Headset types in GA
 

mostly just wanted to start a poll, so here it is.

everyone seems to use David Clark 13.4's
what type of headset do you consistently use?

Is there some kind of useful adapter that lets you use a David Clark headset, say, in both the standard light fixed wing two plug setup, and a Jet Ranger helo single plug system; and if so, how much are they?

Peltor headset, very comfortable but not noise-cancelling.

AOTW - yes they are available, they are very small and easy to lose. A 2 into one socket. Some of the old Skywest aircraft you'll hear in your part of the world have the single plug com system, and they can be used to plug into them with new DC's.

I use a pair of DCs no idea what type, and often on long trips I will use ear plugs too. Already have a hearing loss, not planning on making it worse.

Thanks very much CS, I thought there might have been some impedance problems or whatever, but if it's just a plug adapter that will work out well.

I think the earplugs idea is good if you can get enough volume out of the ICS; my ears have taken a bit of a caning over the years as well!

David Clark must be laughing with 60+% of the market.

After 10 years of DC H10-30s (which I got after the old man had had them for 10 years - and my hearing is still fine so they can't be too bad!) needing only a rewire / general service, I think they are a fine headset; however a recent trip which involved a number of 4-hour sectors convinced me the time has come to embrace the new age. I have finally decided to upgrade to ANRs (tentatively DC H10-13XL).

Anyone using 10-13XL ANRs got an opinion of them (based on experience)? Or of other ANRs?

The unfortunate truth is that headsets are like women - they are a very individual taste thing.

Cheers

Have used DC 13.4 for several years now after Peltor broke and could not get spare part, Used a Bose on a trip very nice but at $2500 quite happy to go back to my DC's Cheers Q

David Clark 13.4

Already have a significant hearing loss from the days when head sets were unheard of in GA and I don't want it to get worse.

Only change from the original is to use a set of the cotton ear muffs which really help in the hot weather.:D :cool: :D

I have two 13.4s, one for me and one for my wife. Both have been modified with Oregon Aero's (passive) upgrade kits, and I've been very pleased with their performance.

If you install one of those kits - which require you to insert their foam product into the earcups - you will be very surprised at the el cheapo foam that DC puts into their headsets. Essentially, there's nothing between your ears and the outside noise except the plastic shell of the earcups.

AOTW: here is the link you need: www.davidclark.com/HeadsetPgs/plugadapters.html

Have David Clarke H10-40's 17 years old , two new mike's, two new sets of ear seals, good as new.

Cheers HH.

Had to rob a bank at the time but my H10-80s with gel seals, cotton covers and independant volume controls on each ear are looxury still 17 years on.
You can back off the vol knob a good half of what you would normally need.

The only ones that were better were Bose ANR actives, (had to sell one of the children for those), the whoooosh and then almost total silence when you powered them up was eeerie and you could turn the volume down almost to zero it was almost like having voices in your head.:eek: perfectly clear and those of the person in the other seat.

I hope the person who "borrowed" them enjoys them, a&sehole and I promise you, I will recognise them when I see them again.:mad:, they have a non factory mod. :cool:

Thanks, MLS-12D, that's a very handy link.

13.4's for me too. They only become uncomfortable after the third hour. The backside is usually a bigger problem by then.

Had a pair of those grey Telex headsets that make you look like a Cyberman from Dr Who. Very comfy but the plastic bit that adjusts the headband width broke and neither wire or superglue has been able to rectify the situation.:(

DC H10-40 for me.

They're at least 20 years old and still going strong. In '93 or '94 I sent them back to the DC factory in the USA for an overhaul.

I have no intention of purchasing another...

MLS-12D, check your private message's mate

I've got two headsets, one Avcomm AC-900, the other a Peltor 8006. Both are good - the AC-900 is slightly heavier than the 8006 but mre adjustable, and both are very comfortable. They work fine everywhere I've tried them except in one aircraft I fly, and even then it's only a problem if another person is using a set of DC's. I guess this is the infamous "headset matching" problem...

Cheers,

MD.

Cant beat the DCs for reliability and longevity.
Got my first 10-80's in 1987 and traded them in on 13.4's in 1999 - that's 12 years of 5 or 6 days a week service - one mike change and a broken mic plug courtesy of the Aerostar's mic jack location. You'd have to be happy with that!!!

:D

Does anyone have any information on the passive upgrade kit MLS-12D alluded to? I can't get hold of him. Will the upgrade kit void the five year warranty that DC offer with their headsets?

Regards,
T

I now have a proud collection of 4 headsets - 2 x DC H10-30's (very good all purpose passive units); 1 x Altronics C9070 (OK for basic use - pax); and the latest, a DC H10-13XL ENR - I wish for my ears sake I had bought these 20 years ago.......do yourselves a favour, find someone with a set, borrow them and see if you are not convinced.

Got 6 pairs of Avcomms, various grades, never a bean of trouble with any of them. Anyone any opinions on ANR headsets? worth the money?

Wheeler:

Short answer - YES

Long answer - HELL YES!!!

Got the DCs as above, but believe that Bose and Peltor also are good. DCs got the nod for waranty and availability of service / parts. As for performance - more I wear em, more I swear by em.

I just got a set of DC H10-13H, which are the 13.4s with a helicopter compatible plug - very light, comfy and work well.

The quote for the adapter cord to make them usable in a fixed-wing 2-plug set up was a bit of a shock though - $180 or so; must be more than just a splitter lead, perhaps there are impedance issues to fix.

Anyway, the headset's good.

I concur with Jamair, I have had H10-13X's for about 5 yrs now, and ANR is the way forward, you just lose all the rumble/drone, that is so fatiguing. Mine are an earlier model, and they have a bit of a thirst for AA's but well worth it.

Also like someone else said, anyone can fix/service DC's and that is going to make you life easier when u need work done.

Cheers

Kiwi1 :D

You can get an optional connector that goes from the battery pack to the ciggie lighter and dispense with the batteries completely; or as I have, another battery pack as a backup. I've done 50 hrs so far on the first set.....

What about the David Clark H20-10XL? Anyone had any experience with these?

ANR
 

I'm checking out the range of ANR headsets available.... anyone have any experience with the Pilot Avionics PA17-79?
Especially with regard to compatibility with other headsets.

I've got DC 10-20s and have always found them to be very good. Also got a set of Peltors for helicopters.

Peltor 7004, great headset, good sound and very comfortable. Had a couple of days logging 8 hours and you don't even know you've got them on.

Never tried a DC but after my altronic experience wanted something completely different (not green and heavy).:cool:

ANR in helmet
 

Have been using a cheapie Avcomm inserted into a helmet (for aeros), but have just recently purchased a Gentex HGU-55 with factory ANR and the difference is unbelieveable - the only disappointing aspect is that it removes some of the "ambience" of the Pitts - such is the price of protecting one's medical (and skull!!).:ugh:

Ive had DC H10-13S for about 4 years now and they are great and not one problem, ive tried a couple of pilots Bose headsets and didnt find them as comfortable even though they were much lighter.

Ive considered getting an ANR kit for them but have heard mixed feelings about the after market ANR kits going around.

Any thoughts?

Turbz:ok:

Yes I have DC 13.4.
 

I love my DC 13.4 with the Gel ear muffs. I have had no trouble with the performance or comfort. I have just now replaced the foam mike muff as the old one perished after 7 years.

I bought an Altronic for the PAX at considerably less cost. Has the flexible boom (not wire) and gel ear seals. Also faultless. Very happy with both.:ok:

Had Mine for Just over a year now. They work well....you will run out of gas before your head starts to get sore, Plus they work well with the battery dead and you will get fifty hours out of a charge.

Stereo/Mono switch, vol for each ear and plug and lead for Music/cell fone. Give them a try.....well worth the money and cheaper than DC or Bose ANR

Purchased the DC 13X (I think that's it, :confused:) ANR headset last year, and would NOT ever go back to a conventional headset. Occasionally I might forget to turn them on during taxi, but I can tell you, once I start powering up for take off, it becomes plainly obvious!! Flicking the on switch is like going to heaven, :ok:.

Worn them inside King Airs on occasions as well, and it's dead quiet.

morno

Try a Cellphone supplies place to see if you can get a LG car Kit adapter lead or

www.flightcell.com

Outfit in Nelson they do a lot of leads for their stuff (not sure if they list them on the site anymore)

If all you need is 3.5 - 2.5 plug one came with the pilot headset and you should be able to get it throught the Pilot agent

Daqqy

I've had the PA17-71 for the last few month's. Chose them over the PA17-79 for 2 reasons...cheaper (about £50 less) and lighter.
Has a separate battery box you can clip to your belt therefore only weighs 9.6 oz.
Haven't done any long trips in them yet but they're so light I rarely even feel them. But are good enough that they've never moved and stayed comfortable doing aerobatics.
Just looked at the date of the original post.
The set I've got, and another cheaper entry level set, came out since the original post.

Bose X
 

Bose all the way!
No more sore ears, so light, so quiet.
Greatest thing since sliced bread!:D
Many years of faithful service on a daily basis, batts get changed evey 50hrs or so. No problems at all.:)
Traded up from a sweedish made Peltor (not the new USA made cheapies) and never looked back.:ok: (The Peltor went u/s after 15months:mad: )
Worth the $$, you really get what you pay for!:D

So has anyone converted a 13.4 to ANR?

Rather than buy a new 13X when i have a perfectly good set of 13.4S, im considering having ANR installed on them, thought someone may have tried this before and be able to let me know how it worked out.

Turbz

Check out the new DC X11, really nice and cheape rthan the bose x

you can even plug in your cell phone/mp3 player direct into it, and they provide u with the leads depending on your phone brand (make sure u have a 2.5 mm socket on ur phone though)

You should have included Avcomm.