Best headset for a CFI?

Mikerohren

Mikerohren

Well-Known Member
Hello all,

I am just about to make an upgrade from my trusty ASA headset that simply wont be comfortable enough to wear all day flight instructing... I was wondering what you guys with more "headset experience" would recommend? I have been seriously looking at the DC PRO X because it looks comfortable, light and has bluetooth... My only qualm is the ANR... I feel like as a single engine pilot, it is your responsibility to hear what is going on outside the headset. I have lost count of how many times I have avoided over speeding an engine simply by hearing increased aerodynamic noise and engine rpm, or hearing a rough running engine because of a fouled spark plug... I have never used a headset with ANR, so I am not aware of how much it actually disconnects you from your outside environment... What would you guys recommend?
 
The degree to which you are "disconnected" from your environment with ANR really depends on the pilot. I've been wearing ANR for about 20 years now. I used to keep the ANR turned off during my runup but eventually (after many years) stopped doing that because it made no difference at all.

If you are at all concerned about the ANR and at least want the option to turn it off when, say a student is doing maneuvers like slow flight in which you really want to "hear" even minor changes in power, I'd recommend a headset with decent passive noise attenuation - no reason to destroy your hearing. To me, that rules out the DC PRO X because, as good as it is, without the ANR turned on, you basically have a headset good for the quiet environment of a commercial jet, not a piston single. That's also true of a number of other modern high-end ANR headsets poor noise attenuation with the ANR turned off.

Whether or not a headset is "comfortable" is even more personalized.

If you are anywhere near a brick and mortar pilot show or have friends with newer headsets, I'd try some out. Or, most of the good companies do a trial, so at least you can send it back if you don't like it.

If you are spending a lot of hours in the cockpit, don;t rush, and don;t be cheap!
 
I bought Bose and love them. Flown 30 hour weeks multiple times and no issues at all with comfort....coming from DC.

The ANR is optional as you don't have to turn it on. Over time you'll actually develop skill to listen to the engine with ANR on. I went by that same philosophy as you when I was a student. You should be good enough to hear the engine with it on now.
 
I've flown with both ANR and passive. You still hear the engine just fine with ANR - you just hear it differently, and you learn to hear the differences pretty quickly.

I'm back to an in-ear passive for the time being (QT Halo) but I've been lusting after a set of Zulu 2s for a while.

-b
 
I went from my trusty flightcom denali ANR's to a Clarity Aloft in ear passive. For 8 hour days with only a 20 minute refuel stop on between for aerial survey, the reduced weight is huge! As a CFI, yours will be on/off every hour, so the weight/clamping may not be an issue. It's a highly personal & subjective opinion.
 
ANR filters out noise, not sound. You will still be able to hear important things. For GA airplanes, which are very loud, I'd recommend an over the ear ANR headset. I know its a huge cost for a CFI but I'd personally recommend a Bose A20 but you also cant go wrong with Lightspeed. The extra points for the Bose set are that its made in the USA and has a 5 year warranty. I've also had good experience with customer service. Like it was said above, you cant get your hearing back buy a nice headset.
 
I have the DC pro-X. I don't recommend them for GA/Piston flying.

I've always been a DC fanboy. I used DC X-11for years. Worked great. Last long time. Especially 20-25 leg days in Alaska, and down to -50.

What @mshunter siad. Get the best you can afford. Hearing is very perishable. Bose, Lightspeed, DC etc...
 
What they said. When the batteries die on my headset the noise really makes a difference. ANR= clear ATC and less fatigue(sinle engine piston , semi open cockpit). Mine is one of the cheaper ones. I carry a DC passive backup but I never use it. I think a lot of fatigue comes from the headset "clamping" your head-my QFR is rather tight so I use glasses with thin temples and make sure they're over the earmuff.
 
xargos said:
What they said. When the batteries die on my headset the noise really makes a difference. ANR= clear ATC and less fatigue(sinle engine piston , semi open cockpit). Mine is one of the cheaper ones. I carry a DC passive backup but I never use it. I think a lot of fatigue comes from the headset "clamping" your head-my QFR is rather tight so I use glasses with thin temples and make sure they're over the earmuff.
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Clamping hurts. But I think a lot of the fatigue comes from the frequencies of the noise ANR is designed to block out.
 
Thank you guys for the input, really appreciate the help... I'm going to try and barrow a buddies headset today with ANR and report back and see how it works...
 
Bose A20 and move on with your life. ^.^ The ANR will HELP you hear the CHANGE in engine and aerodynamic noise by reducing the overall sound entering your ears and allowing your brain to take advantage of the resultant dynamic range increase. It does take a bit of getting used to, as some people say here, but you can hear the actual engine as opposed to just the exhaust and prop noise. Communications are clearer, you'll become less fatigued, and life will, overall, be better.

Further, as many pilots can attest, you won't do a very good job of hearing the engine when you've lost your hearing.

-Fox
 
Oh, and don't get the Pro-X. I have one and love it, and use it every time I fly... turbine-powered aircraft. It's a great headset for a turboprop or a jet... but it's not good for day-in, day-out use in a piston. It'll work in a pinch, but piston airplanes are not what it's made for. Perhaps the One-X is better for pistons.

I'm a Bose adherent for that task, though. Mine treated me very well in some -very- loud airplanes.

-Fox
 
I've flown with LightSpeed ANRs for 19 years and I love them. I upgraded from an entry level model to the top of the line product when I was instructing and had a hearing issue. I now fly with the Zulu. LS has a great buyback program and superb customer service.
 
Thunder-Robo said:
Skip all the ear clamps and do directly to an Clarity Aloft.
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Yes - I have my issues with Clarity Aloft (mostly the earplugs) but I think in ear is the best. Nearly any headset you wear for hours on end is going to get annoying, but I'm used to the top ear rub after a year plus of using them. But its light and barley noticeable day in and day out. I think Quiet Technologies makes a pair, and there is another out there. Check out the Clarity Aloft thread. I was going to get rid of mine but decided not to.
 
Consider a Bose consumer headset with a uFlymike, I have a QC15. Less than half the cost of a Bose A20 and I am told works just as well. You only lose the bluetooth (and there are solutions to add that as well). Compared to a Zulu 1 (my other ANR headset), the noise attenuation is just as good, the single AAA battery lasts longer than the dual AAs in the Zulu, and for me it is more comfortable. The cons are you can't swing the mic up out of the way and on a long flight once I had the mic come lose and it took me some troubleshooting to fix it. Now that I know that might happen, it is a non-issue.

One thing to consider is whether or not the headset is TSO'd or not. I would bet your flight school doesn't care, but if you plan on moving up to a place you might be required to have TSO equipment, factor that into your decision making. Lightspeeds are not TSO'd
 
Bite the bullet now and buy a good ANR set. I'm partial to my trusty Zulus but there's other options out there. As a CFI I'd recommend against the in ear (clarity etc) because what I've seen with other people is they don't take kindly to the abuse of jumping in and out of planes all day long.
 
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