A mate just got me a pair of AO (American Optical) sunwear glasses from a USAF Base, now the standard issue, only $20 and very similar to Randolphs, great glasses for flying!

Might pay to remember that when a large corporation (eg. USAF, RAF) purchase job lots of equipment/glasses, they're opting for the best priced stuff, and not neccessarily the best stuff !

www.sunglasshut.com sells mine,
the REVO Extreme Wrap for $194.99 ( US Dollar )
Expensive? yes. The wrap shape cuts the light from the side so you
won't have the glare on the inside of your lens.
Again they're a little fast looking for the cockpit, (the " I'll be back " effect ),
but think function. You have to try it to believe it.

Just a note on where to look for some good prices . . .

If you are in the US (possibly all of North America by now) and if you have a membership (or know someone who does and is willing to be kind) Sam's Club and Costco often have the above mentioned brands at nice prices.

On the internet, I have found it worth searching *camping* sites - try www.campmor.com (look under "super special deals" for discounted items) and www.sierratradingpost.com . . . the latter is all 2nds (mind, I don't think I've ever seen them offering 2nds on sunglasses) or closeouts, and there are often some very good deals.

Been flying in the tropics for a decade, lots of sun and glare here. Strongly prefer Ray-Bans, can't read the model number but it is the "outdoorsman" with gold frames, sweat bar, and 58mm lenses.

I don't like glasses that "wrap around" too much, as I am dual rated and don't like to lose my peripheral vision at all in helicopters when hovering. Neither do I like my US military issue shades, since (at least on me) they fall off when I'm looking down and around during the preflight.

My sweat corrodes two or three pairs of Ray Bans a year, but I figure it's just a cost of professional flying. To me, Ray Bans are to sunglasses what David Clark is to headsets (remember those?). Not cheap, not flashy, maybe not even fashionable in some circles, but they've endured for a reason.

Aw, heck, it's all subjective, I'm just giving you my *personal* opinion.

Uh, another comment...(sorry):

Looks? Who cares about "looks?" I'll take function over form any time.

As in the past incarnations of the subject two pages and the same 2 or 3 brands getting the most recommendations.

Moving this thread over to Aircrew Notices for any further posts.

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Regards from the Towers

[email protected]

Had Ray- Bans for years, in sunnier climes than the UK. Worked wonders. Someone introduced me to REVO's. Perfect.

Before you buy any, beg steal(and return) or borrow a pair. Worth every cent

Had Ray-Ban for a while. Way heavy and bend out of shape quickly. Got a pair of Oakley "New" Frogskins - their "cheap" range with gold iridium lenses, faultless apart from a pain to keep the lenses smear free. Perfect fit for headsets and enough wrap around to cut out any side glare and not look too poserish! I wear glasses, and not contacts so swapping eye wear in flight was a deciding factor (prescription lenses were extortionate). I also purchased them with an optician present to give advice on lense types etc. Whatever type you go for, I recommend that approach. No experience of other makes so can't comment. Might check out Serengetti's though. Anyone know presription lense costs?

Randolphs use the same tint as US military helmet single visors, by far and away the best I have used; developed for functionality not cost.

be careful out there.

Are the Serengeti photochromic lenses suitable for flying? ie the ones that change colour...

They'd be good for flying when you're looking in and out of the cockpit, but do the lenses change quick enough??

And does anyone know of any stores in Australia that have a range of more than 3 Serengeti's (like most stores here on the Gold Coast)?

You guys with the Serengetis - do you have the Drivers-Sienna lens or the Drivers-Gradient lens as fitted to the Aviator frame?

Cheers

WWW

the old Randolphs are rusting away and Christmas looms...

Can I be the only person that is aghast at the idea of spending £100 / $160 on a pair of sunglasses?

Prescription glasses which are scientifically ground to increidible accuracy can be had for a mere fraction of this off the shelf, so how the hell can plain shades cost so much?

Are you all being duped?

I have a pair of Raybans that I had Ziess lenses put in. The tint looks brown but the view is fantastic especially if you are glider pilots as they define cloud very well. Even on the brightest day Oz I never squint and the colour perception is exactly the same as real life, no green tint.
The lenses are available from most opticians but they are a little pricey, but worth every cent.

[This message has been edited by AV8 consultants (edited 19 October 2000).]

Zeiss "Dark Umbral" lenses, have your optometrist grind them to fit the frames of your choice to weat under headsets etc.

These are optical glass, soft, scratch relatively easily but superb performance under all conditions. No idea of current pricing, I've had my present pair for many years!