Headset recommendation?

[Ih8AFYesmen]

Now that the Bose QC2+UFlymike combo seems to be history, any recommendations for a TSO'd ANR headset? It is such a great headset, it's a damn shame.
What do yall think of the Telex Airman ANR 500?

 

[Way2Broke]

http://www.davidclark.com/X11/index.html

or the Bose X

 

[CF34-3B1]

Telex 850 works well in the 737, and you can't beat the no batteries aspect

 

[hammer2]

Now that the Bose QC2+UFlymike combo seems to be history, any recommendations for a TSO'd ANR headset? It is such a great headset, it's a dang shame.
What do yall think of the Telex Airman ANR 500?

I'm out of the loop why is the qc2 history?

 

[hammer2]

Never mind.

 

[kansas]

Two kinds of pilots:

Those that fly with the Bose X
Those that want the Bose X

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

How about some recs. for ANR headsets with stereo/mono feature. I'd like to have the capability to hook up a MP3 player. The David Clark seems like a good choice so far. Bose is a little too expensive and bulky for me. Thanks in advance.

 

[poppi]

Whatever you do look on ebay. I saved 100.00 last week on a Telex.

 

[freeflyer14]

Just as a head's up, the David Clark X11 is not TSO'd yet...

 

[flythere]

Does the Telex ANR 500 have a cell phone MP3 cord??

Anybody have this headset or the new DC 11??

Any feedback would be great!!

 

[Edge540]

I don't really know too much about the noise levels in the larger planes, but I really like my Telex 850. It was quiet enough for me to stop using my Bose. No it's not as quiet as the Bose, but the Bose hurt after a few hours and went through batteries way way way too fast. It got a little pricey to keep it going.

The 850 is quiet for jets, requires no batteries, relatively comfortable, works good with sunglasses, and no headset hair. Plus it takes up hardly any space in my flight kit.

 

[ToiletDuck]

How about some recs. for ANR headsets with stereo/mono feature. I'd like to have the capability to hook up a MP3 player. The David Clark seems like a good choice so far. Bose is a little too expensive and bulky for me. Thanks in advance.

I've looked around and only found two reviews of the DC X11's and both gave two thumbs down. Apparently they have the same issue my DC's have. The ANR sometimes sounds like a boat engine. Can't explain it. I was going to purchase a set. Such a shame I was really looking forward to owning a pair.

 

[Benhuntn]

I Have the Bose X and the Telex 850. They are both great. Buy the Telex and save $450 or buy the Bose X and save your hearing.

 

[mblackey]

UFLYMIKE IS FAR FROM HISTORY, FOLKS! There's a couple of airlines who have over-reacted to the FAA InFO, 1/5/07, unfortunately and very surprisingly one of them is Southwest Airlines?! We'll have a new product line out that has volume controls on both earpieces AND the mike, so watch our website for news. Mike UFlyMike

 

[ToiletDuck]

UFLYMIKE IS FAR FROM HISTORY, FOLKS! There's a couple of airlines who have over-reacted to the FAA InFO, 1/5/07, unfortunately and very surprisingly one of them is Southwest Airlines?! We'll have a new product line out that has volume controls on both earpieces AND the mike, so watch our website for news. Mike UFlyMike

And FedEX

 

[Purpled]

And FedEX

?????

 

[ToiletDuck]

?????

At FDX, any used must be FAA TSO's of 500 ohms impedance may be used.

 

[FNG_that's me]

UFLYMIKE IS FAR FROM HISTORY, FOLKS! There's a couple of airlines who have over-reacted to the FAA InFO, 1/5/07, unfortunately and very surprisingly one of them is Southwest Airlines?! We'll have a new product line out that has volume controls on both earpieces AND the mike, so watch our website for news. Mike UFlyMike

Are you saying that the new ones will be TSO'd?

 

[mblackey]

UFlyMike

We are looking into TSO certification, but our roadblock remains the fact we don't own the QC2. Bose doesn't want it TSO'd, obviously. One of the criteria for TSO certification is that the headset will still function without battery power.

Running a QC2 out of battery power would be like running the airplane out of gas, in my opinion. There's planning required, you monitor inflight, and there are ample warning systems to back you up. There's no excuse for running a headset out of battery power. If you're trying to save a dime, think of another way.

There is no FAA requirement for a pilot to use a TSO certified headset, unless that pilot's air carrier requires it. There is confusion on this issue because headsets and microphones installed in a commercial aircraft must be TSO'd, they're part of the aircraft MEL/CDL. What a pilot brings to the cockpit is his call.

I have had far more FO's miss radio calls and have issues with their headsets with the Plantronics MS50 and Sennheisers than I ever saw with a UFlyMike. There was an issue with the first generation UFlyMike where the retaining o-ring was too small. We changed to a more robust o-ring in late 2005, and there have not been issues with the unit unplugging, unless there's folks out there who never sent their early adapter in for a retrofit.

Mike
UFlyMike LLC

 

[CaptAntoineMack]

My recommended headset? The Bose QC2 with the Uflymike.

Why would I compromise safety with anything inferior.

Its been well debated that the FAA, Boeing and any airline that is not allowing it to be used are incorrect in their interpretation of the TSO and any warranty item.

After this became an issue I got my old sennheisers out and they didn't even work. Some thing wrong the the volume control. But their TSO certified!!!

Just like reading the newspaper, I will continue to enjoy my headset no matter what policy thats put in place.

 

[ToiletDuck]

I've only used the Bose X. What makes the QC2 so good? Superior?

 

[CA1900]

The QC2 is smaller and lighter than the X, making it easier to pack and more comfortable to wear. It was designed as a listen-only headset -- it's through the addition of the UFlyMike third-party add-on that it becomes an aviation headset. The big advantage of that is that you can pop the mike out when you're done, and have a terrific headset to use when flying in the back, or even around the house listening to music. Blocks out the jet noise nicely.

 

[DH2WN]

I've only used the Bose X. What makes the QC2 so good? Superior?

Sound quality and ANR is much better with the X. QC2 is a cheap alternative by a couple hundred bucks.

 

[infiniti757]

Clarity Aloft

I use these

http://www.clarityaloft.com/

They offer almost the same reduction as the Bose but for a guy like me with elephant ears they dont squeeze the head. Not for every one though you have to not mind the earplugs.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

We are looking into TSO certification, but our roadblock remains the fact we don't own the QC2. Bose doesn't want it TSO'd, obviously. One of the criteria for TSO certification is that the headset will still function without battery power.

Running a QC2 out of battery power would be like running the airplane out of gas, in my opinion. There's planning required, you monitor inflight, and there are ample warning systems to back you up. There's no excuse for running a headset out of battery power. If you're trying to save a dime, think of another way.

There is no FAA requirement for a pilot to use a TSO certified headset, unless that pilot's air carrier requires it. There is confusion on this issue because headsets and microphones installed in a commercial aircraft must be TSO'd, they're part of the aircraft MEL/CDL. What a pilot brings to the cockpit is his call.

I have had far more FO's miss radio calls and have issues with their headsets with the Plantronics MS50 and Sennheisers than I ever saw with a UFlyMike. There was an issue with the first generation UFlyMike where the retaining o-ring was too small. We changed to a more robust o-ring in late 2005, and there have not been issues with the unit unplugging, unless there's folks out there who never sent their early adapter in for a retrofit.

Mike
UFlyMike LLC

In your opinion, what is the likelihood of the current setup being TSO'd? As of March or so, I won't be able to use mine at Alaska. It's a damn shame!

 

[Edge540]

In your opinion, what is the likelihood of the current setup being TSO'd? As of March or so, I won't be able to use mine at Alaska. It's a dang shame!

IMHO:

It most likely will not be TSO'd, that is if Bose does not want it TSO'd. No insult intended, but UFlyMike is simply an add on accessory. The QC series were not designed nor intended to be aviation headsets. They were designed to be excellent, lightweight, and simplified noise canceling headphones.

The most probable solution is Bose will recognize the demand for this product and produce a "jet" version of the Bose X, designing a product that matches the sought after features of the QC series while meeting FAA requirements.

That or the UFlyMike, or similar, company will recognize the immanent demand for a replacement product and produce a QC knockoff headset that meets FAA requirements.

 

[DH2WN]

In your opinion, what is the likelihood of the current setup being TSO'd? As of March or so, I won't be able to use mine at Alaska. It's a dang shame!

Is there an uproar at Alaska over this as there is at SWA? Seems like implementation timetable is exactly the same as it is here. Guys here want to string up management over it. There are a few who blame the FAA but the majority thinks management is knee jerking over a report filed by some dumb pilot.

 

[DH2WN]

I use these

http://www.clarityaloft.com/

They offer almost the same reduction as the Bose but for a guy like me with elephant ears they dont squeeze the head. Not for every one though you have to not mind the earplugs.

Interesting. Can't find on their site if they are TSO approved though. Do you know?

 

[gutshotdraw]

Sound quality and ANR is much better with the X. QC2 is a cheap alternative by a couple hundred bucks.

It's not about the money. With the QC 2 and the Uflymike, you can have a fantastic noise cancelling headset with a mike when you're in the cockpit(Atlantic crossings are a snap with some music for the ride. Just hit the pause button for the position reports and back to the tunes) and then pull out the mike and plug in the ipod when you're commuting in the back. Sure, you could wear your Bose X in the back. But you can't plug in music and you'd look like a dork with the boom mike while sitting in 15B.

Incidentally, I have flown extensively with an X and the QC 2 is WAY more comfortable on a long day and very nearly as good at cancelling noise. In either case, an ANC headset is a quantum leap in safety over the piece of junk Telex 750s provided by my employer. I'd be deaf in another two or three years of using those dinosaurs.

Keep plugging away Mike. I've already sent you a handful of folks and there's more coming. Too bad your own employer has lost their mind on this deal.

 

[ToiletDuck]

I looked into the uflymike but don't like how you have to get different adapters for stereo, mono, or big jet.