Best Headset

[nick14]

Hi guys,
About to start my PPL this summer and going on to CPL and FI(R) next year hopefully!

Any advise on a headset that will last but not too expensive for a begginer? in the 50- 150 range?


Thanks
Nick

[Genghis the Engineer]

I'd go for a Harry Mendelssohn HM40, pretty cheap at about £80, comfortable, looks reasonable - and the one I bought 5 years ago and have used pretty regularly since is still going strong.

I think they do a "more comfortable HM40DL version now for another tenner, but haven't tried it personally.

HM advertise in most of the main flying mags.

G

[LowNSlow]

I agree with Ghengis, my HM-40 has been kicked around from pillar to post for nearly 10 years and it still works fine. Memo to self, must get spare headset back from the Babe in North Weald one day.....

[Squawk 2650]

I use the peltor 8006.

Had it for a while now! No probs! Great headset and fairly cheap!

Good luck with all the flying!

Just a quick thought have you tried applying to the Navy or RAF for a flying scholarship to take the cost away for some of your flying?? GAPAN also do an FI one??

I got a Navy flying scholarship 20 hours PPL training with no obligation to join!!

I was invited for an interview with GAPAN for the FI rating but got a flying job instead!!

PM me if you want anymore details! Have fun!

S

:cool:

[AerBabe]

I've got an HM-40 which someone left with me at North Weald one day last year, and still hasn't collected. It's comfortable and the sound is good. Personally, I use a DC, but they're more expensive.

[Onan the Clumsy]

Hang the expense and go for a Lightspeed ANR headset.

How much will your ears cost to get replaced?




In actual fact, if you're ggoing to invest the money in flying, you might as well invest in a good headset and not a vice to clamp around your temples. ANR will improve the learning environment and you'll only end up buying one later anyway.


Look at in percentage terms of the overall cost.

[CVT Pilot]

Hi,

I use a Sennheiser HME-100 Special Edition headset. Really durable, lightest I have tried (not keen on the DC's) and works great in any aircraft. Really good clarity if someone else flying with you also has one.

I agree that the Peltor 8006 also gives really good quality for the money you pay, used to fly with one of these.

Regards,

CVT Pilot.

[ossie_lation]

What's the rush? Start your flying and use the school's headsets and see what is good for you. It's very easy to start buying items that can cost a good deal of money and then possibly regret it. Try different one's on if you can before buying.

Ossie

[NT42]

I'm in the same position, wanting my own headset but can't decide 100%.

I've narrowed it down to the DC 13.4's and the Sennheiser 100. Really can't decide which to opt for. The description of the 100's confuses me a little. The 'Passive Attenuation' is 10-40 dB. What does this mean? The DC's are a definite 21 dB (I think). Could anyone clear the confusion with the 100's?

Any ideas on which pair would also be appreciated.

Cheers,

JW.

[Lowtimer]

To complete the soap opera, I'm the person who borrowed LnS's HM-40 last year, and left it with AB, because the steam-age intercom in the Super Cub was kicking up with two different DC headsets plugged into it. I thought the HM was a really good headset for the money. That's the only time I've had any trouble with the DC family, and I have two DC 10-40s in DC bone domes, one with Headsets Inc aftermarket ANR fitted, and a standard 10-13.4 which I think is a jolly fine headset in the "more expensive" category.

Once again thank you LnS, AB !! LnS, if you've got bored with owning a headset you never see, let me know and I'll buy it, send you the money and pick it up from AB when I'm passing.

[Flying Robin]

Although it depends on the quality of the headsets at your club, I would echo the comment about using their headsets, at least for a while.

I bought my own headset just before I sat my skills test. To decide what to buy, I spent an hour in the shop (Transair at Shoreham) trying on all the different headsets in my price range. I must of looked a right plonker in the shop shaking my head around with each different headset on. However I'm glad I did because I found some headsets were incredibly heavy, especially when bending your neck forwards. I would strongly recommend doing this if you can get to a shop.

(I eventually went for the DC 10-13.4)

[Blinkz]

I have to agree with Onan. Don't buy cheap ones, you only get one pair of ears and once there damaged theres no replacing them! Get the most expensive set you can!

I've got the bose-x and whilst yes they are hideously expensive (altho I got them in the US and so got them more then half price) they are absolutly the best headsets, no questions. They are so light and comfortable that you can barely tell your wearing them. The ANR is brilliant and really works well.

Totally worth the money imo, I don't want to lose my class 1 due to losing my hearing :{

[Genghis the Engineer]

Whilst I agree that you want the best headset you can afford - if nothing else a quiet comfortable head thinks and learns better, it IS NOT always the case that most expensive = best. Also one persons best may not be yours.

The approach of spending a while trying them on, borrowing other peoples and seeing what you think, and so on is definitely the way ahead.

G

[silverknapper]

To expand on the Bose set, has anyone any views on whether or not they are worth the extra over the DC 13xl. Going to buy one of them - if the Bose is that much better then will stretch to it. Going to buy in the states so around £300 for DC compared to £500 or so for Bose. Any recommendations for shops in Florida gratefully received!

[Blinkz]

As Genghis says its all down to personal preference and trying on all the ones your interested is the best thing to do. I did this and I think that the bose is worth the extra.

[Squawk 2650]

Hey Guys,

Just wondering if the ANR stuff really makes a difference! I too am worried about the long term damage light aircraft noise could do to my hearing.

I’ve posted on the medical forum if you want to take a look.

Here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=179248)

S
:cool:

[Genghis the Engineer]

Personally I don't like ANR - I much prefer a good overall attenuation headset, since the slight change in engine tone, funny noise etc. does make it through to the "uh-oh" receptors in your brain, whilst I'm not convinced that happens with an ANR set.

That said, there are one or two aeroplanes I've flown where regular exposure would certainly cause me to suspend that principle and buy an ANR.

G

[Rod1]

The Bose is much better than anything else.

Rod1

[Frank Furillo]

Hate to disagree, I have two pairs of Bose Quiet Comfort 's (One for the wife) and swear by them I also have Bose stereo etc and will always say they are great.........
However I tried both the Bose Aviation X and the Lightspeed 30-3G. The lightspeed is cheaper than the Bose. The lightspeeds are $595 plus tax the Bose are $995.
I bought the Lightspeeds....why well not for the price, i mean whats another $400 or $500 when you have to consider your hearing.
Several reasons, the Bose can have problems with other headsets, especially DC's, the Bose offer no passive noise protection so make sure your batteries don't run flat.
The Lightspeed offer 28-30dB Active noise and 12-22DB Passive noise reduction, I cannot seem to get any info on the Bose??????
I found in a Beech Duchess the Lightspeed's really cut noise out and helped me understand the radio, this is a big help when you do your IR as it stops the headaches (Well not all of them, but it does help). I compared this to a pair of DC 10-13's I now have as spare and the difference is amazing.
The Bose is a very good headset, but at the end of the day the Lightspeed is as good or better. I would have loved to buy the Bose, but i hate to say it I don't think they are a patch on the Lightspeed's.
You pays your money and you take your pick.
Right who wants a row over Ray Ban's, Serengeti's, Revo's and Oakley's.

[-IBLB-]

Flown with a Bose X for a while, but couldn't get used to the different sound, it is TOO good in noise cancelling, it makes it difficult to hear and sync the props in light twins.
I use a DC10-60 now, one where you can change the "clamp-pressure" some. (and the batteries never run out)

[soay]

Any conventional headset with passive noise attenuation is bound to be bulkier and require to be clamped more firmly to your head than one without. That's why Bose X are so comfortable to wear, but useless with a flat battery. The alternative is a headset that plugs directly into your ear canals, like the upmarket earbuds for MP3 players, or hearing aids. Aviation models are available from Lightspeed (http://www.anrheadsets.com/productsL1.asp) and Clarity Aloft (http://www.clarityaloft.com/), and the latter definitely work as well as Bose X's.

It is a bit fiddly plugging them into your ears, and you do have to replace the tips every so often, but the major downside is that you don't look like a pilot. However, I don't care about that, as long as I can hear clearly, don't have my head in a vice like grip, and can get my specs on and off easily.

[silverknapper]

Frank raises an interesting point. I'm researching them at the moment, and I can't find any tech data on the Bose. Anyone any ideas?
On a different note, does anyone know how much tax you can claim back on purchases when leaving the US?

[Flying Tooth Driller]

For Silverknapper

"Any recommendations for shops in Florida gratefully received!"

Well, it's a big state! However, if you are in the Miami /Ft Lauderdale area, Tropic Aero next to Ft Lauderdale Executive airport (KFXE) has a large choice of all the major headset manufacturers at good prices.

Also, Banyan has an excellent Pilot Shop on the same field - but they may not discount as much......

Various makes of ANR headsets sound different. The Bose headset is fabulous, but (as others have mentioned) has virtually no passive attenuation. Still, the batteries last a long time, and you carry spares!

"On a different note, does anyone know how much tax you can claim back on purchases when leaving the US?"

Taxes are State taxes, not Federal ones. I am fairly certain that you can\'t reclaim them - but they are pretty low anyway.

Some stores (e.g. Macys and Bloomingdales) will offer foreign nationals a discount card to be used during their trip. Go to customer services and ask. Well worth it!

[nigelisom]

I started out with the flying school peltors and had great difficulty with the radio work, I borrowed a steinheiser ANR set and what a difference I could all of a sudden understand what was being said.
After much research I bought a pair of Lightspeed 30-3G which are brilliant BUT I have susequently had the opportunity to use the Bose X for a couple of flights and I shall now be buying 2 sets of the Bose (1 for me and 1 for my wife) just as soon as I have saved up enough money. The Lightspeeds are superior to anything else I have tried except the Bose X which beat them hands down on everything except price!
Hope my experience is helpful.

Nigel

[soay]

I wonder why Bose don't quote performance figures, which otherwise seems to be standard practise. Their idea of Specifications (http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=headsetx_headset_inthebox&linksource=productnav_txt_inthebox&pageName=/home_entertainment/headphones_headsets/headsets/headset_x/index.jsp) is "What's in the box"!

[wbryce]

I have the dc's13.4

I think they are superb although not so good when doing aerobatics as they have a tendancy to come off the head.

[Crepello]

I too sport 13.4s and am generally very satisfied. However, the 'clamp pressure' is fixed - my bonce is a tad larger than average (but only on the outside) and they can squeeze a little after a few hours' wear.

Taxes: Some states (e.g. Louisiana) refund sales tax (9%) if you depart with an international flight ticket. I believe an alternative loophole is to order online from a different state to the one you're visiting, for delivery to your hotel. But of course (ahem) you'd be liable for British excise duty if they're worth more than 145 quid. Even if you're wearing them... :E

[SKYYACHT]

Nick

I have used Avcom AC-200 for about 10 years (Same pair - no problems) I bought them in the US.. You dont say where you are doing your training, but if the USA then buy from the pilot shop there.

I found the AC200 to be ideal, as the company apparently make the ear muff shells for the likes of Dave Clark they are virtually identical. They are robust, reasonably comfortable, have reasonable sound attenuation, and are competitively priced.

As they were cheap, I bought a second pair after five years of good service from the first for passengers.

Cheers


Mark

[AlexL]

Don't forget Ebay as a resource - I have a pair of DC 13.4's off of ebay - just about in your 50-150 price range, as well as a pair of cheap as chips avcomm av-200's (?) which were well at the bottom end of your price range. At one point last month when I was looking for my DC's there were 8 DC 13.4's on ebay at the same time!
The DC's are excellent, and I haven't tried ANR but the DC's seem as good as anything else I've tried.

[SR20flyDoc]

My 0,02 eurocents,

I've owned DC 13.4 with ANR, loved the ANR, hated them after every hour of flying, also interference with intrecoms, real skull crushers. Got rid of them :D for a Sennheisser HMEC 300. What a relief !

Then bought my SR20. Got a Bose X with it (with the Lemo / redel plug, standard on Cirrus, so no battery needed).

They are worth every $ IMHO Needed some more headsets for my family so I als bought a Sennheiser HMEC 100. Its the same as a 300 but no ANR, still good passive performance.

And a HMEC 25KAs for my wife. I also used it for my twin training. Its a hidden treasure in headsets. At the same time I trained a friend of mine bought a Bose-X in the States. He is in a club of 6, owning 2 SR20's and they all but one (BoseX) use Lightspeeds 25XL's.

They are good while flying, but they have a serious quality issue. All of them broke at some time. That is why he also went for a Bose. If you want a decent Lightspeed, PM me and he might make you a great deal on it.

S.

[Zulu Alpha]

After having several David Clarkes for years and getting great service from them with a small problem 5 years after I bought one of their headsets I bought their ANR... Whoops what a mistake. I can't stop it oscillating and making a sound like a motorboat. This goes if you press the earpiece against your head . Its been back to Headset Services and DC in the US and it comes back with the usual " it works perfectly now sir" Well lo and behold it doesn't.
I purchased a Bose ANR... brilliant and well worth paying the extra over the DC.
The problem is I use a DC helmet which only takes DC headsets.
So now I have to decide between the helmet with oscillations or silence. Have opted for the helmet as I fly aeros. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience.

The bottom line is DCs are very good ( both the product and after sales service) but if you want an ANR headset then make sure you try it out first... or you could just buy the Bose, you will not be disapointed.

[flying shrink]

I wonder if anybody could help me with info on the clarity aloft headsets. I am not sure if they will work in the R22/R44 helicopters. Some of the older R22's, like the Beta, do not accommodate the ANR headsets. Will I have the same problem with the clarity aloft headset?
Thanks

[soay]

flying shrink, why not ask Clarity Aloft directly (service at clarityaloft dot com)? I found them very helpful when I asked pre-purchase questions.

[flying shrink]

Thanks S , yes I have spoken to them and they say it will work. Have you compared them with ANR headsets? Are they providing as good noise reduction as advertised, with almost the same reduction as ANR's?

[soay]

flying shrink, prior to Clarity Aloft, I used Sennheiser 400 ANR. The noise reduction is as good, without the head-clamp effect, and sound reproduction is excellent. See my post at the beginning of this thread for other comments.

[Playtime_fontayne]

Get a set of David Clarks. Its really the only sensible option, for the sake of pete.

[rjt194]

Get a set of David Clarks. Its really the only sensible option, for the sake of pete.

Why?

[bladewashout]

Can't speak for Playtime, but I bought DCs 13.4, really clear and quiet in an R22 (which is pretty noisy!).

Very happy with them, but longer term I'll buy a helmet.

BW

[rjt194]

I was wondering why, with the multitude of headsets available, DC's were considered the 'only sensible choice'.

[-IBLB-]

originally posted by Playtime_fontayne
Get a set of David Clarks. Its really the only sensible option, for the sake of pete.

what a load of &#$*! there are plenty of good headsets around!!

[Playtime_fontayne]

I think murdoch from the A team wore them. Thats good enough for me.