was a lot more violent than it looked. They were only a few mo old and I would have sworn they would be in pieces, I was stunned to see not so much as a scratch on them, let alone being in pieces.
Highly recommended.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
1013, the reason why you may be having problems with the cheapo servo sunnies is not because of their filters but they may not be as optically true as the better brands.
I wear Oakley's with prescription lenses. Light weight, comfy, look good and arms don't conflict with the headset. My only criticism is that they are a bit too dark to see the screens easily.
I wear Oakley's with prescription lenses. Light weight, comfy, look good and arms don't conflict with the headset. My only criticism is that they are a bit too dark to see the screens easily.
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I've had Ray Ban's (3394) for the last few months and haven't a single bad word to say about them. They fit comfortably under the headset with no pressure points. Would definitely recommend them. The ones I have also aren't too dark so when the sun does go behind a cloud you don't need to take them off! which I found with my previous pair (not Ray Ban's). Happy shopping.
Another vote for Serengeti Velocity. Was recommended them by a sales assistant at a sunglass store when I was pre solo and I'm still using that pair. I love the optical clarity (it feels like my eyes literally relax when I put them on), the automatic adjustment for changing light levels, the fact that the flat arms are snug against the side of your head so you do not get any sound leakage from your headset. I use them for both flying and driving so they kill two birds with one stone!
They are more expensive but worth the investment.
The only gotcha which I am sure has been said here is that the rims are fairly fragile and you must take extra care when you are not wearing them to put them back in their hard case.
They are more expensive but worth the investment.
The only gotcha which I am sure has been said here is that the rims are fairly fragile and you must take extra care when you are not wearing them to put them back in their hard case.