Does anyone wear photo grey sunglasses for flying?

[Paul Tuttle]

I was thinking about getting some prescription sunglasses and wondered if photo grey lenses would work. I understand the lenses won't darken when worn in a car because of the uv protection in auto glass. I like the idea because I wouldn't have to carry two pairs of glasses everywhere.

Does anyone wear these in their RV and are you happy with them?

Thanks

[Ironflight]

I've had photogray glasses on and off over the years - I never found ones that got dark enough for a bubble-canopy airplane on a sunny day, and currently use regular non-tinted glasses and sunglasses when I need them.

The extra cost of Photograys got to be too much for the limited benefit - for me.

[wirejock]

I don't have experience with flying and photosensitive glasses but do wear bifocal prescription sunglasses and love them. I got so mad at the cost (no vision insurance) of both standard and sunglasses, I decided to try the internet. I got my last pair of standard eyeglasses from this place.
http://www.zennioptical.com/
It's tricky ordering. You need to take lots of measurements of your existing frames to get a similar size.
They were really inexpensive ($60) compared to the optical places including light weight lenses and anti glare coating. I plan to try them when my sunglasses need replacement.

[BillL]

I thought the standard canopy blocked UV? 65% maybe, the same as Plexiglas?

[cfiidon]

A lot depends on what you have on your panel. I had some relatively dark bronze Sheyden lenses on my flip up El Capitans. They were way too dark and I had trouble seeing the D180 and Ipad.

I had my local optics tech make some light gray tint lenses that are virtually clear on the bottom. They work for me and block most of the UV. Only about 40 bucks...

I would think the photo grey lenses would get too dark and they never worked fast enough for me.

Don

[rleffler]

My insurance covered me for new frames this year and since my perscription didn't change, I opted for a pair with photo sensitive gray lenses. I've flown a couple times with them and they worked well in my RV-10.

The only problem I've experience is when I was getting my pitot/static certified, I had to take the baggage area bulkhead out. It was a little dark for a few moments until the lenses reacted to the lack of lighting in the baggage compartment.

I didn't have any issues reading any of the screens on my panel.

bob

[rockwoodrv9]

I second my Colorado friend wirejock's recommendation using Zenni Optical. I have probably ordered 10 pair of glasses from them and been satisfied with quality and price.

[rzbill]

This is for the old **rts (like me) in the group. I am wearing progressive bifocals. Decided to get a pair of sunglasses for the plane at the same time as updating my regular glasses.

While talking to the clerk about tinting I noticed some lenses were gradient tinted. She said I could get anything I wanted for the same single tint price. I got full dark on the top 2/3 of the lens and one notch lighter on the bottom 1/3 of the lens for looking at the panel. I LOVE THEM.

[Norman CYYJ]

I have found that some RVs they don't darken in. The one I am flying now doesn't allow uv in and my friends glasses don't darken, the previous RV they darkened and I could get sun burned in.

[Stu McCurdy]

I have been using Photogray Transition lenses for years for my Tri-Focal prescription glasses. Put them on in the morning, take them off at night. Inside, outside, flying, driving, on the computer, reading the paper or magazines...they are on all the time. They change darkness quickly enough so I never need to wait for them. Would not be without them.