Panther electronics

[FRQTFLR]

Has anybody tried out the new headset by Panther Electronics? It is a noise canceling model with the mic built into the ear piece. It is called the C.A.T. system and list price is $396.00. I plan to use it in a B-737 but it just sounds to good to be true.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Diesel]

My wife and I both have them. They are awsome. PM me and I'll give you more info. Once you start using them you'll never go back to a normal headset. They are really nice and comfortable.

 

[terryhfly]

Diesel....Could you send that pm to me as well. Thanks

terryhfly

 

[lumax]

I am thinking about getting one. Any word on when the new one will come out and what the cost might be?
I understand that it's noise cancelling and requires no batteries, is that correct?

Thanks

 

[Diesel]

It's a simple set up. There are no batteries and it is nosie cancelling because the ear molds go into your ears so you can't hear a thing.

For those of you that Pm'd me I'll email you pretty quick. Just trying to finish up some things. D

 

[Diesel]

Since I'm getting hit with so many PM's I thought I'd let you all know about the panthers. I don't work for panther and i've had them for a year.

Panther headsets are a molded earpiece that go in both ears. They are connected with a thin wire to a small box. There is an on off mute button that you can key if you have a hot mike intercom system. The box is the size of 9v battery with a knob on top. The knob controlls the volume of the headset. Out of the box the plugs go into the outlets of the plane. there are no batteries.

The ear pieces have a speaker in one ear and a mic in the other ear. I opted to have my speaker put in my left ear so if a pax comes up to talk to me I can pop out the right ear and still listen to atc in the left.

It takes about half a second for me to pop them in my ear. U get really good at it. Simple stuff.

When you order the kit they send you a video and a ear mold maker. Just have a friend do it. it takes no time. U just shoot some sort of jell in your ear wait for it to harden then pop it out. send it off and you get them back.

The earmolds come in all different colors. I chose clear with a red tip for the left and a green tip for the right.

The noise reduction is amazing. It's the equivalent of sticking ear plugs in your ears. I've used them from float planes to jets. Really quiet no wind noise.

I am having a problem with them which the guys at panther are awsome on. We are working to come to a solution. The problem is with the collins rmu head in the Ultra I get a bleed over problem from the number 2 radio. I just set that to a blank freq 121.72 and it solves the problem. Found out today they isolated the problem and are fixing the box so that it bypasses something. Got me I'm no electrical engineer. They are great guys down there. Really working hard to fix the problem.

When you call in for a headset they will ask you what plane you fly and they know about the problem. They won't even sell you the headset till they get the problem 100 percent fixed if it affects your plane because they are really customer oriented. Should be fixed in a week or two.

I forgot the headset at home and had to use a normal headset while flying the other day in a king air. Man was I pissed. Then i rememberd i had put it in another bag. I grabbed that bag plugged it in and I was in bliss.

Any other questions I'd be more than happy to answer just pm me.

 

[Habib]

Waitin to get them back

I just got the kit to make the impressions about 2 weeks ago, it was a pain, maybe it was just my girlfriend, anyway the impressions turned out like crap, so I went to an Audiologist who makes impressions everyday, and she used a different material, it was $20, well worth it I think, her impressions looked better than the ones I tried to make at home. And if you talk to Panther they will recommend that you go to an Audiologist for a better fit. Some advice that I could give to anyone who makes them on their own, stick the little piece of foam in your ear as far as you think it should go, and then push it in about another half inch. I am excited to get them soon. They claim up to 48db of reduction, my Lightspeed 20XL only claims 24db and that is with the active, passive is only about 12-18db. I paid about $450 for mine, where did someone see them for $395?

 

[Diesel]

Had a friend do my molds and i think his wife did his. We didn't have any problems. But an audiologist is a pretty good idea.

Habib you'll love them. They are so quiet it's scarrry.

 

[FRQTFLR]

$396.00 was direct from them with the "airline discount".

I have tried the at home method of earpiece molds, but I've had a lot better luck when a professional makes them.

I am temped to hold out for the 2-speaker model, I'll try and call and see what they have to say.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[Diesel]

Just wanted to let you all know that are flying with collins rmu heads and were wondering about the panthers.

I flew with the prototypes last week to fix the bleed over problem.

They worked awsome no bleed over. They have been sent out to the other testers and they have run into the same thing. No more bleed over.

Just ask for jerry when you talk to him and tell them you are flying a glass cockpit or collins rmu's.

Just wanted to give you guys an update.

 

[KLJ]

Part 121 Legal??

I'm interested in the Panther system, too; however, I'm wondering if it is legal for me to use as a Part 121 pilot. I've written Panther asking them for their opinion, but I'd love to hear from any of you who may know the answer. I fly a 737 for SWA.

KJ

Part 121.359g:

"For those aircraft equipped to record the uninterrupted audio signals received by a boom or a mask microphone, the flight crewmembers are required to use the boom microphone below 18,000 feet mean sea level."

 

[Diesel]

Call Panther and ask for Jerry. There are quite a few people at SWA that have them. Even the CP and the senior guys out of MCO.

He will give you the names of people from swa. Hope this helps.

 

[KLJ]

Panther Info - FYI

I made some inquiries with the owner of Panther Electronics because I’m interested in their CAT system. I’m providing the e-mail exchange I had with Ron Novotny so you can draw your own conclusions. Since I have not heard back from Ron in more than a month, my conclusion is the Panther CAT headset does not meet the requirements of 121.359g. If it did, he’d have some documentation.

--- Part 121.359g ---

"For those aircraft equipped to record the uninterrupted audio signals received by a boom or a mask microphone, the flight crewmembers are required to use the boom microphone below 18,000 feet mean sea level."

--- E-Mail Exchange ---

KJ’s Question:

I'm a Part 121 pilot for a major US air carrier, and I'm interested in your Panther C.A.T. headset. Does your product meet the requirements of FAR Part 121?

Ron Novotny’s Reply:

The Panther C.A.T.System meets part 121 359 "G" as it pertains to boom microphones below 18,000 feet. We have many major airlines using the system.

Please call us at Panther Electronics toll free 1-877-957-1600 and we can discuss all the exciting advantages of the Panther C.A.T.System.

KJ:

Thanks for your reply. Do you have something from the FAA that states the Panther C.A.T. system meets the 121.359g requirement? I can just picture arguing with the Fed on my jumpseat about it. If you have any documentation, please let me know because I'd like to try your product.

Ron’s Reply:

FED-X had the FSDO at Memphis review the C.A.T. System boom microphone & they agreed that it met FAR 121 359G. The boom microphone when placed in the ear is positioned in the same place each time it is used and provides the same quantity & quality of audio.

KJ:

Do you have any documentation from the FAA or not? I'd appreciate a direct answer.

Ron’s Reply:

<no reply>

 

[Diesel]

is there a no reply or is it that ron hasn't gotten back to you?

The CP at southwest has them so do a lot of other SWA guys have them. You should ask them how they use them and get around the FAR's.

I know military guys love rules but jeeze. You are at least fulfilling the intent of the rule. It's not the first time the FAA is behind when it comes to technology.

 

[KLJ]

Panther

Diesel,

Ron replied immediately to all my other e-mails -- when I asked for a direct answer, he did not reply. It has been one month.

I'll ignore your barb about military pilots loving rules. If you want to play "bet your ticket" go right ahead.

Just because a bunch of other guys supposedly use the Panther headset does not make it legal -- nor is there a way to "get around" the FARs. I have made duplicate posts on the SWA bulletin board, and no one has come forward saying they use the Panther headset at all. Salesmen will say lots of things in order to make a sale -- just look at how obtuse Novotny's answers were to my questions.

I posted the information for the benefit of those who care to make an informed choice when dropping several hundred dollars on a headset -- it's just information; you may make your own choice. It is possible to have a difference of opinion without making a personal attack -- as you did.

KJ

 

[Diesel]

Why don't you just call down there and ask for Ron. He will give you the info. I haven't talked to them in a while but if there is a question I'm sure they would answer it.

I wasn't making an attack it was sarcasm. Of course it doesn't come across to well on these boards.

Ron and the company down there are not there to screw you. They have been helpful when I was trying to find out information on them.

Give them a call and i'm sure they will be more than helpful.

 

[Buckeye]

This pilot shop back home sells them at a good discount www.spinnerspilotshop.com I heard they have 40+ decibel rating.