B737 Headset / Earpiece recommendations

[seahorse]

Looking for a good headset for the B737.

I have a custom molded earpiece. I had previously used the Telex 5x5 Pro III, but I didn't like it because the Mic sucked and wouldn't pick up my voice.

I want to leave my left ear free for cockpit communication, so I just need a good headset to hook up the custom mold to. Any Plantronics recommendations?

 

[lumax]

I had the same problem with the Telex and switched to the Plantronics and it works good.
The 737 can be a bit loud so I use an earplug and my left ear. I hear most captains just fine. The rest of the captains just whisper or I just choose to ignore them.

 

[jbDC9]

I had previously used the Telex 5x5 Pro III, but I didn't like it because the Mic sucked and wouldn't pick up my voice.

Strange... I've been using a Telex 5x5 Pro III in the 737 for 7 years; works fine for me, never had a complaint on the audio quality or volume. It's attached to a custom earmold, don't like the headband.

 

[Singlecoil]

I think your problem with the volume is that you need to twist the thing rather severely to get the correct side of the mic in front of your mouth when using it in your right ear. Take the windscreen off and look at the mic. There is a big slit and a little slit (if memory serves). You need to be talking into the side with the big slit. I think it comes from the factory set up for captains using it in the left ear.

 

[hr2eternity]

www.uflymike.com

has a nice combo with the bose quiet comfort 2. I bought it and love it.

TH.

 

[venr122]

The 5x5's do have a gain adjustment that might help.

I have been using Telex 850 ANR for a couple months, but end up having only one ear on much of the time. I am not 100% happy with it, but I personally don't like the ear piece blasting right into my eardrum. The noise on the 737, though much quieter than the ERJ I was driving, is still fatiguing on the long flights....

fwiw

 

[SWAPoolie]

I have used the Telex and have had the same problem. Basically you have to eat the mic for certain people to hear you clearly. The plantronics work great and it's a lot lighter. The bonus of the Telex is you can adapt a volume control from Radio Shack to filter out the crap from the -300s. Can't do that with the Plantronics. (Don't know what you are flying though) I also wear an ear plug when on our -300s. I refuse to go deaf in my left ear only to upgrade and go deaf in my right ear. If the captain doesn't speak up I just look at them funny and smile. The best answer would be to dump those -300 pieces of crap.

 

[SWAPoolie]

....,

 

[Cactus73]

www.uflymike.com

has a nice combo with the bose quiet comfort 2. I bought it and love it.

TH.

This is one of the best solutions for the 737 on the market. You can hear the guy next to you without any problems. On deadheads or at the hotel the headseat is perfect for your IPOD or laptop.

The only thing is that it isn't FAA approved so you may want to throw the earpiece set in the bottom of your flight case in the event that you get a linecheck.

Also, for FO's like me, you have to wear the mike on the left side so the cord will come across your body from the jack. It was strange at first but now I don't even notice it.

I don't know why we don't get our airlines to install hot mike intercoms in the airplane. It would be a lot safer if both pilots wore headsets. The 737 is a loud airplane and I don't want to be deaf at 50 like half the guys I fly with.

 

[T45Flyer]

The best answer would be to dump those -300 pieces of crap.

WhoaaaaaNellieeeeeeee,

Get rid of the -300's. Those -300s are just less that half of our fleet! The 300's are going to allow you to upgrade in 5-7 years. Anytime one of those beauties leaves the property it will definitly affect your upgrade and mine. So, please be careful what you wish for. By the way, the -300 is the "Classic" now! Cheers.

 

[AV80R]

SWAPoolie –

I have been thinking about getting the Telex 850 ( love the ‘no-batteries-required’ feature and yes I’ve checked, it works on our aircraft). However, I know many pilots are complaining about not being able to turn down the volume on one side only, like the Sennheiser 45 KAS does, so they end up using the headset on one ear only so they can hear the other guy/gal.


When you say “…Telex can adapt a volume control from Radio Shack…” are you saying you’ve installed separate volume controls for each cup and it actually works without affecting the ANR feature? I’ve been wondering if it would be possible to do that.

 

[BORAT]

I wear the panther CAT thing, which is like what Jimbo's buddy on South Park wears. It's great in the jet

http://www.pantherelectronics.com/

 

[ArmyC12]

Telex 850 ANR. Gets it power from the airplane. Luv them. Signed out the Bose for a 3 day. No-thanks. Signed out the Seinheiser(sp) for another 3 day. No thanks. Telex is light, ANR W/ no batteries and much better communication W/ ATC. I cover up both ears 95% of the time. W/ no problem hearing the CPT. Flew a new -700 W/ the vortex generators on the nose, QUIET...quiet.....quiet

 

[SWAPoolie]

SWAPoolie –

I have been thinking about getting the Telex 850 ( love the ‘no-batteries-required’ feature and yes I’ve checked, it works on our aircraft). However, I know many pilots are complaining about not being able to turn down the volume on one side only, like the Sennheiser 45 KAS does, so they end up using the headset on one ear only so they can hear the other guy/gal.


When you say “…Telex can adapt a volume control from Radio Shack…” are you saying you’ve installed separate volume controls for each cup and it actually works without affecting the ANR feature? I’ve been wondering if it would be possible to do that.

I sometimes use the 5X5 which doesn't have noise cancelling. You can get a volume control adapter from the Shack that is used on 2.5 jacks then another 3.5 adapter for your headset. I don't know about the ANR thing but it definitely won't allow a separate volume control for each ear. It's only about 10 bucks for the adapter and volume control.

Everyone I knew used it on the RJ because the aircraft alerts were deafening. However we had an intercom (Novel idea Boeing!!!) which allowed most people to use the Bose or like product.

 

[SWAPoolie]

WhoaaaaaNellieeeeeeee,

Get rid of the -300's. Those -300s are just less that half of our fleet! The 300's are going to allow you to upgrade in 5-7 years. Anytime one of those beauties leaves the property it will definitly affect your upgrade and mine. So, please be careful what you wish for. By the way, the -300 is the "Classic" now! Cheers.

It's a POS. Get'em outa here quick with -700 replacements.

 

[AV80R]

That’s why I am so confused, I was about to order the 850 and then I talked to 4 guys who were using it in the 737-700 and 3 who are using it in the 717-200 and pretty much all of them said it’s a “one ear headset” only unless you don’t care about hearing your captain/copilot.

One guy said he uses it on both ears 50% of the time, the others said unless you fly with someone who is a very loud talker; you might as well forget using it on both ears. I’m confused? Does Telex have a no-questions-asked refund policy?

SWAPoolie, tx 4 your reply.

 

[Hooch]

Bose QC2 & Uflymike

Gotta agree with Catus & hr2eternity with the whole QC2 / uflymike combo. Two thumbs up!

Got to fly with a guy the other day that had the same setup. Did the "poor mans hot mike" with rubberbands. Best three day ever...no ear ringing after flight...no horse voice from shouting.

Hooch

 

[str8upflyrght]

where's a good place to buy the Bose QC2?

 

[Hooch]

Qc2

Got mine from Crutchfield's in less than 24hrs! Free shipping & no tax.

Hooch

 

[T45Flyer]

It's a POS. Get'em outa here quick with -700 replacements.

Wow,
Not sure how you slipped through the cracks. That POS flying corndog will be here for many years, probably longer than you with that attitude. You better get use to it. Please inform the guys you fly with your insightful thoughts in the -300, I am sure they will agree.

And back to the origional thread, the Telex is very nice, low maintenance, and lighter that the Seinheiser. A Houston Captain named Debbie sells them to SWA employee's for a great discount from her flight school.

 

[SWAPoolie]

Wow,
Not sure how you slipped through the cracks. That POS flying corndog will be here for many years, probably longer than you with that attitude. You better get use to it. Please inform the guys you fly with your insightful thoughts in the -300, I am sure they will agree.

And back to the origional thread, the Telex is very nice, low maintenance, and lighter that the Seinheiser. A Houston Captain named Debbie sells them to SWA employee's for a great discount from her flight school.

Lighten up Francis...I think you slipped through the cracks with your shortsighted humor. Clearly the -300 sucks from a pilot perspective and -700 superior. As is the -700 sucks compared to the 787. You however need a humor mod. Why is there always one of "you" in every group.

 

[Zinger]

Would those folks using the Bose (Quiet Comfort 2 and boom mic.) mind commenting on what percentage of the time they're able to cover up both ears while flying....and still hear the CA? If investing in what is obviously a fine product, one would want to capitalize on it as frequently as possible....besides it's uncomfortable doing the one ear thing.

Thanks everyone. Also...anyone have contact info. on the SWA Houston CA that offers discounts through the flight school? Take it easy.

 

[MICK]

Gotta agree with Catus & hr2eternity with the whole QC2 / uflymike combo. Two thumbs up!

Got to fly with a guy the other day that had the same setup. Did the "poor mans hot mike" with rubberbands. Best three day ever...no ear ringing after flight...no horse voice from shouting.

Hooch

Hey Hooch

What actually is the "poor mans hot mike"?? Do you mean you put the rubberbands around the PTT for the intercom?

I flew with a guy that bought the Telex 850 ANR, but it only works (in the 747) when he keys the mic. Do you keep the mic hot with the intercom??

Thanks
Mick

 

[canyonblue737]

Wow,
Not sure how you slipped through the cracks. That POS flying corndog will be here for many years, probably longer than you with that attitude. You better get use to it. Please inform the guys you fly with your insightful thoughts in the -300, I am sure they will agree.

And back to the origional thread, the Telex is very nice, low maintenance, and lighter that the Seinheiser. A Houston Captain named Debbie sells them to SWA employee's for a great discount from her flight school.

I don't think SWAPoolie is actually in the pool or at SWA, I think the name is just to antagonize the group if I am not mistaken.

 

[7S3W7A]

The -300 is an antiquated piece. I and every captain I fly with hate the -300 and much prefer the -700. Except the over 50 crowd, of course.

 

[DH2WN]

I have been flying both of them for about a year now and there isn't a pilot in the system who prefers to see the -300 pulling in over the -700.

Despite the monetary history of the -300 the -700 is a superior piece of equipment.

SWAPoolie is right on.

 

[GuppyWN]

Well I flew "all of them" for several years and let me tell ya....... on a sunny day short hop there's nothing better than a -200.

BTW - the Telex 5x5 is great. Are you not hearing yourself (a sidetone issue) or are the other people commenting on poor transmition quality? Careful with the uflymike kit. If you're an FO you'll choke to death on the cord. The only plug for the adapter/cords is on the left side of the headset. And if your battery runs down you can't hear a darn thing. It NEEDS to have a dead battery filter or something so you can at least hear ATC in that event.

Gup

 

[7S3W7A]

GuppyWN,

The regular Bose X only loses ANR when the battery dies. You can still hear ATC and it's still very quiet. It's definitely a better headset than the uflymike thing. However, it's a bit heavier.

 

[Alin10123]

This is one of the best solutions for the 737 on the market. You can hear the guy next to you without any problems. On deadheads or at the hotel the headseat is perfect for your IPOD or laptop.

The only thing is that it isn't FAA approved so you may want to throw the earpiece set in the bottom of your flight case in the event that you get a linecheck.

Also, for FO's like me, you have to wear the mike on the left side so the cord will come across your body from the jack. It was strange at first but now I don't even notice it.

I don't know why we don't get our airlines to install hot mike intercoms in the airplane. It would be a lot safer if both pilots wore headsets. The 737 is a loud airplane and I don't want to be deaf at 50 like half the guys I fly with.

Wait a second... the 737 doesn't have an intercom between the pilots? I train in an alarus and even that thing has a good intercom.
What gives? is it all 737's? or just some?

 

[Cactus73]

Would those folks using the Bose (Quiet Comfort 2 and boom mic.) mind commenting on what percentage of the time they're able to cover up both ears while flying....and still hear the CA? If investing in what is obviously a fine product, one would want to capitalize on it as frequently as possible....besides it's uncomfortable doing the one ear thing.

Thanks everyone. Also...anyone have contact info. on the SWA Houston CA that offers discounts through the flight school? Take it easy.

Zinger,

I always keep both ears covered. The only time I have trouble hearing is when the Captain is talking while turned towards their window or if they mumble. And in these cases, I usually have trouble hearing them even without a headset.

I think you actually hear better with both ears covered as the ANR will filter out the background/wind noise and you can clearly hear the CA's voice.

You also may have trouble hearing someone on the jumpseat...but this is sometimes a good thing. Now that we have CASS and are carrying off line pilots, all they ever want to talk about is the merger and it gets old. I just use the headset excuse and keep quite!