Sunglasses

[Goldwings]

Hi Guys,

Looking for some advice. Im looking for a decent pair of non-prescription sunglasses. Im sure there must be some tried and tested ones out there. Should i be looking for polarised or non polarised? Heard that REVO shades are quite good? SERENGETI? Price not really a huge issue, just want some that will last!

Thanks in advance.

Goldwings

[LowNSlow]

Don't get polarised lenses as they can cause distortion if there are any stress marks (normally invisible) in your windscreen.

I prefer RayBans although I will confess to not wearing the "ant's eyes" Aviator style any more

[SR20flyDoc]

Serengeti "drivers" absolutly

I never fly without them.

Jaap

SR20 Driver

[Saab Dastard]

I've had a pair of Randolph Engineering glasses with high-contrast tan lenses for 15 years now. I believe they make lighter, less durable versions too.

SD

[Whirlygig]

Ray-Bans good but wouldn't recommend the Wayfarers as the frame is quite thick and they can let bright sunlight in at the sides.

Revos v. good and preferred choice on a very sunny day although the mirrored finish might be a bit off-putting for people you are talking to.

I am to sunglasses as most women are to handbags; I can pick the appropriate pair for the conditions.

Glad you got rid of the aviators - unless "70s porn-star" is the image you wish to convey

Cheers

Whirlygig

[S-Works]

Maui Jims. Superb haze cutters. They make a huge difference on those hazy days by adding a huge amount of contrast.

[whitingiom]

Serengeti Drivers......but buy them from USA as they're about $90 plus about £20 VAT and duty.

I got the big ones, but then I'm an ageing git!

[jimmydacraw]

The Oakley T-Wire 2.0 is what I use.
A little on the pricey side but they are nice and lightweight, have great clear visibility and they don't get in the way of the headset at all.
Get non polarised lenses too.

Jimmydacraw

[matkat]

oakleys for me,I used to wear ray bans but recently found their quality poor,legs breaking etc.would definately recommend oaks.

[ACW 335]

Oakley Minutes with Gold Iridium lenses - excellent! Comfy, cool and they wrap around protecting your eyes from all angles.
The lenses are top quality and make everything really clear not to mention squash/drop proof!

Oakley do a variety of lenses - even some engineered for pilots who fly behind perspex. Not sure if this is available for all styles; but definately the Half Jacket.

http://www.oakley.com/private_pilot

Edit: Added URL

[MLS-12D]

If you can locate a copy, you should read the discussion on sunglasses in Richard Taylor, Human Factors: The Forces Within (1991), pp. 63-76. Among other things, the author gives high marks to Bausch & Lomb's Ray-Bans (with G-15 or G-31 lenses) and Corning's Serengeti Drivers.

This little article may also be of some assistance.

Glad you got rid of the aviators - unless "70s porn-star" is the image you wish to convey

One good thing about most "aviator" style glasses is that they are fairly large; there's little point to tiny sunglasses that permit a lot of light to creep in around the lenses. Function is more important than image.

[AerBabe]

Oakley A-wires here. The other sunglasses I tried were either so heavy they gave me a headache, made me look like an extra from a bad 70s police film or fell off my head. They have the black coating which gives good contrast - you suddenly find yourself fascinated by cloud formations you never would have noticed before.

[murphy1901]

Does anyone have any recommendations for sunglasses which protect from glare BUT also let you map read?!

My current set of Oakleys are fine protection wise but I just cant see a half mil chart clearly.

[jimmydacraw]

I would definately agree with the comment on cloud formations, it's like you can see them in perfect 3 dimensions (if that makes any sense!)
Just mind that you're not walking about town staring at the sky in awe and walking in to things!

Jimmydacraw

[bar shaker]

I have quite a few pairs of sunglasses, Oakleys, Ray Bans etc and wear different pairs for different occasions, but I will only fly in my Ray Ban RB3187's.

Graduated mirror lenses, very light, double sprung arms (so they don't lose shape) and perfect light block.

The graduation is very slight but you can easily read the map, the GPS and instruments, whilst having a perfect light balance for spotting other traffic or making a late evening 24 landing.

They also look really good

bs

[eyeinthesky]

I recently broke my Ray Ban aviators after 12 years and bought a new, slightly trendier pair (£70 in Jersey). I don't have any problem with glare around the smaller lenses. However, it did take two attempts to get a pair with arms flat enough to my head and thin enough not to cause discomfort when wearing a headset. Many of the wraparound styles seem to have quite thick and flared arms which reduce noise attentuation and also put pressure where the points touch my head behind my ears.

Of course it could be I've got an odd-shaped head!!

I do find Ray Ban lenses offer very good contrast against clouds and also better haze-penetration on the murkier days.