Eyewear
07-23-2007 | 11:14 AM
#1
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Eyewear
As a new student pilot I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on the best lenses to wear while flying, as far as having the greatest visibility while protecting my eyes from glare etc. I of course intend to be flying for a long time to come, so I do see this as an investment and am willing to dish out a little extra cash if it means better protection and durability.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
07-23-2007 | 11:45 AM
#2
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Lovin' life at .4 (ish) mach
I have a pair of $10 nonpolarized shades with black lenses that protect against UVA, bought them at REI. So for about $10-$40 you can get a decent pair of glasses for flying. Besides with my luck, if I spend a lot of money on a pair of shades and I either end up loosing them, or breaking them, I'm not so upset if they would have been $50+ shades
08-09-2007 | 08:39 PM
#6
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From: Retired
I've always liked Smith optics. I had a pair of their Sliders line with interchangeable lenses. One pair of glasses, four sets of lenses for cycling, flying, skiing, fishing, whatever I needed. They are about $120 a pair. I found another brand called Tifosi, about half the price but good optic quality. I like having one pair of glasses that works for everything.
08-09-2007 | 08:53 PM
#7
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From: Sitting down and facing front. Why would you want to know that?
I am very light sensative so I wear very dark glasses (I am usualy squinting on grey overcast days). I found the Cebe Cecchinel glasses with the 4000 Ultra Light Mineral lenses to work very well for me. These are most likely way too dark for most people out there, though. They also have great protection from Infrared light. $220 range.
08-15-2007 | 01:08 PM
#8
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I ended up picking up a pair of Oakley Crosshairs. Not cheap at $130, but I could see myself being much more upset if I lost a $300 pair of glasses (as Im like to do). They look a lot like your basic aviators but they have just enough curve to offer pretty decent peripheral protection.
I would have really loved to have gotten the titanium version, but they only come with the polarized "Titanium Irradium" lenses, and a lot of people (even the salesman) recommended I stay away from polarized lenses for aviation. I'm thinking in the future I may pick up a pair, and see if I can swap the lenses. I'm really happy with the ones I have now, but the titanium was so light I could see it being a benefit on a long XC.
Thanks again!
I would have really loved to have gotten the titanium version, but they only come with the polarized "Titanium Irradium" lenses, and a lot of people (even the salesman) recommended I stay away from polarized lenses for aviation. I'm thinking in the future I may pick up a pair, and see if I can swap the lenses. I'm really happy with the ones I have now, but the titanium was so light I could see it being a benefit on a long XC.
Thanks again!
