I have taken to wearing ear plugs under the DC X-11's to get the noise attenuation to a similar level as my DC H20-10 headset.

Can't wait for the DC H20-10s to come back from the repair shop.

Dr :cool:

Just tried Bose ANR in the Pitts - not very impressed - lots of hiss not controllable with any adjustment I could find. I'm sticking with my Campbell Aeroclassics helmet. The owner of the Bose headset, who also flies the Pitts, confirmed it wasn't that effective in really noisy cockpits, like the Pitts.

I use an ANR equipped Gentex HGU55 that works well in the Pitts...it does at times (usually takeoff roll) hiss a little, but that could also be due to the crappy intercom we have. Mind you - to rock up to your trusty C172 or commuter cockpit wearing the helmet might generate some "adverse comments".

Id like to hear from people what they are actually flying when using the different type of sets, i can beleive that ANR would have difficulty keeping up with very noisy environments like the pitts.

I borrowed a pilots Bose headset to see how good they were when flying with him in his Warrior, and found it disappointing to say the least, i expected much better reduction, the constant hiss was almost as bad as the engine noise and with the ANR turned off it actually amplified the engine noise! :ugh:
Which in a way made the ANR seem better when it went on!

Doing stints of sometimes up to 8 hours in a day in some light twin engine aircraft i dont really find my DC13.4s tiring to wear as some pilots point out, so i cant find a real justifiable reason to upgrade.

Would appreciate any further comments...

Cheers
Turbz :cool:

Turbz

All of my posts above relate to the Fork-tailed Doctor Killer (BE35)!

Dr

"Id like to hear from people what they are actually flying when using the different type of sets, i can beleive that ANR would have difficulty keeping up with very noisy environments like the pitts."


I do a lot of low-level stuff, and wear an old ex-USAF helmet re-wired with Dave Clark internals, and that is what I used in the Pitts. This is a very old helmet, and quite heavy, so I am considering upgrading to a CGF Gallet helmet. Has anybody got any feedback on the Gallet helmets?

I have found ANR headsets to be fairly useless in very noisy open cockpit environments, they are designed to cancel a fairly specific range of frequencies in a typical cockpit, and don't do much for wind noise or 'raw' engine noise. I have found that passive units fitted with the Oregon Aero 'Mic Muff' work better than ANR units in these applications. It is important that if two headsets are in use that both have these fitted, or you lose the benefit. I'm not actually sure how they work, but they do work.

http://www.oregonaero.com/p62_2001.html#micmuff

I finished installing the ANR DIY kit in my H10-13.4's. Doing five flights in the Pitts tomorrow so will see if it makes much of a difference. I did plug them in to make sure they work and they immediately cancelled out ALL the noise in the hangar. However the intercom was a little more tinny or artificial in its sound.

If these don't work to well then I will drop the coin for a set of Bose. I have used a set of Bose previously in the Pitts and they seemed to work very well for me. Go figure... Just trying to save myself $1250 by trying out the ANR kit for the 13.4's first. If it doesn't work to well I guess I will always have an ANR set for my Pax...

Cheers
CB

I previously used DC 13.4's but have recently upgraded to Bose Aviation Headset X. I have to say the change is amazing and it has worked in all cockpits I have flow in. It has even worked in a Pitts (2 flights with the Bose now) and is much quiter than the 13.4's previously used. Plus they are ultra comfortable and I am not dissapointed in having paid the rather high price for them.

Cheers
Mr Bomb

VH-BOX,

I used a Gallet for about 2 years, it was the best helmet i have used in all respects, do not use a helmet now ( flying passengers ), but if i did i would buy a Gallet without question.

The visors with the grey lense are fantastic, the ANR is as good if not better than my X-11's, the helmet is padded fit, so not strap pressure points.

Comes with oxygen mask receiver and single or dual visor.

A friend rolled up a crop duster ( powerline ), walked away from it ( no more retarded than before the accident :)), the helmets took a hammering and was in a few bits post crash, i would suggest the helmets did its job perfectly.

Have used a couple of variants of the Gentex, too heavy, straps sucked.

Used DC 10-20's, 13.4, then 13.4XL on various piston & turbine types for about 15yrs, then switched a couple of years ago to Quiet Technologies PNR in-ear headset.

Noise reduction as good as the ANR on the 13.4XL, but feels light as a feather, almost like not wearing a headset at all. I use the ear-plug foam inserts, although you can get custom moulds for a closer fit.

Biggest bugbear is getting the mic to stay close to the mouth, but am still getting the hang of it.

i bought a set of DC X11's, finally upgraded the 13.4's after 3 years hard time in the bush,

* for feel and comfort the X11's are great, the ear seals are directional so they fit with a good seal, they fold up small, seem a little fragile tho.
* the ANR is OK to be honest i was a little disappointed at first, then mine developed an annoying 'buzz/crackle' at low rpm in the twin and i had to return them. DC service was great they sent me a new set in a few weeks. It was not till i went back to the 13.4, that i really appreciated them, i do long sectors 6/7 hours a day normally and i feel alot less fatigued at the end of the day with the x11's.
* the MP3 attachment is great for long boring sectors

My 2cents

DS

working headsets
 

even with "all the new" versions and mode3ls of headsets that are on the market, I wonder why the majority of working pilots seem to seek out and use DC H10-40's ... ??
perhaps it is that they just keep on providing good functional service.
no I do not work for the company nor sell them...!!!
blue ones folks...:ok:

NNB.........that is just one of the reasons I selected the X-11.

The last green headset served me for 10 years with only one minor plug repair needed.

Now I just have to get me an iPod. :ok:

I just got myself a Lightspeed 30-3G headset. While on paper it compares pretty well with the Bose (in some frequencies it provides slightly better protection), its strength is in its passive protection.

It's a chunky piece of work, not as slick as the Bose, but that's because it provides decent passive protection (better than most purely passive headsets), as well as ANR.

It has the ability to accept mobile phones, as well as CD/MP3 players. When a radio call kicks in, the headset attenuates the volume of the phone/CD/MP3 player.

I haven't used that feature yet, but I've found the ANR to be brilliant. You can still hear the engine noise, but at a much reduced volume. You can still hear enough to be able to feel out any potential problems.

The passive protection is pretty good too, as good as my old passive DCs (like wearing a Meccano set over my ears), but much more comfortable.

Lightspeed are putting out their answer to the Bose as well. I can't remember offhand what the model is called, but it's clearly designed to tap into the Bose market (it looks pretty similar).

At under half the price (I think they were around US$550 +p/p from the States), I reckon the 30-3G is as good as the Bose. The only downsides are the size (no big deal if you don't mind looking a bit like Mickey Mouse), and the plastic construction (I'm not planning on swinging it around my head by the cord, and bouncing it off brick walls).

Lightspeed offer a 5 yr warranty, but through the research I did before I bought them, there were plenty of pilots saying that Lightspeed accepted warranty jobs after the 5 years had run out, and were pretty happy with the service (headbands, ear seals etc. replaced for free, as well as repairing the initial problems).

I'm pretty happy with them so far.:ok:

I use Telex Stratus D 50's - they work extremely well in a noisy cockpit (radial engined Beaver) - 29dB passive reduction plus ANR. I was originally going to buy a set of DC X11's, but after borrowing a set I decided to do some more research and I am very glad that I did.

I'm looking at spending some $$$ on a new headset. I see the DC 13.4 seems a popular headset, how well does it compare to the Pilot PA18-50 ANR headset? Is ANR the way to go?

Hi
I have a set of BOSE x headsets for sale if you are interested. Only used for 6 months in as new cond. PM me if you are interested...

I think a BOSE X headset is a little out of my league sorry, unless you want $600 for it :}:E

Chalk another one up for the 13.4, its well and truly good enough for my purposes.

DC
 

Hi,
Has anyone got any problems with the DC X11 ?
Im 99% sure on buying one, apparently you can plug your i-pod into them or your cell phone, anyone know which cell phones fit ?

I have demo-ed a BOSE set and was very impressed but the DC X11 is about 1hr flying time cheaper, and I have been told they are good too.

Any feed back ?

Cheers
X :ok: