Headset question

[flyboyjolly]

I'm thinking about purchasing a headset to use for my training. I don't like "el-cheapo" type gear, so I would prefer to use a quality brand. The unit I'm leaning towards is the Sennheiser HME-100. Not a bad headset for $200. I've worked with a lot of Sennheiser sound equipment and I've found it to be of excellent quality. Please advise.
Thanks.
flyboyjolly

 

[stillaboo]

Try to use as many as possible by borrowing other pilots' sets for a flight. Headsets are very individual, and are something you should really try out, not just take the advice of other pilots.

Many have had had good results with the Bose (expensive with no passive noise regulation, but lightweight and effective with the active noise truned on too), David Clark (they're the most popular one out there, so there must be something more to them than their trademark green color), Flight Com Denali (great if it fits, but seems to fit smaller male heads and females only), and Lightspeed (great comfort and good noise CX, but a bit heavy an cumbersome in smaller cockpits).

There are too many variables to suggest any one. Do you plan on going pro or just getting the ratings. Maybe spending the extra $ is worth it if you're gonna' keep the headset for awhile. XC flights often are trying on cheap headsets, though tey work great for local flights of less than 2 hours.

Try to find 3-4 you find comfortable initially, and then wear each one for at least 2 hours while studying (if you can't wear them while flying, which is ideal). Often times, as long as you stay in the FBO, most FBO's won't object to you wearing the headset provided you appear to be clean and well groomed.

I personally find light weight, gel ear seals and noise CX to be my most important areas of my headset, but, Those are my pet peeves, not yours.

Sennheiser makes a good product, but TRY before you BUY!

-Boo!

 

[Cardinal]

If you're going the professional route, especially while instructing, you want a light headset. After a day of head-lolling turbulence and steep turns my skinny neck got pretty sore with the bulkier David Clark H10-60s. But the DC 13.4s that I swapped them for are a lot easier on the head, is a decibel or two louder.

For just boring holes in the sky weight isn't as much of a consideration. The newer "squarer," for lack of a better term, David Clark I tried recently, and is very comfy, and very quiet, even if it takes up a bit more space than the other designs. All these headsets I mentioned are passive models. If you've got a grand to spend, by all means get the Bose. If I were in the market for a realistic headset for me, right now, I'd get the DC 13.4 ENC. Just run a search for "headsets" and you'll find more info than you can digest.

 

[JRSLim]

I went through the same little dilema for a day or two - until I decided on my DC 20-10s I reeeeally like my DCs. As has been said -- chosing a headset is a personal thing and you want something that you are going to be happy with ffor a while. But I wouln't recommend buying some high dollar set unless you truly feel a need or have some extra cash and no one to take to dinner!
I kind of looked around at noise canceling and such, but I am glad I just got some 'simple' DCs. At 290 houtrs, I have no had a nead for anything fancier and doubt I ever will.

Shaun

 

[Smokehouse]

Well for what its worth, being extremely new to all of this, I decided that I wanted to get a set that would last a while and was good quality.

After looking around and reading various reviews I settled on the David Clark h10-30. It is very very comfortable and really deadens any noise inside the plane. The Mic flexes easily and stays in place and the whole headset is vry lite.

I hope this helps, my father used to be a private pilot and always said that David Clark headsets were some of the best made, and this pair seems to be their most popular brand.


David Clark H10-30 Headset

 

[hydroflyer]

My primary headset I use now is a David Clark 13.4. It is lightweight and comfortable, and has a flexible mike boom. All good features. I have a backup headset that I used for a few years instructing without any problems with it. That one is a Flightcom Classic 5DX. It is heavier then the David Clark but is built well, comfortable, fits a wide range of head sizes and has the flexible boom. I think it is around $200 or so for one.
As another post stated, try to get the most comfortable one for you that is in your price range. One advantage to David Clarks is their popularity, so finding replacement parts isn't a problem. I definately recommend either the DC's or Flightcom as both seem to be reliable.

 

[midlifeflyer]

'm thinking about purchasing a headset to use for my training. I don't like "el-cheapo" type gear, so I would prefer to use a quality brand. The unit I'm leaning towards is the Sennheiser HME-100. Not a bad headset for $200. I've worked with a lot of Sennheiser sound equipment and I've found it to be of excellent quality. Please advise.

Although I haven't used one, I suspect that you'd be pleased with the Sennheiser. They have traditionally been very similar to the Peltor models - light weight, collapsible, maybe even the same ear cups. I've been using my Peltor 7004 for about 8 years and even upgraded it with an anr kit rather than give it up.

But, headset comfort is a very personal thing. Some pilot shops will allow you to test drive a headset, if so, take the recommendations you receive and try a couple.

 

[RedheadCFI]

Hey there,

I tested a lot of headsets including those goofy looking green david clark ones.. Just kidding DC makes GREAT headsets. After searching around and trying out everything I ended up buying the Flightcom Denali ANR. I've had the headset for 2 years and it is great. It is very light and the noise reduction is nice. It adjusts very nicely and has gel ear cups along with seperate volume controls for each ear which is good when jumping from airplane to airplane with older radios. The best advice came from a few earlier posts, try a few headsets before you pick one. Don't go by what other pilots say, fine one that fits you. Make sure if you buy ANR you get a good warranty too because its inevitable that little black box is going to get bumped around, knock on wood mine hasn't broke yet. Theres my 2 cents. -Nick

 

[Whirlwind]

I've used most of the David Clark headsets, and while they are nice enough, I really have fallen in love with my LightSpeed 20K headset.

So much so that I bought a Lightspeed 15K for my pax use while in the airplane... (didn't want to have a nice ANR headset for myself and give them a passive DC)

Of course, if you guys think these are expensive, that's nothing... The Gallet LH250 helmet I wear in the helicopter was two thousand bucks, but at least for that price it does include ANR.

The LightSpeed 15K can be had for $300, so it costs what the DCs do, but it has ANR which works very well in the airplane.

It is lighter and more comfortable than the DC as well.

Jason

 

[flyboyjolly]

Thanks for the input. I purchased a DC 10-13 S and love it. Yeah, it was about $100 more than that Sennheiser, but the 10-13'X' series seems to be standard issue with the GA pilots I know.

 

[dmspilot00]

Re: Re: Headset question

I personally find light weight, gel ear seals and noise CX to be my most important areas of my headset...

Add flexible wire mic-boom to that list!!