Headset question.

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($9.95)
+

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($19.50)

+

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($13)

+

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($6)

plus some adapters, and it comes out to about 50 bucks. Not bad. If I didn't already have a David Clark set, I'd try this route first before spending money on a $300+ set...
 
:rotfl:
I flew with a guy who used something like that once! I guess I can't say about the ear buds, but his headset was held together with duct tape!
 
LOL, love the duct tape post. Headsets are expensive because they are catering to such a small market. Between the R&D costs and the fact that they know that you will pay the cost to protect your hearing you have your answer.
 
David Clark's 13.4 are rated at 23 db noise reduction. If you want a cheap but effective system for first year F/O's, a Telex 750 on ebay is $50 and any one of these:

http://www.howardleight.com/segment/index/2

offer good reusable protection. The Smartfits that I have are comfortable enough to wear all day without irritating my ears and offer 25 db noise reduction (so better than the DCs).

I used to wear ear plugs with my DC's but found in a jet that was too much. In a prop it worked pretty good.

I plan on possibly getting the UflyMike adapter (already have the QC set) and wearing my ear plugs with that.
 
I've got the Victor 1 by Lightspeed, Cost about $130 and have been using them for about the past 3 years with no problem. Before I purchased them I contacted lightspeed to make sure they actually manufactured them and that the three year warranty was legit, which they confirmed. I've borrowed David Clark's and honestly couldn't really tell any difference. Best place to snag this headset is at Tina's pilot shop online, just do a search. And of course upgrading to the gel ear seals is highly recommended.
 
titansox said:
Why are they so expensive? Is it something special about them, or is it just that every pilot needs a headset and so they can jack up the prices? Also, is there a big enough difference to justify buying a $800 headset versus a $150 headset? I've been using headsets my flight school offers and I haven't noticed a big difference in quality between the different headsets.
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The flight school is probably renting out the bottom line headsets. See if you can try some of the others.
Headsets are a personal preference item. Some swear by brand X, others brand Y.
As an example I almost purchased a Bose headset. Fortunately I had the opportunity to try one on a long cross country first. Hated it.
When I flew turboprops the airline provided us with DCs. Not a bad headset, but after a 5-8 hour day my head felt as if it had been in a vice. So I started bringing in my Lightspeeds and wearing them. In addition to the added comfort the decreased noise level while sitting right next to a 15' prop made for more comfortable days.
When I moved to jets I purchased a Telex which, with the decreased noise levels of the jet, worked great.
 
Id recommend David Clarks 10-13.4 (I think thats it). Can be had for a very reasonable price, and will last forever.

I got my Lightspeed Zulu a few months back, and love them. Pretty pricey at $800 though.
 
dvtpilot said:
Has anyone got any long term usage reports for the clairty aloft or the halo in ear systems in a piston single/multi? I am curious if it would be a better way to go....I'm currently considering doing the Uflymike/QC2 combo. The DC's are good, but I think it's time for something better and hopefully ANR.
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+1 for the Uflymike combo. Most comfortable headset Ive ever used. Even better than the Bose X.
 
It's definitely worth spending the extra few dollars on a quality headset if you know you're in it for the long haul. When I started flying, I decided that ANR was a must, so I dropped $300 on a Telex model that served me well, but was a bit heavy. Now that I fly all day, I've upgraded to the lightspeed zulu. It's a tiny bit quieter, and WAY more comfortable.

I tell my students to opt for the better quality headsets, but few listen to me until 10 or 15hrs when they realize that a $150 headset is really uncomfortable after the first 90 minutes.
 
Chief Captain said:
It's definitely worth spending the extra few dollars on a quality headset if you know you're in it for the long haul. When I started flying, I decided that ANR was a must, so I dropped $300 on a Telex model that served me well, but was a bit heavy. Now that I fly all day, I've upgraded to the lightspeed zulu. It's a tiny bit quieter, and WAY more comfortable.

I tell my students to opt for the better quality headsets, but few listen to me until 10 or 15hrs when they realize that a $150 headset is really uncomfortable after the first 90 minutes.
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Got the cheapo headset here myself. I put some new ear seals on them that have gave them some new life. But really in the end, they're still uncomfortable and I can't stand them.
 
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