Bose X
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: oz
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I had a look at some of the others. But I only tried the Bose. My only real concern with the types that didn't cover the ear a la DC's as Clarrie pointed out is when you DON'T have the anc working, ie, flat battery. Pretty noisy!!! The Bose was better in that respect, although certainly not in the DC 13.4 class. (that's what I used to use). I haven't had a problem with prop synch so far. I can hear radios on speaker ok, so I don't anticipate any problems in that respect either. Best investment for my hearing I've made I think.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Queensland, Australia; Mate
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G’day all,
For fear of repeating a few people, I’ve had a pair of Bose X for about 9 months now and they work pretty well for me. I’ve seen a few people advertise them with a RRP of $1495 with free shipping anywhere in Oz, but I’m sure if you rang any of the retailers they’ll negotiate a discount to get the sale. I purchased mine from Wadeair (at Orange) for $1425, and they also let me try them before I bought them.
I’ve never had any problems hearing aural warnings etc or syncing props flying both a Baron and Metro. I haven’t tried using HMEC25, but I can say that the Bose X headset is very light and comfortable, and this is after having a set David Clarke 10-60’s for a few years (more so the weight than the comfort). Batteries usually last about 2-3 weeks of reasonably heavy use. As for using them without power, I’ve used them once when my batteries went flat (and forgot the rechargeables..) and they weren’t real flash. That’s not the point though, if you want a headset that provides good noise cancellation without ENC, than get one that provides it. The system that provides the ENC is also the reason they are quiet a bit lighter, because the headset doesn’t require the noise attenuating padding.
Hope this helps mate, 1500 bucks is a lot of cash to shell out, especially for a GA pilot. Well worth it though (from what I’ve been flying anyway), as Transonic Dragon said, you can’t put a price on your hearing. More often than not by the time you can afford them you’ll be flying aircraft that don’t need them… Don’t forget that they are a tax deduction too. Try before you buy, and shop around. I purchased my 10-60’s from Australian Avionics in Cairns, and they were about $50 cheaper than anyone else in Queensland and New South Wales at the time.
Cheers,
Josh
For fear of repeating a few people, I’ve had a pair of Bose X for about 9 months now and they work pretty well for me. I’ve seen a few people advertise them with a RRP of $1495 with free shipping anywhere in Oz, but I’m sure if you rang any of the retailers they’ll negotiate a discount to get the sale. I purchased mine from Wadeair (at Orange) for $1425, and they also let me try them before I bought them.
I’ve never had any problems hearing aural warnings etc or syncing props flying both a Baron and Metro. I haven’t tried using HMEC25, but I can say that the Bose X headset is very light and comfortable, and this is after having a set David Clarke 10-60’s for a few years (more so the weight than the comfort). Batteries usually last about 2-3 weeks of reasonably heavy use. As for using them without power, I’ve used them once when my batteries went flat (and forgot the rechargeables..) and they weren’t real flash. That’s not the point though, if you want a headset that provides good noise cancellation without ENC, than get one that provides it. The system that provides the ENC is also the reason they are quiet a bit lighter, because the headset doesn’t require the noise attenuating padding.
Hope this helps mate, 1500 bucks is a lot of cash to shell out, especially for a GA pilot. Well worth it though (from what I’ve been flying anyway), as Transonic Dragon said, you can’t put a price on your hearing. More often than not by the time you can afford them you’ll be flying aircraft that don’t need them… Don’t forget that they are a tax deduction too. Try before you buy, and shop around. I purchased my 10-60’s from Australian Avionics in Cairns, and they were about $50 cheaper than anyone else in Queensland and New South Wales at the time.
Cheers,
Josh
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Can definitely recommend the Bose X. The noise attenuation isn't that much better than a decent pair of DCs or similar, but the real benefit is in the comfort brought about by the lightweight design and lack of clamping force.
Only problem I've had is that when the batteries are on their way out, rather than warning you it just seems to start switching the noise cancellation on and off intermittently. Anyone else have this problem? I'm using normal energizers.
Only problem I've had is that when the batteries are on their way out, rather than warning you it just seems to start switching the noise cancellation on and off intermittently. Anyone else have this problem? I'm using normal energizers.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Originally Posted by GearOff
Only problem I've had is that when the batteries are on their way out, rather than warning you it just seems to start switching the noise cancellation on and off intermittently. Anyone else have this problem? I'm using normal energizers.
Still, I would definitely recommend the Bose X. I ummed and ahhhed for ages before shelling out the cash, but I definitely don't regret it!
As far as being a tax deduction, does anyone know whether this expense can be claimed in one go, or does it need to be claimed as a depreciating asset over a few years?
I've got both Bose X and DC 13.4x headsets, plus an after market ANR set in my bone dome: they all have their good and bad points.
In a high noise environment (helicopters, I know.....) the DC has better passive attenuation, requiring the anti noise to drive "less hard". If you are on battery power, this will give longer battery life, but they still don't last very long in our environment: between 4 and 20 hours, depending on aircraft type and type of operation. Bose seem to last a lot longer on battery, but can't cope with a really high ambient noise. The Bose sensing microphone is on the outside of the earpiece, whilst the DC has the mic on the inside of the earpiece. To sort out the Bose when it gets out of phase, you put your finger on the outside mic sensor, whilst on the DC you have to lift the earpiece away from your head, to allow the software to sort itself out! The helmet has very good passive attenuation, so the after market unit is very good, except that it has a slight volume difference between the earpieces, which can't be fixed.
The DC doesn't like a heavy 4 per rev beat from larger helicopters (takes ages to settle down), whilst in the same machine the Bose copes fine with the 4per, but won't attenuate the wind noise from the window seals
The DC's are (relatively) passenger proof, but the Bose are quite flimsy in comparison, and the pax just love tying the flexible mic boom into pretzel shapes
So, there is no "one size fits all" ANR headset, IMO. I suggest that you try to borrow one of each type available, and try them in the type of aircraft that you most frequently fly, then decide. Not easy to borrow, but better than investing heaps in an ANR unit that isn't up to what you want.
In a high noise environment (helicopters, I know.....) the DC has better passive attenuation, requiring the anti noise to drive "less hard". If you are on battery power, this will give longer battery life, but they still don't last very long in our environment: between 4 and 20 hours, depending on aircraft type and type of operation. Bose seem to last a lot longer on battery, but can't cope with a really high ambient noise. The Bose sensing microphone is on the outside of the earpiece, whilst the DC has the mic on the inside of the earpiece. To sort out the Bose when it gets out of phase, you put your finger on the outside mic sensor, whilst on the DC you have to lift the earpiece away from your head, to allow the software to sort itself out! The helmet has very good passive attenuation, so the after market unit is very good, except that it has a slight volume difference between the earpieces, which can't be fixed.
The DC doesn't like a heavy 4 per rev beat from larger helicopters (takes ages to settle down), whilst in the same machine the Bose copes fine with the 4per, but won't attenuate the wind noise from the window seals
The DC's are (relatively) passenger proof, but the Bose are quite flimsy in comparison, and the pax just love tying the flexible mic boom into pretzel shapes
So, there is no "one size fits all" ANR headset, IMO. I suggest that you try to borrow one of each type available, and try them in the type of aircraft that you most frequently fly, then decide. Not easy to borrow, but better than investing heaps in an ANR unit that isn't up to what you want.
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Though I don't use the ENC in my Bose X any more, when I was, 2 x AA batteries would last 100ish block hours. The battery power indicator would change from green to yellow with <10hrs power remainig and to red with <5hrs power remaining.
I used Duracell or Lithium Ion rechargable.
I used Duracell or Lithium Ion rechargable.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by 1224
Ive got the Dc H10-13.4x, very quiet and rugged.
I have heard others say the ENC, because the way it works, ie equalizing/cancelling the sound with another opposite sound wave, is actually worse for your ears. Any truth to that?
I have heard others say the ENC, because the way it works, ie equalizing/cancelling the sound with another opposite sound wave, is actually worse for your ears. Any truth to that?
Also, several turboprops, most notably Dash 8 -300 and Q400 series have inbuilt ENC systems in the cabin. Bombardier would not have invested so heavily in such technology if there was no useful result.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I use AA lithium batteries in mine. Eveready are the only ones that I have found, and they are pretty dear at around 12 bucks, but a set last me for longer than 10 months (although I only fly about 100hrs a year). I was only getting around one month out of NiMh rechargables ones or alkaline batteries.
Bottums Up
whats the Bose like without the ANR turned on (or with the batt run out)? Is it one of those headsets where its only good if the ANR is on?
No, it's still good without the ANR in a noisy cockpit, just not as good.
