Anyone have any discussion and/or recommendations for non-polarized sunglasses for flying? I find the polarized ones I have now don't always work well with the glass cockpit displays.

Thanks, Brad

Some Ray Bans are not polarized. I use some Oakleys that are not polarized (or with a very low degree of polarization). I prefer the glass Ray Bans. The glass is also better index matched to oils and sweat than polycarbonate or acrylic lenses, which means that contamination isn't as much an issue. AR coatings are also less likely to peel off of glass (better chemical and thermal resilience).

My favorite is the Serengeti with the "gradient" lens. Less tinting at the bottom. I've also found that I can construct a set at Zenni Optical with progressive "readers" and their 80% amber tint for around $75. Not as good as the Serengeti, but not bad. I wear contacts, so I don't put in any correction for the base lens, but you can build prescription sunglasses the same way. Just be sure if you go the Zenni route that you don't buy their clip-on sun shades. They are horribly polarized and I can't even see the dash of my Tacoma pickup with the things on - won't make that mistake again...

Ray-Ban RB 8301's Best sunglasses I've ever owned. The stems are carbon fiber and the lenses also come in a gradient as an option. I'm on my second pair as the first were accidentally crushed. I think they might have been discontinued, but OpticsPlanet still has them: http://www.opticsplanet.com/ray-ban-sun ... b8301.html

-Jeff

Nice to have a couple pair in different tints, for different lighting conditions. I've got amber and green Ray Bans that somebody gave me, and the amber Serengetti Gradients mentioned above. I like the Serengettis, but wish they had more flexible temples so the ear seals would conform better. Like those glasses frames that you can tie in a pretzel.

-DP

Smith Optics is my brand of choice.

Serengetis here, for the last 20 years or so, and wouldn't wear anything else. Many of the Serengetis have pretty small and flexible bows, and I've never had problems getting headset ear seals to work with them. Not cheap, but they really do work, and in smoke.....best there are, bar none.

MTV

Ray Ban G-15 lense in any style you please. 75 years as a choice optic for pilots the world over... no doubt for good reason. I am a snob, can't stand anything else.

Has anyone had Vedalo's? They claim they are fancy this and that with better colour and contrast than most. I am thinking of giving them a try since I'll soon be needing a new prescription and Vedalo will do it for about $50 more than a generic, tinted pair of prescription sunglasses, although I do quite like my generic amber-lense sunglasses.

I ended up going with the Ray Ban RB8306-01 (Carbon fiber light weight frames and non-polarized gray/green lenses). I will post a report on how I like them after I get them. For those interested, Ray Ran is running a free overnight shipping special right now.

Several of my sailplane pilot friends, myself included, have settled on Oakley VR-28 Iridum coated, nonpolarized. They provide excellent acuity and definition to clouds and atmospheric irregularities such as "haze domes" crucial to us, provide excellent sun protection and are useable in low light conditions. Frames are bomber and fit under headsets well. The lenses are plastic but seem to hold up. I get 2 yrs out of a set of lenses and I beat on them pretty severely shooting, flying, around town, and working. Optics are superb and lenses are high-level shatterproof so can be worn to shoot guns.

Great posts keep me coming with the side notes. Makes you want 3 different brands.

byeBill

What do you guys use for prescription sunglasses when you have a severe astigmatism? I recentlyt went through the ordeal of trying to find a pair of wrap-around style for my flying and motorcycle riding and found out it is very expensive and nealrly impossiple to get a decent wrap-around to work. The issue is clear vision in the perifrial. To get it, the lens would have to be VERY thick on the outer edges. 7-8mm thick!! That's nearly a half inch thick, and the lens would be nearly touching my face.

Have two Vedalo pairs. Excellent for colors. Have even held one in front of the GoPro cam to deepen colors near Sedona. All the temple comments are moot. Just tilt them up to miss the headset. Works fine.

Serengeti Velocity with gradient if you don't mind glass lenses.

Polarized glasses are no good in cockpit for me.

I have 2 pairs of Vedalo and like them a lot. We keep them in the plane at all times.

http://www.vedalohd.com/sunglasses/
I have a pair of these glasses as well best thing I found for in an airplane plus they just make the colors pop