To Polarise or not to Polarise, gentlemen that is the question

[BackPacker]

but actually allows I/R and U/V through

I thought that all sunglasses that carry the CE mark (and you can't sell any without them in the EU) were supposed to filter UV A+B to an almost-100% extent?

And AFAIK IR is not harmful to the eyes (as it's on the other, low energy end of the visible light spectrum) and not visible, so nobody cares about that. (Unless you apply so much IR that you get damage from overheating, but then it's not just the eyes which are harmed.)

[John R81]

I tried polarised for a while but gave up

Flymap, radio, transponder, GPS screens all harder to see. Also found the point above about lakes being harder to spot.

As I use perscription lenses I took advice from my optition and I made sure that UV coating was applied.

Now very happy with the result

[FlyingKiwi_73]

Just to be clear i'm a standard six VFR pilot, no glass (can't afford it) but was looking at getting a non panel GPS as a back up, (i like proper navaids) as most of the A/C i fly do not have DME.

All with the exception of one A/C have 'analogue' displays for the NAVCOM.

I was more worried about the outside viz, and being able to transition from bright outside to my panel scan and back again.

KF73

[Ryan5252]

I own a pair of fairly expensive polarised sunglasses. In the 152 and PA28 both A/C are equipped with GNS430 and I have no problem whatsoever with these. In the SR20 however the glass is entirely unreadable.

[FlyingKiwi_73]

Thank You Ryan! thats what i wanted to know. Same A/C type same setup.

i have flown an Sr20 but probably won't for a looooong time

[RatherBeFlying]

Prescription plastic lenses generally incorporate UV protection, even when clear. The tint is for reducing visible light transmission.

[Sir Niall Dementia]

Go the whole hog and get Serrengetis made to your prescription. We get Serrnegetis on company issue (non-polarised because jet windscreens are polarised and the helicopters are full glass cockpits which you can't see with polarised lenses) I keep a pair in my briefcase, a pair in the car and a pair in my own aeroplane because they give superb cloud definition when I'm vfr in my little toy. They make other traffic really easy to see and are unbelievably comfortable.

For looking like a cool diver dude when I'm on holiday its Oakley.

[4015]

I'm likely getting a new pair of Oakleys soon, the current pair are getting on a bit now...

My question is which lens should I get? I'm avoiding polarized seeing as I only fly IFR (The "I Follow Roads/Railways/Rivers" type of IFR)

I'm considering either the Fire Iridium or Jade Iridium... does anyone have any experience of these lenses?

Thanks,

4015

[DBo]

Graduated tint

I had my prescription sunnies made with a graduated tint - dark at the top & almost clear at the bottom. I'm not quite sure I like the look of them but they work well for flying - the view out of the canopy is dimmed, but the instruments & map aren't.

BTW they are non-polarised.

Dave

[bumitch]

What is Polarization?

Have a look at the following link if you don't know what polarization is, and then have a think about how it may affect you in the air.

Polarization

B

[xrayalpha]

Why not just get a very cheap set of polarised clip-ons and try them out in your own type of aircraft for your own type of flying?

If they suit, order prescription ones.

[Phil Histine]

For the Serengeti enthusiasts, it's worth reading this critical assessment by the American Optometric Association:

Sunglasses in Aviation | American Optometric Association

Me, I'm going to try the prescription Mile High ones, with really good quality Nikon progressive varifocal lenses and see how I get on. £50 for the frames, £300 for the lenses - which is about the right balance.

And whatever the earlier poster said, Rapid Eyewear claim 100% UVA / UVB protection.

[172driver]

FWIW, I had prescription bifocals fitted to old RayBan Aviators, using a graduated tint from medium dark on top to almost completely clear at the bottom. Non-polarized, of course. Works a treat! As the tint isn't very strong (on purpose), I also carry a pair of clip-on shades which can be used to darken the glasses if needed.

[Phil Histine]

Mile High aviators

Bought the Mile High Aviators, but disappointingly I'm going to have to send them back. Turns out that the nose bridge is unadjustable, so on my face the glasses sit far too high even for plano lenses - I'm virtually looking through the bottom of the frame - and they're completely unfeasable with the varifocals I need. Pity; I could have lived with the cheap plastic construction but not of course the lack of adjustment.

Back on the hunt!

[Phil Histine]

Success!

Here's my result, for what it's worth. After excessive amount of on-line research, visits to multiple opticians and conversations with fellow pilots, I've ended up with Oakley Splinter frames and Esselore varifocal lenses - total cost £450. Turns out that Oakley have a large but rather inflexible range of vari-focal tint options, and many are polarised which I didn't want. The Esselore are about £100 more expensive, but are freeform lenses with a wider field of view for us presbiobes. I wanted wrap-around frames, partly to keep the glare out at the sides, and partly because I still retain some vanity at 55. The curvature of these frames ruled out many cheaper lenses, including the excellent Seiko ones. Zeiss can also cope with the curve, but are even more expensive. I was able to specify the precise tint (bronze) and transmission (25%) that I wanted. I dithered on the colour, but made up my mind staring up at a thankfully sunny sky dotted with clouds. There was no doubt that the contrast was better with the brown rather than the neutral grey, and the light felt less intense even with the same transmission values, and thus more relaxing. For the record, my approximate prescription is Sph +2 and Add +2

[B2N2]

Polarized glasses are a big no no in glass aircraft, they block out a lot of the screens. Do you some research in PPRuNe as this is an old question and you will find a link to an excellent FAA article explaining why Polarized glasses don't work.

OMG here we go again.
I've been using polarized for the last 6(!) years, both Ray-Ban and Maui Jim's.
Slight shadow on the G1000 and I can "auto-dim" by turning my head towards my shoulder.
Through all normal ranges of motion you have perfect vision.