SUNGLASSES

It seems, here in the great unwashed pacific northwest, the sun always tends to be in my eyes when trying to practice the pattern.

I would appreciate any advice on the proper sun glasses for us stunt guys. I find lots of them in the stores, and all are different. I can't test them outside in the sun while in the store to see if they would work.

Specific brands and/or type would really help me.

Floyd

ps. I don't wear prescription glasses. I use reading glasses only for the small print; like the tiny print on my arrest warrant.

Floyd,

For both full size and model flying I use Oakley "Blades". I have also used for Serengetti "Drivers" for approx. fifteen years. Both are superior products. Expect to spend a couple of bucks.

One of my flying friends, Mark, gets the credit for this one. He let me wear a pair of his one time at a contest and I don't think he will mind me talking about them. The glasses were actually 'Gensis', factor 5, welding glasses. They look similar to the old Oakley 'Blade' wrap around style of the late 80's and early 90's. They take a few minutes to get used to but when that happens they are great. Only one draw back is that you can't practice with the sun too low or your plane 'disappears' in contrast with the horizon. You can pick these up at most welding speciality stores but not your standard hardware stores such as Ace, Home Depot or Lowe's so they might be difficult to find. Perhaps they have them online. Good luck.

Floyd, Drop me your snail mail and I will send you an early christmas present.

BIGIRON13. What is this? I'm game for any surprise coming my way. (the last surprise I got was when my wife said "let's do it!")..but that was a long time ago....

Floyd Carter
87211 Louvring Ln.
Eugene, OR 97402

Last time MY wife said that, I replied ---WHAT??? I don't remember much after that. The doc said that it appeared that the house fell on me.
You will get a package in the mail in a few days.

Marvin Denny aka Bigiron

I'm a traditionalist. RayBan Aviator Outdoorsman RB3030.

There's nothing cooler than a good pair of RayBan Aviator's. The Outdoorsman model adds the brow sweat bar, and the RB3030 includes cable earpieces. I like the cable earpieces because you can do a lot of bending and looking down, without the glasses falling off. The sweat brow keeps the sweat out of your eyes.

>It seems, here in the great unwashed pacific northwest, the
>sun always tends to be in my eyes when trying to practice
>the pattern.
>
>I would appreciate any advice on the proper sun glasses for
>us stunt guys. I find lots of them in the stores, and all
>are different. I can't test them outside in the sun while
>in the store to see if they would work.
>
>Specific brands and/or type would really help me.
>

I second Kim's vote - I think that Serengetti "Drivers" are the best I have used. They are dark enough, but not too dark. I use the smaller of the two "aviator" style glasses. They are not cheap.

Don't buy cheap ones!!! I had Laser Eye Surgery 3 weeks ago, and it's been an eye opener...so to speak. Anyway, I've always had prescription sunglasses, and now that I can see I've been trying on some of the cheapo stuff at Wal-Mart and the drug stores, they all look cloudy, or distort colors, or any of a number of other things. Back in my 20's, when I was vain, I used to wear contacts and had some good ray-bans, and some of the aviators...they were over $100.00 but in retrospect well worth it. The cheap $5 stuff just doesn't have good lens quality. I would also stick with a Gray tent, colors stay more natural that way. They give you some goggles at the Laser Eye Center, they are pretty good...and dark, but they fog up a lot, and you look like a bug.

I have to wear glasses, so I have a pair of "Fit-Overs". They're the most comfortable sunglasses that fit over regular glasses that I've ever had. They're polarized, so they do a great job with the "UV's". They look pretty nice, too; not like you've just had cataract surgery. Don't know how much they are, as they were a gift, but I'd imagine they're not cheap.
Glen

Go to a welding supply place. Not a hardware store that sells welding supplys but a real place that reloads cylinders. You can get true rated glasses for $7 to 14 a pair. PROTECT your eyes! Dont pay for a name, get the protection! Talk to someone there and do the math. You only get two eyes.

Oakley sponsored me for several years when I was racing bicycles. I used to carry one of their lenses around as a demo - it had been shot at close range with a shotgun. The polycarbonate lens did not break; the #6 shot did not even penetrate the lens.

Oakley is a great name with a great reputation. They got that way because they offer a quality product. Their lenses do not distort or screw up colors, and they offer great protection. No, they are not cheap - but my eyes are worth it.

You only have one pair of eyes, protect them at any cost.

...They look pretty nice, too; not like you've just had cataract surgery... Glen

I have a couple of the Cataract surgery ones. Never thought of using them to fly with. Hmmm...

At the Nats a few years ago, I was wearing "welders glasses", but they had no UV protection. The sun was where mother nature's law says it should be... directly in your eyes. About 3 maneuvers into the pattern my eyes began to hurt, another maneuver and I was in severe pain. I waved off the flight. This was similar to welders flash. Needless to say, this SCARED THE DEVIL OUT OF ME!

That evening I was in pain just looking across the pool, at the hotel.

I had someone drive me to get a good pair of sunglasses with multi UV protection .

I told the salesman that I MUST try the glasses outside, looking into sun. He was hesitant, but I gave him my wallet, with ID, money, license, credit cards, etc. and he agreed... I was desparate... He agreed as I tried several brands and densities.

I got "Maui Jims". They are dark, with good protection.. and expensive. I felt pain relief as soon as I put them on. This was the best purchase I have ever made!

I have had no problems in the last five years since I have been using the "Maui Jim's"... that makes it a very cheap purchase.

They are available at Eye Glass Hut, and Bass Pro Shops, among others.

Don't mess with your eyes!

Tom Niebuhr

PS: My wife recently purchased a pair of "Maui Jims" and she is equally satisfied.

Today, I visited a couple of optical shops. Both had the Serengetti brand, but none had the model "Drivers". Since I'm spending $100, I want to make sure I get the right thing.

Is there some model number that I should look for?

Floyd,

Check out their home page.

http://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/drivers/drivers_1.htm