View Poll Results: What type of headset do you use in GA?
David Clark 13.4
574
40.39%
other David Clark
305
21.46%
Altronics
77
5.42%
all others
433
30.47%
Bose Aviation X
32
2.25%
Voters: 1421. This poll is closed
Headset types in GA
I have been using a set of DCs for 15 plus years couldnt give them a big enough rap, they never failed on me.. I replaced the ear cups 3 times, head foam once and the mic foam twice but apart from that excellent 
However I just recently retire the DCs for a set of Bose which have been good so far only comment I have is compared to the DCs they feel as fragile as an IFR chopper pilot
However I just recently retire the DCs for a set of Bose which have been good so far only comment I have is compared to the DCs they feel as fragile as an IFR chopper pilot
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Brisbane
Age: 42
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Anyone have any thoughts on swapping a set of Lightspeed Zulu's for a pair of Bose?
I find the Bose much more comfortable than my Zulu's (clamping much lighter). The Zulu's are about 8 months old, perfect condition.
I imagine some cash would be needed for the difference (Bose are still pricier than the Zulu's ?)
I find the Bose much more comfortable than my Zulu's (clamping much lighter). The Zulu's are about 8 months old, perfect condition.
I imagine some cash would be needed for the difference (Bose are still pricier than the Zulu's ?)
If you fly less than 20 hours / year as I do, Peltor 8006 is the absolutely best and cheapest headset and anything beyond that is a waste of money. If gear is important for you, you can spray-paint it DC-green.
Have a friend who works for a hearing aid company, and believe me, they've got some serious test equipment. He bought a DC headset. 1) It hardly worked (one spkr more or less inop) 2) The electronic and assembly quality was appalling. DC replaced it twice, and he's still not satisfied.
Have a friend who works for a hearing aid company, and believe me, they've got some serious test equipment. He bought a DC headset. 1) It hardly worked (one spkr more or less inop) 2) The electronic and assembly quality was appalling. DC replaced it twice, and he's still not satisfied.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oz
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Whilst at Sun n Fun I took my 18 month old Bose into the Bose stand for a checkup. The new updated Bose X have a swivelling ear cup thingy for even more comfort and they fitted those, and some new ear pads (that weren't needed) all for nothing. Some people say they would want to do it for nothing, but I have to say I have not found customer service like that with anything else! Two thumbs up for Bose from me.
Cheers
CB
Cheers
CB
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: YBBN
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Hey,
Well I have another point to add about the Zulu's.
Taxiing to the runway this morning, I had to make a phone call
So i did! Sure enough, my mate had no idea i was in an aircraft. Just as the reviews say.
another for the zulus!
Pyro
Well I have another point to add about the Zulu's.
Taxiing to the runway this morning, I had to make a phone call
So i did! Sure enough, my mate had no idea i was in an aircraft. Just as the reviews say.
another
for the zulus!Pyro
Join Date: Mar 2009
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I loved my Zulu's for all 20 hrs that they worked
Now when I turn on the ANR, it goes very quiet.. too quiet in fact, can't hear anything, myself or anyone else. Turn off the ANR and I can hear... while the engine is at idle. Once in the air they are useless without the anr. Tried calling the service agent, was told the person I needed speak to wasn't there.. left my name & number.. still waiting for a call back
I ordered a pair of DC10-13.4's as a backup set today.. not much to go wrong with those!
Now when I turn on the ANR, it goes very quiet.. too quiet in fact, can't hear anything, myself or anyone else. Turn off the ANR and I can hear... while the engine is at idle. Once in the air they are useless without the anr. Tried calling the service agent, was told the person I needed speak to wasn't there.. left my name & number.. still waiting for a call back I ordered a pair of DC10-13.4's as a backup set today.. not much to go wrong with those!
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Pretty keen on some zulu's.
Have read all the previous and still unsure.
Only negative for me is cost.
Have got a well looked after DC 13.4 but those pistons just seem to get louder after 3 hours or so.
So a few questions to help me justify / put me off them and look for something else.
*Will they stand up to 900 odd hours a year, on/off my head 6-12 times a day?
*Are they just as good in a turbine aircraft when the time comes? c208?
*Where is the best/cheapest place to purchase in Botswana or SA? or do I import from US or OZ?
Any help or suggestions appreciated
Have read all the previous and still unsure.
Only negative for me is cost.
Have got a well looked after DC 13.4 but those pistons just seem to get louder after 3 hours or so.
So a few questions to help me justify / put me off them and look for something else.
*Will they stand up to 900 odd hours a year, on/off my head 6-12 times a day?
*Are they just as good in a turbine aircraft when the time comes? c208?
*Where is the best/cheapest place to purchase in Botswana or SA? or do I import from US or OZ?
Any help or suggestions appreciated
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Oz
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Clarity Aloft?
I'm in the process of just finishing my MECIR and looking for a new headset to get started with. After a fair amount of research I found the Clarity Aloft (Clarity Aloft™ Aviation Headsets) headset to look pretty damn good. It's less than half the weight of the Zulu's, doesn't sit on your head like a regular pair of cans - so fatigue is minimal, and although isn't ANR, it is supposedly as good, attenuating 35-45 decibels with the earplugs. I guess as an individual you just have to be happy with pushing something into your ear like regular earplugs for a period of time.
The 'pro' model is only available in the States, but the regular headset can be ordered through New Zealand. The only difference I can see between the two is that one is more lightweight and is TSO certified.
Oh...it also has plug for phone or tunes.
PM me if you want the NZ company details and I'll post again after purchase in a couple of weeks to update on how it goes. Alternatively, has anyone used them and can give advice?
And last but not least, it retails at just over half the price of a Zulu.
Cheers
The 'pro' model is only available in the States, but the regular headset can be ordered through New Zealand. The only difference I can see between the two is that one is more lightweight and is TSO certified.
Oh...it also has plug for phone or tunes.
PM me if you want the NZ company details and I'll post again after purchase in a couple of weeks to update on how it goes. Alternatively, has anyone used them and can give advice?
And last but not least, it retails at just over half the price of a Zulu.
Cheers
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oz
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Bird Dog,
I have tried them when a mate was shopping for a new headset for him and his wife. He went for the Zulus and his wife the Clarity Aloft. His wife hated the clamping pressure or regular headsets, although she liked the Bose, but she couldn't get passed the fact that a headset messed up her hair, so Clarity Aloft obviously fix this. Myself, well I hated the ear plugs in the ear. I hate ear plugs at the best of times and to wear them for three or four hours whilst flying would drive me nuts.
Each to their own, if you can handle the plugs in the ears then they seemed to work fine (aircraft we trialled them in was a Beech Sierra).
HTH
CB
I have tried them when a mate was shopping for a new headset for him and his wife. He went for the Zulus and his wife the Clarity Aloft. His wife hated the clamping pressure or regular headsets, although she liked the Bose, but she couldn't get passed the fact that a headset messed up her hair, so Clarity Aloft obviously fix this. Myself, well I hated the ear plugs in the ear. I hate ear plugs at the best of times and to wear them for three or four hours whilst flying would drive me nuts.
Each to their own, if you can handle the plugs in the ears then they seemed to work fine (aircraft we trialled them in was a Beech Sierra).
HTH
CB
Join Date: May 2009
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Clarity Aloft
Thanks for the response Cloud Basher. I do a lot of running with headphones with similar to the Aloft 'in the ear' design so I'm not anticipating any problems from my perspective. Good to know it won't mess up my hair as well lol.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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I went for zulus. The ANR failed in a flight and I could not hear any radio calls. Luckily I was not alone. One of the reasons I went for them was that I had read they had better passive reduction than the Bose. If that is technically right, the practical benefit is nothing.
The other reason was price - they were around $300 cheaper. Given the problems (and I have not had good service in getting them repaired - in fact I have had the run around for around 5 months from Lightspeed), I now wish I had bought the Bose. Although I have not used them myself, when I did my research the people who did have them all seemed very happy. Plus I think they may be lighter and have less clamping pressure. Had the zulus not failed I would have been very happy with them, but I will next buy Bose. I hate it when you try to cut costs and then it ends up costing you a whole lot more.
The other reason was price - they were around $300 cheaper. Given the problems (and I have not had good service in getting them repaired - in fact I have had the run around for around 5 months from Lightspeed), I now wish I had bought the Bose. Although I have not used them myself, when I did my research the people who did have them all seemed very happy. Plus I think they may be lighter and have less clamping pressure. Had the zulus not failed I would have been very happy with them, but I will next buy Bose. I hate it when you try to cut costs and then it ends up costing you a whole lot more.