Polarized lenses in sunglasses???

[horseface]

We've probably all heard that flying in polarized lenses is a no-no.

I have heard reasons centered around the EFIS displays, distortion with heated windshields, etc.

Has anyone actually flown in polarized lenses? Problems? No problems?

I dont want to drop the cash on polarized if it's going to not work...

Thanks for the help.

 

[CLR2LAN]

I use a pair of Maui Jim - sometimes the windscreen will have a slight rainbow effect, but personally i think the polarization far outweights this downfall.

I have no problem in either of our hawker 800

Collins 85 and 86E - GNSXLS or Universals

Others may post otherwise, but thats my experience

 

[BrokeAssPilot]

Same here, Maui Jim's are great.

 

[mavrck]

Water has a VERY deep green look to it on the King Air 200 windshield. Lakes look like cesspools. And not just in NJ.

Our Argus 2000 moving map display in the Citation you cant see AT ALL with polarized glasses.


these are the only notable differences ive ever encountered.

 

[aufan]

I have a pair of Oakley sunglasses that are polarized and the only problem I have is sometimes I cant see the FMS when I look down at it initially. Sometimes I have to move my head slightly to see it. No problems whatsoever looking out windscreen though. Have worn for a couple years and in my opinion very well worth it.

 

[Hemispheres]

I wear prescription sunglasses and I made the mistake of having the polarization on my first pair of prescription sunglasses. I had to take them back and remade without the polarization.

 

[NewmanF16]

I stopped flying with polarized glasses in the Citations. Hard to see the FMS and some of the displays (Proline 21). One of our jets has a Global FMS, and it is impossible to see with polarized glasses.

I've flown Garmin panels and G-1000 with polarized glasses in pistons with no problems.

 

[aufan]

I wear prescription sunglasses and I made the mistake of having the polarization on my first pair of prescription sunglasses. I had to take them back and remade without the polarization.

Thats what I have (RX sunglasses)--I however really have no problems

 

[JohnnyP]

....

I've been using Serengettis for years now. Will not fly without them, or go anywhere else for that matter.

For a brief stint this summer, due to breaking my Serengettis and not having a close by replacement, I got a pair of polarized Maui Jims.

I felt like I was tripping on mushrooms, the windshield heat made so many rainbows I had to take them off when flying.

Eventually got back into a new pair of Serengetis a few months ago.

They are the "photocromatic" lens (amber). Be careful because some of their models do come in polarized versions.

Just freakin love this brand, can't say enough about them. It feels like it adds another 1/4 mile to my visibility on hazy or foggy days. I even wear 'em after the sun goes down when flying.

 

[XLDaddy]

Same here, been using a pair of polarized Dragon sunglasses for a couple years now in Citations, primus/uns equipped, with no problems. Like said before, sometimes can't see the fms on the first glance, but the polarization definitely outweighs the really infrequent drawbacks. I wouldn't worry about it too much, if it bugs you, keep the receipt. Good luck

 

[jagmagic]

Just got a pair of maui jims for x-mas and used them for the first time today in the citation with the Proline avionics. Looking straight on the PFD it is fine but if you move your head they go out. The glasses are great and I am glad I maid the change. I recommend if you get polarized glasses get Maui Jims they are worth the money!!!!!

 

[dogedog]

I had a pair and got tired of the rainbows and not seeing the FMS very well. I have clips ons specially made now because it is hard to find them that are not polarized.

 

[bailout]

The complete screens blank out on Honeywell avionics with polarized lenses. Had to get rid of them.

 

[c140]

I have a pair of ray ban polarized lenses and I'm flying a citation ultra. I haven't had that many problems with them Occasionally i will see a little rainbow effect on the windscreen, but nothing with the avionics.

 

[bagasticks]

cant see display well in the rockwell-collins jet i fly, but i work for garmin and can see all 400/500/G1000 stuff pretty well . .

 

[2EASYPilot]

In falcons it's like wearing the old IFR training hood. You cant not see much of anything with polarized shades.

 

[freighthumper]

I wear polarized glasses(electric) in the a GIVsp and all the windows, tubes and FMS's look fine. They make the trees look greener on approach, but the north atlantic still looks cold as hell.

 

[IFLYHI]

In my experience... it depends on how the polarization in your glasses relates to the polarization of the display. So if you can't see the display, you probably need to rotate your head 90 degrees (put your ear on your shoulder), then your polarized glasses might work fine. I found it difficult to fly with my head in that position, so I scrapped the shades. ;-) . BTW, this is why the cabin windows in the King Air darken and lighten as you turn the inner window.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Got some HDL-3C high def sunglasses for Christmas. I've been a Serengeti guy for a long time. I have to admit though, the HDL-3Cs seem to have the same benefits as the Serengetis with the added advantage of being able to see subtle distinctions in the "blue" range.

I'm impressed.

http://coloreyes.com/customer/mainmodules.php?section=pilot

 

[blzr]

Unless you fly alot of different A/C, buy one cheap pair of non polarized shades for the plane, and save the cool polarized ones for the car. My $10 CVS specials are two years old and going strong, expensive shades are about to fall apart after one year.