Head set Recommendations anyone??
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,189
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From: Earth
I think you'll find any headset from a reputable manufacturer is very good these days.
One thing you must bear in mind is their compatibility with your instructor/co-pilots/passengers.
ANR is good. The level of extra expense has kept me from buying them so far. I prefer to buy the most comforatble pair so I don't get a sore bone peak on long flights!
David Clarkes are as good as any. The best I ever had though were Flightcom ones that I stupidly threw in with the sale of an a/c once and have regretted it ever since. They were SO comfortable and looked great.'
www.flightcom.net
One thing you must bear in mind is their compatibility with your instructor/co-pilots/passengers.
ANR is good. The level of extra expense has kept me from buying them so far. I prefer to buy the most comforatble pair so I don't get a sore bone peak on long flights!
David Clarkes are as good as any. The best I ever had though were Flightcom ones that I stupidly threw in with the sale of an a/c once and have regretted it ever since. They were SO comfortable and looked great.'
www.flightcom.net
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: UK
Check out headsetservices.com (based in Shoreham), they have a good selection and are very efficient. My David Clarke's were playing up a bit last week, so I sent them in and they were back as if new within a week. And it was free on warranty 
BTW I recommend the David Clarke 13.4's, about £200 if I remember correctly. Extremely light and comfortable.
BTW I recommend the David Clarke 13.4's, about £200 if I remember correctly. Extremely light and comfortable.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 3
From: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
I bought my Peltor headset from Transair when they were in Staines (20+ years ago??) They fold away in the bag, I can wear them for hours without undue strain. I find David Clarks unbearably vice-like and rather heavy. I'm told the electrics on the older Peltors like mine are a bit crude but they've updated them. That said, I've never had compatability problems with other makes of headset in a variety of aircraft.
I recently thought I'd treat myself to a new headset as the earpads had become flattened over the years and were no longer comfortable. Transair sold me a new pair of earpads for about 9 quid - seconds to fit and just like new!
The Odd One
I recently thought I'd treat myself to a new headset as the earpads had become flattened over the years and were no longer comfortable. Transair sold me a new pair of earpads for about 9 quid - seconds to fit and just like new!
The Odd One
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,401
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Each time this question comes up, I say the same thing:
DAVID CLARK 13.4!!
I've had the same pair for over 10 years and the only maintenance they've ever had is a quick wipe of the plugs now and again plus a new mic sock..... Otherwise they've had no special treatment and have stood up to everything.
I understand that Pink Headsets are quite neat as well, eh Mono'.........?
DAVID CLARK 13.4!!
I've had the same pair for over 10 years and the only maintenance they've ever had is a quick wipe of the plugs now and again plus a new mic sock..... Otherwise they've had no special treatment and have stood up to everything.
I understand that Pink Headsets are quite neat as well, eh Mono'.........?
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 278
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From: UK
If you like DC's but don't want to pay that much I recommend Avcomm. I think they are kind of a Transair own brand but they are very high spec. I have had mine for over 10 years and they are still excellent-no problems, no pressure points, no mis-match problems; and all for 100 notes.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
Harry Mendholsson's (sp) own brand HM-40's. Compatible with everything, light, comfortable and reasonably priced. Mine have been used and abused for the last 10 years with no problems. I used DC's when I was learning to fly and found the vice like grip uncomfortable after an hour or so.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
DC 13.4's
they where recommended to me, the only set ive used, and can say im very impressed, maximum ive had them on has been 2hrs.
I used to use club headsets, and un-welcomed the head aches and sore ears they gave me after 1hrs flying.
they where recommended to me, the only set ive used, and can say im very impressed, maximum ive had them on has been 2hrs.
I used to use club headsets, and un-welcomed the head aches and sore ears they gave me after 1hrs flying.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Ashwell, U.K.
One level below the DCs price-wise but I've recently bought a pair of Sennheiser HME-100s. Very comfortable, the "Boss" thinks they're the best we've had and they come with a nifty headset bag. German made and they look as though they'll last. Definitely worth a try.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 1
From: England
Also try the DC10-13.4x.(the ANR ones)
I tried a pair on a trial basis for 30 days but was not totally convinced about the ANR bit (all it seemed to do was remove a bit of low level thrum).
Anyway I was too lazy to take them back and change them for the 10-13.4 and have used them regularly for 3 months. Last week the battery went flat and I had to do a whole day with just passive attenuation. I had to turn the earphone cups from min to max volume to hear the ATC and intercom and that thrum was quite annoying by the end of the day. That was when I realised how much of a difference they made.
Its pricey but in 20 years time you will gladly pay £200 to get the hearing back you lost spending 1000 hours in spamcans.
I tried a pair on a trial basis for 30 days but was not totally convinced about the ANR bit (all it seemed to do was remove a bit of low level thrum).
Anyway I was too lazy to take them back and change them for the 10-13.4 and have used them regularly for 3 months. Last week the battery went flat and I had to do a whole day with just passive attenuation. I had to turn the earphone cups from min to max volume to hear the ATC and intercom and that thrum was quite annoying by the end of the day. That was when I realised how much of a difference they made.
Its pricey but in 20 years time you will gladly pay £200 to get the hearing back you lost spending 1000 hours in spamcans.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: The Front of Beyond
If you've got a set of DC's or Peltors, you can buy a kit to convert them to ANR from Adams Aviation . I did my Peltors a couple of years ago, and find they work very well. If you don't think you're up to taking your headset apart to fit the ANR kit then for an extra charge the suppliers will fit then kit for you.
Brooklands
Brooklands
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
Bose X are the best, no question.
Just don't lend them out to others because they aren't made to sit on or drive a car over
All other headsets are cheaper and not as good, comfort and performance wise, so it then becomes a personal tradeoff of acceptable performance versus one's budget, which is your decision alone.
The top D-C models have good PASSIVE attenuation but they do it with high earcup pressure which will give you a headache after a couple of hours. They also mess up womens' hair and that will seriously affect your flying
The only headset I would definitely avoid is the widely marketed Pilot range, especially the 17-79 model which I had for a year and found to be cr@p. I was able to prove that the ANR barely worked; the manufacturer agreed in writing, and they gave me a full refund (from the USA!).
Most headsets on the market have bogus attenuation performance quoted in adverts. Best thing is to go to a headset shop which has a ghetto blaster with aircraft noise (a gansta rap recording off Radio 1 would do) and try different models.
Just don't lend them out to others because they aren't made to sit on or drive a car over
All other headsets are cheaper and not as good, comfort and performance wise, so it then becomes a personal tradeoff of acceptable performance versus one's budget, which is your decision alone.
The top D-C models have good PASSIVE attenuation but they do it with high earcup pressure which will give you a headache after a couple of hours. They also mess up womens' hair and that will seriously affect your flying
The only headset I would definitely avoid is the widely marketed Pilot range, especially the 17-79 model which I had for a year and found to be cr@p. I was able to prove that the ANR barely worked; the manufacturer agreed in writing, and they gave me a full refund (from the USA!).
Most headsets on the market have bogus attenuation performance quoted in adverts. Best thing is to go to a headset shop which has a ghetto blaster with aircraft noise (a gansta rap recording off Radio 1 would do) and try different models.
