LOOP Features

Sunglasses Tested

Eye spy in the sky!

Words: Kirsten Corrigan Photos: Dave Spurdens

Before you rush out to update your shades, LOOP finds out there's more to consider than whether you look like Tom Cruise rather than Dennis Taylor.

LOOP tester: Russ Gordon, Sales Manager, Cirrus UK

Pilot, sales manager... Russ’ repertoire is never ending. And he has a certain way with words...
“Everything looks kind of salmon pink...”
“I don’t know if LOOP can use the word crap, but...”
“These aren’t exactly the kind of thing I’d wear down the pub on a Saturday afternoon...” Pilot Russ Gordon flew a Cirrus SR22 and wore a Bose Aviation Headset X for the flight test.

	OAKLEY CROSSHAIR Silver frame/dark grey lens Lightweight; bowed sides fit perfectly under headset Excellent cloud definition Superior clarity of panel Bigger lens gives great fi eld of vision RRP £89.99 W.www.oakley.com
	OAKLEY SPIKE- POLARISED Pewter/black iridium Excellent fit under headset Very good definition/depth perception Avionics panel sharp RRP £159.99 W.www.oakley.com
	BOLLÉ J WALKER Chrome/ gun flash lens Exceptionally comfortable, thin sides Sharp contrast Avionics clear Peripheral view OK RRP £79.00 W. www.bolle.com
	OAKLEY WHISKER Black/black iridium lens Grips keep these firmly in place Excellent definition Avionics crystal clear RRP £119.99 W.www.oakley.com
	ARNETTE (LADIES) Leopard/grey green polarised lens Comfy under headset Good depth perception Avionics sharp www.bolle.com Frame cuts slightly into peripheral view RRP £85.00 W. www.arnette.com
	ARNETTE 4055 Gloss Black/grey lens Pretty good under headset Good visibility and cloud definition Frame cuts slightly into peripheral view RRP £56.00 W. www.arnette.com
	BOLLÉ LIMIT Matt black/gun flash lens Grip well under headset Good cloud definition Shape of frame cuts in slightly Avionics clear RRP £87.00 W. www.bolle.com
	RAY-BAN AVIATORS Silver/grey lens Feel delicate under headset Excellent peripheral vision with bigger lenses Good clarity in and out RRP £98.00 W. www.ray-ban.com
	OAKLEY WHISKER Silver/dark grey lens Grips keep these in place Sharp definition Frame cuts into peripheral vision slightly RRP £109.99 W. www.oakley.com
	OAKLEY – BIG SQUARE WIRE Light/ black iridium lens Bulky under headset Good definition in and out of cockpit Wide lens gives good peripheral view RRP £139.99 W. www.oakley.com
	BOLLÉ RECOIL Plating/gun lens Stay firmly in place under headset Visibility fine Cut into peripheral view slightly RRP £60.00 W.www.bolle.com
	SERENGETI VELOCITY Val Kilmer wears these! Espresso/drivers gradient Lightweight Titanium frame Cloud definition good Avionics could be clearer RRP £170.00 W.www.serengetieyewear.com
	RAY-BAN AVIATORS Silver/pale lens Feel delicate under Headset Good clarity but tint distracting Peripheral vision good RRP £98.00 W. www.ray-ban.com
	REVO LEADER Gunmetal/Stealth lens As worn by the Red Arrows aerobatic team Corners of the frame are visible, let too much light in Tint affects clarity outside cockpit, hazy Avionics panel too dark and difficult to read RRP £129.95 W. www.revo.com
	RANDOLPH ENGINEERING AVIATOR Matt silver/Grey lens Standard issue to US Military pilots and NASA astronauts Apparently they’re bulletproof RRP £69.00 W. www.randolphglasses.co.uk

Hints and tips:
Is Polarised best?
The jury is still out on the issue of polarised lenses but we found they do provide good contrast in terms of cloud defi nition. Use with a glass cockpit is not as eff ective though; Russ found it hard to focus on the panel with fragmented patches appearing in his vision. Generally, this type of lens can reduce glare and is ideal for driving conditions but not with electronic flight instrument displays like the Avidyne in the Cirrus SR22.

Need prescription lenses?
All Bollé and Serengeti styles tested are available with prescription lenses. Contact 0208 652 9296 for details of authorised opticians.
Most Ray-Ban and Arnette styles can accommodate prescription lenses, but larger styles are more complicated. The manufacturer recommends either David Clulow Opticians or Sunglass Hut. Contact 0800 435945 for more information.
All Oakley styles tested (apart from Spike) are available with prescription lenses. For details of authorised stockists and opticians, contact 01462 475400.
Varifocal wearers might find a clip-on lens more suitable, which you attach to your everyday glasses. Styles and lenses depend on the type of frames you have and it’s advisable to visit your optician who will point you in the right direction.

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LOOP Features

Sunglasses Tested