First GA Aviation Headset
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So ANR Headsets that i can choose from, obviuosly the cost is quite large on some of these but i believe maehh summed it up in his post. Im willing to pay for a good set if its definately worth it, hard to select one now?
David Clark H10 13.4
Bose X
Bose A20
Lightspeed Zulu
David Clark H10 13.4
Bose X
Bose A20
Lightspeed Zulu
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So ANR Headsets that i can choose from, obviuosly the cost is quite large on some of these but i believe maehh summed it up in his post. Im willing to pay for a good set if its definately worth it, hard to select one now?
David Clark H10 13.4
Bose X
Bose A20
Lightspeed Zulu
David Clark H10 13.4
Bose X
Bose A20
Lightspeed Zulu
One possible point to look at is entertainment - bearing in mind Lightspeed Zulus have Bluetooth Music streaming as standard which you have to pay extra for with the Bose A20, this feature was what clinched it for me and I went with the Zulus and haven't regretted it. It really is a different world having your favourite music streaming to the headphones whilst up there....... For info, I paid €800 for my Lightspeed Zulus, the Bose and S1 come in around €1000.......
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As a student I have been hiring from my club David Clark's with Gel earseals.
As a glasses wearer the gel seals make a big difference, but so does how carefully I put them on and position the headset on my head (any gaps mean a big increase in sound). After a couple of hours flying with the DCs I was starting to get a sore head from the clamping pressure.
My plan (once I get my PPL) is to treat myself to something that will probably break my budget...
The advice I've got from others is to spend as much as you can afford as you wont regret it later. There are fitting differences between different headsets which mean that the A20 wont suit some people (and the same for the Zulu ) so try a number of different ones on in a shop. I'm told some shops also let you "try before you buy". Worth doing if making an investment (which is what buying a top end headset is).
Happy flying!
As a glasses wearer the gel seals make a big difference, but so does how carefully I put them on and position the headset on my head (any gaps mean a big increase in sound). After a couple of hours flying with the DCs I was starting to get a sore head from the clamping pressure.
My plan (once I get my PPL) is to treat myself to something that will probably break my budget...
The advice I've got from others is to spend as much as you can afford as you wont regret it later. There are fitting differences between different headsets which mean that the A20 wont suit some people (and the same for the Zulu ) so try a number of different ones on in a shop. I'm told some shops also let you "try before you buy". Worth doing if making an investment (which is what buying a top end headset is).
Happy flying!
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First GA Aviation Headset
Get the best ANR headset you can afford. Hearing loss is a one way street. When it's gone, it's gone.
Re not properly hearing engine and other noises: total BS. In fact, you'll hear everything much clearer.
Re not properly hearing engine and other noises: total BS. In fact, you'll hear everything much clearer.
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I have to agree, I have some hearing loss at the lower end of the spectrum as per my last audiogram, not much and not serious but still I'd rather not have lost it.
A good ANR is unquestionably worth the investment. I have a Bose A20 (my hearing loss started before I bought it) it's fantastic. I forgot my headset at work the other day and put on a Dave Clark 10.13 that they have a spare in the cockpit and the difference was incredible. Bose A20 worth every penny!
A good ANR is unquestionably worth the investment. I have a Bose A20 (my hearing loss started before I bought it) it's fantastic. I forgot my headset at work the other day and put on a Dave Clark 10.13 that they have a spare in the cockpit and the difference was incredible. Bose A20 worth every penny!
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Yeah im looking towards the Bose A20 and yes it is very expensive but would be worth the investment.
Still it will be a good idea to visit a store and get them in my hands and try them on if possible, not sure what pilot supply stores there are in Grampian Scotland?
Ewan
Still it will be a good idea to visit a store and get them in my hands and try them on if possible, not sure what pilot supply stores there are in Grampian Scotland?
Ewan
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Personaly, I think the choice of headset is such a personal choice that the question on which headset to buy is virtually un-answerable.
I started my PPL a few months ago and straight away I asked the same question. I had set myself a budget for my flying lessons and buying equipment. I added quite a bit on to my budget as I didn't expect to do as well as I did so had quite a bit left to spend.
At first I bought a set of cheap David Clarke headset in virtually the first week because thats what my instructor used, and then I inherited a set of Lightspeed Zulu 2 from my brother-in-law who failed his medical so basically decided not to fly again and let me have them. In the meantime my wife bought me a set of Bose A20 for my birthday so I ended up with 3 headsets. I also purchased myself some Sennheiser HME 95 due to the fact they were cheap, very compact and slipped easily in to my flight bag and thought that a passive headset would be great in an emergency and took up hardly any space.
Over all those months, I have equally used all those headsets and in all honesty I would say that anyone of them would be suitable for flying a GA aircraft (my ones being mainly Cessna and Piper). Even the cheap Sennheiser reduces the noise to far less than that I am exposed to from walking around the street.
But, everyone will have their own personal choice and to them one headset will seem better than another in one way or another.
I personaly prefer the ANR ones over the passive ones but only for the reason that with both my Lightspeed and Bose I can quite easily hear the stall warner whereas with the David Clarke I cannot hear it as easily. Also the ANR headsets just don't clamp as hard against my head.
If I was going to buy my first headset now knowing what I do then out of all the ones I have I would go for the Lightspeed by quite a big preference. I am not saying it is better than the Bose but it is certainly not worse under any test I could give them and with a £300 price difference between the 2 I really could not justify £75 for each letter of the brand name.
For what it's worth, this is my OPINION of the 4 headsets I have.
The David Clake I find very sturdy and I do like it. It does tend to become a bit uncomfortable after a while but not unbearable. It does a very good job of attenuation but for me, it also blocks out a lot of sounds that I very much want to hear. But I still think that this is an ideal headset if you are on a budget but still want a well known, proven headset.
The Sennheiser HME 95 I don't think is really suited for GA aircraft for regular use as the attenuation is not brilliant. But as I said, it does attenuate the sound to a lower level than if I was walking in the street and is fairly comfortable and compact. But for long term use I think it would get a little tiresome.
The Bose A20 is absolutely fantastic. It does have bluetooth which I dont really have a need to use. I probably would not have purchased this if it wasn't a present but that was really based on the cost of them. But now I have it, I really do like it. Attenuation is excellent as is comfort but as I already mentioned, I do think there are other headsets that are just as good but with a much lower price tag. But BOSE have established themselves in almost any audio market so are a popular choice at any price.
The Lightspeed I think is an excellent headset that I personaly would rate as good as the Bose but has a more reasonable price tag. There are certain resellers in the UK (not sure if I am allowed to mention them) that are, at this minute, doing a very special deal on the Zulu for just over £600 which is £375 less than you will get a Bose A20 with bluetooth for. I find there is absolutely no difference in comfort or noise levels between the Bose and the Lightspeed and would be just as pleased with either one. In-fact, I find the Lightspeed does actually have one advantage over the Bose and that is in respect of passive attenuation. or me with both headsets turned off with no ANR, the Lightspeed does a slightly better job than the Bose. Also, I like the fact that the Lightspeed comes with a very good, quality case that protects the headset a lot better than the Bose case supplied.
Anyway, as said, these are just my persoanl opinions and someone else could have these exact same headsets and forma completely different opinion.
Steve
I started my PPL a few months ago and straight away I asked the same question. I had set myself a budget for my flying lessons and buying equipment. I added quite a bit on to my budget as I didn't expect to do as well as I did so had quite a bit left to spend.
At first I bought a set of cheap David Clarke headset in virtually the first week because thats what my instructor used, and then I inherited a set of Lightspeed Zulu 2 from my brother-in-law who failed his medical so basically decided not to fly again and let me have them. In the meantime my wife bought me a set of Bose A20 for my birthday so I ended up with 3 headsets. I also purchased myself some Sennheiser HME 95 due to the fact they were cheap, very compact and slipped easily in to my flight bag and thought that a passive headset would be great in an emergency and took up hardly any space.
Over all those months, I have equally used all those headsets and in all honesty I would say that anyone of them would be suitable for flying a GA aircraft (my ones being mainly Cessna and Piper). Even the cheap Sennheiser reduces the noise to far less than that I am exposed to from walking around the street.
But, everyone will have their own personal choice and to them one headset will seem better than another in one way or another.
I personaly prefer the ANR ones over the passive ones but only for the reason that with both my Lightspeed and Bose I can quite easily hear the stall warner whereas with the David Clarke I cannot hear it as easily. Also the ANR headsets just don't clamp as hard against my head.
If I was going to buy my first headset now knowing what I do then out of all the ones I have I would go for the Lightspeed by quite a big preference. I am not saying it is better than the Bose but it is certainly not worse under any test I could give them and with a £300 price difference between the 2 I really could not justify £75 for each letter of the brand name.
For what it's worth, this is my OPINION of the 4 headsets I have.
The David Clake I find very sturdy and I do like it. It does tend to become a bit uncomfortable after a while but not unbearable. It does a very good job of attenuation but for me, it also blocks out a lot of sounds that I very much want to hear. But I still think that this is an ideal headset if you are on a budget but still want a well known, proven headset.
The Sennheiser HME 95 I don't think is really suited for GA aircraft for regular use as the attenuation is not brilliant. But as I said, it does attenuate the sound to a lower level than if I was walking in the street and is fairly comfortable and compact. But for long term use I think it would get a little tiresome.
The Bose A20 is absolutely fantastic. It does have bluetooth which I dont really have a need to use. I probably would not have purchased this if it wasn't a present but that was really based on the cost of them. But now I have it, I really do like it. Attenuation is excellent as is comfort but as I already mentioned, I do think there are other headsets that are just as good but with a much lower price tag. But BOSE have established themselves in almost any audio market so are a popular choice at any price.
The Lightspeed I think is an excellent headset that I personaly would rate as good as the Bose but has a more reasonable price tag. There are certain resellers in the UK (not sure if I am allowed to mention them) that are, at this minute, doing a very special deal on the Zulu for just over £600 which is £375 less than you will get a Bose A20 with bluetooth for. I find there is absolutely no difference in comfort or noise levels between the Bose and the Lightspeed and would be just as pleased with either one. In-fact, I find the Lightspeed does actually have one advantage over the Bose and that is in respect of passive attenuation. or me with both headsets turned off with no ANR, the Lightspeed does a slightly better job than the Bose. Also, I like the fact that the Lightspeed comes with a very good, quality case that protects the headset a lot better than the Bose case supplied.
Anyway, as said, these are just my persoanl opinions and someone else could have these exact same headsets and forma completely different opinion.
Steve
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Try Cumbernauld . pooleys
I haven't bought anything from them but I don't know of any other shops around Scotland. I'd ring before turning up to see what they can offer you (the few times I've been there, there didn't appear to be someone manning it). They had a number of headsets on display last time I was there (don't know which one).
(I have no connection to Cumbernauld beyond flying in there a few times)
Edited to add:
There also appears to be one in Inverness at Highland Aviation
I haven't bought anything from them but I don't know of any other shops around Scotland. I'd ring before turning up to see what they can offer you (the few times I've been there, there didn't appear to be someone manning it). They had a number of headsets on display last time I was there (don't know which one).
(I have no connection to Cumbernauld beyond flying in there a few times)
Edited to add:
There also appears to be one in Inverness at Highland Aviation
Last edited by riverrock83; 4th Sep 2012 at 16:47.
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I've just purchased a PA 17-72 DNC and very happy with it - in my case the limiting factor was that most headsets press uncomfortably on my ears and becomes painful after even 45 minutes in the air. I knew the Pilot ones were OK (They are wider around the ear) as I was using a Pilot headset from the flying school's collection when it was available - lesson here I guess being don't buy a headset you haven't tried on.
Long term I may get a more expensive one and use the PA 17-72 for any passengers, but for now the money is going on basics like flying time rather than shiny kit!
Long term I may get a more expensive one and use the PA 17-72 for any passengers, but for now the money is going on basics like flying time rather than shiny kit!
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Mendelsshons (sp?) in Edinburgh is the place to go for headsets, they'll have every type you could want and will let you try them on.
Inverness definitely keep one or two A20s in stock.
Inverness definitely keep one or two A20s in stock.
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I have bought Navcomm NC300D headphones. IMO they're way better than standard DCs when it comes to sound quality, while costing less than 1/2 of their price (approx. 140 €).
I've flown more than 80 hrs with them, without any problems. They've quite convenient gel ear-seals and come with cotton ear-seal covers.
If you want some more details -> PM
I've flown more than 80 hrs with them, without any problems. They've quite convenient gel ear-seals and come with cotton ear-seal covers.
If you want some more details -> PM
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I did most of my training with a second hand old style set of Peltors. These are still far and away the most comfortable to wear.
For open cockpit sport biplane flying I found ANR to be indispensable, and have now drifted more towards wearing them everyday. This is for the very same reason that mad jock describes - hearing damage and hearing loss is prevalent amongst most of my more senior pilot colleagues.
But, I didn't spend a fortune. You can get hold of a tatty set of Davy-Clarks cheap on eBay. Desn't matter if the speakers don't work, as long as the mike does. Then buy a kit from from Headset Services Inc (in the UK you can get them from places like Adams Aviation) which you install yourself. It upgrades the headset to ANR for a fraction of the price. It replaces the speakers, hence not needing the originals.
If you're watching the pennies but also want to protect your ears, I recommend this. I've used mine in all kinds of aeroplanes with no complaints, and yes I wear glasses. Gel seals are a must. If you can afford to go fancy I'm sure that the Bose, Lightspeed or any other that fits nicely will be great. But if not, the progression of cost against best result goes something like Davy-Clark or similar, Davy-Clark (or similar) + aftermarket ANR kit, bespoke ANR headset.
For open cockpit sport biplane flying I found ANR to be indispensable, and have now drifted more towards wearing them everyday. This is for the very same reason that mad jock describes - hearing damage and hearing loss is prevalent amongst most of my more senior pilot colleagues.
But, I didn't spend a fortune. You can get hold of a tatty set of Davy-Clarks cheap on eBay. Desn't matter if the speakers don't work, as long as the mike does. Then buy a kit from from Headset Services Inc (in the UK you can get them from places like Adams Aviation) which you install yourself. It upgrades the headset to ANR for a fraction of the price. It replaces the speakers, hence not needing the originals.
If you're watching the pennies but also want to protect your ears, I recommend this. I've used mine in all kinds of aeroplanes with no complaints, and yes I wear glasses. Gel seals are a must. If you can afford to go fancy I'm sure that the Bose, Lightspeed or any other that fits nicely will be great. But if not, the progression of cost against best result goes something like Davy-Clark or similar, Davy-Clark (or similar) + aftermarket ANR kit, bespoke ANR headset.
Last edited by fwjc; 11th Sep 2012 at 21:57.
