Backcountry Pilot • Sun glass color choice.

Sun glass color choice.

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Sun glass color choice.

Not sure if I am putting this topic in the correct page, but oh well, Zzz can move it if he deems fit. :) Did a search on here since I know the topic was covered several years ago. Hoping there is something newer since those 10+ year old posts.

Recent (well a friggin year ago) cataract surgery with the LAL type lenses inserted in my eyes. Lots of issues with glare in my right eye particularly. Since the final 'adjustment' I am having this glare issue to deal with, hence my search for sunglasses that are great for flying.

I've worn glasses since my early teens, and to be frank, it's weird getting up and not having to put my glasses on. My new eyes are overly sensitive to light which they weren't before the procedure. I have worn transition and progressive type lenses for the last years since needing bifocals. The glare I am experiencing is very irritating, Eye doc can't figure out the issue. So, I will deal with it the best I can. Time to explore options for sunglasses.

I have boxes of old frames that I want o remove the prescription lenses and have replaced with tinted lenses. Several Ray Ban frames particularly.

Now to my question: What is the newest/best color that you fellow aviators are using and satisfied with? I have already ordered the standard G-15 which is a gray/green for one of the frames, but am thinking possibly a different color for differing conditions.

The wife did get me a pair of yellow for shooting and supposed to be good to cut the glare that is bothering me. Definitely a different look through them. Dr. appointment yesterday and a 40+ mile drive to town in very overcast conditions. I was amazed at the vibrance of colors. The weird part was all the oncoming traffic, their windows looked yellow/gold and I could not see into their windshield. Oh, and the deer I nearly clobbered...well, it was very visible!

So, what's the verdict on lenses? I
WWhunter offline
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

I had a similar experience after laser surgery. My eyes became very sensitive to light. For me brown gives me the best results, although blue/chrome is a close second. Not sure if that’s the best color optically, but it’s the most comfortable for my eyes. Being on water and snow for a good part of my job, polarized, makes it even better, especially with glare. I realize that doesn’t work well if you are looking at screens, so if I am flying something other than the Champ, I just go with the non polarized Ray-Bans.
Good luck,

Pete
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

Polarized amber/green works well
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

I suspect lens color choice may be a bit subjective. That said, I received my first pair of non-cheap glasses as a gift last Christmas. They are Ray-Bans with glass lenses, blue in color. I’m really impressed by the clarity and color after looking through plastic sunglasses for so long. I had lasik a while back and have slightly more sensitivity than before but my eyes have always been sensitive. Glare at night is the most significant side effect but I’ve gotten used to it. Non-polarized lenses is the obvious requirement, but I’ve found them hard to come by. I’m not sure why, because polarized lenses don’t really do that much for day to day use.

I’ve looked closely at Method Seven glasses, I was set on buying a pair before receiving the gift glasses.
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

NineThreeKilo wrote:Polarized amber/green works well


If you have any digital displays in your primary flight instrument cluster polarized sunglass are a no go.
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

Mapleflt wrote:
NineThreeKilo wrote:Polarized amber/green works well


If you have any digital displays in your primary flight instrument cluster polarized sunglass are a no go.


Why?

I fly lots of glass, with the exception of one pair of older sunglasses in combination with one old bendix MFD, I have never had a problem

They also have polarization thats tailored for use with screens
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

There is a good chance you just got lucky with the coatings on your instruments. Turn your head 90 degrees with your polarized glasses on and you should see the effect that people are worried about.
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

I like amber lenses generally because the warming of colors increases my happiness.
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

I used the Polarized glasses a lot with no issue on polarized Avionics.

The real issue are polarized windshields if you turn your head and the whole world goes black thats not good.

That said I have glass lenses in my haze busters and love them even more no more plastic for this kid.

Just remember to remove the glass lens glasses for emergency's make it part of your check list - Yes that is old school stuff.
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Re: Sun glass color choice.

Always have had good luck with Serengetis. Rose pair for clouds/ overcast. Greenish/gray pair for CAVU sunlight and bright snow. Have a helmet with a smokey-gray visor, which is pretty good all-around. My daily-wear amber polarized Natives are compatible with my particular panel and plexiglass, but I've always got a couple non-polarized backups within arm's reach anyway. The only reason I don't normally fly with Natives (or other plastic-frames) is that that they tend to leak at the ear seal.
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