Scheyden Precision Aviator Sunglasses

As a pilot myself I have learned over the years to prepare for the future and understand that the most constant thing in life is that change happens all the time! When it comes to sunglasses for pilots, change is always going on. The aviation community is a close-knit association of pilots of all kinds, and when it comes to products pilots need most the best products from pilots themselves.  

In 1989 a gentleman by the name of Jeff Herold started a company called West Coast Trends, Inc., a manufacturer of Club Glove golf travel bags, accessories, and luggage. As he built this business he had to travel a lot, and when he would travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas it took 7 hours by the airlines. He decided it made more sense to learn to fly, buy his own airplane, and save a lot of time. So, in 1998 Jeff began his flight training. Over the years he purchased a number of aircraft ranging from a SOCATA Trinidad for flight training, to a Piper Malibu PA-46, and eventually a SOCATA TBM 700 turboprop. Problem solved!

Not only did Jeff Herold learn to fly in order to grow his business, but he was also golfer and entrepreneur. As Jeff was learning to fly, he realized that he needed a great pair of sunglasses, and as he scoured the market, he discovered that the aviation sunglasses that were available in the marketplace were woefully inadequate, particularly for pilots who wear headsets in the cockpit. Today's modern headsets clamp the earpieces tightly to the side of the pilot's head in order to eliminate cockpit noise and improve communication with ATC (Air Traffic Control). Regular sunglasses have rather thick temples, and they create a gap between the earpiece and the side of the head, which then allows ambient noise to interfere with hearing ATC.

Well, already being a successful businessman Herold decided to research the market and find a better solution. So, in 2000, Herold created Scheyden Precision Eyewear to solve that problem. As a long-time business owner Jeff understood the importance of quality in manufacturing products for customer satisfaction. His research uncovered a very special place in Japan that excelled in the design and manufacture of glasses of all kinds, including sunglasses.

With this in mind, Jeff made a trip to Japan where some of the world's best eyewear producers are located. Tthe small community of Sabae City, Fukui, Japan, an area renowned for manufacturing some of the finest eyewear in the world, caught his eye. Many places in Japan have become famous by focusing on specific crafts, and Sabae City is famed for its skilled artisans, masters who maintain a commitment to tradition while modernizing production techniques in line with the development of new materials and processes. 

The small city of Sabae, in Fukui prefecture, is about a 3.5-hour train ride from Tokyo, and it is widely known as Japan’s eyeglasses capital – and for good reason. In 1905 a local government official invited skilled eyeglasses artisans to come to the city to teach their craft in an attempt to create new opportunities for local farmers. The move paid off. Today, Sabae has over 100 companies that collaborate to make pairs of glasses.

So, in 2000 Herold created the Scheyden Precision Eyewear company and decided to manufacture his new line of aviation sunglasses for pilots in Sabae City. Below is an image of the manufacturing facility where the world class Scheyden sunglasses for pilots are designed and made.

Clean Room activity building Scheyden Precision Eyewear for Pilots

Scheyden's Precision Eyewear has been a boutique brand that has focused on aviation eyewear since 2000. Some of the most skilled pilots in the world, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Team, numerous aerobatic pilots and air show pilots, even the Red Bull aviation team, have all become owners of Scheyden Aviator Sunglasses. They recognize the need for cockpit clarity and the quality of pilot sunglasses engineered for the sky.

USAF Thunderbird pilot wearing Scheyden Maverick sunglasses.

Scheyden Maverick Sunglasses are the official U.S.A.F. Thunderbird issued sunglasses. They are not just a pair of aviator sunglasses; they have a place in aviation history. They were originally designed for and worn by the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds for multiple show seasons. Handcrafted in Japan, these ultra-light Scheyden Maverick aviator sunglasses for pilots have been designed to withstand high-G maneuevers while remaining perfectly stable under headsets or helmets. The crystal-clear mineral glass lenses complete the perfect pair of pilot sunglasses. 

As the business has grown, Scheyden has learned that their products are purchased in large part by four specific groups: Pilots, Golfers, Fishermen, and Skiers. Their eyewear lines are intentionally focused on mineral glass non-polarized lenses for pilots; however, for fishing aficionados polarized mineral glass lenses are the best choice. Mineral glass lenses provide the highest level of clarity and visual acuity; however, they are not recommended for action sports. The reason is that mineral glass lenses can easily break, and this could risk injuring the wearer's eyes.

As the market has changed Scheyden has kept up with those changes. Today Scheyden aviator sunglasses for pilots are offered in mineral glass or RSR (CR-39 composite lenses). Both lenses feature a multi-layered coating process that creates superior optical clarity, acuity, and comfort. In addition, Scheyden offers prescription lenses for each of their models for those who need prescription lenses.

Looking through the Scheyden Precision aviator sunglasses one product stands out from the rest. This is the Scheyden C-130 frame, often referred to as the workhorse of the fleet.

Scheyden C-130 Gold Titanium Frame with Mineral Glass Bronze Non-Polarized Lenses

The beautiful Gold Titanium Frame with the non-polarized bronze mineral glass lenses is designed for heavy duty use, reliability, and outstanding visual performance. The handcrafted frame is built for those who want only the very best in optical technology. The frame will fit a wide variety of face shapes, and is engineered with spring-loaded temples for maximum comfort. It is the perfect balance between elite Japanese engineering and rugged, everyday use.

Scheyden Precision Eyewear comes with a standard 1-year warranty which covers their mineral glass and RSR lenses for one year from the original date of purchase for manufacturing defects. If, for some reason, your lenses become scratched or broken, they will be replaced with a $ 49.95 charge plus shipping and handling. After the one-year warranty expires, and you require replacement lenses, they can be purchased for $ 89.95 plus shipping and handling. The standard Sun-Lens replacement will include a frame tuneup and labor.

In our opinion, Scheyden Eyewear aviator sunglasses for pilots offer the very best combination of quality and comfort, and they are designed with an all-around classic look. Jeff Herold, owner and pilot, wants you to know that "For those whose lifestyle demands precision, Scheyden delivers. Whether it is work, travel, or play, our customer is dedicated and passionate about every activity they take part in. This is why we are committed to creating the finest handcrafted eyewear, watches, and flight crew luggage in the world to meet those demands."

We encourage you to take a few minutes and visit our webiste and explore all of the beautiful, rugged, and incredible Scheyden sunglasses that we offer in our store. Simply go to aviator-sunglasses.net//collections/scheyden-pilot-sunglasses and discover Scheyden Precision Eyewear for yourself today!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post about Sunglasses for Pilots and Aviation Enthusiasts. If you enjoyed this trip, and if you are new to this blog, sign up to receive your own weekly blog post here: Subscribe here!

Until next time, keep your eyes safe and focused on what's ahead of you, Hersch!