What's the best sunglasses for flying

[SiuDude]

Serengeti

You can get new authentic Serengetis on eBay for around $60. I'm on my second pair. These are usually the older models. Be sure to get the ones with the "drivers" lens.

 

[Eglsfootball]

I go with the Ray Bans. I think the frames are called Flight and i got the grey lenses. They cost about $100 and work great.

 

[Aviator]

Maui Jim

I researched this thoroughly several years ago and came to the conclusion that it best to get prescription sunglasses made by the manufacturerer (same exact lens as the non-prescription). As far as I know, only three companies make a factory prescripition lens. Maui Jim, Serenghetti and Oakley. Other brands just use a tinted lens. IMHO the best factory prescription sunglasses made is Maui Jim. I've been using the high contrast bronze Flexon's for 2 years now. They are amazing! After using gas station glasses up until then, I just can't believe the difference. The downside is that they are expensive ($500). But since this is something I use everyday (OK I live in San Diego) it is well worth the cost. I tried the Serenghetti's and liked the MJ's much better. Keep in mind that MJ is only available in a polarized lens. So depending on what type of aircraft you are flying, there may be problems seeing EFIS displays without tilting your head to one side. For example, I heard that they work fine in the 737, but not in a King Air. The next best thing would be the Serenghetti's (non-polarized) especialy with the many positive responses posted.

 

[chawbein]

I have a pair of Oakley Square Wire 2.0, I think they are about 150 bucks. Great sunglasses and without the dorkass-pilot aftertaste.

 

[geologist]

Thanks for all the input

For now I'm going to go with my old Ray-Bans. They let some noise get through the earcuff of my DC's, but I can deal because I'm not in the BE1900 anymore. Thanks for all of your input. Best to all

 

[SuperFLUF]

Oakleys have the best lenses. I fly with Oakley 20's now but the M frames I used to wear were definately the best. You couldn't even tell you were wearing sunglasses. IMHO they look a bit redneckish so I wear Revo's outside the cockpit. You can get several different styles of Oakleys with wire frames if you wear headsets. Private Pilot magazine did a sunglasses test back in 2002 and Oakleys were the winner.

Something to think about for those who use the "cheap sunglasses", not only are sunglasses necessary in order to see when flying, the are also protecting your eyes from the sun. If you fly often you might want to think about spending some $$$ on quality lenses with some type of wrap around coverage.

I flew with a captain that had the beginning stages of cateracts. His eye doc said that cheap sunglasses probably did him in. He now flies with Oakley M frames.

As far as the polarized lenses go, they are fine with CRT EFIS tubes, the LCD screens are the ones that get washed out with polarized sunglass lenses.

 

[heavy_d]

Serengettis all the way. Great for looking into the sun, yet great when in shade.