Love For your flying eyes.............

[Guest Maj Millard]

I recently came due for the regular eye check- up, with a trip to the local optometrists. Only required a slight prescription adjustment in one eye this time. Seems we are living longer and our eyes can actually get better as we age, which was news to me.

 

Next came the selection of new lenses and frames....Mmmm new glasses !................

 

I have been a Ray Ban user for many years , and have always liked the Aviator range of frames with the 'Outdoorsman ' spring temples. They just feel right under a pair of headsets, and always give great glare- reduction and visibility in the air.

 

Now I know you airline pilot types, and would-be commercial pilots prefer Serigetis, but the Seringeti frames I was informed, as nice as they are, won't take all the prescription lenses , so therefore lens choice is limited with those in some cases.

 

The Ray Ban Aviator range originated back in WW2 for bomber and fighter pilots who who needed help with the glare of high altitude flying..The green G-15 lenses which block 85% of visible light were issued to the new B-29 Superfortress crews, as it was the first pressurised high-altitude bomber, and high altitude glare was a problem in the Pacific. Thus began the legend of Ray Ban Aviators.

 

One of my old UL pilot friends Jack Chapman in California, was an ex-WW2 B-29 crewman. After he strapped in to his early 80s ultralight, he would pull out his old worn glasses case from his jacket, and put on his original issue, WW2 Ray Ban Aviators with Greeen G-15 lenses. Well to say the least it always made me green with envy !!....Old Jack was on Tinian Island when they loaded the first A-bomb on the Enola Gay for delivery to Japan, after they had dug a big trench and taxied the huge bomber over it. He said they all thought it was a big joke that one measly bomb was going to end the war !!...the new shiny B-29s were the new kids on the block, and the only US bomber at that stage not yet proven in action.

 

Anyway back to my new Bans'......Ray Ban have recently updated their Aviator range, whilst maintaining the authentic look and feel, they have incorporated modern materials to make them even better. They now have names like Ultra Aviatior, (what red-blooded flyer could resist that !), Aviator Titanium, and Carbon Aviators. The previous metal temples which would corrode pretty good from sweat, have now been replaced with composite carbon- fiber ones which should last forever and feel even more comfortable.

 

I went with the 'Carbon' Frame (B8301) aviators with graduated lenses. They still have the rugged feel and comfort under the headsets, and the carbon temples are a winner. Flew last week with them for the first time and the glare reduction and general visual comfort is most impressive. Up here in the tropics it's almost mandatory ......love for you eyes !..I'm told lense manufacturing technology has improved leaps and bounds recently also.

 

For those into fashion or style, Ray Ban have also upgraded their classic 'Wayfarer' range made famous by many Hollywood actors including Jack Nicholson, Marilyn Munroe, Dennis Hopper plus the likes of US president J.F.Kennedy who was often seen sporting Wayfarers during times off when sailing, and the legendary Howard H Hughes. The 'new' Wayfarers have recieved new modern materials also, but retain the classic style, and apparently are being bought like hot cakes by the 'new' younger generations !...who have discovered them for their retro value. They still continue to be used to great advantage by modern movie actors and actresses.

 

I 'll Probabily give my old metal Bans' a fly now and then, just for old times sake (they have several hundred flight hours on them!) but right now the new Carbon jobbies are the go for this aviator !.............Maj...

 

 

 

 

[Montymagic]

I recently came due for the regular eye check- up, with a trip to the local optometrists. Only required a slight prescription adjustment in one eye this time. Seems we are living longer and our eyes can actually get better as we age, which was news to me.Next came the selection of new lenses and frames....Mmmm new glasses !................

 

I have been a Ray Ban user for many years , and have always liked the Aviator range of frames with the 'Outdoorsman ' spring temples. They just feel right under a pair of headsets, and always give great glare- reduction and visibility in the air.

 

Now I know you airline pilot types, and would-be commercial pilots prefer Serigetis, but the Seringeti frames I was informed, as nice as they are, won't take all the prescription lenses , so therefore lens choice is limited with those in some cases.

 

The Ray Ban Aviator range originated back in WW2 for bomber and fighter pilots who who needed help with the glare of high altitude flying..The green G-15 lenses which block 85% of visible light were issued to the new B-29 Superfortress crews, as it was the first pressurised high-altitude bomber, and high altitude glare was a problem in the Pacific. Thus began the legend of Ray Ban Aviators.

 

One of my old UL pilot friends Jack Chapman in California, was an ex-WW2 B-29 crewman. After he strapped in to his early 80s ultralight, he would pull out his old worn glasses case from his jacket, and put on his original issue, WW2 Ray Ban Aviators with Greeen G-15 lenses. Well to say the least it always made me green with envy !!....Old Jack was on Tinian Island when they loaded the first A-bomb on the Enola Gay for delivery to Japan, after they had dug a big trench and taxied the huge bomber over it. He said they all thought it was a big joke that one measly bomb was going to end the war !!...the new shiny B-29s were the new kids on the block, and the only US bomber at that stage not yet proven in action.

 

Anyway back to my new Bans'......Ray Ban have recently updated their Aviator range, whilst maintaining the authentic look and feel, they have incorporated modern materials to make them even better. They now have names like Ultra Aviatior, (what red-blooded flyer could resist that !), Aviator Titanium, and Carbon Aviators. The previous metal temples which would corrode pretty good from sweat, have now been replaced with composite carbon- fiber ones which should last forever and feel even more comfortable.

 

I went with the 'Carbon' Frame (B8301) aviators with graduated lenses. They still have the rugged feel and comfort under the headsets, and the carbon temples are a winner. Flew last week with them for the first time and the glare reduction and general visual comfort is most impressive. Up here in the tropics it's almost mandatory ......love for you eyes !..I'm told lense manufacturing technology has improved leaps and bounds recently also.

 

For those into fashion or style, Ray Ban have also upgraded their classic 'Wayfarer' range made famous by many Hollywood actors including Jack Nicholson, Marilyn Munroe, Dennis Hopper plus the likes of US president J.F.Kennedy who was often seen sporting Wayfarers during times off when sailing, and the legendary Howard H Hughes. The 'new' Wayfarers have recieved new modern materials also, but retain the classic style, and apparently are being bought like hot cakes by the 'new' younger generations !...who have discovered them for their retro value. They still continue to be used to great advantage by modern movie actors and actresses.

 

I 'll Probabily give my old metal Bans' a fly now and then, just for old times sake (they have several hundred flight hours on them!) but right now the new Carbon jobbies are the go for this aviator !.............Maj...

[Montymagic]

Great article a good read.

 

 

[DGL Fox]

Hi Maj,

 

Have you had graduated lenses before? I had them and I was buggered if I could get used to them, maybe because they were in small frames, not like yours which seem a great deal bigger, maybe I need to go back to the optometrist and try bigger frames with this type of lense.

 

I hate glasses by the way...

 

David

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Hi Maj,Have you had graduated lenses before? I had them and I was buggered if I could get used to them, maybe because they were in small frames, not like yours which seem a great deal bigger, maybe I need to go back to the optometrist and try bigger frames with this type of lense.

I hate glasses by the way...

 

David

Well I'm not real fussed with glasses either but I guess it beats stumbling around in the dark !!........I do use graduated lenses...I have a small pair for general use and the new Ray Bans for driving and flying. I seem to have less trouble with the smaller ones, and I do fly with them also. With larger ones you become aware of that lower 'blur' zone when you look out the side window and down. This may be a problem if you've lost the noise and need to select a landing spot below, however I believe you would manage ok when you had to.

 

It's a balancing act between seeing everything fine in the cockpit ( including the Ipad) and having the long distance vision.

 

Like I said in my initial post, the lense quality has improved dramitically, in recent yearss and the new lenses are really good. Pay the money for all the best lense additions and you won't be dissapponted. That's assuming you go to a quality supplier as opposed to the 2 for the price of one operations.......................Maj...

 

 

[facthunter]

I had graduated lenses once. Never got used to them and have yet to land a plane with them on. Since I feel like falling down stairs when I wear them, so I would not like to try a landing. With sunglasses, I was told you have to stop the U/V from the sides. At high altitude the glare is dreadful we used to hang maps and stuff all around to keep it out. Now I would agree there is a need for good U/V shield glasses. Macular degeneration may be prevented to some extent by their use, so I'm advised. Nev

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

I did have some landing problems with the older Ray Bans, and I would swap to my day use specs for takeoff and landing. Did a beauty yesterday with the new ones, so score so far is 1 for 1 !!!...........Maj....

 

 

[rankamateur]

My optomitrist recommended G-15 lenses but I didn't like the straight wings so changed them for a wrap around one and they are now a lot more comfortable under the headset.

 

 

[Bubbleboy]

Great story Maj...Thank you.

 

I recently bought a pair of polarised safety glasses for work and they are darn terrible! Looking through any window gives you the worst vision. Driving the ski boat today I had to take them off as I couldnt see well enough through the windscreen. I dont know much about them but I dont like em!

 

Scotty

 

 

[DGL Fox]

I had graduated lenses once. Never got used to them and have yet to land a plane with them on. Since I feel like falling down stairs when I wear them, so I would not like to try a landing.

Yes Nev that's exactly how I felt when I wore my graduated glasses it was just like you falling down stairs, as I said couldn't get used to that no matter how long I wore them..

David

 

 

[facthunter]

Actually to add more to the story, I did a lot of eye focussing exercises and fronted up without my glasses accidently years later, and the DAME said do the test anyhow (which I PASSED EASILY). So I said good, now I don't have "must wear glasses.....etc) No ONCE you have it, it stays there. So you can't actually ever recover from a problem with CASA. I still don't wear glasses when driving as I meet the standard. Look after your eyes they are the best cameras you will ever have. Nev

 

 

[Oksinay]

Also worth looking at Randolph Engineering from the USA. Beautifully made sunglasses and great service.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

I believe the US AirForce supply Randolphs to its pilots.................

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

how much were the frames Maj?

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Mmmm...do we have to talk about the price ?.......... About 800 smackers with percsription lenses ...

 

 

[Ultralights]

i have a pair of Vedalo HD carbone, i found them the most comfortable under my headset and weigh next to nothing, only negative i have is the yellows look more orange with the silver coloured lenses. but everything else is great.

 

not sure if they do prescription lenses though

 

 

[winsor68]

Mmmm...do we have to talk about the price ?.......... About 800 smackers with percsription lenses ...

That is pretty reasonable for a good quality pair of specs these days ...

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

That is pretty reasonable for a good quality pair of specs these days ...

Yes Don, I thought they would be more, another pair I also bought for general use with Titanium frame were closer to $1200 smackers. Real happy I don't do this too often. Sometimes you have to treat yourself ...............Maj......

 

 

[pudestcon]

I always knew you were a top shelf sort of guy Maj

 

I also have just been to the optometrists - Frames $369, Lenses $350, then with discounts and private health payment my out of pocket expense is $350.

 

So not too bad, although not Ray Bans

 

Pud