Headset?

[callum_62]

Hi All,

Im about 20 hours thorough my NPPL (M) up in Scotland and I noticed last lesson the poor quality of the headset im using - I mean it does the job but I find it quite noisy (more so the surrounding aircraft noise)

Anyway they are a club set, so I really should be looking into getting my own

What are peoples recommendations? Is it worthwhile investing in a really good set, or will middle of the road suffice?

Once passed I imagine I would want to be flying every couple of weeks

Thanks

[meleagertoo]

A middle of the road set is fine. Fancy noise cancelling thngs cost an absolue fortune and really aren't necessary in most PPL flying.
Look for a set that is not heavy and has a good seal around the ear. Also does not clamp onto your head which becomes very panful after a short while. That rules out David Clarkes. They are, imo, one of the most uncomfortable headsets around.
My vote is for a standard Peltor which I wore for years in commercial helicopter work. If its good enough for helos its way good enough for spancans.

If you can try other club-members' headsets - the ony real way to see what suits is to use it, and it's too late for that if you've already bought one!

[Pilot DAR]

I suggest buying a set of used David Clarks. They are the most durable, and repairable headset out there. You don't need fancy noise cancelling at this point in your flying, they're nice, but that's several hours of flying you're spending for a little more comfort, leave that until later. I recommend the gel ear muffs for the DC headset, they are the most comfortable. The head clamping force can be adjusted by bending the head band, but some clamping force is better for a better noise seal around the ears. I still have and use the first DC 10-30 headset I bought new in 1983, they last forever. There are probably lots of choices on eBay or similar.

[TheOddOne]

I too find DC's too clamping. I had a Peltor that lasted 25 years - the type that fold up really neatly like their ear defenders. Lately, I've invested in a Lightspeed Sierra which is noise cancelling. The batteries last well and the headset is nice to wear for an extended period and the ANR keeps out most of the noise, whilst allowing you still to hear the change of engine note and slipstream in the glide. Mine has done 1,000 hours and is starting to look a bit battered as I'm afraid I haven't looked after it very well and hop from aircraft to aircraft with it. However, it still works as advertised. I replaced the gel ear cups at 500 hours along with a new foam cover for the mic, not very expensive and gave new life to the headset.
A 'friend' lent me a Bose A20 and I really wish they hadn't as I now keep dreaming about having a set. However, at £1,000-ish I can't justify the expense, on an instructor's stipend!

As all things in life, you get what you pay for...

TOO

[bgbazz]

Totally agree with Pilot DAR...I still use my DC set, also circa 1984 or 5. The Gel cups are real comfy. Not a lot of use recently, but have around 8500 hrs on my ugly head.

[ChickenHouse]

When flying in a club environment, speak openly on your headset question to them. Try out all different once you can get your hand on. My best bet, you end up in the Bose A20 or Zulu Lightspeed question. A word of maybe wisdom, there is nothing more valuable than your hearing. Once damaged it cannot be restored. My advice, once you are for certain to stay in being an airman, get one of the best ones! The choice between Zulu and Bose is usually one of personal comfort, so try both for a longer time before taking a decision. Yes, you cab get along with less than the top notch headsets, but it is much more fun to take one big jump and forget all thinking on headsets thereafter, focus on flying ;-).

[TheOddOne]

One more thing about 2nd-hand headsets. The older ones usually had brass plugs, which tarnished really rapidly, causing intermittent comms. The newer ones have chrome or other more durable finishes.

TOO

[double_barrel]

Getting a decent noise cancelling headset absolutely transformed my flying experience. I bought a Bose QC35 noise cancelling 'entertainment' headset with the Avee adapter ( www.getavee.com (http://www.getavee.com/) ) and absolutely love them. The package was half the price of a Bose A20 and, as far as I can tell, just as good from an audio point of view, although possibly not as robust. And I have a really good entertainment headset as part of the deal - I use it all the time when flying as a passenger in big aeroplanes.

Three professionals who have tried my system immediately went off and ordered one for themselves. If I was to do it again, I would probably consider the Sony WH-1000XM3 headset for which Avee also make an adapter and which is reputed to have better noise cancelling. Although how relevant an audiophile's review is to the din in a Cessna is probably debatable!

[callum_62]

If I may, what type of aircraft are you flying? As it is an NPPL (M) is it an open cockpit very light type or an enclosed cockpit like a Eurostar? That may make a significant different as to what type of headset is suitable.

Hi - Its a Eurostar

Thanks for the responses so far - its interesting to hear the different opinions. I will check out whats been recommended so far

[Coda]

I bought a pair of DC 13.4S (stereo) with the undercut gel pads. They are really comfy (longest flight for me was about 3 hours, and I didn't notice they were on my head), but there seems to be a bunch of people who find DCs uncomfortable... not sure why, maybe they have bigger noggins? I would suggest if your club DCs are comfy but you want your own pair, get DCs, otherwise look at Lightspeed Zulus. I think they offer better value for money than the A20s. The only problem with non-DC headsets, is that walking through the terminal without those lime green DCs, nobody will realise you are a pilot ;-)

[Maoraigh1]

I've had a basic DC headset for nearly 20 years. No problems with it or my hearing. No problems hearing ATC.

[India Four Two]

callum,

Lots of good advice here. One of the key points is to make sure you try one out in the air for an hour or two, before buying. Ten minutes walking around a store looking like a wannabe is not enough! ;)

I'm one of those people who finds a DC excruciating to wear for more than a short while. I have a Lightspeed Zulu 2* that I have worn for flights of up to three hours with no problems. For non noise-cancelling headsets, I like the Peltor.

* A minor problem I'm having that needs fixing is that the boom mike is loose - it acts like a G meter in steep turns!

[flyinkiwi]

I have a big head (so my wife tells me), I've been using my DC 13.4's for 15 years and they still look like new. I've never experienced any discomfort from wearing them. On a recent club trip I flew for a total of 6 hours over two days and I was fine. I don't fly often enough to warrant buying an ANR headset and so far DC have been the best all round PNR set I've used, which is why I bought one for myself.

[callum_62]

Getting a decent noise cancelling headset absolutely transformed my flying experience. I bought a Bose QC35 noise cancelling 'entertainment' headset with the Avee adapter ( www.getavee.com (http://www.getavee.com/) ) and absolutely love them. The package was half the price of a Bose A20 and, as far as I can tell, just as good from an audio point of view, although possibly not as robust. And I have a really good entertainment headset as part of the deal - I use it all the time when flying as a passenger in big aeroplanes.

Three professionals who have tried my system immediately went off and ordered one for themselves. If I was to do it again, I would probably consider the Sony WH-1000XM3 headset for which Avee also make an adapter and which is reputed to have better noise cancelling. Although how relevant an audiophile's review is to the din in a Cessna is probably debatable!

This is interesting, as surely 'entertainment' headphones are probably lighter and less clunky that typical aviation sets

Means I could watch the football at home without the missus complaining about the volume too.... :-D

On the downside as mentioned, no one will know im a Pilot!

Im curious to the durability of these type of designs? I see theres a couple of different options - Avee, Uflymike and NFlightmic

[27/09]

Another vote here for David Clarks. I've had a set since the late 1980s, they've given excellent service, probably done about 7000 hours with them. I've replaced the Gel seals two or three times and mic muffs about a half a dozen times. I've never had a problem with their comfort. I've also flown another 6000 hours with company provided DC's.

I've also used various models of Telex, and Lightspeed.

If I were to buy today I'd buy the David Clark One X noise cancelling. They're quite expensive, the equal to the Bose A20 on noise reduction, but based on prior experience with CD headsets I'd expect them to be long lasting.

[double_barrel]

This is interesting, as surely 'entertainment' headphones are probably lighter and less clunky that typical aviation sets

Means I could watch the football at home without the missus complaining about the volume too.... :-D

On the downside as mentioned, no one will know im a Pilot!

Im curious to the durability of these type of designs? I see theres a couple of different options - Avee, Uflymike and NFlightmic

Indeed, they are very light and comfortable, much lighter and less clunky than the dreadful old DC's I started with. I wear them in headset-only mode as a passenger for many hours at a time without problems. The upside over the A20 in this role is that I don't look a prat with a microphone boom stuck up in the air beside my head! I do handle them carefully, I have not had problems but I assume that they cannot be as tough and durable as more traditional and clunky designs. I do not expect them to last a lifetime as some of the DC old-timers cheerfully claim for theirs, but I am currently very happy with them and will not begrudge it if (when) I have to replace them.

Before I went with Avee, I looked at uflymike but they could not supply the Bose microphone adapter, they were having manufacturing problems, that may have changed. Avee were a joy to deal with - instant response to email enquiries and incredibly rapid shipment, plus helpful and instant response when I found the standard microphone boom too short. They shipped to Edinburgh by DHL and I had it within less than 48 hours from my 1st contact with them.

[callum_62]

Indeed, they are very light and comfortable, much lighter and less clunky than the dreadful old DC's I started with. I wear them in headset-only mode as a passenger for many hours at a time without problems. The upside over the A20 in this role is that I don't look a prat with a microphone boom stuck up in the air beside my head! I do handle them carefully, I have not had problems but I assume that they cannot be as tough and durable as more traditional and clunky designs. I do not expect them to last a lifetime as some of the DC old-timers cheerfully claim for theirs, but I am currently very happy with them and will not begrudge it if (when) I have to replace them.

Before I went with Avee, I looked at uflymike but they could not supply the Bose microphone adapter, they were having manufacturing problems, that may have changed. Avee were a joy to deal with - instant response to email enquiries and incredibly rapid shipment, plus helpful and instant response when I found the standard microphone boom too short. They shipped to Edinburgh by DHL and I had it within less than 48 hours from my 1st contact with them.

Thanks - im definitely going to look into this option - and given your Avee success probably stick to that - im based just outside Edinburgh so nice to know the postage was prompt

I didn't like the velcro part of NFlightcam so that would rule that out

I imagine that the headphones are liable to be part of a decent sale over the next few months, so will keep my eye on that.

Also will try a few different sets if I can get my hands on some at the club

Cheers

Cal

[Jhieminga]

There are actually two reasons to go for a headset with active noise canceling. The possibility of hearing issues has already been mentioned, I know that many pilots have flown without ANC for years and have not had any issues but then again, some have. As you only have one set of ears, it is worth looking after them, if you ask me. The second selling point, which isn't mentioned all that often, is that it can really reduce fatigue. Listening to a constant noise means that your brain is constantly processing, which uses energy. The less noise, the less energy spent and I have found that I have stepped out of aircraft with lower fatigue levels after using an ANC headset, when compared to flights where I didn't have this luxury (usually because I forgot my spare batteries). Because of this I have also taken to using a Bose QC35 whenever I'm sat in an airliner. For flying, I use a David Clark H10-13X.

[Dan Winterland]

Not a big fan of DCs. A bit too big and clunky for my liking. For the last 20 years, I've used Peltors, IMHO the best of the headsets. They're comfortable and the noise attenuation is second to none as they're based on the Peltor ear defenders, as used by the MoD. They are very light and sit tight, they don't fall off and you don't need a cloth helmet to keep them on if flying aerobatics. They also fold up to a very compact size when not in use. And another added advantage is that if you break the headband, you can just buy a cheap set of ear defenders and swap it.

[Piper.Classique]

My uflymike took about a week from order, three weeks ago, for a Bose QC35. I like it.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Check the intercom/plug setup in the Eurostar.

If it's two round plugs of slightly different sizes, you're fine as that's the universal General Aviation system and you can buy loads of choices.

If it's anything else, it may be a specific microlight system, of which there are several, and you need to make sure you're buying something compatible.

G

[MaxR]

One more thing about 2nd-hand headsets. The older ones usually had brass plugs, which tarnished really rapidly, causing intermittent comms. The newer ones have chrome or other more durable finishes.

TOO

Get some green scouring pads - the type sold to do dishes - and twist the brass plugs around in it for 10 seconds, good as new.

[sprite1]

Really interesting thread. I’m in the market for a headset too. Had a DC H20-10 years ago but sold it when I gave up the GA. Back flying a few years now and have been reviewing the various DC, Lightspeed and Bose headsets.

One question to those who’ve taken the plunge and gone for an ANR headset: how did you manage the change in noise levels? As in, do you not mind the lack of engine tone when adding or reducing power? Do you compensate by looking at the rpm gauge more? Personally, I even find myself using the increase in wind noise over the airframe on approach to judge the gusts/wind speed, etc. that a passive David Clark headset would allow. Do you lose that noise change with ANR’s?

[27/09]

There is no doubt you'll notice the difference but you will quickly adapt. The biggest difference in my experience is in the low drumming frequencies. You'll still hear what you need to.

I might be wrong but I suspect the aviation ANR headsets have a different noise cancellation profile to an audio ANR.

[Jhieminga]

On the ANR headsets I've used, a distinct frequency band in the lower range is filtered out. This allows you to hear everything that's happening with your engine and airframe, including wind noise. The sound of the engine doesn't go away, but you will find that it just sounds different. I think you'll find that you'll still use all the audio cues that you're used to, there won't be any need to check the RPM more often.

[sprite1]

Ok, thanks very much. Good to know^^^

[Stall Inducer]

I’d recommend future proofing. If your funds permit go for a noise cancelling with bluetooth. The chances are if you are going to continue flying that you’ll end up with the likes SkyDemon on an iPad or similar device. You may then add the likes of Pilot aware or Skyecho into your bag of toys. In order to get the full functionality of these you’ll need a Bluetooth connection in order to hear airspace / traffic warnings etc.

[Jan Olieslagers]

To each their own... I recommend against anything "wireless" , for the sake of keeping the aether as clean as we can. Remember the time we didn't care about dumping waste in the wild? Nor can I see much added value in audio warnings from navaids, the system was made to work well without them.

That said, I recently had the pleasure to meet one German mr. Fuhrmeister, who offers an excellent noise cancelling headset at a very fair price - and some Weißbier on top of the deal, at the right occasion!

[Curlytips]

Went this route and just added SkyEcho2 and Skydemon so I can get verbal warnings. Works fine with my phone (Skydemon on that), but is a bit small screen. Tried to do same with Galaxy Note 14.1 2014, but Skydemon tells me no voice loaded, so can't give verbal alerts. Any experts out there know how to correct? Grateful for advice as always....

[18greens]

Really interesting thread. I’m in the market for a headset too. Had a DC H20-10 years ago but sold it when I gave up the GA. Back flying a few years now and have been reviewing the various DC, Lightspeed and Bose headsets.

One question to those who’ve taken the plunge and gone for an ANR headset: how did you manage the change in noise levels? As in, do you not mind the lack of engine tone when adding or reducing power? Do you compensate by looking at the rpm gauge more? Personally, I even find myself using the increase in wind noise over the airframe on approach to judge the gusts/wind speed, etc. that a passive David Clark headset would allow. Do you lose that noise change with ANR’s?


One thing I noticed with ANR is you don't need the radio on 11 to hear it over the background noise. As the other posters have said all the usual noise cues are there (stall warner , wind noise etc just quieter and less fatiguing) I have a 13.4x and when the batteries go flat its depressing how much extra thrumming you have to put up with. It's almost become a no go item. Get a good one and you won't regret it.

in fact I don't think I know anyone who ditched ANR for passive out of choice.

[Mark 1]

If you value your hearing, I'd recommend an in ear headset like the QT Halo.

I've tried the Bose X and more recently the DC OneX, but get better noise reduction from the QT and no batteries required, audio quality is also very good. The Clarity Aloft performs similarly.

My QT now needs some repairs after about 800 hours of use, but should be good for plenty more flying.

It also weighs nothing, doesn't consume head room and stays on during aerobatics.

[Shoestring Flyer]

Been using Lightspeed Zulus for 10years now and no way would I now want to go back to a 'Passive' headset!

[CFO]

Having tried multitude of headsets, here are my two cents:

- Bose A20 is a good headset, but price/performance ratio is IMO poor. It is just too expensive. Though you may use it as hi-fi headset for listening to music at home :-)
- With passive headset you don’t have to take care of carrying spare batteries for ANR function. Bose A20 is bearable but no good in passive mode.
- My first ever headset Sennheiser HME 100 provides absolutely great price/performance ratio. Those massive domes really give very good hearing protection and audio quality is high. I still occasionally prefer HME 100 over Bose A20 to be honest. I tried quite a few other passive headsets, old and new, but nothing topped Sennheiser HME for me yet.

[Jhieminga]

Interesting point CFO, if you want to look at the price vs performance then the passive headsets will win, as they offer a lot of noise reduction at a low price point. As these have been steadily developed to the point where we are now, you can get a good passive headset at a very reasonable price and fly for ages using them. The thing to realise here is that these headsets won't develop much beyond where they were 20 or 30 years ago. The only way forward from there was to add active noise reduction, but unfortunately it comes at a price. Bose first introduced it in the 90s, and fortunately prices have dropped since then, but they will never get as low as for a passive headset.

ANR has now matured to a point where we can use it to reduce the noise in an otherwise not-so-good passive headset, such as the Bose A20. As this headset was never designed to be used without ANR, you will notice it when the batteries go dead. Same thing goes for some of the in-ear options with ANR, although those have their own pros and cons. 20 years ago the only good in-ear headsets (as far as I can tell, but I never looked into this much so I might be wrong) were based on moulded inserts, but another development has provided us with loads of different in-ear tips in different materials that provide noise attenuation on a par with passive headsets, or better. So we can now develop headsets that don't need to rely on passive noise attenuation first, providing more or different levels of wearing comfort, and use the ANR to sort out the major part of the noise issue. If you don't want to rely on the batteries alone (it will become second nature to carry spares after a while and lithium ion rechargables last a long time), look for an ANR headset that's based on a good passive one, such as the DC H10-13X. Going down the ANR route will incur a cost, but the way I look at it I will recoup that at the end of the line by being able to avoid hearing aids for a little while longer.

Headsets are very personal, for example some people can't stand wearing in-ears very long, or can't find the ideal in-ear tip to fit their ear canal anatomy. Others can't stand the pressure that an over-ear headset exerts on their heads or the weight of a particular model, or the interference between the headset and their (sun)glasses. Also, each and everyone's perception of sound is different, so while I can easily tell the difference between my first, cheaper and earlier generation, ANR headset and my current one, there will certainly be pilots who won't mind the difference between a non-ANR headset and a top-of-the-line Bose A20. In a video from one of the US pilot shops several headsets were reviewed (See below) and they didn't just comment on the difference in noise coming in, but also on the clarity of the radio and intercom, and one I hadn't considered: the quality of the microphone. It's not something you'll notice much yourself, but there are some significant differences in microphones and it does help sometimes to be more easily understood by others. It also made me think of another pro-ANR aspect: you'll be better equipped to deal with other crewmembers' not-so-good microphones!

Right, that's my two cents, all boiling down to: try as many of them as you can and go for the one that suits you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqyv76_y1SY

[Jan Olieslagers]

go for the one that suits you ... and your budget...

[CFO]

Jhieminga, sounds like really good and fair assessment.

[Pilot DAR]

Hello all, "headsets" is a recurring topic of sufficient interest that we'll keep it as a sticky for a while. Hopefully it will become a repository for people's opinions and preferences, and a good resource for new pilots considering a purchase.

Let's avoid starting other headset threads, and no advertising please....

[Jhieminga]

I had an opportunity to fly with a Bose A20 headset yesterday and thought I'd share a bit about that experience. First of all, the active noise cancellation is good, very, very good. It takes a whole chunk of noise away, all in the lower frequencies. There is an interesting caveat though: as the passive noise attenuation of the headset isn't as good as my regular headset (DC H10-13X) you appear to have more higher frequency noise left. In comparison, the DC quiets all frequencies before taking out a chunk of the low frequency rumble with the ANR. I was flying a Rotax-powered AT-3 that has quite some interesting high frequency rattles and noises throughout the airframe and these appeared to be more pronounced with the Bose, while the DC did a better job of quieting the whole noise experience. This may of course depend on the type you're flying.

If you're used to passive headsets, a Bose will provide you with a noise profile that is quite a bit different from what you're used to while a DC or similar will most likely appear somewhat similar. I was still very much impressed by the Bose's performance, don't get me wrong, but it would take me a while to get used to the noise profile as I've flown for so long using DCs or similar types.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I usually use a passive, but when I did my EASA CPL, borrowed a Bose-X from work. In my opinion, whilst a bit odd at first, the much reduced background noise I was trying to "think through" significantly improved the my learning ability, and saved a significant number of hours of training as I was learning and improving faster.

I then, mostly and happily went back to my passive (which I more recently used happily for my FAA CPL), but I confess I'm thinking at the moment of getting a pair of these, about which I'm hearing good things...

https://www.seht.co.uk/anr

That said, as I'm broadly happy with my passives at the moment (a set of budget Mendelsson HM40s) I'm in no hurry

G

[Joho123]

I would recommend the Bose A20 , they’re quite expensive but everybody I know who’s in airline pilot schools uses them and is very very happy.

[Forfoxake]

Very happy with my Lightspeed Zulu 2s, despite a recent $100 repair.

They are much more relaxing than passives, particularly on longer flights (behind a 912S).

[A and C]

Back in 1992 I got a DC headset, at the time I was wondering if I had spent too much money however the headset has excellent audio qualities and the durability of a main battle tank, my guess is it has spent well over 4500 hours GA flying and apart from replacing the ear pads and the foam over the microphone the headset has had no maintenance.

Just recently for my professional flying I have got a Bose A20, the ANR is very good and the headset seems to be durable and as you would expect first class audio but I doubt it has the longevity of the DC.

From a student pilot point of view the better the headset the less likelihood of repeated lessons due to misunderstandings during training and noise fatigue effecting performance. So while a Bose or top of the range DC might seem expensive the audio quality and durability are likely to make them cheaper than budget headsets in the long run.

[cessnapete]

Back in 1992 I got a DC headset, at the time I was wondering if I had spent too much money however the headset has excellent audio qualities and the durability of a main battle tank, my guess is it has spent well over 4500 hours GA flying and apart from replacing the ear pads and the foam over the microphone the headset has had no maintenance.

Just recently for my professional flying I have got a Bose A20, the ANR is very good and the headset seems to be durable and as you would expect first class audio but I doubt it has the longevity of the DC.

From a student pilot point of view the better the headset the less likelihood of repeated lessons due to misunderstandings during training and noise fatigue effecting performance. So while a Bose or top of the range DC might seem expensive the audio quality and durability are likely to make them cheaper than budget headsets in the long run.

As above, the Bose is far and away the best performing and comfortable ANR headset. Expensive yes, but as they say, you get what you pay for. Helped if you got them in USA sometime ago good £/$, and brought them in operating as crew. I notice now standard fit in RAF Transports, and just as effective in a C182.
Definitely not as robust as a DC, but treated normally, long lasting. 5 years so far in my case, pun intended. so far I have only had a frayed cord, repaired under Warranty by Headset Supplies, and recently bought and fitted new ear cups.

[Budcyber]

My first headset was the DC H10-13.4 Stereo and I then later added an ANR kit into it. Works great.
DC is long lasting for live.

Alternatively like what I did for PAX, I bought the Pilot P51 and replaced the Ear Seals with DC Gel Ear seals and the DC Headband (They fit). A lot cheaper.

As far as comfortable is concerned, there are little nuts which take a #7 or #8 spanner which you then adjust to make it comfortable.

[JohnnoP]

Another vote for A20's here. Worth the money in the long run!

[joshmcr]

I bought myself a very lightly used set of David Clark H10-60s, to replace my instructor's spare H10-30s during my PPL. Would've stuck with the -30s as I'm only doing fixed-wing but got a great deal on eBay. Having had first-hand experience of DCs, I was happy to continue knowing they would have good resale value or be a second headset when I upgrade to ANR in the future. But first I have to finish paying for a PPL and the cost for this set = 1 hour of training.

[tinmug]

Not quite in answer to this thread but to save starting a new one. Ive been watching Ebay for a replacement David Clark. Would a BNIB (brand new in box) DC 40493G-01 military headset for use in a C17 or C130 likely to be legit, not that I want one.

[Jhieminga]

Legit in which context? There is no law that prohibits you from using one, but the way I understand it, this headset will not work with other types than the C-17/C-130 it was built for. As for legalities, you can build your own headset and use that up until the point where you have an accident because you misunderstood a radio call. From that point on you can expect the authorities to have an opinion on this.

[tinmug]

Legit in which context? There is no law that prohibits you from using one, but the way I understand it, this headset will not work with other types than the C-17/C-130 it was built for. As for legalities, you can build your own headset and use that up until the point where you have an accident because you misunderstood a radio call. From that point on you can expect the authorities to have an opinion on this.
Put another way, would aircrew buy their own military headset to use in a C17 and therefore it's legally theirs to sell or has it been pinched.

[Jhieminga]

When I googled the DC type you posted about I found several pilot shops selling them. Based on that I'd say that David Clark are selling it as a commercial product, so no restrictions there. You would have to check the DC website to see if it is restricted to sales within the US, I haven't done that.

[xplanefactor]

That's a very good question. Pilots all have hearing problems aging because of the noise in cockpits... Today, everybody recommends ANR (Active Noise reduction system). We all think it is expensive, they usually are at 1000£ at least. But I found on, Brand : Pilot from Transair . co.uk website! It was 300£ and works great I am very pleased with it. I recommend ANR to protect your ears on long term use...

[UNpeople]

DC has been in the market longer than most other brands, but there is little difference over the years in design and comfort. It is sturdy, yet clumsy. I first went for DC but soon switched to Bose as it is much lighter and more comfortable. You don't feel squeezed on the head even after 3 hours of flight.

[beaver341]

I recently purchased a set of Bose QC35 II (QuietComfort) headphones. Then I purchased a boom mike and connector set from uflymike in the US. Put the two together and you have a set of noise-cancelling headphones. Great for a quiet-ish cockpit such as a modern jet aircraft but not good enough for GA flying

[double_barrel]

I recently purchased a set of Bose QC35 II (QuietComfort) headphones. Then I purchased a boom mike and connector set from uflymike in the US. Put the two together and you have a set of noise-cancelling headphones. Great for a quiet-ish cockpit such as a modern jet aircraft but not good enough for GA flying

I find my QC35 II work beautifully in a noisy c172.

[BDAttitude]

... they are being discontinued, with Phonak pulling out of the aviation market.
If someone has been fancying them - last chance to get one set now. I'm not worrying about service issues as they were just a side show of their Serenity hearing protection aid.

[India Four Two]

Lightspeed 2. I have had this headset for several years and have been very happy with it. Very comfortable, even on a three hour flight. DCs have never fitted me well and were very uncomfortable.

Two years ago, the only problem I have ever had surfaced. The boom mic started to behave like a G meter! It gradually got worse to the point of having to do something about it. However, I didn't want the hassle and expense of shipping it from Canada to the US. A week ago my hand was forced when I left the headset out in the rain!

Disassembling was easy once I had found a YouTube video on how to remove the ear cups. After that I just needed a small Phillips-head jewelers screwdriver to remove the loudspeaker/electronic assembly. Having done that, I discovered that a small Vise-Grip (Mole Wrench) was all that was needed to tighten the boom mic nut. Pictures available if required.

Once I had dried everything off, the headset worked perfectly and now I use my "seat of the pants" G meter!

[Double Back]

Working with old style DC's I am looking for a "splitter" or something else to connect my tablet to the headset, so I can hear my SkyDemon better. . In this thread the firm Avee is mentioned but their unit is NA at the moment, anybody another thingy that would work? Also need to buy an adapter as Samsung does not offer the round plug jacks anymore.

[Chris Wheeler]

When I bought my plane, I ran out and bought two Bose A20 headsets. Now after flying with friends in their planes and using their head sets, I think I may have gone a bit overboard. There’s lots of less expensive options that will be just fine. But you’ll want to consider how noisy the plane is that you plan to fly and how comfortable the headset is on your head. By the way, we never used headsets when I was learning to fly - Grumman TR2, Cessna 150, 152, 172, Piper Arrow, just the overhead speakers In the military, it was earplugs and a helmet, no noise canceling. At the airline, I always used the cheap onboard headset. I’m sure a young guy who’s always used noise canceling will have a very different opinion.

[flipperthebush]

Please excuse the late comment on this thread but does this mic add on come with a twin plug lead or does that need to be bought separately?
Also, how is the headset surviving another year or so on?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

[double_barrel]

Please excuse the late comment on this thread but does this mic add on come with a twin plug lead or does that need to be bought separately?
Also, how is the headset surviving another year or so on?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Not sure who this is directed to, but the Avee system I use comes as a complete kit with adapter, mic on a boom and whatever aircraft connector you desire https://www.avee.no/product/avee-combination-kit/

After 2 years of very hard use it is still working beautifully. I have had to replace the Bose ear-cups using this kit https://wickedcushions.com/collections/bose-replacement-ear-pads/products/bose-qc35-ear-pads-black and the headband is getting a bit tatty, but it has stood up to hard use better than I expected.

(and maybe to add, under COVID I spend my entire working day on zoom calls using the standard Bose headset (without the Avee adapter) connected to computer by bluetooth. It works really well for this purpose too.)

[justjohn737]

Hi guys, sorry to bring this back from the dead - I wondered what headsets jet operators would recommend? I used to use the company headsets prior to covid, but have decided to take the leap and buy my own. I have a pair of A20s for GA flying and have tried them on the flight deck, but they are too big and bulky for long sectors. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Brian Pern]

The Bose Aviation headset seems to be very popular, personally I find it too bulky, I've always liked the Telex Airman 850

[justjohn737]

Thanks a lot for the reply Brian. How do you find the ANR on the 850? Do you have to have a battery pack to operate like on the Bose?

[Brian Pern]

Thanks a lot for the reply Brian. How do you find the ANR on the 850? Do you have to have a battery pack to operate like on the Bose?
Your welcome John, the Telex does not use batteries, it takes power from the jack plugs, The ANR is not in the same league as the Bose, of course its less than half the price, but I find it works for me and I find it quite comfy after a full days work.

If you can, ask the guys you fly with what they use, don't feel you should rush into it, just because you are using your David Clarks, I am sure you will find one that works for you.

[justjohn737]

Your welcome John, the Telex does not use batteries, it takes power from the jack plugs, The ANR is not in the same league as the Bose, of course its less than half the price, but I find it works for me and I find it quite comfy after a full days work.

If you can, ask the guys you fly with what they use, don't feel you should rush into it, just because you are using your David Clarks, I am sure you will find one that works for you.

Thanks a lot for your advice Brian, it's really appreciated! Have a great day.

[Brian Pern]

Thanks a lot for your advice Brian, it's really appreciated! Have a great day.
your very welcome John, Safe flying

[flipperthebush]

Thank you for the info Double_barrel,
I have now bitten the bullet and bought this setup, hopefully when my renewed Licence appears on the mat I can try it out for real.

Thanks for the added link to the spare ear cups. I'm sure a set will be required at some point, as I also use them for hedge cutting and lawn mowing so they are sure to get some wear!

[BuddingPilot1]

Hi everyone.
i’m just starting to embark on my PPL training at my local flight school & my instructor has recommended I get my own headset.
i’ve being looking online & came across Aerotion Aviation. There aren’t many reviews available for them, but what is there are good.
Does anyone have any experience with these headsets? What are they like?

[avionimc]

The ANR model looks good, and very light weight.
https://www.aerotion.com/

I use the David Clark DC ONE-X ENC Headsets. For me they are the best (better than Bose A20).

[Jhieminga]

Feel free to have a look at the Headset topic that is shown as a sticky topic at the top of this list (or click here (https://www.pprune.org/private-flying/617122-headset-2.html)). Headsets are very personal and if you have just set off on your PPL adventure, you probably won't have a very definitive preference yet. My advice: go for the best one that you can afford and buy one with ANR. It will easily last more than 10 years and even though you won't notice it now, in the long run a better headset with ANR will keep your hearing in better shape.

[Fl1ingfrog]

A good quality headset such as a David Clarke are a must. when learning to fly. But, it is my view is to steer clear of ANR headsets whilst an ab-initio pilot. It is not a good idea to suppress all ambient sound, particularly the engine notes, because these are an important tool when learning to control.the aeroplane. The various noises around the aeroplane from starting through to flight are part of the environment that you are new to and these should not be wholly suppressed, they are part of your learning.

[Grummaniser]

Better yet - if you buy an ANR headset and are disciplined enough to keep the ANR switched off until at least you have got your PPL you will have bought one headset for both periods of your flying career.

[Jhieminga]

While I agree with Fl1ingfrog that the aural environment is also part of your learning, I am not in favour of switching off ANR or avoiding it for this purpose. ANR only reduces the aural impact of the low frequency noises and there are also many users who will tell you that you can hear more of what your engine is doing thanks to ANR. The cumulative effect of noise on your hearing is a long-term effect and by the time you notice it, you will be too late to do anything about it. Short-term, you will feel less fatigued thanks to ANR and this will be a positive effect, especially during training. Opinions vary on this subject of course.

[A and C]

Headsets are a far too personal item for there to be a correct answer, the only answer is does it work for you.

The only comments I would wish to make are on reliability and the ANR performance.

For reliability my DC’s are hard to beat, they have worked faultlessly since 1993 needing only the ear cushions replaced.

Having moved in to the world of ANR with the Bose x a few years back these have been faultless for 2500 hours of flying with only the ear cushions being replaced. I think the battery life is not great but as I don’t often fly aircraft without a power supply for the Bose I can’t put an accurate number on battery life.

The bottom line is you get what you pay for and before I got the DC’s back in 1993 I had a string of bargain basement headsets that gave indifferent sound quality and poor reliability. I guess if when I started flying back in 1979 I had got A pair of DC’s I would probably still have them and saved my self a lot of money.

[MrSandyWilly]

Hey there:)

New here, so I’m sorry if I got the wrong forum - I tried my best! I want to invest in my own headset but obviously want advice on which to choose. I’d like a decently cheap one but I’m willing to splash out a little bit for a high ish quality one that will last for a while.

I’ve heard good things about the David Clark H10-13.4 so I might get that but I’d love to know if you have any cheaper favourites!

Thanks!

[Pilot DAR]

Welcome MrSandyWilly,

I will move this thread to the "headsets" sticky in this forum shortly, though am leaving it here just now, so you'll not think it's been deleted!

As for headsets, I bought my first David Clark in 1983, and used it through to it's sad loss in a fire a year ago. I have always recommended by the simple version of the best quality you can find, and the lower cost David Clarks are that. You don't need the cost of full noise cancelling, and don't want the cost of repairing or replacing a lower quality headset either. David Clarks are not the only good headset out there, but, there are no surprises with them either!

[MrSandyWilly]

Thanks, I’ll keep an eye there ;)

And that’s super helpful! Glad to know that if I do go for a DC my money won’t be wasted. Sorry about your headset… still… 39 years is pretty good😅

[Pilot DAR]

Sorry about your headset… still… 39 years is pretty good😅

Thanks, it was a sad loss, as well as the very nice Cessna 150 it was in, which was in my hangar when a tractor also there immolated itself. I haven't replaced the C150, but I did buy another David Clark!

[India Four Two]

Sandy,

Make sure you read this whole thread - there is a lot of good advice based on practical experience.

I strongly recommend that whatever headset you choose, try it before you buy. Ten minutes wandering around a pilot store doesn't do it - you need to go for a flight of more than one hour.

DCs are very good headsets but I can't wear one for a long time - my head is too broad! I have been using a Lightspeed 2 noise-cancelling headset for the last five years. Expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

[MrSandyWilly]

Sandy,

Make sure you read this whole thread - there is a lot of good advice based on practical experience.

I strongly recommend that whatever headset you choose, try it before you buy. Ten minutes wandering around a pilot store doesn't do it - you need to go for a flight of more than one hour.

DCs are very good headsets but I can't wear one for a long time - my head is too broad! I have been using a Lightspeed 2 noise-cancelling headset for the last five years. Expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I’ll have a search through this thread when I have a spare few minutes. And yes! I’ll definitely see if there are any ones I can borrow at my flight school (or any recommendations there)

[MrSandyWilly]

Following on from my other post: does anyone have experience with SEHT sets? Someone recommended that I get one of their ANR headsets over a PNR DC.

[flyme273]

Anyone have any experience with Seht 30-75, Faro G2 ANR or Mendelssohn HM40 ANR-C? All about half the price of the top brand names.

The mic (M1 amp dynamic) on my very old DC H10-30 seems a bit dated and causes interference on the intercom.

For use in noisy cockpit of RV-12.

flyme

[Jhieminga]

flyme, I don't know any of those three options but have had a quick look at the various websites. What struck me is that they are all DC H10-13.4 clones. In a way that shows how good the original model was and is. I have used a headset like that for a couple of years (can't remember the brand now) and bought a DC H10-13X afterwards. From that experience I would say: you get what you pay for. Overall, the quality of the small details on the DC meant that it had a better passive noise reduction, due to the sealing on all the small holes and fittings on the earcups, and the electronics were better, providing a better, cleaner sound. The better headsets also come with better microphones. I have also tried the Bose A20 and although I prefer the DC, the quality on that is really good as well. If you're in a noisy cockpit, my suggestion would be to invest in a decent headset. You can replace the aircraft, you cannot replace your hearing.
By the way, you could also look into a replacement mike for your DC, they are pretty good with spares support. Or contact them and see if they can advise you on what mic would work best for your intercom.

[Daverobson]

Adams Aviation are most excellent about headset advice. I would highly recommend them. The only confusion is there are at least 3 Steves, so always get their surname. The last place to go is www.Flightstore.co.uk as they have no knowledge about the products only what is written on the box. I had a really funny conversation about the Bose A20. He kept pronouncing it Bossy. I said its Bose but he did not listen he just kept saying the same thing. So they no nothing and obviously cant read either. It was like a comedy sketch. So definitely Adams aviation. Depending on where you are if you pop in and see them they will give you really good time and advice.

[flyme273]

Jhieminga, thanks for your post.

I have changed the microphone on my DC 10H-30 with Dave Clark retrofit kit P/N 18376G-02 M-7/DC Electrect Mic. Supplied by Global Aviation, total cost incl post, Euro 132.83. Works very well.
I like the ruggedness of the DC. Some years ago I fitted an Adams retrofit ANR kit. Also works good.
I'm a bit put off the Bose due to the plastic Y-pieces (I have a Bose music headset, which I'm very pleased with).

I usually make short flights in a noisy RV-12, if you are long haul in a quite cockpit, I can see the attraction of Bose.

flyme
.

[Jhieminga]

You're welcome! Do you by any chance fly 'Piet'? Or is that another RV-12...? I know that there are several around in our low-lying little country.

Sticking to headset advice so that this post can stay in place: Anyone here who has upgraded from a DC H10-13X to a DC One-X? I'm thinking about it.... I like the carbon frame and weight but don't know how well it compares in noise reduction.

[flyme273]

presently fly RV-12 PH-SES and RV-10 PH-USN. Formerly we also had PH-SEP was sold to make way for PH-USN.

[Paleking]

Hey all, PPL student in Europe, looking to pick up a used but good condition Lightspeed Sierra (from a seller in EU). Anybody recently upgraded or with recommendations for sales forums elsewhere?

[Flyingmac]

https://afors.com/radio+comms/for-sale/United-Kingdom/9999-days

[DirtyProp]

Since we are talking about headsets, can anyone recommend a good shop to service and overhaul them, possibly located in Central Europe?

[tappo9]

Hello, I’m looking to buy the Faro G2 anr headset. Does somebody know if it is a good product or it is better to look for something else ? I’ve read some reviews and while some are good some aren’t so good. Thanks in advance

[Jhieminga]

Hello, I’m looking to buy the Faro G2 anr headset. Does somebody know if it is a good product or it is better to look for something else ? I’ve read some reviews and while some are good some aren’t so good. Thanks in advance
See my post #83 above... You get what you pay for in this department. If you are willing to invest more, I would do it.