Share your thoughts on Flying Sunglasses

[FlyChicaga]

I go through a new pair of sunglasses like every 6 months. Either somehow they get broken, bent, scratched, etc. Go with a $20-30 pair of Fossil sunglasses. You can find them at JCPenney, Carson Pirie Scott, Bergners, Famous Barr, any variation of those stores. Also at the Fossil stores.

Don't go spending $100 on sunglasses. Maybe for a pair that you aren't going to fly with. I just don't like being at work trying to do my job being concerned about scratching or bending my sunglasses.

 

[Big Duke Six]

To answer the Q on the Serengeti gradients vs not, it's really not a problem. I've had both, and the solid lens still worked well because they are not super-dark to begin with. There was no problem seeing things below the glareshield.

FlyChicagee, no offense but that sounds 'backerds to me brother! Use the GOOD ones for flying, the beaters for around town! MHO.

 

[squale]

yeah I guess I am just having a hard time decided what will be the most comfortable UNDER my headset. Since I am going to buy online, I really don't have the chance to try all the different models on, since my local SH doesn't carry all of them.

But this is why I am basically comparing the Serengetis and the Randolphs. The Randolphs look like they "MAY" be more comfortable for use under a headset because of the flat spatula earpieces that DONT' wrap around your ears.

And the Serengetis DO wrap around your ears.. yeah they look thin, but still that piece of metal behind your eye might bother you when the headset is on because the headset will be smushing the metal between your ear and scalp. I just don't know...
maybe somebody can share their thoughts on the comfortable level of these different glasses.

I have the David Clark H20-10XL Headset by the way, if that makes a difference..


Oh yeah.. On a side note, does anybody think the Serengeti Prato's would work well under a headset? the earpiece frames sort of "bow" out around your temple, so I am not sure if this would be a problem. check them out and let me know... I do like how they look though..

 

[FlyChicaga]

FlyChicagee, no offense but that sounds 'backerds to me brother! Use the GOOD ones for flying, the beaters for around town! MHO.

But if I do that, then people will think I'm overpaid!

 

[skydash]

Glasses

I say buy the best you can get your hands on. I've been wearing REVO's since they were introduced back in the 80's and have been totally satisfied. They were originally developed for astronauts,are ground to telescope specs.,and are multilayered with every filter known to man. The acid test...... I started wearing them in '88, I'm now 42 and still have 20/15,and no hint of macular degeneration. You've only got one pair of eyes,and if you fly for a living,it's vital that you protect them with the best thing on the market. My .02.....

 

[Sean]

Seregenti

Hands down the Seregenti's are the best I have used...Seregenti's are crisp, clear, and unlike anything I have ever used. You still can get the big one's that Duke Six used to have....they do cost a hell of a lot of money...but I borrowed a friends and within 2 days I went out and bought my own!

 

[squale]

Re: Seregenti

Hands down the Seregenti's are the best I have used...Seregenti's are crisp, clear, and unlike anything I have ever used. You still can get the big one's that Duke Six used to have....they do cost a hell of a lot of money...but I borrowed a friends and within 2 days I went out and bought my own!

When you say the "big ones" are you talking about the Serengeti Aviators??

 

[Sean]

Seregenti's

Yes...

Go to a Sun Glass hut in the mall, they have many sizes and the last time I was there to get mine you had (2) colors, green, or brown to pick from

When you go make sure you ask to see the write-ups...

 

[squale]

what are "write-ups" and why would I need them?

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

I think he is talking about the comparison articles mentioned above.

 

[Wankel7]

First, I would recommend against polarized sunglasses. The reason being they cut down on glare. When could glare be important? When you are looking for traffic and the only thing you might see of another airplane is a little glare off the metal of the other airplane. In that case. You want to see the glare. However, I only read this and have no experience.

I am a diehard for Oakley’s. What can I say, I just love the glasses (And have a place that cuts me a deal). I have the Iridium lenses and love them. The only downside is I cannot wear them under my headsets. The reason being is because they break my anr seal and let noise in. So I just slide the arms above my ear cups. It doesn't distort the view at all. Might look a lil odd but does the job.

Wankel7

 

[TonyC]

You don't have to buy super-expensive glasses, but make sure to get ones that have UV protection which usually rules out the very cheap kind which are worse than not wearing sunglasses at all. Spend the $$ to ensure this, because dark lenses that dilate your pupil but don't at the same time filter UV aren't good for your eyeballs. There's a reason why your pupils turn into a tiny pinholes in the sun.

UV protection isn't the same thing as "polarized". Get UV protection but avoid polarized lenses for the reasons stated by others.

I was wondering if anyone would mention this aspect. When I first learned about UV-A and UV-B protection, or lack thereof, I was somewhat alarmed. To think that the sunglasses I wore to ostensibly protect my eyes could have actually been doing the opposite was scary. By reducing the amount of light that reaches the eyes the glasses cause the iris to dilate (enlarge) and thereby allow more light to enter. If the glasses don't at the same time stop the harmful rays from coming through, the end result to the eyeball could be MORE harmful rays, and MORE damage than if there were no sunglasses at all. And that's when I stopped wearing sunglasses altogether.

Call me paranoid, but I feel more comfortable relying on the defenses naturally built into my body. The eyelids can squint, the irises can constrict, and the hand can go up to shield from the light when necessary.

If you insist on trying to look cool, the most important factor, in my humble opinion, is UV blockage.

 

[apdsm]

I have a pair of non-polarized Revo's. The most important thing is.......


THEY LOOK REALLY COOL!!!!

 

[Big Duke Six]

Tony - I know it works for you cuz I didn't squint much when I flew at night either

All seriousness aside, Tony does bring up a good point. The only problem I see with his theory is that our eyes were never adapted to spend time 39,000 feet above the Earth's surface. So, take his advice and be sure the ones you wear are actually doing you some good!

Bottom line Squale is pick out some good shades. I feel that no matter what you get, they won't be that uncomfortable with your headsets. The headsets' noise attenuation qualities will suffer from the break in seal around your ears, but if that really concerns you, you can wear earplugs under your headsets and turn the volume up as necessary. It worked great in the Metro as I stated in my PM. Something with spade earpieces like the Randolphs are meant to be easy on/off with a helmet on, and may offer more comfort with headsets too because of the increased side area of the earpieces. Personally, I've never had noticeable discomfort that I can remember from ANY combination of sunglasses/headsets/helmets. So I'd focus on the optical qualities of the sunglasses more than the physical, i.e. lens color, clarity, amount of coverage the style provides, UVA/B protection etc.

And again, this won't be the last pair you buy anyway. You won't know exactly how they'll work for you until you get them and try them out. And try as you might not to, you will drop them, sit on them, scratch them etc, so you'll have another opportunity to buy the perfect pair in another year or so! Good luck.