Favorite View Limiting Device with Noise Cancelling Headsets

[PeteMc]

So I'm curious what people like to use for Hoods/Foggles with noise cancelling headsets?  This year I got some new "clip on" Foggles and now realize they disorient me.  I first thought it was because I had done such little hood work and not really any actual either so I was rusty...  But I mean I was REALLY rusty/bad.  Then ended up doing some actual on our long XC and was primed to flip on the AP, but I had no problems at all.  

So what's your favorite?  I really don't want to go back to the traditional Foggles now that I'm used to my NC headsets.  But will if there's no other good option.  I've read about the Feather Hood and thinking of trying that. 

 

Edited November 21 by PeteMc

[Hank]

I bought a pair of "visitor" safety glasses for a couple bucks, then sat in my plane wearing them. Trace the outline of your panel on the outside of the lenses, then cover the outside completely and tape over the inside above the panel line. Sandblast the inside [I have two pair, done with different blast media--one was small, the other was glass micro beads], remove the tape and wash them thoroughly. Works great with my old Flightcoms, and my Halos. 

Because the grit blasting is done on the inside of the lens, you won't scratch them and cause starbursts in your face turning across the sun.

My wife cut off a Crown Royal bag to keep them in my flight bag.  

[Marc_B]

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/blockalls.php

I use Blockalls.  If the pressure on your headset is uncomfortable or breaks the seal of ANR, you can just rotate the legs up slightly just above the top of the headset muff and they still work fine.  This is also typically what I do when I'm wearing sunglasses.  For foggles, it doesn't seem that rotating the legs of the glasses up impairs anything or limits use.

[EricJ]

I use the ASA Overcasters.    I can't use foggles or similar devices due to my progressive prescription, but the Overcasters work really well.    Don't leave them in a hot car or on the glareshield on a sunny day, but other than that they've been great for me.

https://www.amazon.com/ASA-Overcasters-View-Limiting-Device/dp/B003VSCBSM

 

[PeteMc]

35 minutes ago, EricJ said:

I use the ASA Overcasters.

That's the one I'm having problems with.  After some other discussions on FB I'm wondering if it is the black that is giving me the issue.  

The old true "hood" that actually clipped to my headsets was away from my eyes and allowed in a lot of light, even though it was also black.  The first pair of Foggles I used were the frosted ones.  So maybe it is just time to get used to them, or that black unrealistic black void is messing with me.  Or...  thinking a bit more.  Also it may be messing with my progressive glasses as it's blocking the top part.  So I'm looking through parts of my Rx that I don't usually when I'm flying. 

[EricJ]

1 minute ago, PeteMc said:

That's the one I'm having problems with.  After some other discussions on FB I'm wondering if it is the black that is giving me the issue.  

The old true "hood" that actually clipped to my headsets was away from my eyes and allowed in a lot of light, even though it was also black.  The first pair of Foggles I used were the frosted ones.  So maybe it is just time to get used to them, or that black unrealistic black void is messing with me.  Or...  thinking a bit more.  Also it may be messing with my progressive glasses as it's blocking the top part.  So I'm looking through parts of my Rx that I don't usually when I'm flying. 

When I use these I have to position them so that they expose the parts of the progressives that I'm going to use, but once that's done they're fine for me.    Since everybody's prescription is different that may not work for everyone.    It's definitely a bit of a journey to figure out what works and what doesn't.   I hope you find something easy!

[GeeBee]

I like this unit. Remove the plastic hat and clip it to a ball cap, which I wear anyway when flying. Works great. If you want to take it off to simulate "break out" for landing just pull it off the bill of the ball cap.

 

https://www.sportys.com/super-hood.html

[PeteMc]

26 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

Remove the plastic hat and clip it to a ball cap

I like that.  I had something that looked similar that actually attached to the headset band and then you could just flip it up or down.  Actually modified it a bit (e.g. cut out part of the right side) so I could see the full panel and not have to turn my head as much.  It was pretty easy to just sit in the plane and keep cutting back a little bit at a time so I could see what I needed and not really see out the right side window.  Should be able to do that with this hood too.  

ADDED: I like Sporty's, and did check their price.  But there's a whapping shipping fee that brought it up to $42.  Checked Amazon and although the base price is $8 more, I don't pay shipping (well, don't pay per item ).  

 

Edited November 21 by PeteMc

[DCarlton]

1 hour ago, PeteMc said:

That's the one I'm having problems with.  After some other discussions on FB I'm wondering if it is the black that is giving me the issue.  

The old true "hood" that actually clipped to my headsets was away from my eyes and allowed in a lot of light, even though it was also black.  The first pair of Foggles I used were the frosted ones.  So maybe it is just time to get used to them, or that black unrealistic black void is messing with me.  Or...  thinking a bit more.  Also it may be messing with my progressive glasses as it's blocking the top part.  So I'm looking through parts of my Rx that I don't usually when I'm flying. 

I use the clear frosted Overcasters not the black ones.  I gave up on Foggles.  Got tired of chasing reading prescriptions; I also found the poor optical quality really distracting.  

https://asa2fly.com/overcasters2/

[kortopates]

I’ve tried them all through students and really don’t like looking through lenses that get dirty and scratched. The Viban work the best IMO and work really well with or without glasses. When not using, just push up and headset keeps them up.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/13-02023.php?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0fu5BhDQARIsAMXUBOJni6s85XnQ32bRyOXGkh6OxDpp-We5KD-47ov6YwrAZurwArAHj_kaAgBaEALw_wcB


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PeteMc]

2 hours ago, kortopates said:

The Viban work the best IMO

I was looking at those.  But I'm sort of leaning towards @GeeBee's Super Hood.  I like the idea of slicing away at the right side to match up with the shape of the panel.  Then I'd be able to see across the whole panel at a glace.  Should make it easier to set at watch the power. 

 

[Mark942]

I've tried several versions and they all are limiting more than just "View".  I finally made my own. It is similar to the "Super Hood" but I made mine out of a cut-up cereal box. The cardboard is stiff enough to work, but not heavy. I have a "Duct Tape" hinge at the front of my ball cap so I can simply lift it up. I have velcro on the TOP of the bill so that it holds the limiter up and out of the way and doesn't allow it to fall down in front of my face during landing. That could be bad.  I have bi-focal glasses and trying to cock my head around so I can see things on the panel or read the fine text on the chart on my yoke has been frustrating. I find that actual IMC is so much easier than simulated with a crummy hood.  I had to experiment with several cereal boxes but finally found something that is pretty simple and actually works.  An examiner might want me to fine tune the sides a bit, but I don't pay attention to the light coming through the sides, so for me to practice and stay current and proficient, it works.  Like I said, IMC for me is easier than with the limiter.

[PT20J]

I've tried a bunch, but I keep going back to the old ASA Jiffy Hood. It's light, cheap, doesn't interfere with glasses and you can put the elastic band over the headset and easily remove it without getting it tangled in the headset. When I did my ATP/DC-3 type rating check ride, we just wore baseball caps. The DPE said he could tell if we were cheating. Actually, I was so busy I didn't have time to look outside. So, if you are just practicing, maybe all you need is a baseball cap.

https://www.amazon.com/ASA-4330256138-Jiffyhood/dp/B003VSCBSC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33IRP9B4PI68L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EGMD22K9laqaVsMxlumdw4JHQFc5WP9NRFvQ_xjJKUQ.gkqWVn_9_CppC_sQUhVlTMZx3lMLiA_ZPPvkZgT2Y74&dib_tag=se&keywords=asa+jiffy+hood&qid=1732243045&sprefix=asa+jiffy+hood%2Caps%2C791&sr=8-1

[hammdo]

Icarus but not cheap — great trainer - simulates IFR pretty well…

https://www.icarusdevices.com/

-Don

[Vance Harral]

Old instrument instructor's axiom: the more ridiculous the hood looks on you, the better it works.    Anything that looks like a cool pair of shades is marginal at best.

We're jiffyhood fans ourselves, just pull the strap over your headset.  Trivial to raise it up at the end of an approach when you "break out".

[PeteMc]

1 hour ago, hammdo said:

Icarus but not cheap

I was thinking of adding their tech to all the windows in the plane.  Figured it would do a really good job a simulating Actual conditions!!!  

Might be a little tough flying into one of the more busy airports line Block Is on a sunny Sat. morning in the summer....

 

Okay... I stole that thought from someone that actually posted a while ago in some forum that "oh, that would be a cool idea to add it to the windows!" without really thinking of the consequences.   

[Hank]

Go old school like Jimmy Doolittle and draw a curtain over all of your windows . . . . .

[PeteMc]

8 hours ago, Hank said:

Go old school like Jimmy Doolittle and draw a curtain over all of your windows . . . . .

When I first got my plane it still had the original factory side curtains!!  Who knew... I guess I should have kept them!  

 

[Skates97]

19 hours ago, PT20J said:

I've tried a bunch, but I keep going back to the old ASA Jiffy Hood. It's light, cheap, doesn't interfere with glasses and you can put the elastic band over the headset and easily remove it without getting it tangled in the headset. When I did my ATP/DC-3 type rating check ride, we just wore baseball caps. The DPE said he could tell if we were cheating. Actually, I was so busy I didn't have time to look outside. So, if you are just practicing, maybe all you need is a baseball cap.

https://www.amazon.com/ASA-4330256138-Jiffyhood/dp/B003VSCBSC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33IRP9B4PI68L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EGMD22K9laqaVsMxlumdw4JHQFc5WP9NRFvQ_xjJKUQ.gkqWVn_9_CppC_sQUhVlTMZx3lMLiA_ZPPvkZgT2Y74&dib_tag=se&keywords=asa+jiffy+hood&qid=1732243045&sprefix=asa+jiffy+hood%2Caps%2C791&sr=8-1

I used foggles for a long time but didn't like them much and really didn't like when we were flying an approach into the setting sun. Made it almost impossible to see the panel from the glare. I switched to the ASA Jiffy Hood and love it.

[bigmo]

Been using this for years. When it came, I was like - I paid $20 for this?!?!

https://featherhood.com/
 

Years later carrying it in my headset bag. It’s still going strong. Weighs nothing and easy to fit with glasses & a headset.

[PeteMc]

3 hours ago, bigmo said:

Been using this for years. When it came, I was like - I paid $20 for this?!?!

I had looked at that, but it was out of stock.  Reached out to Feather Hood directly just to find out more about it and he told me that he's waiting on a new shipment and they should be available again soon.

Early on in this discussion (which is also over on FB) I decided I was going back to a hood.  Now I'm just zeroing in on which one I'm going to get.  This is one option, sort of like the one that clips on a baseball cap visor too.  It comes with a hard plastic visor, but sort of doubt I'd want to use it, but who knows. 

 

[aviatoreb]

In a pinch - having misplaced my official foggles - I have made my own in a pinch with cheap walmart glasses - and masking tape.

[DonMuncy]

6 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

In a pinch - having misplaced my official foggles - I have made my own in a pinch with cheap walmart glasses - and masking tape.

If you use clear (scotch) tape, it gives the same view as being in a cloud.

[aviatoreb]

16 hours ago, DonMuncy said:

If you use clear (scotch) tape, it gives the same view as being in a cloud.

Ill try that.

I forgot to mention - I do tape paper or cardboard to the sides of the glasses to prevent peripheral vision.

[DonMuncy]

11 minutes ago, aviatoreb said:

I forgot to mention - I do tape paper or cardboard to the sides of the glasses to prevent peripheral vision.

I used some translucent plastic sheet for that purpose.