Headsets

[starchkr]

I will have to join the Lightspeed crowd here and continue to rave about their quality and excellent feel.

So instead of saying the same things over that have already been said, my advice is to SHOP AROUND!!!!!!

I have the Lightspeed 20XL's and while shopping i noticed as much as a $70 dollar swing in prices from place to place. Some of the more popular places were offering it for $430+ while i purchased mine for $360 from Marv Golden when they were having a pretty good sale. I noticed the same was true for other models and makes as well while i was comparing prices, BUT Marv was NOT always the best price. It seemed that for every different headset, a defferent place had a better price. Go to your search engine and search for aviation headsets and you will most likely get close to 100 or so different places that sell them. I would visit EVERY one of them to find the best prices. You never know, that $300 dollar headset you really like could be found somewhere for your $200 limit.

 

[Colonel Cairo]

Re: Another view

"I just think they're overrated because of some kind of herd mentality."

Sounds to me like everyone is relating their personal experiences with DC so I don't see how there could be a "herd mentality" here. People might buy them for that reason initially but unless you're a masochist you wouldn't keep using them if they bothered you that much.

"Try before you buy, and make sure that you can return it after a reasonable trial period."

Excellent advice. I had the opportunity to use a new Bose ANR ($1000) headset a year or two ago and after 45 minutes or so it felt like I had two nails being driven into the top of my head. Kind of a good thing to know before you spend that kind of cash.

I've had a pair of DC 13.4's for over 6 years and haven't had any trouble. I broke a plug a year ago and it was repaired free of charge and they threw in new earseals, a headpad, and mike muff on top of it. If I had it to do over again the only thing I would do differently would be picking the ANR model. Kind of pricey but I would have gladly paid the difference after having my head beat in for 6.5 hours a day in a 1900.

Just my $.02. As starchkr said, Shop around!

 

[Pilotadjuster]

Pricing

Best prices (and service) I have found so far has been at www.spinnerspilotshop.com . DC 10-13.4 $266.00!

I would check as many places as possible (except maybe Sportys...). At least with David Clark, the factory does all the warranty work and has a reputation for repairing headsets long out of warranty for no charge.

 

[aero99]

I'm gonna join the "herd", and say I like and use my DC's more than any other head set I have. I Have two Avcomms for passengers, and they work just as well. The AVcomms were 175.00 and worked just fine for my initial training. The DC were a little more comfortable for the long hauls, but for trianing I couldn't tell the difference.

 

[A1FlyBoy]

David Clark H10-30s.

 

[LUV2FL5]

david clark's H10-13.4 with gel ear piece

got mine for 7 years now, NO PROBLEM AT ALL!!!!

$288.00, i don't think the price has changed


short

 

[prodigal]

LIGHTSPEED, HANDS DOWN

I wore DCs through my pvt training and they were fine for only about an hour at a time. First time I spent 4 hours in the plane in one day I was ready to throw them out the window.
For about the same price as the DCs you can get the Lightspeed 15XL. I recommened that to all of my students and have yet to have one dissatisfied.
I have used the 25XL for over 2 years now and I HIGHLY recommend them. The co. will fix them for no charge if you ever have any problems, like shorts in the wiring due to wear and tear.
You can skimp on stuff like flight bags and such but don't skimp on headsets. ANR is definitely the way to go. Besides the comfort of the Lightspeeds and the ANR greatly reduces fatigue.
Good luck.

 

[sabreliner]

DC's, for certain. Until I get back to jets, then a nice light pair of Telex...

My H10-13.4's have survived my time as a student, instructor, and two 121 turboprop jobs. All told, over 7 years and over 2500 hours of use. Never once had a problem with them, either. I recently got the microphone wet while flying, (like drenched) and it stopped working for that flight. I feared I had shorted it out, but sure enough, after some time to try, it continues to work. Also, their customer service if you do have a problem is second to none. (Probably because they want all of us on boards like this to talk up their products...well, it works!)

Spend the extra cash and get a good headseat. It is worth it.