Clarity Aloft A++++++

[stiknruda]

i love my CA headset!

It works brilliantly in my noisy cockpit environment - allows me to tx /rx with better clarity than any other headset that I've used. However it is quite fragile and I am aware of that and don't treat it like my DC's!

BUT WHAT I LIKE BEST is the 3 yr guarantee. I've had to return the h/set twice in the past 4 years, last time they just replaced the entire thing.

Today - a completely new unit was delivered. Turn around about 2.5 wks.

Good product, great service and can't fall off when doing aeros!

Stik

[Almost]

Ive got one of these too, awesome bit of kit and brilliant for aeros.

Have you ordered up any new canal tips yet? Im about to need to get some ordered.

Out of interest what went wrong with it, and did you return to USA or UK importers?

[stiknruda]

The first one suffered from an internal broken wire which meant I only had sound in one ear.

The second one's boom mic snapped when I was pulling it closer to my mouth. i think that there was a manufacturing defect as it should not have snapped so cleanly.

I'm still using the grey tips supplied with it - a tip from a "Swedish" chum is to put them inside a sock when dirty and stick them in the washing machine! Does a great job.

Another mate had a set of earpeices made by a high street hearing aid company, he really rates them!

Stik

[Unusual Attitude]

Now that I like the look of....do they really work that well in a really noisy cockpit ? I'm looking for a decent set for the Cassutt as the wind noise at high speed can get pretty loud....

[BackPacker]

Did you also consider the QT Halo instead of the Clarity Aloft? They are about 30% less expensive for the same quality. (Or, at least, for the same marketing hype.)

Another mate had a set of earpeices made by a high street hearing aid company, he really rates them!

What I understand is that this is not recommended. Such an earpiece is going to be rather rigid and it's thus virtually impossible to get a good seal. Particularly if you consider the changed circumstances since the imprint was taken: Different temperature, different pressure, different build-up of ear wax... This is not so much a problem for the hearing impaired as they're not looking for sound insulation to a great extent. But it is important in a noisy cockpit environment.

So the foam tips still seem to be the best solution - if you can stand a little pressure in your ear canal, that is. But that pressure, just like the clamping force on a PNR headset, is necessary to create a good seal.

(Note that I have no experience with them, but I am considering getting a set so I've been doing some reading about them.)

[172driver]

I tried them, albeit with the generic tips, and hated them. Kept falling out and wasn't impressed by sound quality and/or noise insulation either. Might be different with the custom-made tips, though.

On a different note, I wouldn't consider a headset that has to be sent back under warranty twice in four years to be of decent build quality :confused:

[stiknruda]

Did you also consider the QT Halo instead of the Clarity Aloft?

No - they were a gift from a major UK Aviation supplier!

[Barcli]

likewise - love the CA and a lightweight helmet is a combination which works for me - was tempted by the HALO and would love to hear from someone who has a set ?

[Mark 1]

I have moved over from my old Bose (with Oregon Aero kit) to QT Halo in my RV-4 (180HP CS and loud). The QTs do a better job, very good noise suppression and very clear audio for even the noisiest cockpits. They don't look to use as good quality components as the Clarity, but I've not had any issues.
The guy who makes them was at Sun'n'fun last week and gave me a handfull of ear tips free of charge. After 30 hours in the cockpit in a week, I was very appreciative of their performance.
If you search on the Vans Airforce forums (http://www.vansairforce.com/community/search.php)for Clarity and QT, you'll find lots of reports that seem to reflect the general experience.

[stiknruda]

I'd suggest that if they fall out then you haven't got them in properly - on occasions I've had to resort to needle nose pliers to extract them as I couldn't grasp the end with my finger tips and had pulled the cable out of the tip!

[asyncio]

I agree with stiknruda, if you have them in properly then you should have to pull fairly hard to get them to come out.
You need to compress them down all the way, stick them right into your ear canal, then hold them for a few seconds until they re-expand and grip properly.

Also, that's a neat trick putting them in a sock. I normally wash them in hot tap water with some liquid hand soap, and after around 30 flights so far they're still as good as new.

[SNS3Guppy]

What I understand is that this is not recommended. Such an earpiece is going to be rather rigid and it's thus virtually impossible to get a good seal. Particularly if you consider the changed circumstances since the imprint was taken: Different temperature, different pressure, different build-up of ear wax... This is not so much a problem for the hearing impaired as they're not looking for sound insulation to a great extent. But it is important in a noisy cockpit environment.

Actually, molded earpieces can be done in a soft rubber or a hard medium, and they're custom fit, exactly to your ear. They don't fall out, and they fill the ear fairly completely. You can elect to have them terminate at the mouth of the ear canal, or to protrude slightly into your ear as well. A hearing aid specialist can help.

I've used such arrangements before with in-ear headsets such as plantronics and telex. I never liked the little bulb thingingies that press into the ear. I wasn't overly crazy about the molded earpieces either. they have to be inserted into place then rotated to "lock in," and they don't fall out. I find that over the course of several hours, while some say they forget they're wearing the earpiece, I can't wait to take it out. Especially in a hot cockpit.

For noise attenuation, the foam seals are always hard to beat.

For hearing protection, something that covers the ear and surrounding structure is always superior. While you may not perceive as much sound with an earplug, the vibrations are still affecting your ear and your hearing as transmitted through the bone surrounding the ear. You're much better off witha headset that covers the ear entirely, to protect hearing.