what headsets to use?

[ron83]

simple question, what headset brand used at your facilities? any preferences? :)

[Tahitimax]

I've used Flighcom's. They are good value for money.
Then David Clark's, very good quality. Mine is 17 years old, still working fine.

I'm looking to buy a new ANR model. Any suggestions ?

Thanks

[Rossoneri]

I'm looking to buy a new ANR model. Any suggestions ?

Try looking at LOOP.aero (http://www.loop.aero/Flightgear-45/Headsets.aspx) there are a few headsets reviewed there. Best quality is Bose, although they're rather pricey!

[PPRuNe Radar]

With reference to the answers above, I don't know of many ATC facilities which will let you buy your own.

[Ten West]

Really? That's very generous of them! ;)

[spekesoftly]

I don't know of many ATC facilities which will let you buy your own.

But if MOL ever aquires an ANSP, he'll insist on it! :uhoh:

[Blockla]

The Plantronics we used in Oz were good but did have reliability issues; seems like they were in the fixer shop at least annually.

The Sennheiser (spelling?) we use in Ireland (I think that's what they are) seem to do the job fine, but I find them a little top heavy (mine falls off when I tilt my head) and I'm not a fan of the double ear muff only option.

If you are in the job of buying for a facility have a good look around at neighbouring units etc; if you are starting a new job, you'll find that BYO headset isn't usually allowed.

[ron83]

to clarify any preferences in mono headsets?:ok:
Yes, I believe it's not allowed to use own headsets at our center too,but interesting to know industry leaders or good headsets to use.
I will check ours,but it's plantronics style,mono around ear with voice tube;)

[Comms Boy]

The problem with picking a headset for ATC use is that A) it must be able to interface to your existing voice comms kit and B) whatever you end up picking, it's a personal piece of kit which will never please everyone.:}
You can trial half a dozen types by different manufacturers and get no consensus back from ATC as to which they want.:ugh:

We use sennheiser hme 46 ATC types with the earpiece working in split mode.
Very good audio quality and much lighter than our previous Racal type, but not as robust.
Because the HME 46 headset sits "on" rather than "over" the ears, background noise can be an issue, so a recent modification was to fit larger ear pads.
This seems to have solved this issue.
Good luck in whatever you pick

[Mooncrest]

NATS have traditionally used Racal Jetlites and, before those, Astrolites, as have several non-NATS units. Not sure what they go for these days. I think it depends on the unit. I believe at Edinburgh they use the Airlite 100. Some airfields may still use the Airlite 62. At Leeds Bradford they use an obscure Plantronics device. I say obscure because I can't find any info about it but having worn one it is binaural, very light, lousy audio quality and flimsy as hell. Not good.

If it were my choice, I'd go for the Sennheiser HME or HMD 46.

[Surferboy]

@Ron83: Im guessing you work at LVNL? If so, we use Jabra headsets! (There are one or two guy's who use in-ear headsets! )

[man friday]

Racal RA112/2000

provided by our employer.

poor cables,very flimsy construction and to add insult to injury the Black "leatherette" ear muffs are prone to disintergration leaving ones face covered in sticky black flakes!

[BDiONU]

NATS have traditionally used Racal Jetlites and, before those, Astrolites, as have several non-NATS units. Not sure what they go for these days. I think it depends on the unit. <snip>
If it were my choice, I'd go for the Sennheiser HME or HMD 46.
Good to hear as NERL are issuing those across the patch (LTC, LAC and PC), which means NATS will mainly be using those.

BD

[Saigor]

DFS uses Imtradex ,

Link (http://www.imtradex.de/%7Eupload/68BB296C-1115-426B-A94E-C942CEA60657/default.asp?pagemode=show&IDPage=5841AD52-7883-44AD-A329-40400EA850C7&IDCustomer=68BB296C-1115-426B-A94E-C942CEA60657)


Saigor

[1985]

Because the HME 46 headset sits "on" rather than "over" the ears, background noise can be an issue, so a recent modification was to fit larger ear pads.
This seems to have solved this issue


The large ear pads fall off. A lot. They don't fit the headsets properly.

The boom for the mic isn't long enough so it doesn't sit in front of my mouth. (could be my fat face though! :ok:)

Apart from that they are better than the old type.

[ron83]

yes,we use imtradex AirTalk XS.
Saigor thanks for the link:ok:
Surferboy,no not at lvnl,a bit more on the north:E

[BDiONU]

The large ear pads fall off. A lot. They don't fit the headsets properly.
Just a thought, have you taken the plastic ring out of the padded bit of the large ear pad, removed the foam earpad on the headset and then fitted the plastic ring over the plastic earpiece (very tight fit, you gotta start on one side and push it round with your thumbs). Finally put the padded bit back on. Should stay on then as I suspect yours is just loosely attached and not clipped on.


BD

[ZOOKER]

BDiONU.
"across the patch". :}
Management Bullsh*t Bingo B*ll*cks! :E

[1985]

BD

Nope haven't tried that. I will now though. Thanks

[BDiONU]

[SIZE="3"]BDiONU.
"across the patch". :}
Management Bullsh*t Bingo B*ll*cks! :E[SIZE]
I did amplify by stating LTC, LAC and PC for those who're a little hard of understanding.

BD

[OzATC]

In some OZ Towers we are just going to new Plantronics cordless headsets.
Several headset types available (in ear and over head styles).
All are light and tested very well.

[lima_echo]

Here in central america we use Plantronics...ivé tried to look for headsets on the net but I can seem to find the type of connector I need.

[TC_Ukraine]

in Ukraine we use Plantronics - 1000$ each. what kind of model can it be?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<You can trial half a dozen types by different manufacturers and get no consensus back from ATC as to which they want>>

Not the way it functioned when I was at work! We were given several to try and a folder was provided for comments. At that time I still knew some Tels people at MoA HQ so I asked them what they knew. They were surprised that we were being invited to trial several types as 3000 Astrolites had been purchased and were waiting at the store place at Aston Down for distribution! I put a note in the folder to this effect and was marched smartly down to stand on the boss's bit of Axminster where it was explained that I had wholly the wrong attitude!!!!

[pottwiddler]

Racal Jetlites are no longer manufactured for the civil market as they are not ROHS compliant and they can't be bothered to get them compliant by changing materials. Instead "they are going to pursue the military market." Very short-sighted in my opinon as the military will insist on ROHS compliancy soon like they did with CAP670 compliant ILS installations.

Plus the staff are very ignorant.

So I bought Clement Clarke Airlite 100's instead. They were more than helpful and only took them about 5-6 weeks to make 20-odd headsets up to our exacting specification.