Quiet Technologies "Halo" vs. Clarity Aloft

ZapBrannigan

ZapBrannigan

If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
Well, this Bose X user just might be a convert. I'm on a 3 day trip and a friend allowed me to use his Quiet Technologies "Halo" headset.

I'm extremely impressed by the quiet and comfort of the halo. It's remarkably quieter than the Bose. I will probably stick the Bose on Ebay in a few weeks but before I do, I was wondering if anybody has tried both the Halo and Clarity Aloft.

I realize the two aren't even in the same league price-wise. The Clarity is significantly more expensive. I'm just curious if the Clarity is a higher quality headset than the Halo, is it more durable, or is the only difference the ability to connect an MP3 to the Clarity.

Thanks in advance.
 
I use the Clarity Aloft (TSO version) headset and absolutely love it! Super light weight and comfortable. Sound quality is excellent and noise reduction is outstanding. My only 2 complaints (minor issues) are that it is so light weight and flimsy that I worry about breaking it, however, the semi-hard carrying case is very durable and keeps it safe. The second issue is that the sound reduction is so good that I often have to remove my right ear plug to hear my f/o (not necessarily a bad thing! ;)) I've learned to just leave it out until safely airborne.

http://www.clarityaloft.com/

Highly recommend!
 
I might have to look into that. I love my Sennheisers but they're huge in my ever expanding flight kit. My airline loves to add lots and lots pages.
 
Doug Taylor said:
I might have to look into that. I love my Sennheisers but they're huge in my ever expanding flight kit. My airline loves to add lots and lots pages.
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Doug,

If you're talking about the Clarity Aloft make sure you call them or ask your union about any discounts. We got $100 off the price. You guys may get a similar deal.
 
My only complaint about the Halo (as of this morning) is that the wire comes out of the "front" of the headset so I can sometimes see it out of my peripheral vision. If I clip the wire to my shirt or my shoulder harness it sometimes tugs when I turn my head etc.
 
I've had my Clarity Aloft headsets for almost three years. For the last seven months I've been flying most every day and I carry them in a small flight bag with everything else and have never had any problems with them, very robust.

I also had a set of custom ear pieces made at my local gun shop and had them insert tubes from the foamys that connect to head set.
 
wayway8 said:
Any opinions of the Clarity Aloft v. Lightspeed Mach1?
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I have an opinion....

Before buying my Clarity Aloft's I did alot of research on both them and the Lightspeed Mach1. What I learned is that unless you get the molded ear pieces which brings the price up to the price of Clarity's (TSO) with no modifications, then the weight of the mic pulls the whole thing away from your mouth over time. Your one ear carries the weight of the entire headset. I use to use the same type of headset you see ATC folks use and it would start to hurt my ear after a while and the mic would never stay in place. I was always fiddling with it. The Mach1 reminds me of this same type of setup.

The Clarity is very light weight and anchors over both ears which gives it a much better balanced and secure feel as the light weight is distributed over both ears. It's the same type of setup music stars on stage use and mic stays in place no matter how much they dance around.

I've modified mind so that I can use regular foam ear plugs, like the Mach1, instead of the more expensive plugs that come with the headset. I find the foam plugs more comfortable, longer lasting and much less expensive to replace. All in all, I've been VERY impressed with my Clarity Aloft headset. While initially very expensive (I'm a cheap b@sterd) even with our discount, They're the most comfortable headsets I've ever owned and I've own a lot!

BTW, the feds have been cracking down on non-TSO headsets at our company some of our crews wear..because, well...that's what feds do. The clarity's are TSO approved, not sure about the Mach1.
 
Does your FOM state that the headsets have to be TSO'd? I was under the impression that unless that was the case, there is nothing in the regs that mandates TSO headsets.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
Does your FOM state that the headsets have to be TSO'd? I was under the impression that unless that was the case, there is nothing in the regs that mandates TSO headsets.
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Yes, we had a FOM bulletin come out a couple years ago after the feds started sniffing around stating that they had to be TSO'ed.

Right from our FOM Bible:

03.05.02.07 NON-TSO APPROVED HEADSETS
Non-TSO approved headsets are not authorized for use in UPS aircraft. Any device connected to
our aircraft must have received a TSO approval for aviation use. There are good reasons for this:
non-TSO approved items have not been tested for safety implications, their use could void warranty
agreements with our avionics providers and they could affect your liability in the event of an FAA
inspection or investigation. Please verify that the headset you are using has TSO approval. Major
aviation headset providers signify their TSO compliance by stamping it on the device or listing it in
their specifications.
 
I find it interesting that you are modifying the Clarity Aloft with more traditional earplugs. I figured those "Comply Canal Tips" were part of the deal with the Clarity. The Halo that i've been borrowing this week uses .75 cent earplugs - slightly modified. (Yes, it comes in black too).

Their internet price is $359. See on the left side at the base of the microphone where the cord comes out. That was what was bothering me earlier today. Maybe its the angle it comes out but it seems to always be in the way.

Also, instead of wires to the earpieces, this headset uses transparent, plastic, tubes. Can't speak to the pros and cons of that. <shrug>


yellow_halo.jpg
 
ZapBrannigan said:
I find it interesting that you are modifying the Clarity Aloft with more traditional earplugs. I figured those "Comply Canal Tips" were part of the deal with the Clarity.
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Yea, I know..I'm weird! :dunno:

Clarity gives you a small can of extra plugs (like 5 sets) and you can buy more off their website. I bought an extra 6 sets for $25. I can buy a big box of foam plugs for that amount. Besides, the plugs that come with the Clarity headset have weird feel to them...kinda of slimy and don't appear like they'd hold up for very long. Hard to explain unless you hold one in your hand. Me no likey!

I prefer and like the foam ear plugs I found from DeWalt. They're a little bigger than standard foam ear plugs and really block out the outside noise (like f/o's screaming at me! :p). I punch a hole through the middle using a leather hole punch and insert the plastic piece used in the Clarity foam plugs. Then I simply screw my foam plugs from DeWalt on to it.
 
ZapBrannigan said:
Well, this Bose X user just might be a convert. I'm on a 3 day trip and a friend allowed me to use his Quiet Technologies "Halo" headset.

I'm extremely impressed by the quiet and comfort of the halo. It's remarkably quieter than the Bose. I will probably stick the Bose on Ebay in a few weeks but before I do, I was wondering if anybody has tried both the Halo and Clarity Aloft.

I realize the two aren't even in the same league price-wise. The Clarity is significantly more expensive. I'm just curious if the Clarity is a higher quality headset than the Halo, is it more durable, or is the only difference the ability to connect an MP3 to the Clarity.

Thanks in advance.
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I'm looking to switch from the Bose X to the QT Halo, what you think so far? worth it?
 
I'm on day 2 of a 3 day trip using the QT Halo I borrowed from a buddy. Here are my impressions so far:

1. Noise - The QT is quieter than the Bose X. The noise in a jet is higher frequency wind noise plus fans and blowers. The "earplugs" on the halo do a fantastic job at silencing that noise. ATC is crystal clear. I've had both the interphone and radio volumes at their lowest levels.

2. Ease of use - The toughest thing with the halo is finding a place to hang them after each flight. Putting them on is easy and doesn't take but a few seconds. when you take them off there seems to be a mess of wires, tubes, and cords. It's tough to find a place to put them where they'll be ready to put on when you grab them without fiddling with them.

3. Comfort - Back in the day I wore earplugs underneath Dave Clark headsets in the J31 -- so it's never bothered me having earplugs in. After a few minutes with the halo I forgot they were even there. The headset weighs virtually nothing, so it's extremely comfortable. For about the first two legs I had to fiddle with the headband until I got the fit just right. After that, I haven't had to touch it at all. Sunglasses do seem to help keep everything in place, but even without it's ok.

The Bose X is comfortable too, especially since I put the Oregon Aero headband on it. (The OA earseals were too big on the Bose X so I opted to remove them). But in the summertime the Bose is oppressively hot. Any over-ear headset in a Learjet just reduces already limited headroom.

I still have 3 legs and there are a few things that I DONT like about the Halo (as I mentioned above).

Honestly though, being able to quit buying a pallet of batteries at Sams Club every few months and the ease of carrying the Halo vs. the large Bose X carry-case will probably win over. I'll probably try to sell the Bose on Ebay for around $600 or so, buy the Halo for $395 and come out ahead $200! (I've had the Bose for 7 years so i've long since forgotten their large pricetag).

I think i'm sold on the in-ear headset... just want to make sure that the Halo is a good solution considering it's so much cheaper than the Clarity, the Mach 1, etc.

What have you heard about it?
 
Do these types of headsets provide adequate hearing protection in GA aircraft, specifically piston singles?
 
killbilly said:
Do these types of headsets provide adequate hearing protection in GA aircraft, specifically piston singles?
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No.

They dont protect well against high amplitude low-frequency sounds...at least not nearly as well as an active noise canceling headset. I looked into the in-ear ones previously, and they fall apart in terms hearing protection compared to ANC headsets.

I cannot speak to what the headsets might do for a jet pilot since I am not familiar with the spectrum of the cabin noise in the front seats of a big jet.
 
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