Best headset available?

I had a checkride with a DE and his Bose crapped out on him during the ride. It was in a 310, which is pretty darned loud. He kept yelling for me to do this and that and I just chuckled the whole time. I saw him on the ramp the next day plugging in a pair of DC's for a checkride.

If you want a headset that's whisper quiet but have to baby it, go for Bose. If you're flying GA for 1000+ hours get the DC's. That's my opinion.
 
The Bose warns you WELL before the batteries are going to die. If they crap out at an inopportune time, it's your own damn fault.
 
Ralgha said:
While true, I'm still amazed that people think that matters at all today.
Click to expand...
Maybe because they were the company that was innovative enough to understand the importance of service above and beyond? There is something to be said for "corporate culture", and their leadership in this area says something about the company. They realized, before anyone else did, that it paid (in customer loyalty) to give service better than the rest. Everyone else is playing catch-up, and their reasons may (or may not, I don't know) have more to do with "following the Jones'es" instead of being innovative.

Why do you hate Ameri.....er, David-Clark?

:D
 
Ralgha said:
The Bose warns you WELL before the batteries are going to die. If they crap out at an inopportune time, it's your own damn fault.
Click to expand...

They broke, the batteries didn't die.

How do they warn you? I have a light that goes from green to amber on my Senns.
 
I may also be getting a new headset soon; what do you guys think of the telex and lightspeed ANR headsets? I am looking for something rugged and very quiet.

About the bose... they will not work in extremely loud aircraft at high power settings. I think there is some kind of protection which shuts the headset down just when you need it most - probably not an issue in 99% of commonly flown aircraft... That said they are extremely comfortable.
 
Love my Lightspeed's. I've got about 180 hours on them so far and only the mic boom has come off once (and the ear seals died), but both were replaced by Lightspeed. They overnighted the parts to me and I had everything else working. I keep a pair of DC 13.4's as backups I use when the Lightspeed's go down, but it never happens for more than a few days. I love them to death, they fit my head perfectly and they're REAL quiet. Get some TDY over here and I'll let you borrow them for a few nights, see how you like them.

I mean...my friend says all that, because HEADSETS ARE FOR *****'s!!!!!!
 
I absolutely LOVE my Lightspeed 30-3G's. The only issue I have with them is that I clip the battery box down by the intercom, so I can't see the light go to red when the batts get low. But, that's not really a problem. I highly suggest them, you will not be disappointed.
 
Agree. I like my Lightspeed 20-3Gs. Quiet, comfy, with no pinch on the sunglasses. Had them for about 2 years now with no problems.

The rationale is: Do you really need to buy a Lamborghini to go to Wal-Mart to pick up groceries???
 
TonyC said:
Other headsets may have better passive protection, others might hold up to more abuse due to a more rugged construction. Consequently, one might choose those others over Bose. However, none can beat Bose for Noise cancelling, and none can top their customer service.
Click to expand...

Telex 50-D. Better passive. Better active. Cheaper. Stronger. Cell phone/music input. Not Bose (and that itself says tons for potential quality :) )
 
This isn't the place to ask about headsets. JC is such a huge group of aviation professionals, we cannot agree on anything other than FO pay at a regional sucks.

I have the Bose. There is no doubt, they are the best. Hands down. But the old saying "You get what you pay for". Well I'm getting a headache because $55/month is going to Bose. If you're going to be a flight instructor, get a quality headset, not some $60 headset on eBay.

Personal experience. I'm runing the Bose Aviation Headset X. It was $995. Horrible price for a headset. But again, its the best. Best audio availiable, little fragile sometimes, cannot throw it around. Most comfortable headset available. Passive is HORRIBLE. I closed the cord in the Duchess door, my ANR stopped working. I overnighted it to Bose, a day later I had a brand new headset. Customer service is amazing. They'll even call you when your payment is late! (sarcasm).

Lightspeed, closest to Bose. Biggest problem, too bulky, look like a dork, purple. Other than that, AMAZING quality. Audio is second to Bose.

DC 13-4/ENC- Classic, sleek, nice headset. ANR is a joke compared to Bose/Lspeed/Telex. QUALITY headset, throw it around, wont break. Feels like a clamp on your head. Depends on the shape of your head, keep in mind.

Telex, the Echelon is a joke, The Stratus is nice, ANR is decent, at best. But a reputable name with loyal customers.

The point is, go with what you want. Just go try a few on. This is gonig to be a big investment to do it wisely. Am I saying go buy the Bose? No. It's expensive, I know that, Bose knows it. Get what fits you best. If you're a weekend warrior, get the cheap DCs.

Good luck.
 
Since nobody's brought it up yet, I'll mention Flightcom. I have close to 800 hours on a Flightcom Classic ANR with no problems whatsoever. The low end Flightcoms are cheap and uncomfortable, and the high end (Denali) line is flimsy, but very comfortable and has good ANR. The Classic ANR model uses the Denali's good ANR system but has a steel headband so it's much more rugged. IMO, it's the only Flightcom headset that's suitable for heavy use in GA.

I started my private training with a borrowed Denali headset, then bought the Classic ANR, and I keep a cheap Flightcom 4DX for any time I take a passenger for a ride. I've never flown with anything else, so I can't compare them to anything, but I've never been unhappy with the Flightcoms either.
 
[FONT=&quot]The problem I have with Bose as a GA headset is the price to durability ratio. I have used them and they are nice. They also are pretty darn fragile. They are not a workhorse set that can take a beating and the reality is most people have some pretty hard moments with their headsets. I have seen the frame on 2 Bose sets break completely. I am sure Bose customer service fixes them free and quick, but you are still out of a $1000 for a week or more when that happens. Unless I owned my own aircraft and my headset lived in the plane I don’t think I would invest that kind of money on such fragile equipment.[/FONT]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top