ERJ Headset? (Bose didn't work out)

[rogerthat]

After trying the Bose X for a couple of weeks, I returned them because there is too much wind noise at cruise. It worked great a lower speeds, but at cruise my old $150 Softcom with a passive 27NRR was actually quieter. It worked better with earplugs, but after spending $1000 I don't think you should have to wear earplugs too. Anyone have any experience with the Panther 2001-D, the Senheiser HMEC 300/400, or D.C. 10-13X? I want something that is comfortable, but hearing protection is most important. Thanks.

 

[username]

rogerthat,

I'm surprised the Bose didn't work out well for you. I don't fly the ERJ but I have used mine in one a couple of times on jumpseats. It works awesome. I'd say it cuts out 95%+ of the wind noise.

 

[Hovernut]

I understand the ERJ has a bit more wind noise than the CRJ, but my BoseX do an incredible job at keeping a blissful environment under the earcups. It really sucks flying with people who leave the mic open, though.

 

[blott]

I've been using the BoseX for a few years in the ERJ. Try turning on the ANR-but put batteries in first...

 

[CRJ puppy]

Man, if you weren't happy with the Bose, then nothing will make you happy. Everything in headsets is a compromise in one form or another.



Best of luck finding something that satisfies you.



(PS - I love my Bose in the CRJ. They aren't perfect, but they surely are the best of all that I tried for me!)

 

[Tooslow]

Try http://www.quiettechnologies.com/index_004.htm

The best $330 I ever spent. And best of all no clamps on my head to mess up my hair. I can wear sunglassess with no presure. I had ear molds made for them and I will never wear headsets made for pistons again.......I sold my $600 David Clark ENCs on E-bay....bye bye, I will not miss them.

 

[COEX-FO]

Try http://www.quiettechnologies.com/index_004.htm

The best $330 I ever spent. And best of all no clamps on my head to mess up my hair. I can wear sunglassess with no presure. I had ear molds made for them and I will never wear headsets made for pistons again.......I sold my $600 David Clark ENCs on E-bay....bye bye, I will not miss them.

That link times out for me. I would be interested to hear more about these headsets.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

COEX,
Try it again. Link worked for me ok.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Try http://www.quiettechnologies.com/index_004.htm

The best $330 I ever spent. And best of all no clamps on my head to mess up my hair. I can wear sunglassess with no presure. I had ear molds made for them and I will never wear headsets made for pistons again.......I sold my $600 David Clark ENCs on E-bay....bye bye, I will not miss them.

The problem I have on the CRJ is when the F/A calls or MW or MC through the headset is FAR louder than the radio. Any problems like that with the new ones?

 

[Capn Lucky]

When I shut off the mic, its gets too quiet for me. Did you know how to turn the Bose on? (j/k) You may of gotten a bum pair. Also, if the other pilot has his/her mic open that creates noise as well.

 

[Rogue5]

The problem I have on the CRJ is when the F/A calls or MW or MC through the headset is FAR louder than the radio. Any problems like that with the new ones?

I had that problem for a while when I transitioned into the RJ. When I called the F/A prior to takeoff it was like a megaphone in my ears. I fixed this by adjusting the relative volumes of the Bose vs. the intercom.

Turn the Bose battery pack volume down to about a 2/3 setting and leave it, then you just adjust the intercom/comm volume up a bit as you normally would do when you get into the plane. Since the F/A and PAX address has no adjustable volume, you just have to limit the volume as it comes through the headset. Now the F/A and PA announcements sound the same as the intercom and comm radios.

I guess I had to have the volume on the Bose WAY up when I flew the Brasilia because, well, it was a hell of a lot louder in that plane...

Oh and BTW: love the Bose, wouldn't trade them in for the world. Awesome sound quality for my mp3 player, er... I mean ATC.

 

[skyslug]

kinda shocked the Bose didn't work out for you. I sent mine in for repair (owned them for 3 years or so) and got them back within 4 days. In the mean time I used my other ANR Headset and let me tell you...I couldn't wait for my Bose to get back. Bose also has unsurpassed customer service/support. My repairs and upgrades were no charge!

You mentioned the wind noise, one poster said that if the other pilot leaves his mic on, (and if the gasper is blowing on him and or he has a telex which I find are the worst) you'll pick up his mic noise which sounds like wind noise.

Give the Bose another try, adjust the earcups on your head, move the headband back further on your head but try them again and then compare them with the other guys headset.

Good luck...

 

[rogerthat]

I think the ANR system on the Bose, and possibly other headsets as well, is designed more for lower freq noise like from a recip engine. Taxing and at lower airpspeeds it is extremely quiet. If I press in on the ear cups it gets very quiet at cruise also. My old set clamped really tight and actually blocked out more of the wind noise at cruise. Even though the Bose are lighter than other headsets, I got hot spots. I've never had hot spots using Softcoms or David Clarks.

 

[SpyFlysDOTs]

Have experience with the Seinheiser 300 mc.
Good quality, but eats batteries to the tune of 4-AA's every 8-10 hrs on, with no auto off feature.
If you family owns Durracell..go for it! lol

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm surprised to see Rogerthat's negative comments on the BOSE. I have been using them for years, from the first series to the most recent. And in a variety of pistons, turboprops and jets.

I'd give them another try...naturally making sure they are in ANR mode (green blinking light). They can be adjusted quite well, IMO.

I'm currently using the X, with coiled cord and battery pack in a Learjet, and they are just incredible. Worn them for 5 + hrs straight (not counting walk-of-shame-breaks) and have found them quite comfortable.

The independently adjustable volumes should take care of the PA issue, as someone else mentioned.

As soon as we took delivery of this plane we bought the brand-new Sienhausen ANR units. Very light, but not nearly as comfortable as the BOSE. The Sienhausens are just sitting in the box now.

 

[mmmdonut]

Try http://www.quiettechnologies.com/index_004.htm

The best $330 I ever spent. And best of all no clamps on my head to mess up my hair. I can wear sunglassess with no presure. I had ear molds made for them and I will never wear headsets made for pistons again.......I sold my $600 David Clark ENCs on E-bay....bye bye, I will not miss them.

Yeah, but where do you get the ear molds? Someone has to pour plaster in your ear or something, right?

 

[Tooslow]

I got the earmolds at the stopover store in IAH. They are molded there and then sent to my house when they are done. $127. Quiettechnologies does them too for half the price..........Ask them about it......It was all worth it.......Merry X-Mas. PS don't do it if you fly a turboprop,,,,way too much noise.....

 

[USMCFDX]

Quick question about the Bose X.

We do not wear hadsets above 18000 and do not use the intercom to talk to each other below 18000. Will I still be able to hear the Captain if I have a Bose X headset on?
I remember F/Os in the 727 with Stennheiser headsets that would take one earcup off to beable to hear, kind of defeats the purpose.

Thanks
ANC MD-11 F/O

 

[Hovernut]

I guess it depends on how loud your CA talks and how quiet the MD-11 cockpit is. We're required to make a "1000' to go" and "xxx climbing/descending xxx" challenge and response to the altitude alerter and a lot of times instead of opening the intercom, we'll just say it loud. Not shouting, mind you, just maybe how you'd talk at a crowded sports event or bar.

If I want to hear 'normal' conversation, I usually have to uncup the ear closest to the source, which to me is a PITA since I got the darned headsets to enjoy the blissful peace and quiet! This happens mainly when we have a jumpseater who doesn't wear the extra headset. If MD did a good job insulating and your wind noise isn't that bad, then you may have better luck. I just know I wouldn't enjoy an un-miked conversation under my particular circumstances.

They are quite comfortable; however, the longest I've worn them is just under 4 hours.

Where they really come in handy is when you listen to whatever floats your boat on the ADF (probably not too terribly available in your case), they dampen the background noise enough to where I can easily pick up ATC xmissions over the din of my "right-wing radio!"

I've seen a few people fly with ipods and the like, and I imagine they help in those circumstances as well. I know an ACA CA that makes and sells a balanced cord that plugs into the ACM jack so both parties can enjoy the 'inflight entertainment.'

There's always the 30-day money-back guarantee!!

Hope this helped!

ps What's it like flying the MegaDog out of ANC? Will there be growth there? Is that a junior position? Is it day or night flying....more night this time of year I imagine at that lattitude. I wouldn't mind living in ANC; plenty of hovercrafting opportunities!

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

My sister-in-law is an industrial designer for Bose. She has designed many of the products that they are known for. Examples include the Tri-port headphones, the new computer speakers, and aspects of the wave radio. One project that they have her working on is a smaller "jet" type headset with ANR. The only problem is Bose marketing. They think every airline pilot is rich and would love to fork over $1000 bucks. I have schooled her however on the realities of the industry and that the only pilots that even need ANR are flying small jets for peanuts. Sooo, long story short, if they can get them closer to $500 I think they will make them. BTW, the Bose X costs $16.00 to make.

 

[FlyChicaga]

BTW, the Bose X costs $16.00 to make.

Ripoff! Just like Starbucks, Microsoft, and the Escalade.

Amazing.

 

[RGC]

it's great to read that my Bose X is used in RJs, not just the Army C-12 I used to fly.

only of course the effers had to improve it enough that if i want to upgrade i'll have to fork over some more dough. nothin' better than the 9V battery going T/U on an IAP eh.

does the latest version handle the radar pulse problem? the first X was a bit on the miserable side when you taxied at an airport with that radar dish swinging around. That pulse thru the headset .... yow. When i talked to Bose way back then they had no idea what might be happening. I had it happen to me enough times that i finally figured it out, and had to be the one to tell THEM the cause of the problem.

 

[Flechas]

I just bought the Telex Airman 850, haven't tried the yet, but i flew with a captain that had them and he said thy were great, any of you guys have anyting to say about those?

 

[scotts]

I just tried out the 850 in an ERJ. It initially made a noticeable difference when I switched on the ANR on the ground during taxi. After levelling off and accelerating to 300, it became obvious that it was not up to the task. The noise level exceeded what I experienced with a passive DC. I then put in foam earplugs and although it was an improvement over passive DC's, the sound was very muffled and not enjoyable at all. I also got to try out the Telex ANR 500 and although it provides better passive reduction than the 850, it's ANR was also not up to the task in our ERJ at 300 knots.

An interesting note about the 850: the sound both from my mike and from outside sources was a little off; it had an off tone that didn't sound normal. It seemed like it lacked some of the high tones and was flat. I don't know what caused this but I wonder if the ANR powered by the microphone bias voltage has something to do with it. Regardless, it was distracting enough that I won't buy one.

FWIW...

 

[Flechas]

Thanks man, im going to try it with earplugs. what i like abput them is that yu dont need batteries. i have been using my ols david clarks, which are ok, but after 5 legs they get heavy and the headache kicks in.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Does anyone have a good contact phone # to get the Bose headsets repaired quickly? They're still under warranty.

They havent answered my email.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

About the quietest cockpit I've been in is the DC-9 (md80's). Those guys typically use the one earmold/boom mike setup. I'm on the 727 and wind noise is fairly high, however over the years, I've noticed that probably 90% of 727 pilots still only use the single earmold/boom mike setup (such as the 5x5 Pro III). My question is why are alot of the regional guys who are coming out of the turboprops still wanting to wear the big "David Clark" style headsets on the RJ's when it's really not needed? The only people I've ever seen wear one of those big headsets on the 727 are ex military and regional guys and like one of the previous posts said, they have to pull the muff off of one ear to be able to even hear what is going on in the cockpit.
sol

 

[scotts]

...I'm on the 727 and wind noise is fairly high, however over the years, I've noticed that probably 90% of 727 pilots still only use the single earmold/boom mike setup (such as the 5x5 Pro III). My question is why are alot of the regional guys who are coming out of the turboprops still wanting to wear the big "David Clark" style headsets on the RJ's when it's really not needed? ...sol

Sol,

I woke up this morning to the sound of . . . . . white noise. After 24 years of flying including CFI since 1987, UH60's since 1990, and the ERJ since 2001, I have developed a mild case of Tinitus. I started wearing the foam earplugs in 1986 when I started working on my Instrument rating. I started using those plus the helmet (with headset) in the UH60. I've worn a full headset (DCs) since I started in the ERJ.

I now have a Telex 50-D with anr. It doesn't completely stop the wind noise but it comes closer than anything else I've tried. I will always wear the best hearing protection I can find simply because I want to hear my future grandkids laughing when I'm 60+ without white noise interfering with it. Right now it is barely noticeable except when I go to bed at night and it's really quiet. I don't want it to get worse. So, I'm doing what I can to protect what I have left. I figure if I got Tinitus after being proactive to protect my hearing all these years, Anyone who doesn't worry about protecting theirs is going to regret it later.

BTW, the ERJ is extremely loud at cruise speeds. It is much louder than most other jets. Not all "RJs" are quiet. That is why you see most ERJ drivers wearing full headsets.

FWIW...

 

[Stick Man]

Sears hearing aid centers will do the molds for free and then send the putty mold to Quiet Technologies and the'll do the molds for 20 each (at least that's what they were when I got them). I LOVE THE Quiet Techs. Best 300 I spent too. Lightweight, no more headset hair and you can wear any sunglasses you want. Plus you can wear one side at a time (i.e. - taxi in or taxi out, deice pad or extended sits) and monitor radios in one ear without having the cockpit speaker on.Compact and so easy to fit in the flight case.

WHY IN GODS NAME WOULD ANYONE STILL WEAR HEADSETS IN A JET!