Headsets - ANR
 

Hey people,
My 18th birthday just came and went, and my parentals gave me a piece of paper on it:
The moral of the text on this piece of paper was: "Pick a headset, any headset" but they request it is an ANR one.
Now, I'm looking at Downunder pilot shop and I wish to know what peoples opinions on headsets are, has anyone got any suggestions for them?
I think i can get anything from $700 - $1500 (they gave a few options, one of the options being the Bose Aviation Headset X)

I am very pleased, it's such a generous thing!

Anyway, your suggestions would be much appreciated

Cheers,
Pyro:ok:

Congratulations Pyro! Happy slightly belated birthday!

Tell ya what - I got an old DC you can have for a coupl'a hundred - and we can have a party on the balance!

Dr :8

PS: Bet ya get 100 posts on 100 different headsets - then TW's gonna kill this thread.

Uh, you've just invited all ppruners who love giving daddy-sponsored student pilots a hard time, to have a field day :}

Mate, your choice is between the Lightspeed Zulu and the Bose. I'd personally take the Lightspeed, more current technology (eg Bluetooth, one less cable in the driver's seat), probably more robust, quality seems to be on par with the Bose. The Bose is still the current gold standard, though.

My recommendation: Try them both, pick the one you like most. Or get mum & dad to pay for a flight lesson with the money they save on the Zulu over the Bose :E

the price difference is about 3 flying lessons worth :}
i'm strongly thinking the zulu... However, i'll keep researching

I like the Idea of testing them both... I'll try and do that sometime..

Thanks!

If you have the dough, the Zulu is phenominal - won't do much to help those scratchy old radios though....

I have been sitting back and watching the zulus for a while - I wanted one BUT I generally see ANR headsets worn by private pilots and the Chardonnay set, not by professional pilots.

If I am going to spend $1200 on a headset, I want to know it will last me 10+ years like my 1994-model Dave Clarks (don't buy the DC ANRs, they're rubbish... sold mine 3 months after I bought 'em)

Recently I have seen a couple of very senior GA Chief Pilots toting the Zulu. These guys don't gush about anything but they DO rave about the Zulu.

I know what I'm asking Santa for this year...:E

Go the 13.4's and pocket the cash............. Mind you Forkie has had a good run with his DC ANR's.

As you know the ANRs you used last are the Soft Com and work well, better than the 13.4's but are a bit clumsy if changing a/c.

I think for moving about a fair bit and for your next few years go the H10-13.4 or the ANR's forkie has.

No need to entertain other confusing options.............or call me!

J:ok:

Save yourself the money and buy a standard David Clark headset and wear earplugs underneath your headset. That way you are doubly protected from noise, its cheaper, and additionally you won't have a counter sound wave pumping through your ears.

Does anyone have any research on what damage, if any, these noise cancelling headsets can cause? Have mates who use them who claim they get sore ears on long sectors ie 3 hours+.

I think if you can go somewhere and try them on that's the best way to see what you like. As daft as it may sound, different people have different shapes and sizes of ears and head to others. What might fit someone well and suits them may not be the correct fit for you.

I use the sennheiser HME 100 and I like them, although I didn't have the pennies to consider the bose or those in the same price range.

Have fun flying

I've heard good things about the Telex Stratus 50D. Excellent ANR (50db I think) but, also a very good passive headset for when your batts pack it in and you don't have spares. Think if i was back in GA aircraft though, i'd try something like the Clarity Aloft. No big muff's clamped to your noodle. Although, molded ear pieces do tend to become uncomfortable and cause hot spots in your ears if you wear them for more than a couple of hours.

You have issues with having muffs near your face? :E

The problem comes with only having one mouth. And as a canuck who has flown the far north let me just say to you, do not discount the warming qualities of a fuzzy muff :E!

Mate,

Save Mum and Dad the cash - go the David Clarke 13.4's. Had mine for 5 years, never a drama. At the rate the industry is going you'll be in a jet before you know it and GA headsets will be a fond memory, so use the extra cash you're saving to spend on lessons - or your theory exams!

If the oldies are worried about protecting your hearing, mine is still tip-top (ask my DAME) and have never bothered with ANR headsets.

Best of luck buddy, you've picked a great time to be in the best industy in the world!

Happy Landings,

AGS99

.........At the rate the industry is going you'll be in a jet before you know it and GA headsets will be a fond memory.........

Yeah, in a jet alright, without an ANR headset. My last 2 jobs the employer had ANR's fitted for the lads and they were brilliant. This one does not.:(

The earplug idea under ya DC's is a good compromise if you havent got the cash yet.

Oh no, not another headset thread!

Doesn't anybody do searches anymore?

Garmin Aviation GPS, David Clark Headsets, Pilot Supplies from SkyGeek.com

Go for the Telex Digital ANR50

Pyro, I'm with the J man - go the 13.4's and see if you can get the olds to make up the $1500 with a nav bag, some good BT theory books, some decent nav gear and a few slabs. ANR's are a bit of a wank for a student in a cessna single

povo.

I've had the Bose X's for the last 3 years and they have never missed a beat. They do get a little uncomfortable after around 4 hours but not too bad. The Zulus are better for listening to your ipod though.

I still have my 13.4s after many years of use. I wouldn't worry about the ANR.

I suspect the people who say "skip the ANR" have never used one for any length of time. Most who have an ANR headset would never go back to passive only. For long trips I sometimes use ear plug with the ANR - and enter a world of quiet!

Flying is more than skills and training - its about image!!!!! Pansy looking magnesium cup Zulus might appeal to Gen X, but real pilots would only be seen wearing green ie David Clarke.

I know a bloke who swears by his DC X11's!

Rat:cool: