Headsets
Another idea is I got a DC13.4 and added an aftermarket ANR kit and had it fitted by an avionics workshop. Great piece of kit and gets rid of a lot of a noise....not super heavy on the batteries as well. I don't know how accurate he is but the guy at the avionics shop said that the good aftermarket kits when fitted correctly are just as good, if not a bit better than the genuine DC models, at a lot less cost.
Main benefit to aftermarket one is a small 9V powered battery pack, genuine DC ones had a far larger pack powered by about 6 AAs. The ANR is pretty effective, I notice now as soon as I start the engine if it's not on because it seems so noisy!
Main benefit to aftermarket one is a small 9V powered battery pack, genuine DC ones had a far larger pack powered by about 6 AAs. The ANR is pretty effective, I notice now as soon as I start the engine if it's not on because it seems so noisy!
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Aftermarket kits
Puff,
Good idea - but I have some reservations because I have heard (no pun intended) that the aftermarket kits significantly reduce the passive noise reduction; so if the batteries die, you're in trouble.
Could be nonsense I suppose - maybe your experience has been different?
MLS-12D
Good idea - but I have some reservations because I have heard (no pun intended) that the aftermarket kits significantly reduce the passive noise reduction; so if the batteries die, you're in trouble.
Could be nonsense I suppose - maybe your experience has been different?
MLS-12D
I've had my batteries die midflight and whilst it's quite obvious that they have died they certainly appear no worse with the ANR turned off than they were pre mod. I always carry a spare 9V in the headset bag and it can be swapped over in 15 seconds flat anyway. The book says 15 hours per battery set, I'd estimate mine would last well over 25-30.
I would suggest spending the money and having them installed professionally, looks wise they look no different except you do have to drill a hole in the cup, that runs out the cord to the battery pack, I just used cable ties to tie the ANR cord to the mic plugs cord and put the power supply in the sidepocket or on the floor, just keeps it a bit tidier than having another cable lying around. Definately suggest them to anyone, i've let a few people borrow them and they have all been quite impressed. You can't use the comfort covers with them though because the ANR works best with a good seal to keep the noise out.
I would suggest spending the money and having them installed professionally, looks wise they look no different except you do have to drill a hole in the cup, that runs out the cord to the battery pack, I just used cable ties to tie the ANR cord to the mic plugs cord and put the power supply in the sidepocket or on the floor, just keeps it a bit tidier than having another cable lying around. Definately suggest them to anyone, i've let a few people borrow them and they have all been quite impressed. You can't use the comfort covers with them though because the ANR works best with a good seal to keep the noise out.
Join Date: Jul 2000
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DC & BOSE
Have had a pair of DC 13.4 since I started my comm and have been flying in Africa for the past 4 years. With the little 'earsocks' someone called them, very comfy, very robust, very good.
If you got the bucks though, the best GA headset on planet earth is the latest BOSE ANR model. VERY PRICEY, but then so is a Mercedes SLK or GV or 744 or the Space Shuttle....best of the best, saving up for one ...
check out the website for BOSE, they have a little movie you can download, very american, but gives you all the gen
If you got the bucks though, the best GA headset on planet earth is the latest BOSE ANR model. VERY PRICEY, but then so is a Mercedes SLK or GV or 744 or the Space Shuttle....best of the best, saving up for one ...
check out the website for BOSE, they have a little movie you can download, very american, but gives you all the gen
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Headsets
I'm with Pretzal. Get the DC 13.4 and instal the ANR kit from Headsets Incorpoated. I did this a year ago and no troubles. The ANR system is like a miracle.
When I first considered ANR I was a bit worried that it would cancel out sounds that I really wanted to hear such as the stall warning. But on the contrary....the ANR only takes out the low frequency noise (engine) which makes it so much easier to hear all the higher frequency sounds (such as speech). For anyone who's losing a bit of hearing with age I can't think of a better investment you could make.
When I first considered ANR I was a bit worried that it would cancel out sounds that I really wanted to hear such as the stall warning. But on the contrary....the ANR only takes out the low frequency noise (engine) which makes it so much easier to hear all the higher frequency sounds (such as speech). For anyone who's losing a bit of hearing with age I can't think of a better investment you could make.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I recently discussed the subject of noise cancelling with my doctor - apparantly the ANC does not make any difference to hearing loss as there is still the same pressure being applied to the eadrum. It does however reduce fatigue. Also as some 20 to 30% of sound vibration passed to the middle ear is picked up by the bones in the face rather than through the ear canals, you'd need a helmet to completely prevent hearing damage.
Anyone heard similar?
Anyone heard similar?
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I looked at some ANR (or ENC, if you prefer) headsets and finally decided to upgade my old 13.4's with the kit from Oregon Aero, which supposedly drops the cockpit noise by 5 dbs and also improves general comfort and transmission clarity.
If things perform as per the website [www.oregonaero.com/p5455_2001.html], this should give me the benefit of ANR without the cost, or the hassles of the batteries. I hope it works! Time will tell ... I'll let you know.
cracked pot, I don't know whether your doctor is right or wrong ... he or she may be on to something. Any audiologists out there?
MLS-12D
If things perform as per the website [www.oregonaero.com/p5455_2001.html], this should give me the benefit of ANR without the cost, or the hassles of the batteries. I hope it works! Time will tell ... I'll let you know.
cracked pot, I don't know whether your doctor is right or wrong ... he or she may be on to something. Any audiologists out there?
MLS-12D
