Clarity Aloft headset?

[ATR-DRIVR]

Anyone using or tried the clarity aloft headset in jet aircraft?

 

[exchexflyer]

I just bought a pair yeasterday. They should arrive here early next week. I'll try them out in the erj and let you know how they are. I was pretty skeptical about paying $500 for a pair of headsets but they said they would refund all the money if I didn't like them.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Great! Let me know how they do. Would like to see if they are worth the investment.

 

[U-I pilot]

just got one at oshkosh. They work great in the piston trainers I've been flying. Can't beat the 1.XX oz. headset. I did have a question about whether or not they can be used 121 cause they are not TSO yet. Should be in 6 months but does that affect usage by regulation?

 

[erj-145mech]

Yes it do, not TSO'd, not legal in certificated air carriers. Not sure if the TSO is retroactive or not. Maybe a call like, "A friend of mine has this headset, and..." to an informed source in the company is in order.

 

[Chicken Taco]

The regs state that TSO'd equipment must be avialable, not that you have to use it. The 145 has a TSO'd speaker and microphone installed, so there ya go. At least at CHQ it's also delivered with three TSO'd DC head-clamps, so this satisfies the reg as well. These are always within quick reash in case of a failure of any personal equipment that mey not be certified..

..CT

 

[exchexflyer]

I just received my pair in the mail today. I havn't flown with them yet, but they have already exceeded my expectations. I tried them on and they just feel like you have a pair of earplugs in. Hopefully they continue to amaze me when I fly with them. I am reserve so who knows when that will be but I will post something when I have actually used them.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

ex,

Let me know how they do in the ERJ. I had the Sennhieser hmec-25's and I could control the volume for the radio and intercom ok but when the F/A chimed, single chime or triple chime it was so loud I would have to take them off!! The D/C's I use now are fine except for the weight. anything that comes through is all the same volume.

Thanks.

 

[exchexflyer]

Allright...I have finally used them. The verdict is: Wholy freakin cow, why aren't more people using these headsets? It just feels like you have a pair of earplugs in your ears. It does a whole lot better job at blocking out the loud wind noise than eny other anr I have used. The first time the fa called up and anytime the aural warning system chimed in, it was loud as h*ll. All I had to do to fix this problem was turn down the volume on the headset and turn up the volume on the digital audio panel. That worked great. The only gripe I have about them is how long it takes to put them on. Before with my dc when we were ready to pushback all I had to do was put my headset on, but now it takes a few seconds to put this headset over your head and then put the earpieces in your ear. To me this is a small inconvenience for the quality of the headset. I give it a 9. Hope this helps.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Thanks for the info! Do you have any problem with the headset moving on your head, ie when you move or turn your head does the mic move around at all? Is there a volume adjustment on the headset itself like the DC's?

Thanks again!

 

[exchexflyer]

No, I didn't have a problem with the mic moving when I moved. The way it's designed, it actually fits very well on your head. They do give you an extra band to put around the headset, but they say only use it if you need to. I found that the headset stayed in place good enough as itself. I did have a problem with the chord being a little heavy and it weighed the headset down, but they give you clips to use just for this reason. I just clipped the chord to my left shirt pocket and it worked fine. As far as the volume goes, they give you a choice when you initially call in between the volume box being close to the plugs or closer to the headset. This box is also where you would plug in your cell phone or mp3 player. Let me know if you have any more questions. If you are still scepticle, you can always send them back within 30 days. I don't plan on sending mine back.

 

[Flying Illini]

You said that you can have them put the volume box closer to the plugs or closer to the headset...which did you pick?

Would it be better to have it closet to the plugs since there is usually a place near the plugs where you could rest the volume box? Does it weigh down the headset if you put it closer to the headset?

How long does it take for the ear plugs to begin to hurt your ears, or do they at all? Did it take you a while to figure out how to put them in correctly so as to eliminate most of the cockpit noise?

You said that they eliminate more noise than most ANR's. Are these ANR or not?

Sorry for the questions...it would be great to find a lightweight headset that doesn't have pressure points (like most do on my head) and that doesn't weigh a whole lot. You probably don't have anymore problems with wearing sunglasses and trying to fit them underneath the ear cups either. That's the worst part, some ear cups will smash the sunglass frame into your temple and make for an uncomfortable flight.

Last question...but it's very important!
Their website says to replace the ear plugs every X number of times (I'm too lazy to go check it again but it was a low number, like every 4 or 5 days, uses, legs, something like that.). What is your experience with "ear plug life" and when you have to replace them, how much does it cost? Are you going to end up spending $150 bucks a year on ear plug replacements?!

Thanks,
FI

 

[celloman]

I have a question as well.

What is the wind noise in the mic like for the other pilot? Any complaints or compliments on the wind noise? As anyone who flies the ERJ can tell you how that can be a problem sometime!

One reason I dont buy the telex is due to the wind noise most of them have. ( I know you can adjust the gain on the mic for the headset but it just seems to be a pain in the butt.)

Thanks for your time!

celloman

 

[SigAV8R]

I've had the Clarity headset now for something like 3 months. I've used it in various Citations, King Airs, and other pistons. It's great for eliminating noise as much as any ANR! Occasionally the band puts some pressure above my ears, but otherwise it's great. I have yet to change out the ear pieces. As long as you keep the ear pieces clean, they will last a lot longer than recommended. Mine are still pliable and still seal very well in my ear and I've used it for about 15-20 hours now. I don't use it every time becuase I also have an 850 for use in the jets. But I will say it works great for me.

 

[DGdaPilot]

http://www.pantherelectronics.com

 

[exchexflyer]

You said that you can have them put the volume box closer to the plugs or closer to the headset...which did you pick?

Would it be better to have it closet to the plugs since there is usually a place near the plugs where you could rest the volume box? Does it weigh down the headset if you put it closer to the headset?

How long does it take for the ear plugs to begin to hurt your ears, or do they at all? Did it take you a while to figure out how to put them in correctly so as to eliminate most of the cockpit noise?

You said that they eliminate more noise than most ANR's. Are these ANR or not?

Sorry for the questions...it would be great to find a lightweight headset that doesn't have pressure points (like most do on my head) and that doesn't weigh a whole lot. You probably don't have anymore problems with wearing sunglasses and trying to fit them underneath the ear cups either. That's the worst part, some ear cups will smash the sunglass frame into your temple and make for an uncomfortable flight.

Last question...but it's very important!
Their website says to replace the ear plugs every X number of times (I'm too lazy to go check it again but it was a low number, like every 4 or 5 days, uses, legs, something like that.). What is your experience with "ear plug life" and when you have to replace them, how much does it cost? Are you going to end up spending $150 bucks a year on ear plug replacements?!

Thanks,
FI

1) I chose the volume box closer to the plugs.
2) This is why I chose the one closer to the plugs but if you just clip the chord to your shirt, it's no problem.
3) I don't know, I just got them, but they advertise you can wear them over a month if you clean your ears. If you know how to use earplugs, you know how to use this headset.
4) Not anr, read their website.
5) No problems with glasses at all. No pressure points. Flew an 8 hour day yesterday and no headache.
6) Six month supply of earpieces go for around $25.

 

[exchexflyer]

I have a question as well.

What is the wind noise in the mic like for the other pilot? Any complaints or compliments on the wind noise? As anyone who flies the ERJ can tell you how that can be a problem sometime!

One reason I dont buy the telex is due to the wind noise most of them have. ( I know you can adjust the gain on the mic for the headset but it just seems to be a pain in the butt.)

Thanks for your time!

celloman

I have no idea what you are talking about. The wind noise I am talking about is from the airplane and not the headsets. I'm sure you already know this, but just turn your hot mic off. Works pretty good when there is no conversation.

 

[Ihaveflown]

Any news about how these ear plugs feel after a four to five our flight? Any hot spots? Looking to replace my Telex 750's with something a little more quiet.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Bought my Clarity's last year at the AOPA convention...flown 'em about 600 hours since, no problems.

My Maule is probably the loudest airplane I've flown, and they work better than the DC ANR conversion that I used to use. After 10 hours flying home from TX one day, I was a LOT less fatigued than I used to be...ANR's still make noise to cancel it out.

As to hot spots, after about 7 hours, I was starting to feel it inside my ears...I jam the ear plugs in just about far enough to meet in the middle

Fly safe!

David

 

[Ihaveflown]

Thanks for the info. I fly a Lear 60. Most people think that jets are for the most part quiet. When the cabin air is turned on along with the wind noise it can be fatiguing as well. We routinely do 4 1/2 hour legs three times a week in addition to our short legs. The 60 comes with Telex 750's. They feel good, but I hear everything.