Glass panel -vs- Sunglasses

[KPmarc]

I have dual Dynons and have had great luck with VedaloHD glasses.

http://www.vedalohd.com/segment.aspx?id=1

Be sure to get models with thin temples or your headsets will suddenly sound really loud!

[revenson]

You want non-polarized for two reasons: one, you want to see the reflected glare off the wing of traffic, and two, polarization can interfere with some of the new glass panels. There are also other factors to consider.

I haven't seen Hazebuster mentioned, so have to put in a plug. I was attracted to Hazebuster Aviation Sunglasses because of their bifocals. I picked up a pair at Oshkosh, and have been a fan ever since. (So much so, I'm now working with them).

The Hazebuster 'Total Vision Aviation Lens' is available in all three lens materials. They are relatively inexpensive, the quality is great, and have good customer support with a 90 day money back. As far as I know, we are the only sunglass company dedicated solely to the aviation market.

Here are a couple of references on aviation sunglasses from the American Optometric Association and the FAA:
http://aoa.org/x5349.xml
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pil...sunglasses.pdf

Hope to see you at some of the shows this season.

Roger Evenson, 7A finishing, Tucson
Hazebuster Aviation Sunglasses

[n5lp]

Originally Posted by revenson

...I haven't seen Hazebuster mentioned, so have to put in a plug...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Roger. I have been mostly flying with no sunglasses since last October, when I lost my non-polarized clip-ons at LOE. I did a lot of internet searching, posted to this website and consulted with local opticians and could find no source for non-polarized clip-ons. I figured it would only take me a few seconds to check the Hazebuster website but didn't expect to find what I needed, but Voila, there it is. My order is in!

[revenson]

Thanks Larry.

Sometimes clip-ons can be hard to fit 'virtually', that is, without your glasses present. So make sure if you have any problem with your fit, you call Tonya for help. She will take care of you.

Roger, 7A finishing, Tucson
Hazebuster Aviation Sunglasses

[db1yg]

Another great source for sunglasses--prescription or non-prescription is :

Hidalgo's--800-786-2021 and ask for a catalog. He does not, last I looked, have a web site but his catalog not only lists his frames and lens types but is a great education on why certain types of lens are better for various activities--to include aviation. They have been providing aviation glasses for 40 years and I have had very good luck with this company. They will send you sample lens and/or frames to try out prior to purchase. After testing several sample lens/frame combos, I opted for their non-polorized dark grey lens but they also have a bronze "Kontraster" lens that also works well for flying. They tell me that most of their flying customers choose the Kontraster because it not only reduces glare and blocks UV, but increases contrast. By filtering out more blue light it makes things look more vivid--it reduces the efect of haze and smoke in the atmosphere to make it easier to spot other airplanes.

They also have non-polarized clip ons and can make up prescription glasses.

Cheers,

db

[Ted RV8]

I'll second the plug for Hidalgo. I fly with the Kontraster lenses in my perscription sunglasses.

I fly an RV8 with a Dynon and those lenses really help. They actually brighten up the Dynon screen whereas other sunglasses and regular clear lenses do not.

Definately no polarized lenses. Tried them on the ground and certain angles the screen would go blank!!

Clip ons are OK but sometimes you can get a reflection from one lense to the other. I think the key is the amount of gap between the two lenses. Least amount of gap is best. I have a pair of clip ons that I never use flying now because of the reflection thing. By the way, the clip ons I have are the type that are a set from the frame manufacturer, very expensive, not from Hidalgo. Hidalgo did make me a set of Kontraster lenses for them though.

Even if you don't end up buying from him you should call and get his catalog. It does contain some excellent information about glasses.

I get all of my glasses from Hidalgo and very satisfied. My wife tried my Kontrasters one day and now she wears them also.

Just my nickels worth.

Ted

[Flyrod]

I found a great pair of non-polarized bi-focal sunglasses at JC Penney's for only $40.00 that work great. Not sure of the brand name, if any. As a fisherman, I know the value of polarization; however, I do not think it is smart to use it with a glass cockpit. I use high dollar polarization fishing glasses (Ocean Waves) everywhere except the airplane. The $40.00 JC Penney glasses rule the flight bag.

[WillyEyeBall]

A few comments to this thread: In the 60s, we looked at using polaroid lenses for military flying, and found that the stress patterns in the windshields would show up as dark and sometimes colored areas. Therefore, they were never authorized. The LCD displays are also polarized, and are either difficult or impossible to see with polarized lenses. Having said that, I use polarized lenses in my RV-4 with a Dynon EFIS and GPS. See solution:
http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/t...nglasses-1.jpg These are the $10 clip-ons you find at Wal-mart. They are optically perfect (part of my job). I don't see any stress patterns in my -4 canopy, and of course, I see very well below the glare shield. The comment about not seeing glint- Reflection other than horizontal are not blocked by the polarization and most glint from aircraft are not purely horizontal. In the case of my RV-4, the curved front part of the canopy actually rotates the polarizing angles such that what I see from the left eye perspective is slightly shifted compared to what is seen from the right eye location. That means if there is glint out there, one of the eyes will see it. Before anyone tries the polaroid clip-ons for flying, may sure you check them out on the ground first looking through your canopy. If all is well, go fly, and if anything doesn't look right upstairs, take them off.
By the way, I tried a gradient visor in my HGU-56/P helmet in the RV and it was better than without a gradient, but not nearly as good as the polaroid clip-ons with the cut-out. I also hated the restricted vision from the helmet, and it almost chocked me when I tried negative Gs.
Hope this helps,

Bill McLean
Research Optometrist
Retired military, retired civil service, and still working
RV-4

[FrankK90989]

Got to put in a plug for zenni.com. been wearing glasses for about a thousand years or so. and many a pair of soso shades. Orderd a 80% amber no line prog. pair. They are hands down the best shades for me ever, @ $41.95.

[hevansrv7a]

I am only repeating something I was told long ago and I've believed it every since, but can't offer proof. This forum may provide more information on it.

Polarization has the effect of stopping some light - light that is itself polarized for whatever reason. The problem, I was told, is that it fools your iris into staying further open. Of course, if your lens also blocks 100% of all harmful rays, both types of UV included, then perhaps it won't matter.

Any experts willing to clear this up?