Message for Circuit Basher
Hello CB - If you have found a lower cost headset that essentially duplicates DC, then by all means go for it. I like my DC 13.4s, but I am not blindly loyal and have no special allegiance to the brand. All I was saying is that it is generally a false economy to purchase a 'starter' headset with the idea of upgrading later. And I still think that pilots should be willing to shell out for decent passengers sets; they may only be used infrequently, but if you use el cheapos then your passengers won't enjoy themselves, and then for sure the spare headset(s) will be used even less frequently! It's a vicious circle.
I agree that headsets are very personal. Some people swear by DC/Peltor/Lightspeed/Flightcom/Brand X, and some swear at them. There is no one brand or model that is right for everyone.
P.S. to Monocock: sorry, I don't buy it. Personally I try to be helpful to anyone who poses a question I think I might know the answer to, and I believe everyone else does the same. Gender makes absolutely no difference (I don't know who "Vikki" is, and even if I did, she's on the other side of the Atlantic).