Headset for Turboprop??

[Cornelius]

I'm looking at replacing my old David Clark for a good ANR headset. Flying the 1900 all the time, I think my hearing is getting shot to sh%t. Things I'm looking at are reliability, comfort, quiet, and good customer service. I know Bose are the best out there but they are wicked expensive.

Thanks for any advise

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Hello,
Buy the Bose, I did my ears and head are truly happy now. I fly the CRJ, early and late wiper versions and the Bose make the most difference on the early wiper version. I have also used the Bose in various GA a/c and can report they work great there too. Now for the best part, Bose will finance the headset for 0% interest go to the website for details. I have been using them since Dec of '02 and would not use anything else.
enjoy
PBR

 

[cargoflyr69]

Dude,

Check into the lightspeed family of products. I've had my lightspeed 20XL's for 3.5 years now and have never been happier. They only use 2 AA batteries for the ANR, and they last 20+ hours in the Saab. The battery box is in-line with the plugs, so you dont have that pesky 3rd wire for the box that other headsets have.

Me thinks they are going for around 400ish for new ones, but well worth it. For a time they were offering factory re-furbs at about 3/4 retail... The customer service also rocks. When I was flying freight, I hit some bad bad bumps and smashed the headband part on the roof. Just called 'em up and they FedEx'd overnight new parts free of charge! I think that says something about the company! good luck and PM me with any other Q's

 

[Sleepyhead]

I agree with Cargoflyr69, go with Lightspeed, forget the over priced Bose.

I flew the 1900 for 2 years with my 20XLs and they were excellent. Flew 7 hours a day and never had a problem.
Also their customer service is the best I've seen in any company. I broke a piece that holds the ear cup and I called them up and they sent me the replacement part the next day, for FREE.!!
Got mine for $400 at MarvGolden.

 

[CA1900]

A second recommendation for the Lightspeed ANR headsets. Though they haven't been the most durable headsets in the world, the company's been terrific about fixing them (usually sending me the part to replace), and it cancels the noise on the 1900 like nothing I've ever seen. You just stop hearing the props. Just amazing.

 

[saabcaptain]

Couple of points based on owning a pair of Lightspeed 25XLs...

1) I used them but remember... they are not are certified for Part 121 use and are technically illegal. You could be busted if a FAA ramp check was really looking for something.

2) They were very comfortable and the noise reduction was excellent but they broke ALL THE TIME. 5 times but each was fixed quickly by Lightspeed for free, minus my shipping cost of course. Each time they replaced the faulty parts with "enhanced" beefed up parts so by the time it was over my headset was much tougher and I suppose their new versions might not have as many teething problems as mine did.

3) I finally got tired of the breaking and not being TSO'd so I bought a pair of David Clark 13-X ENC headsets. They have slightly more clamping force but with the new style gel seals they just came out with are very comfortable. The ANR quality is the same as the Lightspeed, and the with the ANR turned off is much better than the Lightspeed. The price is higher though but I am glad I got them because they are bullet proof, legal, and "Clarks"

 

[stillaboo]

Flightcom Denali's. 1/2 the price of the Bose, just as lightweight, better overall noise reduction and much better passive NR than Bose (if a Bose doesn't have batteries, it's about as good as wrapping your head in tissue paper).

Denali's seem to only fit small heads though (all female pilots and some male pilots). And not TSO'd either.

With any headset, try before you buy! 'Cornelius', you're a Beech CA, right? Try all of your FO's headsets for a leg. If you're a good guy, they won't mind wearing your DC's for a bit.

-Boo!

 

[HAZ-MAT]

I hear those LightSpeeds are pretty good. I use David Clarks ANR, they were cheaper than the Bose, and work just as good.

 

[MTorbust]

You could not pry my lightspeed 20xl's from my dead bloody hands. I too have broken the plastic on them, just call lightspeed and they will have extra parts for your flightbag. Minor hassle, but they are worth it. IMHO.

 

[saabcaptain]

FlyChicaga: when making PAs via the headset in a Saab you must speak loudly to be heard clearly and even then it isn't the greatest in some planes. I highly recommend making all PAs via the handset except for the pretakeoff "FA be seated" PA.

PS: So you started OE?

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

I had the Light Speeds as well. Very comfortable and cancelled out most noise. In fact it was hard for me to hear the engines running in the Baron I was flying at the time. BUT, they stayed broken all the time. Company was very good about fixing them, they even shipped me a brand new set one time. It only took another week or two for the new ones to break as well. Finally I got tired with having to ship them back and forth and went back to my old trusty DC 13.4s and couldnt be any more happy. No batteries and no problem with them breaking.

 

[saabcaptain]

The truth about Lightspeed is simple: they have a great product in terms of comfort and technology. They also have fantastic customer service. But they also have a fundementally flawed design that simply breaks and breaks and breaks. It wouldn't be too bad if you used it in general aviation for one hundred hours a year or something but when you fly 800-900 hours a year the thing breaks every 3 months... totally unacceptable. While they keep redesigning their product with new plastics and thicker plastic ear cup holders etc. I am waiting on them to get a TSO'd headset with an all new design that is built from the ground up to give us the reliability to match their technology and customer service.

 

[I.P. Freley]

I agree!

I have a pair of Litespeeds... And when I say pair, I do mean pair, as one of the earpieces is separated from the headband at this moment. Actually, they've been like that for about two years, as I didn't want to deal with them anymore and went back to the trusty DC 13.4's.

The difference is truly amazing between the two, but I do know that the DC's will work, and will work EVERY TIME. The Litespeed is just too fragile for regular work like 121 (not to mention that they take up a LOT of space in your flight bag, or need to be carried separately).

My other problem with the Litespeeds was only touched upon breifly, and that's "whaddya do when the batts die or the electronics take a nose dive?" Having had this happen once, I can say honestly that wearing Litespeeds with the power off is WORSE than wearing no headset at all. Maybe it's just a perception, but I think the earcup design actually channels outside noise straight into your brain... And yes, worse than sitting there with no headset.

One more thing is that they have a lot of mass out near the edges of the earcups, and are more resistant to direction changes than the DC's. You'll see what I mean the first time you turn your head quickly while wearing the Litespeeds, that "snap-back" motion of the headset reacting belatedly to directional change is disconcerting to say the least.

In the end, I'd say if you are going to buy an ANR headset, make sure it's one that has the usual passive damping if the electrics are off. At least if the electronics die or the batts die in the middle of a four-day trip you'll still have a "regular" headset to protect you. Unless, of course, you want to bring a spare headset, which is way too much hassle IMHO.

 

[HAZ-MAT]

I.P... Yea the LightSpeeds always seem to be breaking, i had 2 students that had them, and the mic boom would always do something funky. As far as batteries going out, My DC's came with two battery packs. So when the first set goes out, you shut it off, unplug the first back, and plug in your second pack and your up and running! However when you forget to restock that second pack with new batteries... well then your complaining the rest of the flight!
Cheers

 

[saabcaptain]

My situation was similar my Lightspeed 25XL's broke for the fifth time, this time with the ear piece coming off the headset entirely and I too just threw 'em in a box and went back to my DC 13.4's. However finally what I did was send the 25XL's back to Lightspeed (5th time) and they fixed up the headsets good as new including new headband and other stuff, even a new carrying case... at which point I put them on Ebay and got 80% of the orginial purchase price back. I then put that money right into a new pair of David Clark 13-X ENC headset which has been flawless and breakable.

 

[Buss_Driver]

Think Outside the Box

This discussion always seems to get narrowed too quickly. Don't jump on the DC/LS bandwagons too quickly and don't forget to consider your personal comfort and the cost of operation.

After an exhaustive search, I went outside the box and got a set of Pilot 17-79 (Independence Series) and, for almost 2 years now, have never been happier. They are rechargable (30-40 hours), self-contained (battery in the ear cup - no box to stow), as comfortable as the Bose and have excellent passive qualities (especially with the gel seals) for those rare occasions when you forget to recharge them. The downside is that, if you do forget to recharge, you can't just pick up batteries at the airport convenience store. The major upside is that you NEVER have to buy batteries at the airport convenience store - one time cost when you buy the headset! The battery life is supposed to be about 1000 recharges and, despite the quality of construction, I imagine the plastic parts will wear out before you've gone through 2 batteries (I think they replace the battery once for free).

I traded headsets with a rich student for a day. We both agreed that the Pilot was just as comfortable (when you realize that you don't have to make it clamp-tight) as his Bose and had the same (if not better) noise reduction (especially the passive). He also reported that the Bose batteries lasted barely 20 hours.

A friend recommended an ear-plug headset by Quiet Technologies (quiettechnologies.com) which I am tempted to try just because it will fit in my flight kit and probably wouldn't have to be removed just to put on the oxygen mask.

Anyway, remember to try before you buy (even if you have to beg and borrow) or, at the very least, make liberal use of the money-back guarantees until you find the headset that is just right for you.

Good luck.

 

[Lopaka]

Bose, Bose, & Bose

I broke down and got the Bose X and use them in a King Air 200. They are awesome, really comfortable, compact, and you hardly know the engines are running......... until the 9V goes out, and then the engines may as well be inside your head scrambling your brains, so always keep an extra 9V. I'd say one lasts a good 20-25 hrs. Also sometimes you get the radar zapping sound in your ear which is annoying and sounds like a misquito stuck in you headset. I've tried the Lightspeed and like those too, except for how bulky they are. The old Bose you can get for cheaper and those are still top of the line too.

 

[I.P. Freley]

The only person I know who tried the Bose had horrible luck with them. He had the 2nd-gen model and returned it for repair three times in one year before giving up on them entirely and going back to the DC's.

I know not everyone has had this experience, but it's the only one I am personally aware of, so...

 

[IFLYASA]

I have flown with Lightspeed and Bose. If you have the extra money. I suggest the Bose hands down. They give you a free 30 day trial period. Problem is, you won't return them..

 

[Jungle Prop]

I've always had David Clarks, their combination of price, quality and customer service is unbelievable. i would have liked the Bose headsets but the price was a little steep when your instructing. Also something to consider is the Bose don't seem to be very durable because they are so light. I've had my DC's for 5 years and through instructing and tossing them in and out of flight bags at a regional they never wore out. Very durable. Plus the battery life is far superior from what I've heard my Fo's say. Bottom line is everyone has their own opinion and it comes down to personal preferrance.

 

[blott]

I"ve tried a bunch of different ones 'cause I didn't want to spend the money on the Bose. The Sein's were nice, but hurt, like the D/C's, after 2 hours... spend the money on the Bose. interest free payment of under $100 month thru the bose web site. plus you won't believe how music sounds in the Bose....they are true "full range" and rock!

you wanabee's with the telex's kill me...you don't look cool...take out the earplugs...lol. If you want to be cool, get the Panther C.A.T's.

spend the money you cheap bastards, you'll wear them all day, for half a month, (3/4 month at mesa..lol), for many years to come...plus you can write them off.

Bose is all about quality. you can run a knife across the gel earseals and they won't cut-I actually tried it with a spare set of gels. they are super light-you don't understand 'till you try them. I have been using mine for 1.5 yrs now-no problems-I'm not easy on them either. buy two Ni-Mh batteries, and a charger and be done with it-two will last a 5 day trip no problem.

B

 

[IFLYASA]

Actually the ear cups on the Bose X are not gel, they are leather...

 

[Rick1128]

Telex

After using DCs for oh so many years, I finally broke down and got a pair of Telex ANR many years ago when I was flying a Metro. After using them for awhile, I noticed that I didn't seem as tired at the end of the day. I also noticed I could hear passengers talking in the back. Telex support has been fantastic, when I have had to use it. Uses common AA batteries. Comfortable. Wouldn't trade it. Tried a Boze and couldn't see much difference in noise level.

 

[ProLine4]

Bose, DO NOT buy Lightspeed

I agree with everything that has been said so far about LS and Bose. I had a pair of 20XLs and they broke FOUR times....3 for ANR earcup circuitry, and once because the headband literally shattered as I was putting it on one cold morning. I was picking up cheap plastic off the floor for 10 minutes. The comments about not suitable for heavy use is exactly correct, they're just not made to withstand being used on a daily basis in 121/135/CFI use. Also at my home airport pilot shop, I spoke with the mgr earlier and he said that he has had four LS Thirty3G returns within the month of August due to faulty ANR. Almost everyone claimed of a horrible squealing and or prop sidetone that sounded like when your props are not synched.

Each time in my case the people in Customer Service were very quick and courteous, but I really got tired of them breaking nearly every three months. After the last repair I sold them on Ebay as is and got nearly full value ($350, normally retails around $400).

I then purchased the Bose and will not look back. They're worth the cash, and with zero interest and $84 a month even I can afford that. Yes, it does suck when the battery conks out in the middle of a flight, but you either carry a spare or just turn up the intercom. Bose just came out with the X Advanced that has new 40-hr AA batt power instead of the current 9V (I can get 20-25 hrs out of a 9V) and a much smaller control box. I think there's a few other improvements too, but I can't remember them. For those of us that have the current 9V setup and want the AA retrofit, I called Bose and they said it would be around $120 as soon as the parts are in. I think I may get it because I can then quit buying a 9V every 1-2 weeks at a cost of $4-5 per battery.

Hope this helps.

 

[Q200_FO]

My Clarks...

I still have the first headset I've ever owned, a DC H10-30 cost me $250 (this was when they pretty much first came out) about 7 years ago. That headset has been through shoving in and out of flight bags every other day, dropping them out of the airplane onto solid concrete, dropping the in a puddle of water, and having the gel filled ear seals fall off a couple of times. (The gel still hasn't leaked either!) I've looked at the bose, but I really don't want to have to carry extra batteries with me and have to make extra trips to the store on my way to work 'cause I forgot to get one the night before. I just grab a pair of the same earplugs the rampers use before I get on the dash and use them with the headset. No problems with them ever. Very durable.

 

[jetdriven]

I bought a BOSE headset X in April 2002. I have worn it for about 1300 hours in the 1900 and it tames the noise. I borrowed a friend's QFR headset and although the noise factor was about the same the comfort was terrible! 2 captains I flew with also bought them in april and have not had a writeup yet.

Bose may not look durable but at least 4 or 5 times they have been dropped from the glareshield of a 1900 to the deck, and that's he!! on anything. I have also hung the cord on my foot getting in the seat and caused them to fall. I have not had ONE isssue with the headset.

I ordered the new AA battery pack, 40 hours on 2 AA and auto shutoff. Plus a redesigned microphone.

There is no comparison to these headsets. If you want to shop price, buy cheap shampoo. It's your hearing and if you're wearing something 1000 hours per year make it the best.

 

[Stick Man]

best headset ever

You definately want to check out www.quiettechnologies.com. For less than $375.00 you can have headsets that never cause headset hair, weigh less than half an ounce, and attenuate more noise than every commercially available headset on the street (in the air) today. They take up minimal space in your flight bag/case and look professional unlike the ear enclosing type of headsets (D.C.'s and L.S.'s). For the record - i still own a pair of DC's and whenever I take my friends and family flying - I knock the dust off and bring them out of the bag. Otherwise - its the auricomms from Quiet Technologies. QT offers great support and they are a great help on the phone. Good Luck!

 

[Blah Blah Blah]

I use the DC H20-10 XL. The best headset I've ever used. I used to have the non ANR model, but it didn't quite cut it when I started flying an EMB 120. It's a bit pricey, but I like it better than the bose. I used a captains headset for a bit that was a bose, and I was surprised. I think that my DC's have better noise reduction than his, but pretty comparable. I did the same thing with some lightspeeds, and I couldn't believe how loud they were compared to mine.

Later,

Blah

 

[HatWearer]

FYI:

I called Bose today about the Aviation X headset and they said about two weeks ago they took away the payment option. You must now apply for a Bose credit card in order to use a payment plan or just pay for it outright. I guess that "subject to change without notice" in 4 point font at the bottom of their recent ads is there for a reason...

 

[jetdriven]

the bose CC has one year no payments and no interest.