what headsets to use?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: On a different Island
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: EU
to clarify any preferences in mono headsets?
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
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
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Dorset
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.
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
You can trial half a dozen types by different manufacturers and get no consensus back from ATC as to which they want.
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
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 29
From: LEEDS
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.
If it were my choice, I'd go for the Sennheiser HME or HMD 46.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: The land that taste forgot
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!
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!
Beady Eye
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 1
From: UK
BD
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 11
From: southampton
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
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!
)Apart from that they are better than the old type.
Beady Eye
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 1
From: UK
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
BD
Beady Eye
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 1
From: UK
