Saab Drivers/Prop Drivers

[Hawkster54]

I am looking for a good headset that does not have a head piece. I have seen the molded ear inserts but I was wondering if they will be quiet enough to block out the tubo prop noise?

Any info would be great!

 

[TopGun-MAV]

i used to floy a 1900. it was a great plane but noisy. you really need a headset. i used an earpeice because its more authentic. i had difficulty hearing most of the time.

mav

 

[Terry Hunter]

Bose X; it's tax deductible.

 

[Terry Hunter]

Bose X; it's tax deductible.

 

[xjcaptain]

huh............say again............can't quite hear you...............BUY A GOOD HEADSET. My wife claims it's selective hearing but not always..

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

Yeah, I ought to have invested in a Bose at some point, even in the Dash, which tends to be a bit on the quiet side for a prop.

I am as deaf as a post now!

 

[Mr Wu]

You can't go wrong with the Bose. Some guys use the Clarity Aloft headset.

 

[CaravanMan]

We've got the Bose in one of our C-90s, and it works really, really well. It's light, and very comfortable, but you're screwed if the batteries die on ya...there isn't much passive reduction to speak of.

I'd been researching ANR headsets for myself recently, and, after reading a LOT of positive reviews, I ordered a Lightspeed Zulu, which should be here in a day or two...it's sitting in OKC right now...damn you, UPS Ground! Get moving!! I hear it's rated right up there with the Bose for reduction and comfort, but is also about $150 less and has a 10 yr warranty. The only downside I read is that Lightspeeds, in general, seem to break easily. I'm hoping that since this is a new model, and that enough time has passed since it debuted, that they've got the Qual Control problems worked out. Either way, at least it has that warranty!

I'll get you a review as soon as I can, if you'd like.

 

[piav8r]

headsets...

I'm picking up a Zulu on my way to work this afternoon, finally giving up on the DC's in the SAAB. I'll be using the new headset on my 3 day trip and I'll let you know what I think.

Also, if you do a search for Lightspeed Zulu on this forum you can see what other people have put on here including a link to a review written by someone else on a seperate site. Very indepth and informative. When if comes down to it, yes they are tax deductible, but $150 is $150 man, and I couldn't see the reason to spend the extra!

Peace!

 

[Guitar Guy]

Good, active noise-canceling are practically a necessity in a turboprop. I did about 3500 hours in the 1900D, mostly using a Pilot Avionics PA-1779XL and it really helped to fight fatigue, improve communications and save my hearing. In fact, my AME remarked a few days ago how good my hearing is even at my advanced age.

So definitely look into getting something to protect your hearing. You can never get back any hearing that you lose through exposure to high noise levels.

 

[Limeyflyer]

The Bose X is great. I forget to turn it on half the time in the Saab and it is still quiet. I didn't think about it being tax deductible though, I wish I hadn't just done my taxes.

 

[CaravanMan]

The big brown truck dropped my Zulu off today! First impressions are that it's looks great, feels really nice, and seems well made. Plugged my cellphone in while sitting on my couch and called my wife, who was in the kitchen, lol. It was really clear! AND, when I turned the ANR on I couldn't hear my wife's nagging!! It's paid for itself already! SWEEEEET.

(JK, in case she reads this.):erm:

 

[Northern Lights]

After about 5000 hours flying props, I can't hear squat. My wife is always telling me to turn the TV or radio down.

AS far as a headset I use a David Clark with ANR. Works ok, but not exactly comfy on the head after a long day.

 

[piav8r]

headsets...

Picked up my Zulu's yesterday and flew 3 legs with them today. Amazing ANR and amazing sound quality for music (had to try it quick). I tried a set of Bose out too and quite frankly after trying both I'm happy with my purchase of the Zulu's. The Bose were nice... just not $1000 nice.

 

[CA1900]

An earset just isn't going to cut it in a turboprop. There's no other way to put it: you need a real headset.

5000 hours flying 1900s, the vast majority of which involved a LightSpeed ANR headset (and earplugs on the ramp). My hearing is as good as it was when I started flying.

The LightSpeed 3G headsets are really, really effective, and half the price of the Bose. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. It looks large, but it doesn't clamp, is lightweight, and doesn't fatigue you even after a long day. It's a regional turboprop pilot's dream.

The 20-3G has been discontinued, but they're still selling them, and that's the one I had the most success with:

http://www.anrheadsets.com/products20-3g.asp

 

[Max Powers]

7000 hours in a Turbo Prop nothing ever beat the European Peltor

 

[Terry Hunter]

An earset just isn't going to cut it in a turboprop. There's no other way to put it: you need a real headset.

Very well said.

 

[CaravanMan]

FINALLY got a flight and was able to use my new Lightspeed Zulu- pager had been really quiet.

In a nutshell...
It's definitely comfortable!! The ANR works great, and it's very clear. The thing I like the most, compared to the Bose, was that I could wear my sunglasses and it didn't interfere like the Bose did. The Bose still worked well, just not as well. And, as I'd read, the passive reduction seems MUCH better than the Bose!! I'm really glad I got this headset. Hoping that the QC issues have been solved and nuthin' breaks...if it does, I'll try to remember to come post again.

BTW: Flying a King Air C-90.