Pilot products

An action camera for the air

A VIRB ‘aviation bundle’ from Garmin

By Dave Hirschman

It makes sense that an aviation company such as Garmin would optimize its products for flying—and that’s exactly what Garmin has done with an aviation bundle for its VIRB Ultra 30 action camera.

The key elements in the aviation bundle are a clip-on filter that reduces propeller distortion, and a cage that allows for a USB audio cable hookup. The audio cable allows the VIRB to record everything that’s said on the intercom, or transmitted on the radio. But a word of caution: A USB port tends to be a loose connection, so you may want to secure it with tape to make sure it doesn’t shake loose in flight, as mine did when it was unsecured.

The filter is like putting sunglasses over the camera lens. It forces the camera to adjust by slowing the shutter speed, and that reduces prop distortion. The filter isn’t necessary in low light conditions, but you’ll want it as soon as you move to bright sunshine.

These accessories—combined with existing features such as image stabilization, an internal GPS, a one-touch record button, and remote operation through the Garmin Pilot app—make the VIRB a great camera to fly with.

Cost: The aviation bundle adds $100 to a VIRB Ultra 30 (which retails for $399).
Contact: www.garmin.com

Email [email protected]

Sunglass options

You have choices

By Ian J. Twombly

Choices in sunglasses range from cheap to many hundreds of dollars. Style may come down to personal preference, but with performance you often get what you pay for. A pilot’s vision is so critical that justifying a minimum level of comfort and safety is an expense even your accountant would love.

1. Pilla

To some people, sunglasses are a required piece of equipment anytime they get in the airplane. Pilla’s new line of high-end glasses is a top choice for that piece of equipment. If you’ve watched shooting sports in the Olympics, you’ve seen Pilla’s glasses. The same lens technology that helps virtually 90 percent of Olympic shooting athletes hit the bullseye or the clay is now available in the cockpit.

Our testers noted the great lens performance and equally strong build quality. The lens technology provides great versatility. The same glasses can be worn on bright, sunny days or on cloudy, IFR days to enhance cloud definition—a benefit we saw in testing. This translates to less of the constant on-again, off-again sunglasses dance. You’ll have to get used to unique lens colors, and the styles are traditional. But if you’re looking for one of the best performers, you can’t go wrong with Pilla.

Price: $289, $449
Contact: www.pillasport.com

2. Method 7

It would take a book to fully describe the technology in Method 7’s sunglasses. The CliffsNotes version is this: Ultraviolet light adds heat and radiation to the cockpit, and Method 7 glasses are engineered to keep it off your eyes. Most airplanes don’t have windscreens that filter out this UV light. And keeping your eyes protected from UV is as important in the airplane as it is on the beach. Our testers found Method 7’s models to be comfortable and durable. To love the sunglasses means being OK with the world bathed in blue. The company says the unusual blue lenses are designed to keep that UV spectrum out and amplify the visual spectrum. The result is a pretty cool pair of shades that help keep you safe.

Price: $239
Contact: www.methodseven.com

3. Flying Eyes

Flying Eyes sunglasses are meant to be worn with modern ANR headsets and their paper-thin frames preserve the delicate ear seal that noise-cancelling headsets depend on. I recently flew a four-hour leg wearing the company’s new, top-of-the-line, traditional-looking Cooper sunglasses and found them extremely comfortable with an ANR headset. The company’s new line has the advantage of being easy to take on and off in the cockpit, and they’re far better for every day, nonaviation use. (The straps on the original could be cumbersome.) Another welcome aspect with the new line is that they’re ideal for wearing with an aviation helmet.

Flying Eyes lenses provide exceptional ultraviolet protection (the lenses are rated at UV 400) and they’re nonpolarized, so they’re good for viewing glass-panel avionics. They’re also available in prescription and bifocals (at extra cost).—Dave Hirschman

Price: $149 to $299 depending on model.
Contact: www.flyingeyesoptics.com

4. Serengeti

Serengeti, a company synonymous with aviation sunglasses, recently launched its 10-piece Pilot Collection. The collection’s styles run from Goose and Maverick aviators to more modern takes on military styles. They are Carrara, Treviso, Carrara Small, Palinuro, Modugno, Aerial, Norcia, Brando, Corleone, and Alghero. Our tester loved the lenses for their ability to bring out colors in all kinds of light, a Serengeti trademark the company has branded Spectral Control. The frames are comfortable, and thin enough to sit under a headset as well. And with great styling, Serengetis look good in or out of the cockpit. If the Serengeti collection has one drawback it’s a lack of spring hinges. Many glasses in this price range include the feature, and it would make the glasses more comfortable and more durable.

Price: $199.99 to $249.99
Contact: www.serengeti-eyewear.com

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