Lowest Priced Decent Headset for Recips

[rumpletumbler]

Recommendations for lowest priced decent headset for use in recips please. I mean LOW. Thanks.

 

[phishn@daves]

Recommendations for lowest priced decent headset for use in recips please. I mean LOW. Thanks.

2 soup cans and a megaphone.

 

[avbug]

Your headset is one area you probably don't want to go cheap.

If you can't afford a good headset, a basic david clark type will work, but I'd at least spring for an Oregon Aero foam hush kit (puts high density foam in the earcups to protect your hearing), better earseals, and headband.

Try ebay, or marvgolden.com.

 

[svcta]

I agree about the David Clarks(and about not going cheap). The D.C. H10-13.4 (I believe that's how you spell that) are one of the few headsets that I can wear all day and still feel like a human being.

Get the gel ear seals and a flex boom, maybe the soft head pad and you're good to go. I would assume that there are many of these available used, you can buy the ear seals and head pad separately and replace them if you buy a used set.

They will take a beating and work for years. Do it.

 

[Swass]

Sigtronics s-40 is another one, put the hush kit in there and off you go. I added DC gel seals to mine a long time ago. I used these private through comm and then some (probably about 800 hrs or more) didn't have a problem one with them.

 

[rumpletumbler]

I called Oregon Aero and talked with someone there for a while. Nice, knowledgeable folks. I'm going to get their upgrade when I decide on a headset. Thanks.

 

[viper548]

I had an Avcomm AC-900 and liked it. It was about $180

 

[FrozenPilot]

I started training with a passive nr Pilot Avionics headset. Once I started flying commercially i upgraded the earseals and headband. Its still more comfortable than my Lightspeed. With upgrades, I spent about $180. Still have it as a spare, and it works great.

 

[Boris Badenov]

I've used my DC 10-30 for 15 years and 3500 hours. Tons of recips and now an MU-2. IT WORKS FINE! WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU! BUT IT WORKS FINE! Never had a single problem. Sum total of maintenance has been tightening some screws and replacing the ear seals. I'm sure you could pick one up for a song, if you can still even find them.

 

[NW_Pilot]

Your headset is one area you probably don't want to go cheap.

If you can't afford a good headset, a basic david clark type will work, but I'd at least spring for an Oregon Aero foam hush kit (puts high density foam in the earcups to protect your hearing), better earseals, and headband.

Try ebay, or marvgolden.com.

I used a DC 13.4S for a couple years with a oregon aero kit as you mentioned. Use it as my back up set now since I have a light speed 30-3G would never go back the 13.4 or any other non ANR headset.

 

[rumpletumbler]

I had a 20XL that I sold a couple of years ago. I loved it. I see they have a 20XLc now (upgraded for phone) and it's cheaper than when I bought it.

I had a David Clark 13.4 before that and it really hurt my head. After about 3 hours it was like someone had hit me with a bat. I asked the folks at Oregon Aero if their upgrades would stop this and they said that they thought it would. The ear seals don't cut the blood circulation off around the ears was the explanation they gave. I wonder why DC doesn't buy their upgrades and make them part of the original product since so many people have pain with them.

 

[avbug]

The oregon aero upgrades help a lot, especially the wide sheepskin pad on top, and the temperfoam ear seals. However, it's still a headclamp, and you'll still end up with jaw pain and some hot spots after a few hours. Just not as bad. My helmet uses their interior with leather covered temperfoam and their earseals...and I still get hotspots and discomfort when wearing it for extended periods.

A lightspeed is going to be a lot more comfortable. They're not nearly as durable as a DC type headset, but they're very comfortable, and they afford better communications because the sound is clearer. If you're like me and have hearing problems based on exposure to airplanes and gunfire and whatnot, then the ANR is a big help in hearing and understanding communications on the radio.

Bose if you can afford it; they're comfortable, but pricey. The newer Lightspeeds are good, less expensive. Otherwise, DC has the best warranty, and if price is the object, get a set of flightcoms and put the oregon aero kits in them.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Thanks Avbug, your posts are always interesting, helpful and informative.

Yes, I'll buy the book.

 

[rumpletumbler]

It occurred to me that my last post might be perceived incorrectly. I am grateful for everyones help and didn't want it to sound like I inferring anything else.