Headset?
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: England
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It's a toughie!!
I have flown for 25 years, the first 200 hrs with a basic peltor headset ( still works for my pax - never needed repair). At 200 hours I splashed on a 10.13.4 x. Best decision ever. 1000 hours later I still don't need hearing aids ( I know plenty younger that do). You fly with the volume knob on the radio at one or two, not twenty to hear over the background noise. The headset has never yet failed. It owes me nothing but still carries on. They accept a lot of abuse and they are easily repairable.
There's a few DC NC headsets on ukga. Definately worth £300.
The Bose are nice but......oooh they are nice but... perhaps a little flimsy.
We have a set of light speed anc in our ac, they are nice but again a little flimsy compared to DC's.
Remember if you ears are ringing you have permanently damaged your hearing. You will also happily pay thousands in your 50's to restore lost hearing. Your choice. If you want a really cheap pair put a notice on your flying board. Most pilots have collected many headsets over time and would be happy to sell. Perhaps a retiree will sell you his old dc's. I have at least 4 sets. PM me if you need a pair - I may have one that meets your needs.
There's a few DC NC headsets on ukga. Definately worth £300.
The Bose are nice but......oooh they are nice but... perhaps a little flimsy.
We have a set of light speed anc in our ac, they are nice but again a little flimsy compared to DC's.
Remember if you ears are ringing you have permanently damaged your hearing. You will also happily pay thousands in your 50's to restore lost hearing. Your choice. If you want a really cheap pair put a notice on your flying board. Most pilots have collected many headsets over time and would be happy to sell. Perhaps a retiree will sell you his old dc's. I have at least 4 sets. PM me if you need a pair - I may have one that meets your needs.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Actually you are right! I always made my students use my spare headset which I knew worked with mine. This was preferable to headset incompatibility which made teaching so much harder. If they decided they had to buy a headset I told them which one to buy and the harmony continued. It was usually a dc13.4. If they wanted to go sexy later the 13.4 would be appreciated by their pax.
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: go west
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The David Clark head sets are not "endlessly durable", it depends where you are located.
I live in the Caribbean and the temperature is 26-32C through the day/night - this I believe is the cause of problems with DC head sets - the plastic that molding around the jack plugs and the molding around the the "Y" on the cable "rots" (the only word I can use to describe it), they become soft and crumbly and great chunks fall off.
My jack plugs have insulative tape and a layer of speed tape around them now - and the "Y" junction has just started to crumble. I will post some photos at the weekend once I can retrieve the set from the plane.
To replace the offending parts - two options, one, send to DC (from where I am more than the cost of a new headset for there, back and the repair), two, get the cable US$70-75, watch a YouTube video on the fix and trust one's soldering.
The headset in question is seven years old and the crumbling and softening started about two years ago.
I agree with the comments if one is going commercial - buy what you plan to use, it will be cheaper in the long run and you will have a better experience with the radios.
I live in the Caribbean and the temperature is 26-32C through the day/night - this I believe is the cause of problems with DC head sets - the plastic that molding around the jack plugs and the molding around the the "Y" on the cable "rots" (the only word I can use to describe it), they become soft and crumbly and great chunks fall off.
My jack plugs have insulative tape and a layer of speed tape around them now - and the "Y" junction has just started to crumble. I will post some photos at the weekend once I can retrieve the set from the plane.
To replace the offending parts - two options, one, send to DC (from where I am more than the cost of a new headset for there, back and the repair), two, get the cable US$70-75, watch a YouTube video on the fix and trust one's soldering.
The headset in question is seven years old and the crumbling and softening started about two years ago.
I agree with the comments if one is going commercial - buy what you plan to use, it will be cheaper in the long run and you will have a better experience with the radios.
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Barbados
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Martin
No the headset would leave the airplane with me and be stored in a cloth bag in my apartment (in a ventilated cupboard); no not exposed to UV.
It is typically between 25 and 32C here in Barbados - seems that the heat got to it - it looks pristine apart from the plastic around the jack plugs and the "Y" junction. All of the plastic around the plugs has crumbled away and the "Y" is going the same way.
The plastic gets a little soft before it fails - it shouldn't have done that in seven years.
When I tried to get it repaired when up in Florida not where could do it, but they all seemed to know about the problem - apparently the a DC characteristic, the other being losing a gel seal (my other newer set has that problem) "most people just buy a new headset" is what I was told.
You are also in Dublin - so thinking 30C average temperature not an issue
Mine looked brand new up to sometime in year five - other than these three plastic bits the headset does look perfect.
No the headset would leave the airplane with me and be stored in a cloth bag in my apartment (in a ventilated cupboard); no not exposed to UV.
It is typically between 25 and 32C here in Barbados - seems that the heat got to it - it looks pristine apart from the plastic around the jack plugs and the "Y" junction. All of the plastic around the plugs has crumbled away and the "Y" is going the same way.
The plastic gets a little soft before it fails - it shouldn't have done that in seven years.
When I tried to get it repaired when up in Florida not where could do it, but they all seemed to know about the problem - apparently the a DC characteristic, the other being losing a gel seal (my other newer set has that problem) "most people just buy a new headset" is what I was told.
You are also in Dublin - so thinking 30C average temperature not an issue
Mine looked brand new up to sometime in year five - other than these three plastic bits the headset does look perfect.
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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Go ANR now. It's an investment for the long term. The new DC One X seems to be very good. Bose A20 or QC15/25+uFlyMike do work and Lightspeed products are also popular. Try them out if you can.
I wish I bought ANR from the beginning. I am using DC 10-13.4. Good headset, but after a 3-hour flight my head is toasted.
I wish I bought ANR from the beginning. I am using DC 10-13.4. Good headset, but after a 3-hour flight my head is toasted.
Join Date: Nov 2014
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Martin
No the headset would leave the airplane with me and be stored in a cloth bag in my apartment (in a ventilated cupboard); no not exposed to UV.
It is typically between 25 and 32C here in Barbados - seems that the heat got to it - it looks pristine apart from the plastic around the jack plugs and the "Y" junction. All of the plastic around the plugs has crumbled away and the "Y" is going the same way.
The plastic gets a little soft before it fails - it shouldn't have done that in seven years.
When I tried to get it repaired when up in Florida not where could do it, but they all seemed to know about the problem - apparently the a DC characteristic, the other being losing a gel seal (my other newer set has that problem) "most people just buy a new headset" is what I was told.
You are also in Dublin - so thinking 30C average temperature not an issue
Mine looked brand new up to sometime in year five - other than these three plastic bits the headset does look perfect.
No the headset would leave the airplane with me and be stored in a cloth bag in my apartment (in a ventilated cupboard); no not exposed to UV.
It is typically between 25 and 32C here in Barbados - seems that the heat got to it - it looks pristine apart from the plastic around the jack plugs and the "Y" junction. All of the plastic around the plugs has crumbled away and the "Y" is going the same way.
The plastic gets a little soft before it fails - it shouldn't have done that in seven years.
When I tried to get it repaired when up in Florida not where could do it, but they all seemed to know about the problem - apparently the a DC characteristic, the other being losing a gel seal (my other newer set has that problem) "most people just buy a new headset" is what I was told.
You are also in Dublin - so thinking 30C average temperature not an issue
Mine looked brand new up to sometime in year five - other than these three plastic bits the headset does look perfect.
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Martin
I would not know if a Bose would have done better.
The galling thing is that it is a known problem and the "solution" seems to be to buy a new head set - as an aside when I took it to a well know aviation avionics place in the US the attitude was very "you're not American so why should be help?" - very Trumpian I thought.
I would not know if a Bose would have done better.
The galling thing is that it is a known problem and the "solution" seems to be to buy a new head set - as an aside when I took it to a well know aviation avionics place in the US the attitude was very "you're not American so why should be help?" - very Trumpian I thought.
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Using the same style headset is quite common - you buy what you know. But, using the same individual headset for different people died as an idea when people got aware that headsets are a sanitary product and even your own needs frequently new ear cushion etceteras to stay germfree. Our SOP tell 6 month time for them ...
Join Date: Jul 2012
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I have taken a couple of photos - but cannot recall how to get them to attach - I did a few on something else a week ago - but when I get the Album part I can add an album but the upload photos link seems to have disappeared.
If it reappears I will up load them.
If it reappears I will up load them.
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Like many new pilots, I started off with David Clarks but soon found they gave me headaches on longer flights because of the clamping effect. Easy to sell second hand though. I then moved onto lighter Peltors which were more comfortable but not as robust. When ANRs started to appear, I purchased a couple of Pilot Communications sets which gave me many years of service and I still have one set as a spare. However, a few years ago, I bought a nearly new Lightspeed Zulu headset which is by far the most relaxing I have ever owned. If you are serious about flying and can afford it, go for this or something similar.
I'm not sure how many headset threads I've responded to over the years!
DCs are great headsets but not for me. They don't fit my head and are extremely uncomfortable. Try before you buy and that means more than wandering around a shop for five minutes.
I have had a Lightspeed Zulu 2 for three years and wouldn't change. The ANR is great.
I also used the Bluetooth phone call feature for the first time the other day. Having released one glider, I got a call from another pilot who needed a tow from a nearby airport and so I was able to fly straight there!
I've got the Calgary Tower emergency number programmed, so in the event of radio failure, I have the option of saying "Hey Siri, call ATC"!
One thing I've noticed is that it is very difficult to avoid pushing the PTT when talking on the phone.
DCs are great headsets but not for me. They don't fit my head and are extremely uncomfortable. Try before you buy and that means more than wandering around a shop for five minutes.
I have had a Lightspeed Zulu 2 for three years and wouldn't change. The ANR is great.
I also used the Bluetooth phone call feature for the first time the other day. Having released one glider, I got a call from another pilot who needed a tow from a nearby airport and so I was able to fly straight there!
I've got the Calgary Tower emergency number programmed, so in the event of radio failure, I have the option of saying "Hey Siri, call ATC"!
One thing I've noticed is that it is very difficult to avoid pushing the PTT when talking on the phone.
Join Date: May 2015
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I also used the Bluetooth phone call feature for the first time the other day. Having released one glider, I got a call from another pilot who needed a tow from a nearby airport and so I was able to fly straight there!
I've got the Calgary Tower emergency number programmed, so in the event of radio failure, I have the option of saying "Hey Siri, call ATC"!
I've got the Calgary Tower emergency number programmed, so in the event of radio failure, I have the option of saying "Hey Siri, call ATC"!
Anyway, have you tested "Hey Siri, call ATC" in the air yet? The reason I ask is the "Hey Siri" callout function only works if the iPhone is plugged into mains/external battery. Just a forewarning, in case you didn't know!
BNI,
The pairing is straight forward as per the Lightspeed manual.
Once the headset is paired, to answer an incoming call, you briefly press the Bluetooth button on the battery box.
To make a call, press the Bluetooth button once and talk to Siri.
I didn't want to call ATC on their emergency number, so my son acted as substitute.
It worked perfectly, so I was surprised by your comment. After some research, I discovered that the Siri "always on" feature was introduced with the iPhone 6s, which I have. On an older phone that supports Siri, if the phone is not charging, you need to press the Home button while talking to Siri.
A comment on the Zulu 3 headset. A year ago, my headset was stolen and I had to replace it, so I considered the Zulu 3. However, it is much more expensive and it requires more batteries, so the battery box is much bigger. I stuck with the Zulu 2.
The pairing is straight forward as per the Lightspeed manual.
Once the headset is paired, to answer an incoming call, you briefly press the Bluetooth button on the battery box.
To make a call, press the Bluetooth button once and talk to Siri.
Anyway, have you tested "Hey Siri, call ATC" in the air yet? The reason I ask is the "Hey Siri" callout function only works if the iPhone is plugged into mains/external battery. Just a forewarning, in case you didn't know!
It worked perfectly, so I was surprised by your comment. After some research, I discovered that the Siri "always on" feature was introduced with the iPhone 6s, which I have. On an older phone that supports Siri, if the phone is not charging, you need to press the Home button while talking to Siri.
A comment on the Zulu 3 headset. A year ago, my headset was stolen and I had to replace it, so I considered the Zulu 3. However, it is much more expensive and it requires more batteries, so the battery box is much bigger. I stuck with the Zulu 2.
Join Date: May 2015
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BNI,
The pairing is straight forward as per the Lightspeed manual.
Once the headset is paired, to answer an incoming call, you briefly press the Bluetooth button on the battery box.
To make a call, press the Bluetooth button once and talk to Siri.
I didn't want to call ATC on their emergency number, so my son acted as substitute.
It worked perfectly, so I was surprised by your comment. After some research, I discovered that the Siri "always on" feature was introduced with the iPhone 6s, which I have. On an older phone that supports Siri, if the phone is not charging, you need to press the Home button while talking to Siri.
A comment on the Zulu 3 headset. A year ago, my headset was stolen and I had to replace it, so I considered the Zulu 3. However, it is much more expensive and it requires more batteries, so the battery box is much bigger. I stuck with the Zulu 2.
The pairing is straight forward as per the Lightspeed manual.
Once the headset is paired, to answer an incoming call, you briefly press the Bluetooth button on the battery box.
To make a call, press the Bluetooth button once and talk to Siri.
I didn't want to call ATC on their emergency number, so my son acted as substitute.
It worked perfectly, so I was surprised by your comment. After some research, I discovered that the Siri "always on" feature was introduced with the iPhone 6s, which I have. On an older phone that supports Siri, if the phone is not charging, you need to press the Home button while talking to Siri.
A comment on the Zulu 3 headset. A year ago, my headset was stolen and I had to replace it, so I considered the Zulu 3. However, it is much more expensive and it requires more batteries, so the battery box is much bigger. I stuck with the Zulu 2.
I figured out the pairing. I just needed to kick start the process with a longer button hold.
Thanks for all this info. Interesting stuff.