Headsets are so damn espensive

[Locarno]

hello all,
I've been looking around frantically for a new headset which i desperately need, and it keeps coming back to one thing. The Bose A20. The problem being that I can't quite afford to knock out a grand in a lump sum.

Does anyone know of anywhere that offers headsets on credit/hire purchase?

If not, then what is the best:cheapest ratio headset available?


Thanks for your help!

Jason.

[Katamarino]

You appear to have chosen the Ferrari of headsets. Perhaps try something a little further down the range? Many pilot shops will let you try out some sets to see which you prefer.

I have had a set of DCs for 5+ years, which I have now had converted by a member of the other forum to active noise reduction, and they are superb! Total cost less than hald that of the Bose.

[PilotPieces]

What about the older bose model? £700 ish

[BackPacker]

You can get in-ear "head"sets, like Clarity Aloft and a few other brands, for much less. And their passive NR is supposedly better than a normal headsets ANR. If you can cope with the feeling of having something in your ear canal, that is.

I have no experience with them myself but I'm currently taking a good look at them. I've got a PNR headset at the moment and want to upgrade to something that's better suitable for aerobatics.

[trex450]

what are you flying?

[Mark1234]

Or try a couple of hundred for a perfectly servicable standard headset. If the noise bothers you, stick some earplugs (foam things) in your ears, and turn up the volume on the intercom.

Confess I'm tempted by the clarity aloft and the like - mainly because I suspect it would be liberating to remove the weight from one's head whilst aerobatting, but to be honest, my 3 year old DC's are as good as new, so I have no excuse..

[A and C]

Locarno

If you get out of the overpriced CTC training hold pool with the money you save you can buy your self a bose headset and a small aircraft to plug it into!

[IO540]

The A20 (I have one) is truly a lot better than the old Bose X (of which I have three).

And the Bose X is at the very top of the headset market - equalled only by the Lightspeed Zulu, and possibly one David Clarke headset which is OK if you like your head to be like this (due to the vice-like pressure) after a few flights

If you plan to fly long-term then buy a Bose.

[Runaway Gun]

...and if the expense bothers you, then consider the implications of saving a few quid and risking losing your hearing in a few years.

I SAID "IF THE EXPENSE BOTHERS......."

[Pilot DAR]

Bose are superb, and David Clark are excellent. Others I have seen are really poor.

I have a set of DC ANC, and honestly I prefer the regular DC H10-30's which I have had for more than 25 years. I have found David Clark product support, for the very few times I have needed it (the ANC's were once) to be outstanding, and I am very pleased to support a company, who supports me.

I'm not knocking the Bose though, I just don't want that much investment into something which could see those extremems of environment, or end up in the lake (when you get out quickly as the dock nears, and the cord wraps around your leg on the way out!)

Avoid "cheap" headsets, you get what you pay for...

[mutt]

Have you considered the Bose QC15 with the Ufly Mike? It will cost about $500. Its much more comfortable than the Bose X.

Mutt

[SNS3Guppy]

If you're looking to protect your hearing, a David Clark type headset with extra foam (oregon aero kits) is the way to go. If you're looking for comfort and improved communication, then Bose does an excellent job.

The A20 is good enough that on a flight a month ago, one of the crew loaned his A20 to a check airman and a flight engineer, and they decided to buy one. The flight engineer put in an order as soon as he reached the hotel room; they're that good.

I use a Bose QC-15, with the Uflymic. It's the same electronics and the same headset technology as the A20, but a lot less expensive. The uflymic provides excellent clarity, and has options for music input, or the ability to use a backup set of earbuds. The installation is fully STC'd, and works very well (and folds flat into the flight case to keep from taking up much room).

I've used the Bose X quite a bit, and it's an excellent headset as well.

That said, you don't need to spend that much money if you're simply looking for a headset, and if you won't be using it much. I typically fly between 80 and 120 hours a month, and wear the headset for 6 to 10 hours at a time, so comfort and clarity are important. I communicate with a lot of different foreign controllers, some of which are very difficult to understand; the Bose makes understanding them much easier. It's not a necessity, however, if you're flying locally for short periods.

I have several headsets which are basic non-attenuating headsets; these are models such as the Flightcom 4DX, which cost a little over a hundred dollars when I originally purchased it. I invested in the oregon aero earseals, hush kit (foam for each earcup), and the oregon aero headband for comfort. I flew with that headset in extremely loud airplanes for hundreds of hours, comfortably (the airplanes in which I used it make a 172 sound like a glider, by comparison, so if it worked sandwiched between 4 R2600's at full bore, it will work ever so much better in a light piston single or twin. And it does.

The Bose A20 is a great headset, as are the other bose products. Lightspeed makes good headsets too; the lightspeed zulu is comparable and costs less. Several manufacturers make headsets that won't break the bank, but will serve you very, very well. David Clark offers excellent customer service and has a reputation for supporting their products no matter what (I've known people who ran over one with a car, and they still replaced it). If cost is an issue (is it ever not?), don't feel you have to own the Bose A20; you have other choices.

Having said that, Bose offers a payment plan for their headsets which makes them available to almost anyone.

[Locarno]

Thank you everyone and thank you SNS3Guppy.

I've just started flying the 738 for RYR (so that'd be me out of the super expensive CTC holdpool then)

The Bose QC-15 really does interest me, it's not something I had considered 'til now.

The reason I started this topic was to see if any headset was available on finance. My old man always told me to 'buy the best you can afford'. Now theres absolutely no doubt I cannot currently afford the A20 (Hence asking about finance) but I WILL be able to get it, so I'm just looking to get it a bit sooner than I otherwise would, rather than spending a few hundred pounds only to spend a few hundred more down the line.
(Plus I'm finding the ole Telex 750s absolutely rubbish, especially when talking to the Italians...)


But yeah, you mention that Bose have a payment plan scheme - I really haven't been able to find that. Anyone have any links?

Thanks again,
Jason.

[IO540]

Various people have tried the QC-15 but it doesn't have anywhere near enough attenuation for SE piston aircraft.

My girlfriend and I had it on a trial a year or two ago (for airline travel). The ANR was crap, with a clearly audible hiss (which is not an uncommon issue with cheap ANR headsets) and the overall attenuation was comparable for a crap £100 aviation headset.

Comfy to wear but not much good for flying SE piston.

May well work in a jet or similar - if they have fixed the hissing. Bose did not comment on the hissing so we sent it back for a refund.

It's just a shame that the pilot shops have shelves full of headsets ranging from just-usable to crap, and this is what keeps Bose in business with such (IMHO) overpriced headsets. Bose are like Jeppesen - there is no choice but to pay up

[SNS3Guppy]

But yeah, you mention that Bose have a payment plan scheme - I really haven't been able to find that. Anyone have any links?

Now: 0% Interest From Bose

Now: 0% interest from Bose

Choose the Bose® payment plan and make low monthly payments using your own credit card—with 0% APR and no interest charges from Bose. Just tell us which card you wish to use and select the 6- or 12-month payment option.

The Bose® payment plan is available on orders of $299 – $1500* paid by major credit card. The 6-month option (web-based orders only) includes an initial down payment of 1/6 the product price plus tax and shipping charges, charged when your order is shipped. Then your credit card will be billed for five (5) equal, monthly installments beginning approximately one month from the date your order is shipped. The 12-month option includes an initial down payment of 1/12 the product price plus tax and shipping charges, charged when your order is shipped. Then your credit card will be billed for eleven (11) equal, monthly installments beginning approximately one month from the date your order is shipped.

Credit card rules and interest may apply. US residents only. Limit one active financing program per customer. Cannot be combined with gift cards or promotional cards. Order confirmation, payment schedules and other pertinent financing information will be sent to your billing address.

*Separate financing options may be available on select products.

Comfy to wear but not much good for flying SE piston.

They work great in single engine piston, multi engine piston, single and multi engine turboprop, and turbojet aircraft.

May well work in a jet or similar - if they have fixed the hissing. Bose did not comment on the hissing so we sent it back for a refund.

They work great in a jet. They work great in a lot of other equipment, too. Mine has no hissing.

Various people have tried the QC-15 but it doesn't have anywhere near enough attenuation for SE piston aircraft.

They work fine in single engine piston equipment.

[excrab]

Locarno,

Have you tried the telex 850? I've used it in classics and NGs (including talking to Italians). It's ANR, same weight as the 750 so it's comfortable after a ten hour plus day, and it runs off the aircraft mic bias current so you don't need to worry about replacing batteries - and it's much cheaper than the Bose...

[FullyFlapped]

US residents only.

Well, that's b*ggered that then !

Merry Christmas everyone !

FF

[IO540]

I thought Mr Guppy was in Afghanistan, avoiding small arms fire. I can see a need for a headset which provides good all-round hearing in that case.

[Andy H]

Have you tried ebay? These might be what you want
aircraft headsets on eBay (end time 24-Dec-10 23:04:27 GMT)

[Ultra long hauler]

Sennheiser?????

Originally Posted by IO540

If you plan to fly long-term then buy a Bose.

Anybody has any experience with Sennheiser?--> for audio it´s out brand of choice in the house. But for pilot headsets………I just wouldn´t know!

For your convenience, here´s the link of a particular Sennheiser I´m considering purchasing:

Sennheiser HMEC-460 ANR Headset - MyPilotStore.com

###Ultra Long Hauler###