In-ear headsets

[greeners]

I have a custom fitted Gentex HGU-55 helmet which I would ideally wear whenever I fly. Unfortunately I have never managed to get the comms set-up to work properly in any of the aeroplanes that I regularly fly, despite the close attention of various comms specialists. Replacing the earpieces has also proved to be problematic given the very tight space inside the bonedome. As a result, I tend not to wear the helmet when I actually need to speak to students or ATC.

I'm therefore interested in acquiring a set of in-ear headsets that I can wear underneath the helmet; leaving the existing earpads inside the helmet should hopefully further assist in blocking out external noise, which is particularly desirable in the Extra.

So I'm very intererested to hear what experience pilots have with in-ear headsets please? I'm broadly familiar with the Lightspeed and Clarity Aloft products and plan to try these out in the aeroplane, but what else is out there? They do look vulnerable to damage; do they fall apart in practice? I might fly 20 times a week in the middle of the summer - are they likely to last, or will I be replacing bits the whole time? The microphone booms look a little, well, lightweight - will they survive in a high G environment?

All information will be gratefully received - thanks!

Greeners

[BackPacker]

Another one to consider is the QT Halo. No personal experience though.

Halo Headset® (http://www.anr-headsets.com/Html_folder/QT-HLO.html)

From earlier threads I remember that a lot of UK aerobatics pilots swear by the Clarity Aloft.

[soay]

I've been using a Clarity Aloft headset for a few years now with no signs of any wear or tear. I prefer using it to my Bose X, particularly in hot weather.

[Human Factor]

eharding will probably be along shortly. He very kindly fitted a set of CEP earpieces to my Gentex (one of your surplus ones actually) a couple of years ago. Could be worth a look. I'll let him explain the details.....

Communication Earplug Kit (http://www.anr-headsets.com/Html_folder/CEP.html)


Edit: I see he already has elsewhere. :ok:

[pilotdaz]

The Gentex HGU-55 is a really nice helmet.

Its odd that you can't find a comms specialist to make it work properly for you. Normally, I install the Headsets Inc. ANR kit into these helmets with extraordinary results, although I am in Australia, probably too far from you.

Can you explain the sorts of comms problems you are having with the helmet? I might be able to point you in the right direction.