Bose X vs Zulu Lightspeed

Flew with both, like the Bose better, I got it replaced twice at their store, both time was an easy fix, but I could not wait weeks to get it back from the factory, no question asked and both times a new set.

I met a CFI that had his Bose since the X came out, he upgraded to the new battery box. His set was pretty beat up, he flew 5000 hours on it (both airplanes and helicopters), never had any issue...and still works great

My earseals last about 300TT, I have a Beard...

The only issue I have with my Bose is that I can't keep my phone on while flying, GSM nokia, I keep getting weird noises, anybody else had this issue?
The Bose X also cuts out part of the stall horn in the DA40.
 
scooter2525 said:
Do the Zulus have an option on the music cancellation (85% deal) to not have it cancel? My lightspeed 15xlc doesn't cancel the music, which I prefer.
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yes, you can choose the setting. you can set it to either break into your music (and it does a nice fade-in to return to music when the transmission is complete) or you can just set your volume how you like and listen for transmissions within the music. But you can't shut out transmissions completely...which is for the best is suppose...;) If you are listening to your ipod, your ipod volume control controls the music volume and the radio and headset volume controls the volume of transmissions (ie, you can't turn your music up just by turning up the headset volume, it will only affect transmissions)

if you ever get stuck on the slc-eko-wmc run, i'll let ya borrow them for the day and try it out
 
It is very easy to work up your own music input for the Bose, or montanna mods makes and sells a simple adapter through the u fly mike web site.. Worth noting, the u fly mike setup has music input, and is more comfortable than either the Bose x or lightspeed... Total cost is less than 600, and Bose will do the payment plan on the qc-15's.
 

Thanks! That would be awesome. It sounds like the Zulu's are set up like my 15XLC. I find it more annoying to have my music cancel out then turn it down so I can hear my call sign. Turning the radio off is a good way to not hear ATC if that is the goal...
 
either way both are good!

I have Bose btw.

oh and the payment plan is nice. $170 (covers first 2 months and shipping) up front and I think 82 / month...zero interest incurred. i have a few more months left.

I have zero complaints with my bose but based on what i hear and what i've tried...you can't go wrong on either one
 
Have to go with the Zulu, aside from the better fit, it nice to have both the line-in audio and the bluetooth.. i can listen to the mp3 player and use the phone at the same time. Also the Bose have never worked when flying DHC-2 or 206 on floats. At full power on the water the Bose crackle and pop and all incoming audio is unintelligible. While the Zulu's work great and have no problems.<O:p</O:p
 
Capt. Chaos said:
Have to go with the Zulu, aside from the better fit, it nice to have both the line-in audio and the bluetooth.. i can listen to the mp3 player and use the phone at the same time. Also the Bose have never worked when flying DHC-2 or 206 on floats. At full power on the water the Bose crackle and pop and all incoming audio is unintelligible. While the Zulu's work great and have no problems.<o>:p</o>:p
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Now if I only had that problem of flying a DHC-2....:drool:
 
ryanmickG said:
I have used both headsets quite a bit and the Zulu's win hands down!

I really like the comfort of Zulu and I use the Bluetooth function a lot. The Bose clamp my head after a while and I dont like the mic boom on it.
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I own both and love my Zulu much more. Its more comfortable, better quality sounding, clamps less yet the cups make it so it stays on my head better than the Bose doing acro...
 
Interesting article about the bose X:
http://www.reggiepaulk.com/2008/06/bose-x-aviation-headset-generates-more.html

anyone had the problem I mentioned above? while flying with a cell phone on (GSM) the Bose emits a buzzing sound that lasts about 5 seconds...it does that also when I switch on or off the phone while flying. It's not a big deal for me to switch the phone off, I don't really need it up there but my passengers usually don't care so I end up having this annoying buzzing, while it happens I can't communicate.....
 
I'm a Bose guy. The Bose fit me better and I find the ANR to be a bit better than the Zulu's. Also, as others have mentioned the payment plan is awesome.

If I was flying recreationally I probably would have gone with the Zulu. The Bluetooth and ipod connection is awesome.
 
swisspilot said:
Interesting article about the bose X:
http://www.reggiepaulk.com/2008/06/bose-x-aviation-headset-generates-more.html

anyone had the problem I mentioned above? while flying with a cell phone on (GSM) the Bose emits a buzzing sound that lasts about 5 seconds...it does that also when I switch on or off the phone while flying. It's not a big deal for me to switch the phone off, I don't really need it up there but my passengers usually don't care so I end up having this annoying buzzing, while it happens I can't communicate.....
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I also get the buzzing (ticking) sound with my Bose when Im receiving a call. It usually only last a few seconds (unless people are calling you constantly). I always liked that it did this so I knew someone was trying to call me.
 
Just ordered a Lightspeed Zulu headset, thanks for the input....FYI: Sportys has it onsale for $800 and free shipping. I figure the ANR and comfort is on par with bose + bluetooth + Aux input + its $200 cheaper = cant go wrong with it. Reguardless it will be a big step up from my David Clark headset.

Ill find this thread and post my thoughts once I recieve it.
 
I have used both. Flights less than 6 hours they are about the same for comfort. Flights over 6 hours the zulu starts to give a slight clamping feel where the bose does not. Overall comfort goes to the bose.

Functions such as bluetooth and the ability to plug in a ipod or such is where the zulu pulls ahead. You may not think you will use it but when you are running behind it is nice to be able to make a crystal clear phone call in air. The Front Row Center function (music enhancer) of the zulu is lame and will never be used.

Construction quality goes to the zulu hands down, the bose is almost entirely plastic and feels like something that could break easily. The zulu is a more robust construction but that comes with a bit of added weight.

Battery life goes to the Bose, the zulu is not a battery hog but the bluetooth function is. Without bluetooth the Bose still does slightly better on life.

Passive noise canceling sucks on both of them. Batteries can and do die at bad times. The zulu has more of a ear cup that surrounds the ear where the bose sits on the ear. The zulu has some passive where the bose has near zero. The zulu wins by a considerable amount.

Noise canceling is equal for both headsets, I can't tell the difference.

Customer service, this was a big one for me. I had a passenger smash the battery box of a zulu. I called up Lightspeed and I didn't even have to tell them how I broke it, they just gave me a address to ship it to. All I paid was shipping. Very friendly customer rep I might add.

Then I broke the Bose, the mic boom fell off and a wire broke. Bose did not want to fix it, the customer rep did his best to get me to give up. I had to talk to a supervisor before they would take it and it was less than one year old. They wanted me to pay for repairs but I ended up only paying shipping after I made a large stink.

My vote goes to the Zulu.
 
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