Headset Recommendations

bc2209

bc2209

Well-Known Member
Could anybody recommend a good, decent priced headset for someone who is starting flight training very soon?
 
At the starting flight training level, anything from eBay or anything the FBO gives you for free will work.

As you get flying more regularly in chasing your instrument and commercial ratings, investing $300 in a comfortable, but not cost-excessive headset is reasonable.

Once you're a dedicated commercial pilot or CFI, an uber-comfortable ANR device is worth the cost.
 
What's decent? If I had to do it over again, I would skip all the bs and go straight to the Zulu, or at least one with ANR. Most of the manufacturers' quality models go for sub $500 used. Or the QC15/uflymike for $350. Or the QFR XCc for sub $100. If you're okay with used stuff, this is a good route because you can always sell it at about the same price if anything changes.
 
If you plan on flying in any capacity whether it is weekend warrior or professional pilot, if you have the money, just go ANR now. Save your hearing, learn and understand communications better, and you don't have to worry about having to buy one later. You can get a used Bose Aviation X for maybe 4-600 bucks. A used Bose A20 maybe 800 or so. A used Origional Zulu for maybe 5-600. If you are on a budget, buy you something to get you through, but the investment is well worth it.
 
I second the Zulu/Bose tier. I had a crap passive headset through my private and invested in a pair of Zulu's for the rest of my training. It was like hearing ATC for the first time. No more gargled space messages telling me that I'm cleared to do something and it doesn't squeeze my brains out.
 
I bought the Bose X during training and I'm still using it 7 years later on the ERJ.
 
I upgraded from DCs to Zulu 2s. I fought between buying the Bose A20s, or the Zulu 2s for about a week before making a decision. The Zulu 2s are more comfortable, and have better passive ear protection. I've heard the A20's ANR is slightly better than Zulu 2s, but not enough to warant buying them due to the lack of comfort. I fly anywhere from 5-8 hours a day, and my ears don't experience fatigue anymore like they did after a long day of flying with the DCs.

I really enjoyed my DCs as I went through my training. Very comfortable, and excellent passive noise cancelling. If you plan to fly long term though, buy ANR and take care of your hearing while you have it.
 
Zulus ftw! They are super comfortable, and great noise reduction. Even in a loud turboprop after a 14 hour day I love wearing them.
 
I find the Zulu2 slightly less comfortable than my BoseX I've worn since 2005... but really not noticeable. I also can do CVR to my iPhone in an app.
 
My recommendations.

Budget Passive - $120 - ASA HS1A (I had a pair of these for a couple years, no complaints, totally fine for a student starting out or someone who just doesn't fly a whole lot and is on a budget. Add gel ear seals for $20 and it's surprisingly quiet and comfortable)

Standard Passive - $300 - David Clark 13.4 (what most of my students buy, it's the standard, what can one say... personally I think overpriced for what they are and if you're going to spend $300, I'd think long and hard about saving up enough to get into a mid-grade ANR)

Average Joe ANR - $460 - Pilot USA 1779T (what I personally use currently and I've been happy with. The ANR really helps with understanding other's radio transmissions)

If you want to go spend $1100 on a Bose or Lightspeed, great, but you probably wouldnt be asking here if that was your plan.

There are certainly other good options, but those have worked well for a lot of pilots I know.
 
I started with a David Clark, not sure if I was going the professional route or not. Eventually, I bought a matching headset used a little while later for guests that occasionally fly with me. My plan is to buy a Zulu for myself once I find a decent used one for sale, and move the 2 David Clarks to the backseat for passengers. I think that the DC's are fine for occasional guests, and are very durable so should last for years. I wish I had the money when I started for a couple Zulu's, but I would have ended up buying some cheaper headsets for people that fly with me anyways.
 
I just picked up a Lightspeed XLc on ebay and had it refurbed by the factory. While a bit larger than the bose/zulu, they are great ANR headsets for the price. Can get one for around $200 or so. Might want to check with the factory, though. They won't repair the XL2 anymore...
 
I bought my 20XLcs at the start of my flight training for 300, they lasted for about 600 hours, then they broke, lightspeed gave me 200 dollars off the sierras, making the headset only 400, and that was after they fixed my headset which was 4 years old and way out of warranty for free. IMO the bluetooth music is the only difference between the zulus and sierras and a very slight weight difference, so I dunno why you would buy the zulus over the sierras for an extra 200 bucks unless you can't live without your tunes in the air.
 
I've had a Lightspeed for my entire career with the exception of one place that, for whatever reason, required a TSO'd headset. I had a Thirty3G and now have a Zulu 2. Hands down would recommend it.

Our Twin Bonanza has an installed Bose Aviation Headset X...I care not for it, unplug it, and use my Zulu when I fly the 'Bo.
 
I'll be the first to say I LOVE my Clarity Aloft Pro headset, all day comfort, clean sound, and zero headset hair, I've used them in a PA-28 flight instructing in the summer heat, to night cargo in a caravan and now Citations, it has been great a great headset, it's not for everyone that's for sure, but I don't think I'll ever go back.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
I've had a Lightspeed for my entire career with the exception of one place that, for whatever reason, required a TSO'd headset. I had a Thirty3G and now have a Zulu 2. Hands down would recommend it.

Our Twin Bonanza has an installed Bose Aviation Headset X...I care not for it, unplug it, and use my Zulu when I fly the 'Bo.
Click to expand...


Another vote for Zulu, I've had mine for several years and I use them on an almost daily basis. Sent them in once for a minor repair (something i did) and they basically refurbished them, no charge. I had a Thirty3G before that and it was the same story.



Sent from 1865 by telegraph....
 
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