Aviation headsets

[averettpilot]

Bose X or A20. Flew with both in the 402 and works like a champ. Not sure if they do anymore, but I think Bose can break it up into installments. A little overkill for the jet so I just use the Telex but for a prop you can't go wrong with the Bose.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

h in the 402 and works like a champ. Not sure if they do anymore, but I think Bose can break it up into installments. A little overkill for the jet so I just use the Telex but for a prop you can't go wron

I liked the Bose X, hard to go wrong with one used. Just make sure you replace the ear pads every six months, they work better when they are fresh, and are reasonably cheap.

 

[Mark815]

Been using my Bose X for the past 7 or 8 years and still love em. No problem at all wearing them all day.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Timing is everything:

Two days ago I demoed the Clarity Aloft. I definitely understand why they are so popular - they really are very quiet. But you can also count me as one of those who does not like the "stuffed ear" sensation...

...which is ultimate the single most important thing - whether they are comfortable for you. For example, until the DC Pro-X, I hated the feel of David Clark headsets (and my Pro-X are in the shop right now because they don;t seem to fit me right anymore - I want to see if it's the headset or me, so I may have a pair for sale in a few weeks).

If one is concerned with customer service, DC, Lightspeed and PilotUSA seem to be the contenders for top spot in terms of standing behind their product and reasonable post-warranty charges.

 

[CFIT99]

Bose X

Have had mine 7 years and 4000 hours

***disclaimer***

Bose doesn't support parts for the X anymore...so everything will have to be bought on ebay, Amazon or a pilot store

 

[Richman]

I had an ancient pair of DC 10-40s that I've had for 25 years and sent them to DC for refurb at a VERY nominal cost, then installed an ANR kit. Every bit as good as my pair of Zulu2s with better passive noise reduction at 1/4 the price.

The ANR kit was a simple install if you know which end of the soldering iron not to pick up. http://www.headsetsinc.com/anr_kits.html

I use Telex 850s in the jet; its "eh", and doesn't work on all the jets in the fleet for some reason.

Richman

 

[z987k]

In ear headphones such as the clarity aloft do not attenuate the low freq noise of a twin that an active noise headset does. I used to wear foam earplugs under my DC's and the total noise in the Baron was quite a bit more than my Lightspeed 25xl's.

OP, a used Bose X would make a good option just be aware there is no more factory support for it. I wouldn't purchase one personally as it could become an expensive paperweight. I'm going to sell mine, with a new down cord even, because of this.

Anyone know if Lightspeed still supports the Zulu? They were the alternative to the X back when it came out.

Lightspeed still supports their 25XL ANR headset which came out in the late 90s. I had my zulus worked on this year. Still no charge except for new earcups.
The PFXs are by far the quietest ANR I've ever tried, but they are way out of the OPs budget.

 

[wheelsup]

Lightspeed still supports their 25XL ANR headset which came out in the late 90s. I had my zulus worked on this year. Still no charge except for new earcups.
The PFXs are by far the quietest ANR I've ever tried, but they are way out of the OPs budget.

Awesome to know. Looks like I'll be selling my X's and picking up some used Lightspeeds. I had the 25xl's while as an instructor, bought from the Lightspeed web site as a reconditioned unit, sold them on eBay 10 months later for almost what I paid for them. They were great except for the large foam cushions on the side that made me sweat. The Zulu's solved that issue however.

It's ridiculous that Bose refuses to support a $1,000 (when new) headset just several years after stopping production. I was in the market for the A20, oh well!

 

[z987k]

Awesome to know. Looks like I'll be selling my X's and picking up some used Lightspeeds. I had the 25xl's while as an instructor, bought from the Lightspeed web site as a reconditioned unit, sold them on eBay 10 months later for almost what I paid for them. They were great except for the large foam cushions on the side that made me sweat. The Zulu's solved that issue however.

It's ridiculous that Bose refuses to support a $1,000 (when new) headset just several years after stopping production. I was in the market for the A20, oh well!

They'll still give you $200 for the XLs towards a new headset. That's like half what retail was 15 years ago.

 

[wheelsup]

They'll still give you $200 for the XLs towards a new headset. That's like half what retail was 15 years ago.

The thing I really liked about the Bose is that it was made in the USA. Not sure where their new stuff is made however.

 

[Boris Badenov]

It doesn't really matter what you buy, just make sure you spend a lot of money on it. If you have anything left over, buy a Rolex. Yeah, sure, sleeping under a bridge has its drawbacks, but the respect of your peers is priceless.

 

[z987k]

It doesn't really matter what you buy, just make sure you spend a lot of money on it. If you have anything left over, buy a Rolex. Yeah, sure, sleeping under a bridge has its drawbacks, but the respect of your peers is priceless.

Or you know, you could spend 20k on hearing aids in a few years.

I SAID YOU COULD SPEND......

 

[JustinS]

Definitely don't skimp on the headset. Your hearing is important for a long career. Find what works for you best, and go for it. The price might hurt you in the short term, but long term you'll thank yourself, and everyday you go to work and have a comfortable headset it will make work much more enjoyable.

 

[Box hauler]

Got my CA pro plus the other day and I love them.

They work well in the 145 I take it?

 

[SFCC/UND]

They work well in the 145 I take it?

Oh yeah. I like them because I can put the head frame on and stick the left ear bud in and call for the before start. Then before takeoff I'll stick the right side in. The frame is really light and very comfortable for the flying we do.

 

[Inverted]

As somebody who has a headset fetish, I can tell you that my Clarity Aloft are my favorite and I no longer use my other ANR headsets.

 

[CaptainCarew]

The PFXs are by far the quietest ANR I've ever tried, but they are way out of the OPs budget.

+1

I just got a used set of PFX's, they're nice. Had a couple 6 hour days so far (survey flying) and it's almost like the engine isn't even running. Pretty sure they aren't TSO though

 

[PositionAndHold]

It doesn't really matter what you buy, just make sure you spend a lot of money on it. If you have anything left over, buy a Rolex. Yeah, sure, sleeping under a bridge has its drawbacks, but the respect of your peers is priceless.

Dooood...it's all abooot the Breitling. He's a pilot, not a wolf of Wall Street. (To be fair I'd love me a GMT Master II)

Back on topic, another vote for the DC Pro-X. Altough, the only piston airplanes I've had it in is a Stinson and Super Cub. Never a piston twin.

 

[milleR]

I have tinnitus in both ears, badly in my left. I'm telling you, use these even under your ANR headset if you're going to spend more than a couple hours a day in an unpressurized piston twin or turboprop. I don't blame flying entirely for my hearing problem, but this stuff is all cumulative.

http://www.amazon.com/Moldex-6800-P...Fit+Disposable+Ear+Plugs+-+Green+(Box+of+200)

 

[Sapper]

I've had multiple Lightspeed products over the years, never been disappointed. The one time I had a problem, I was in a T310 with Qtipped props that caused an odd popping from the noise canceling system. Called, chatted with their head engineer, they modified another pair of head sets, overnighted them to me, no charge. I'm a customer for life.