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Headset Advice

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I know of a fatal accident were it was assumed, that this person flew through a thunderstorm, and was knocked out by the turbulence. I myself like the DC's due to they act like a helmet. 2 more cents.
 
personally, i do not like the looks of either brands. They look like toys for kids. DC's and Flightcom's look professional except for the denali's--another toy looking headset. I suggest the Flightcom Classic ANR ($390-I think). That's what I have and they work well.
 
I wear a helmet for some of my flying because my head does get knocked around the cockpit in severe turbulence, and I can't imagine what a headset would do to protect you. Not much.

If you're looking at a headset, don't disregard the Lightspeeds. They're great headsets. They've had some problems in the past (plastic headbands), but they do fix them without question, and immediately. I think the current crop are probably much better.

You can purchase a refurbished 25XL from lightspeed right now for three hundred, or three fifty. They're taking tradeins for people upgrading to the new 30 that's out. Something to think about. I got one of the earlier ones years ago when they were doing tradeins to the next model up, got it for a good price and it worked.

At the time, the headset I was wearing, a standard DC type with the oregon aero treatment, couldn't drown out the APU, or the engine noise. All communication was done in sign language and gestures, because the airplane was too loud. We had an ICS, but it wasn't useable. After going to the lighspeed, I could talk and hear on the ICS for the first time. I was impressed.

The headset broke one day during a departure; one earcup fell off. I used a roll of electrical tape in my flight suit to make a quick repair. I was on the road and unable to send it in. Two months later I had an earcup problem. The next day was my day off. I overnighted it to lightspeed. I was off for one day, and the following morning when I showed up, my headset was waiting, refurbished again, new power supply, new ear seals, new cord, no charge, they paid the returnshipping.

No problems since then. I think the quality of sound is as good as Bose, and they're more comfortable. I'd buy one again if I were looking. I spoke to a gentleman the other day who was using the new 30G, and he said he wouldn't trade it for anything.
 
I second everything Avbug said about Lightspeed. I've got a 25XL, and the only thing I'd trade it for is a 30 3G model.
 
I've been using the Stratus for about 5 months now and I love it. It gives you more noise reduction than the Bose, and doesn't clamp down on your head, despite it's larger size. The only thing that I don't like is the lack of an auto shutt-off feature. You can also get a $125 CFI rebate from Telex's website, which brought down the price for me to $565.

P.S. I also love the new D.C.s I found yesteday.
 
Lightspeed 30-3G

I prefer the DC's (because the companys' planes are all set-up for DC panel power) but if you're still looking for the lightspeed try flightessentials. http://www.flightessentials.net/ I haven't done the research on this model, but I use this company all the time and they seem to have the lowest prices on just about everything. They are asking 579$ (with free shipping) for the 30-3G. Note: you have to click "checkout" to see the discounted price. BOL
 
Telex

We use the Telex Echelon 100. They are very comfortable, light weight and trouble free. If you want noise canceling you can get 150's. They look and feel like regular headsets ( Not toys as mentioned above) The are all black in color. Look on the sidelines at most of the football games you watch and you will see many of the coaches wearing them.

We have been using them for 5 years now. I also own david Clark 10-30's, 10-40's aneven a pair of 10-80's. I far perfer the Telex. I have yet to have a Microphone problem with the Telex. They ars also increadibly light.

They are also VERY cost effective. Around $100-150 I think.
 
Thanks. This is all some great advice. I just went to try them both on and they are VERY comfortable! Now I just need to decide between the digital ANR on the telex and the cell-phone/audio input on the lightspeed. too bad I can't find both features in one headset!!!!!
 
Cell Phone?

UHHHHH??????

Who is flying the plane while you are talking on the cell phone?!?!?!?!

Unless this is a 2 crew aircraft this should not be a decision. Stay off the phone while you are flying. VERY dangerous habit. that nonsense in your headset is intefering with you paying attention to ATC. Get the noise cancellation in the 150, that is a safety feature.
 
Wiggs:

Sure, P.S. Engineering makes "The Muse" which will allow you to listen to a CD/MP3 player thing. Works pretty well.

It's kind of pricey for someone low on the totem pole ($170), but it works well and is super simple to use. You do have to feed it batteries though.

Dan
 
Lightspeed

Have a pair of the 15XLs, but am drooling over a pair of 30-3gs. Had the chance to try them at Oshkosh. XL series was quite comfy. 3G series is like a pillow. (Perhaps better than a helmet in the situations that were described?)

Also, if you're a CFI, Lightspeed gives you quite a discount. Give them a call and ask what the price is for CFIs. I want to say they knocked off at least $100 on the 30-3Gs.
 
I am actually quite partial to the Bose ANR headset. I own both a Bose and a LightSpeed headset, and I think the Bose is superior in comfort and noise cancelling ability.

Only bad thing about the Bose is the price tag. Lucky for me, I got my pair for free.

-Goose
 
I own a pair of LightSpeed 20-3gs. They have excellent noise reduction, just as good as the Bose, but at $650 less. (and yes I tried a friend's Bose when deciding) They are much more comfortable than any of the other headsets I have tried, several hours at a time is no problem. They have been durable, but then again I haven't put 1000 hours on them. I am not partial to the color, but at least it is not yellow. I would have prefered a standard black. Best bet is to find someone who wil let you try the ones you are interested in, that is what I did. I tried the Bose, DC, and Denali ANR headsets, for the money the LightSpeed was the easy choice.
I have not used the cell phone adapter, although I do see how it would be handy in some situations. I am not comfortable enough yet to dare to play music while I fly, but that would be a great option for passengers.
 
I bought a pair of Denali ANR headset last week. I've used them twice and they worked pretty well. The only part that didn't work is hooking them into an intercom. I've used them with a Softcom and Sigtronics intercome and when there is another headset in, the mic doesn't work.

Bah. I'm sending them in for another pair and if they don't work, they're getting returned.
 
I would like to have a cell phone adapter for my headset. My home airport doesn't have an RCO, or GCO and you can't get ATC on the ground. If the ceiling is to low to pick up a clearance in the air, the cellphone is the way I pick it up on the ground. It would be nice to not have to hold the phone to my head and talk over the engine. Do they have them for DC's? I have thought about buying a lightspeed for just this reason.
 
There is nothing better than Bose X, I had AvionicsWest send me a pair of every brand they had and tried them all out. Nothing reduced the noise like the Bose and they felt like you were resting your head between two 20 yr old boobs. Sighhh.
Really. Lightspeeds are always breaking; people rave about the great customer service for repairing them for free but ?&!?$! why not buy something that isn't going to be breaking in the first place!?
Headsets are one place where you do get what you paid for; AND what more important place to spend a little extra than saving your (one and only; irreplaceable) set of ears?
 
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Ok, I'll bite. I currently have a night 135 gig and have found nothing better than the Lightspeed 30-3G's. The MP3/cell phone interface is AWESOME to say the least. While I don't use the cell phone feature at all, (unless to pick up a void time or something on the ground with the props turning) I use the MP3 player every night. The 30-3G's also have a feature that turns off the ANR if you leave it on for awhile without any action on the headset, saving the batteries.

Fortunately I did not pay for the headset, it was a gift at my last CFI job. But after using the DC 13.4 for 5 years, and now the 30-3G's, I wouldn't be able to ever go back to the DC's.
 
i have the 30-3G's, and have used a buddies Telex Stratus 50D's as well during some night Baron/Navajo freight flying. I would say they are about equal in noise cancelling, with the telex having slightly better passive attenuation. if you get a bose and run out of batteries...you are screwed. the mp3/cell phone hookup on the 30-3G's is a supernice feature. i've been able to taxi to the active while calling flight service when my flightplan dissapears from the system. by the time i'm at the active, flight plan is filed and i can get my clearance. also, listening to music while flying 7 hours at night alone is a nice thing. there is a feature that when ATC talks, it mutes the music/cellphone like 80%, so you won't miss any calls from approach.

if you are choosing between the telex and lightspeeds...you really can't go wrong. just put them both on and see what feels more comfortable. you'll have the headset for a long time, so don't sweat 100 bucks either way...get the best.
 
Who uses Sennheiser HMEC 400

I am looking for a new headset, too. I already tried the Denali, but I sent them back. Now I cannot decide if I should buy the Sennheiser HMEC 400 or Lightspeed 30 3G. It semms that nobody uses Sennheiser, why? They have a ten year warrenty and do not look like a toy for kids. About the 30 3G I heard lots of problems like "if you use them each day, they brake after 400 hours" or the warrenty is good, I needed it each year" Sorry, but Its nice to have a warrenty. I would prefer not to use it. Most of the time I fly with a friend, so the AUX is no criteria.
Jens
 
I also returned my Denali ANR headset in return for 2 DC H10-13.4 headsets (wife and I). I like them more since they are a bit more durable. The sound isn't too bad since I'm just flying a 172.

When the time comes when I'm flying 3 or more, I'll move the DC's to the back and get Lightspeeds or Sennheisers. However, that will not be until I can actually try them on and such.

The Denalis seemed VERY flimsy and didn't fit my weird shaped head well.
 
Why The Thelex Stratus?

Hey,
what was the reason for the Stratus? Beside the price (~470$) and the good ANR, they are really heavy, 18.1 oz and what is with the Battery Pack, isn't that too much wires, and only have three year warrenty? About the design we can discuss. It would be nice if you can tell me your reasons for them?
THX
Jens
 
Get a Bose X! I have had mine for 3 years now, just sent them in for a repair (I've been rough on them) and had them returned, with upgrades and fixes repaired, as if they were brand new in 3 days! And the best part of all...no charge! Bose has supurb Customer Service and a superior product.
 

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