Will a passive headset work great in a C-172/ T-41?

[Natef26]

I will soon be starting flight lessons (if medical goes through) and was wondering if a quality passive headset (i.e. David Clark 10-13.4) would allow me to clearly hear the controllers or should I just get an ANR model (wouldn't be a David Clark as they are $$$ for me). Exactly how loud is the cockpit in a late 70's C-172/T-41 (mescalero)? I only have probably about $350 to spend on this tops. I am very sensitive to tight clamping headphones on my head so I am thinking the flight school borrowed ones might not be for me.
Thanks!

 

[tathepilot]

I would say go for the dc's.. I got the 13.4's when i first started to learn and they lasted 12 years without a problem.. i just recently upgraded to a pair of anr's..

as far as the head clap issue goes, the dc's will still be a vice, but they might be a little better than the standard issue from the flight school...

i think it might be a little early to spring for the anr's, but it thats what you really want than by all means go for it... the price tag is higher but they are very comfortable...

you will be able to hear the controllers fine with the dc's.. as far as a decibel level in the 172's, you got me, but the sound is bearable

maybe you can get the dc's for now, than if you stick to the flying put the dc's on ebay and go for the anr's...
i sold my old dc's on ebay and i almost got what i paid for them.. 12 yrs later!!

 

[unreal]

I have a pair of DC 13.4s that worked great through training...absolutely a bulletproof headset. The only issue came when I started working as a CFI. When I was a student and only flying 2-3 times per week my DCs worked wonders. Now that I fly all the time in a noisy C172, they're much less bearable. They clamp down way too hard (and have given me headaches that way), and trying to teach and listen to the radio at high RPM with only passive protection is getting really old. Lucky for me, a friend of mine is getting the Bose X and is very generously giving me his old Telex ANRs.

I'd say that if your budget is $350, spring for the DCs now for training. When you start flying for a living, dump them for a pair of ANRs. Your hearing will thank you.

 

[Way2Broke]

Why not get some lightspeed 15xlc, they are in the 350 ball park

http://www.anrheadsets.com/store.asp

 

[erj-145mech]

late 70's C-172/T-41 (mescalero)Thanks!

You won't find a late 70's T-41. Thats about 10 years too late. You may find a late 70's Hawk XP, which is is similiar, but too many differences to be the same.

 

[svcta]

DCs are the only headset I could wear for hours a day. I don't think there's a need to spend 2ice as much for ANR unless you just have the $$ laying around. I have never owned a set of ANRs and got by just fine. Then one day I only needed a plantronics that weighed 4 ounces and went in one ear. I was able to save a few hundred dollars all those years ago that I probably wasted on hookers and beer. And since my insurance pays for antibiotics I really wasn't out any extra money. Total bonus.

 

[Natef26]

DCs are the only headset I could wear for hours a day. I don't think there's a need to spend 2ice as much for ANR unless you just have the $$ laying around. I have never owned a set of ANRs and got by just fine. Then one day I only needed a plantronics that weighed 4 ounces and went in one ear. I was able to save a few hundred dollars all those years ago that I probably wasted on hookers and beer. And since my insurance pays for antibiotics I really wasn't out any extra money. Total bonus.

Nice! Watch out for those "gifts that keep on giving" though despite the pills!

I am the kind of person that HATES something to be unreliable (whether it is cars, motorcycles, etc) While the Lightspeeds are priced nice, it seems everyone and their brother has to send their LS headset in for some kind of repair. Sure the company might be great at fixing it and all, but that for me is a major hassle and hence the reason I am looking at the DC's. Where is the best place to get them CHEAP? So far it looks like pilotmall has the best prices ($264 for the H10-13.4 and $274 for the H10-13S). Any places cheaper? The people on ebay pay 85% of new price for a used set. That is lunacy in my eyes.

Thanks for the info so far..keep it coming.

 

[tathepilot]

mypilotstore.com guarantees the lowest price than they will beat it by 10%

if you plan to use mps make sure you know who has the lower price, than call the other place to make sure they have it in stock, than mps will beat it by 10%

 

[Natef26]

mypilotstore.com guarantees the lowest price than they will beat it by 10%

if you plan to use mps make sure you know who has the lower price, than call the other place to make sure they have it in stock, than mps will beat it by 10%

Thanks for that link! I ordered the H10-13S from them. Saved me a few dollars over the cheapest I had found and they are only 2 states away so should be here quick. I'll save the ANR ones for when I actually get my PPL and then I'll have the passive DC's for any passenger that I can sucker into flying with me.

 

[jdlilfan]

My Lightspeed 15XL has certainly paid for its self and the company is very helpful with warranty items (stereo/mono switch went inop). Only starts to hurt around my upper ear after 3 hours or so of consistent wearing and thats probably because I wear glasses. No clamp feeling at all. I have had the headset for 5 years and counting...still keeps ticking.

 

[svcta]

by the way....the gel ear seals are a must for the DCs

 

[tathepilot]

Thanks for that link! I ordered the H10-13S from them. Saved me a few dollars over the cheapest I had found and they are only 2 states away so should be here quick. I'll save the ANR ones for when I actually get my PPL and then I'll have the passive DC's for any passenger that I can sucker into flying with me.

make sure the 13s's can go mono, because that is what most aircraft today have.. because if i remember correctly if you use stereo in a mono application, only one ear will work..

im sure someone will correct me if im wrong..

 

[Big Duke Six]

I found the gel ear seals and the upgraded foam head pad worked wonders for my old DC's given to me a few years ago. They suddenly were EXTREMELY comfortable and capable. The gel seals improved the noise reduction performance too because they sealed better around my sunglasses than the regular ear seals did.

Also, a pair of foam ear plugs in first is a great idea for extreme noise environments. That might save you from having to fit you headsets like a vise. I flew Metros for 2.5 years with this setup and never wished for ANR's at all. Not a hint of hearing loss.

 

[Natef26]

I found the gel ear seals and the upgraded foam head pad worked wonders for my old DC's given to me a few years ago. They suddenly were EXTREMELY comfortable and capable. The gel seals improved the noise reduction performance too because they sealed better around my sunglasses than the regular ear seals did.

Also, a pair of foam ear plugs in first is a great idea for extreme noise environments. That might save you from having to fit you headsets like a vise. I flew Metros for 2.5 years with this setup and never wished for ANR's at all. Not a hint of hearing loss.

Thanks for that post. I also wear ear plugs alot for other things (motorcycling, sleeping at times, studying, target shooting) so they don't bother me. I have thought about wearing them under my passive headset but I am wondering what that will do for being able to hear and understand ATC? What has your experience been with this?

 

[FrozenPilot]

Thanks for that post. I also wear ear plugs alot for other things (motorcycling, sleeping at times, studying, target shooting) so they don't bother me. I have thought about wearing them under my passive headset but I am wondering what that will do for being able to hear and understand ATC? What has your experience been with this?

Just turn up the radio a bit, no big deal there. Definitely get the undercut gel seals and the big headpad. I upgraded my old Pilot Avionics headset I used in training with those and they're more comfortable than my Lightspeed Thirty-3G... but still doesn't match the NR. I would have never upgraded if I wasn't doing aerial photography with a big portal open behind me. Skyhawks are pretty quiet birds.

 

[Morettis]

Not sure why everyone jerks off to DC brand headsets. I got a pair of AvComm 900's as a student and they're almost identical to DC's and cost a lot less. I didn't have a single problem in the 1000 hrs I used them and now a buddy of mine is using them after his DC's took a crap on him.

Also, a 172 isn't that loud. Loud is a Beech 99 with no insulation...

 

[Natef26]

Not sure why everyone jerks off to DC brand headsets. I got a pair of AvComm 900's as a student and they're almost identical to DC's and cost a lot less. I didn't have a single problem in the 1000 hrs I used them and now a buddy of mine is using them after his DC's took a crap on him.

Also, a 172 isn't that loud. Loud is a Beech 99 with no insulation...

I wished I would have seen the AvComm headsets before I got my DC's. I haven't used the DC's yet, but saving $$ would have been nice for a nice set. Could have been more flight time for me.