Polarized Lenses?

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jcepiano

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jcepiano
I was looking up some of the old forums here and the FAA guide on sunglasses for aviators and decided to update my prescription Ray Ban aviators. I previously had them done in polarized lenses but only had some minor issues reading my iPad.

I had them re-done today with non-polarized standard CR-39 lenses with my new prescription and I found the glare from the sun to be almost painful while driving. It's nice to be able to see my iPad clearly but I really don't like that I'm squinting as if I wasn't even wearing sunglasses.

Does this happen to everyone? I did all of my training with my polarized aviators and now that I lost the polarized lenses, I'm missing the protection I was receiving. I never had any issues with any of the instruments in the C172R/SP. I'm thinking of having them switched back but would appreciate some input. Perhaps the lab screwed up my lenses?
 
I use Maui Jim polarized and have no problems with any of the Garmin stuff, I don't go without polarization since I spend so much time on the water. You're not the only one, without polarization my eyes will hurt on a bright day.
 
At the flight school where I learned, they were adamant about not wearing polarized sunglasses for flight (and this was before glass cockpits were common in GA). They said it was so you could more readily see reflections off of other aircraft. So, even today I have have my non-polarized flying sunglasses, and then a basically identical set that are for everything else. Sometimes I wonder, though. Polarized glasses seem to cut through haze some too and here in the summers that's important.
 
madtrader said:
At the flight school where I learned, they were adamant about not wearing polarized sunglasses for flight (and this was before glass cockpits were common in GA). They said it was so you could more readily see reflections off of other aircraft. So, even today I have have my non-polarized flying sunglasses, and then a basically identical set that are for everything else. Sometimes I wonder, though. Polarized glasses seem to cut through haze some too and here in the summers that's important.
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I never had issues spotting other VFR traffic with my glasses as long as I was using the standard scanning techniques. I could see issues coming around if you're in a cockpit with anti-glare coatings that would result in you being blinded.
 
I'm used to polarized clip-ons for both flying and driving, and am uncomfortable with anything else. Some say that with polarization you might miss seeing some traffic because the reflected glare is diminished. Maybe so, but I'm sure that without polarization, reflected glare on the windshield from inside the cabin would hide traffic even more.

My panel and avionics suite are state-of-the-art 1978, so there's no incompatibility there. The only problem is the iPad; the polarized lenses turn the screen black when the iPad is in a vertical orientation. I've developed an elegant solution to that issue ... I don't turn it vertical.
 
madtrader said:
At the flight school where I learned, they were adamant about not wearing polarized sunglasses for flight (and this was before glass cockpits were common in GA). They said it was so you could more readily see reflections off of other aircraft. So, even today I have have my non-polarized flying sunglasses, and then a basically identical set that are for everything else. Sometimes I wonder, though. Polarized glasses seem to cut through haze some too and here in the summers that's important.
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In 20 some years in all sorts of conditions I have not found that to be accurate.
 
I can't tell the difference. :dunno:

Polarized is good for driving and water/boat type things, so I lean towards polarized.

But I bought some flying eyes non polarized glasses with a strap for flying, and I like those too so it's all good.
 
It's hit and miss.

The Caravan and one 172 I flew, it wasn't happening, instruments and some of the windscreen had distortions with polarized.

New work plane and my plane, I can wear polarized just fine.

I'd buy or borrow any pair of polarized shades and just look in the cabin with the avionics on while in the sun, see how it works for ya.
 
Yeah, the whole theory behind not using polarized lenses (aside from the iPad / LCD screen thing) is that polarized lenses in sunglasses are designed to cut out most light bouncing off a horizontal surface. That means the road, the dashboard, water, and other planes' wings.

I think most of us during the day aren't spotting planes so far away that all we can see is a little glint off the wing, but that's where the warning comes from.
 
Polarized, always. Including on floats, which lots of guys have been taught is a bad idea. I can't figure out how improved vision is a bad thing. Sometimes my panel GPS is difficult to see without tipping the glasses up but to date I haven't gotten lost so apparently it's not a big problem.
 
I don't wear glasses, but my eyes are very sensitive, so I always wear sunglasses. Even on cloudy days or if it's raining, if it's not really dark, I've got sunglasses on. To add to that, I always wear polarized. A few months back I broke my sunglasses and my backups were non-polarized. Gave me a headache for two days, and my eyes hurt.
 
madtrader said:
At the flight school where I learned, they were adamant about not wearing polarized sunglasses for flight (and this was before glass cockpits were common in GA). They said it was so you could more readily see reflections off of other aircraft. So, even today I have have my non-polarized flying sunglasses, and then a basically identical set that are for everything else. Sometimes I wonder, though. Polarized glasses seem to cut through haze some too and here in the summers that's important.
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People keep repeating this nonsense about glint contributing to visibility, but it's pretty much bunk. What helps you see other aircraft is primarily contrast, and polarized lenses helps that. The only real down side is that depending on the relative polarization angles your electronic displays may not be visible with them on. However, even that hasn't been too much of an issue when I've had polarized lenses.
 
I keep a pair of non-polarized sunglasses in the plane, I wear polarized in my everyday life including driving and on the water. The biggest difference I see with polarized glasses is viewing my iPad, one way is clear and the other position is blacked out. :eek: But, I have one issue with my Garmin equipment when I use polarized glasses. :dunno:
 
I just got new glasses and so needed new clip ons. I buy my glasses at the local Sm's club and they have a line of clip ons in a large variety of shapes. My old pair (same brand) had the polarization issue with my iPad (can't see it vertically). The new ones (still polarized according to the label) do not have it. I can view the iPad either way. I was wondering what they changed?

John
 
I've heard polarized can mess with some instruments so I didn't get mine polarized
 
jordane93 said:
I've heard polarized can mess with some instruments so I didn't get mine polarized
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It won't "mess" with instruments. It may make LCD screens which are themselves polarized hard to read depending on their relative polarization. The clipons i had darken my GPS display a little bit but if I cock my head slightly it comes back.
 
TheTraveler said:
I don't wear glasses, but my eyes are very sensitive, so I always wear sunglasses. Even on cloudy days or if it's raining, if it's not really dark, I've got sunglasses on.
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Glare and reflection seem far more obvious to me than it does to my wife. She never wears polarized glasses; I always do any time I am outside right up to sunset.

I really do think there are significant individual differences when it comes to the eyes.
 
I have a panel full of steam gauges. Some can disappear or be hard to read with polarized lenses under certain conditions so I use non-polarized lenses for flying. I use polarized lenses for everything else.
 
Sac Arrow said:
I have a panel full of steam gauges. Some can disappear or be hard to read with polarized lenses under certain conditions so I use non-polarized lenses for flying. I use polarized lenses for everything else.
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You'll have to explain that one to me. I've never had a traditional (i.e., no LCD) instrument affected by sunglasses. In fact, polarization helps remove certain reflections that would make them hard to read.
 
mcmanigle said:
Yeah, the whole theory behind not using polarized lenses (aside from the iPad / LCD screen thing) is that polarized lenses in sunglasses are designed to cut out most light bouncing off a horizontal surface. That means the road, the dashboard, water, and other planes' wings.

I think most of us during the day aren't spotting planes so far away that all we can see is a little glint off the wing, but that's where the warning comes from.
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Polarization does not take away the glint, it adds definition to the glint.
 
flyingron said:
You'll have to explain that one to me. I've never had a traditional (i.e., no LCD) instrument affected by sunglasses. In fact, polarization helps remove certain reflections that would make them hard to read.
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Just depends on the sun angle. Normally it isn't a problem, but when it happens, it happens. It's not a real big deal, If I'm wearing polarized glasses I just just raise them to look at the instrument and then lower them and go about my business.

And I do have a couple LCD instruments (Clock, tachometer) which are aways problematic to view with polarized glasses.
 
In our Cougar, we had three polarized screens (KMD-150, KLN-94, and JPI EDM-760), all in different axes. I bought a pair of polarized sunglasses, and on the first flight with them, found I was cocking my head back and forth like a confused parrot (or maybe Vincent D'Onofrio as Det. Bobby Goren questioning a suspect) trying to read them all. End of polarized sunglasses for me.
 
I fly a plane with a glass panel. Polarized sunglasses are poison.
 
Eagle I said:
I fly a plane with a glass panel. Polarized sunglasses are poison.
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Which panel and which glasses? Most quality sunglasses work with all the higher end modern consumer grade equipment. They have pretty much standardized their alignments. Then some screens polarize on a diagonal so if you tilt your head one way it gets brighter, the other it gets dimmer. A couple of the old monochrome LCDs are black until I tilt my head, but I can't think of anything I have come across more advanced than those. I guess to me the occasional tilt of the head is worth the comfort of polarization.
 
I drive and fly with prescription polarized sunglasses. The iPad is visible one way only, but it's just for back up anyway.
 
Henning said:
Which panel and which glasses? Most quality sunglasses work with all the higher end modern consumer grade equipment. They have pretty much standardized their alignments. Then some screens polarize on a diagonal so if you tilt your head one way it gets brighter, the other it gets dimmer. A couple of the old monochrome LCDs are black until I tilt my head, but I can't think of anything I have come across more advanced than those. I guess to me the occasional tilt of the head is worth the comfort of polarization.
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The panel is a Dynon D100. As for the glasses, I can't really say what they were, except that they were an expensive pair that I got from my optician, who is not an aviation specialist. I eventually switched to non-polarized lenses with a yellow tint and have had no problems since.
 
Non polarized,for years now. Easier to read the glass.
 
I decided to get my sunglasses redone with polarized Ray-Ban prescription lenses. I found the pain of the sun glare to be more of a distraction than not seeing an iPad, which I was already so used to from my training hours anyway. Thanks for the help everyone!
 
jcepiano said:
I decided to get my sunglasses redone with polarized Ray-Ban prescription lenses. I found the pain of the sun glare to be more of a distraction than not seeing an iPad, which I was already so used to from my training hours anyway. Thanks for the help everyone!
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It's also better for your eyes. One of the seafarer unions kept records and it appeared that those who wore polarized glasses were less prone to develop cataracts.
 
James331 said:
It's hit and miss.

The Caravan and one 172 I flew, it wasn't happening, instruments and some of the windscreen had distortions with polarized.

New work plane and my plane, I can wear polarized just fine.

I'd buy or borrow any pair of polarized shades and just look in the cabin with the avionics on while in the sun, see how it works for ya.
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I had exactly the same experience. I love to drive with polarized lenses, but in the cockpit they can cause problems in some airplanes. You'll just have to try it in your airplane and see.
 
tinerj said:
Glare and reflection seem far more obvious to me than it does to my wife. She never wears polarized glasses; I always do any time I am outside right up to sunset.



I really do think there are significant individual differences when it comes to the eyes.
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I completely agree with you, and I'm the same way. I also tend to see better than most at night. I don't know if it has anything to do with being sensitive to the light and glare, but I read well in dim conditions and get around just fine in the dark. That is until somebody turns a light on and right back off.
 
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