Helmets - Should you? and Which?
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 21
From: I am not sure where we are, but at least it is getting dark
I've had the Bose in there for about 4 years now and you couldn't pay me to go back to a passive setup.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: mostly in the jungle...
NO idea about the Switzerland Helmet....
However I was looking into the Gentex HGU-56 recently (re-issue of helmets in the company)
After some serious research - about 95% of all replies and recommendations come back for the Gallet LM-250 (NOT the 350, but the 250)...
I have no idea who would be the distributor in/for Switzerland.
I do know that Merit Apparel in Augustine, Florida is the only distributor on the planet that has helmets in stock (except the factory) and can assemble yours nealry immediatly.
(They also hav a fantastic reputation for fit and service, most of their customers never see the shop..... It seems they have the "remote fitting" process really dialed in!)
I spent an hour on the phone and they walked me through the whole process.....
HOWEVER - we did not order the helmets yet, so I cannot testify to the actual quality or use experience.
At present I am still using my 28 year old SPH-5 (various refurbishments).
The HGU-56 can be made to fit good, but why bother if the LM-250 can be ordered to fit perfectly....
Cheers,
3top
However I was looking into the Gentex HGU-56 recently (re-issue of helmets in the company)
After some serious research - about 95% of all replies and recommendations come back for the Gallet LM-250 (NOT the 350, but the 250)...
I have no idea who would be the distributor in/for Switzerland.
I do know that Merit Apparel in Augustine, Florida is the only distributor on the planet that has helmets in stock (except the factory) and can assemble yours nealry immediatly.
(They also hav a fantastic reputation for fit and service, most of their customers never see the shop..... It seems they have the "remote fitting" process really dialed in!)
I spent an hour on the phone and they walked me through the whole process.....
HOWEVER - we did not order the helmets yet, so I cannot testify to the actual quality or use experience.
At present I am still using my 28 year old SPH-5 (various refurbishments).
The HGU-56 can be made to fit good, but why bother if the LM-250 can be ordered to fit perfectly....
Cheers,
3top
Last edited by 3top; 4th May 2023 at 02:24.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 9
From: Ground
No problems with my Bose A20 inside a LH050. In my experience it depends how well the ear cups sit and seal in your head - in certain conditions with a poor seal you'll have low frequency feedback (drumming), but if they sit correctly it works door on or off. Easy to adjust with velcro pads.
I've had the Bose in there for about 4 years now and you couldn't pay me to go back to a passive setup.
I've had the Bose in there for about 4 years now and you couldn't pay me to go back to a passive setup.
Have you had any negative feedback from the long term use of ANR? I have been told by many people in Defence that they prefer CEP over ANR, however I cannot find anything of substance to support this outside of ANR advertising material.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 21
From: I am not sure where we are, but at least it is getting dark
I found you could get a squeal through the comms when your head was outside/doors off and you descended too quickly.
Have you had any negative feedback from the long term use of ANR? I have been told by many people in Defence that they prefer CEP over ANR, however I cannot find anything of substance to support this outside of ANR advertising material.
Have you had any negative feedback from the long term use of ANR? I have been told by many people in Defence that they prefer CEP over ANR, however I cannot find anything of substance to support this outside of ANR advertising material.
My hearing is tested annually for workers comp purposes, and is doing fine. There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding how ANR works, I've had people tell me my ears are actually experiencing twice the sound pressure than without any protection and I'll go deaf any minute now. This is of course complete bollocks. The only valid concern I can see, is that ANR can in theory be selective regarding the frequencies that get cancelled, so that you may be exposed to whatever gets through at full volume as there is little passive protection. Counterpoint is that this is true for any hearing protection, and also that bose would've been sued out of existence 30 years ago if their headsets didn't work.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 118
If you have a big head forget the Gallet 250. Bought one recently my thoughts v Alpha ( my current helmet)
1. I wear a large Alpha ( head measures top end of medium long bottom end of large ) could not getter Gallet to fit so had to sell it on
2. The visor system is really difficult to work while wearing gloves ( do a lot of line work with no doors on in winter )
3. The chin strap system doesnt seem very robust
4. Shell is smaller than the Alpha, although dont have a problem of sticking head outside a 500 with no door ( i m 6 ft 1 )
5 Gallet offer a load of different options
6 Took Gallet 4 months to make one for me, not a bad price twin visor normal headset was £ 1700 here in UK this year
1. I wear a large Alpha ( head measures top end of medium long bottom end of large ) could not getter Gallet to fit so had to sell it on
2. The visor system is really difficult to work while wearing gloves ( do a lot of line work with no doors on in winter )
3. The chin strap system doesnt seem very robust
4. Shell is smaller than the Alpha, although dont have a problem of sticking head outside a 500 with no door ( i m 6 ft 1 )
5 Gallet offer a load of different options
6 Took Gallet 4 months to make one for me, not a bad price twin visor normal headset was £ 1700 here in UK this year
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Hi everybody,
I recently bought an LH250 fitted with a David Clark DC ONE-XH ANR and ever since after a couple hours of flight I start having headache and pain in the sinuses.
Flying between 0-3500ft so not so high, the helmet is well adjusted and not too tight. I never had any problems with a Bose A20 headset in the same environment.
Has anybody experienced that before ?
I recently bought an LH250 fitted with a David Clark DC ONE-XH ANR and ever since after a couple hours of flight I start having headache and pain in the sinuses.
Flying between 0-3500ft so not so high, the helmet is well adjusted and not too tight. I never had any problems with a Bose A20 headset in the same environment.
Has anybody experienced that before ?
Joined: Dec 2025
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Brazil
Alpha Eagle with Lightspeed ANR installed
Has anyone here used or flown with a Gentex Alpha Eagle helmet with a Lightspeed ANR installed?
I’d love to hear real-world impressions, especially about:
I’d love to hear real-world impressions, especially about:
- NVG use (balance, stability, and ease of use)
- Noise reduction in helicopters
- Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone (calls, audio quality, reliability)
- Connection to a portable radio / PTT and how practical it is in operations
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 563
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
From: Approaching the MAP
I looked into the Swiss LD-Helmet setup and was impressed with the build and how light it was. I went as far as filling out an order form. The quote I received was competitive. However, there is currently a 7-month wait time. That was a dealbreaker for me.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 1,083
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
This thread is a blast from the past! I posted in the year 2000 that I’d very rarely flown without a helmet. From a year after that I never wore a helmet again for the next quarter of a decade and yes, tbh it did worry me.
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Wales
2 and a half decades. It’s more poetic to say quarter of a century though 😉
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 170
Likes: 136
From: Here
They fit Lightspeed, but in there FAQ they specifically talk about Bose retrofit (they say Bose have a policy of it not being fitted to Helmets - see link below).
https://www.redbaronalse.com.au/abou...v=8bcc25c96aa5
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 1,083
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 6
From: North of 60. South of 42.
Originally Posted by Mast Bumper;[url=tel:12076277
12076277[/url]]I looked into the Swiss LD-Helmet setup and was impressed with the build and how light it was. I went as far as filling out an order form. The quote I received was competitive. However, there is currently a 7-month wait time. That was a dealbreaker for me.
