Headsets
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NW of SE.
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I too have had my Bose Aviation X for 6 months now, and used them in 6 R22's and one R44, I had some problems in the R22's if they wern't used with other Bose headsets. Also, an aircraft had picked me up from an airport and obviously my headset wasnt compatible, so i wore the headset and switched on the ANR, what a difference!
Regarding the ability to hear bearing failures etc, the headsets, in my opinion, still allow you to hear all that is going on!
Regarding the ability to hear bearing failures etc, the headsets, in my opinion, still allow you to hear all that is going on!
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Belgium
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Bose X
As most people in this discussion, I am very happy with the accoustical performance of the X's after 5 years of use in R44.
Reliability is however not so good. I had problems with ear-cushions of all of them, one had a broken support and all of them had broken plugs.
Bose does not allow you to fix that, so you end up with repairs that are close to the new price of a lesser model, so 'cost of ownership' is very high.
Delta3
Reliability is however not so good. I had problems with ear-cushions of all of them, one had a broken support and all of them had broken plugs.
Bose does not allow you to fix that, so you end up with repairs that are close to the new price of a lesser model, so 'cost of ownership' is very high.
Delta3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Florida
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I have had both the Bose and DC's. My Bose headset work wonderfully for two years and then fell apart. I never had any problems flying the R22, Bell 47, Hughes 500, or the 300CB. I found that the cost for repairs was way too high so I bought a DC helicopter headset. The ENC in the DC for me works better, and I hear a lot more detail. They are also cheaper to repair, etc.
I spoke to a high time pilot/salesman and he said that different ENC headsets suit different peoples hearing.
So the best thing in my opinion is to go and try each headset and see which one you prefer.
I spoke to a high time pilot/salesman and he said that different ENC headsets suit different peoples hearing.
So the best thing in my opinion is to go and try each headset and see which one you prefer.
It's not just an adventure....
it's just a job!
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Philippines
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cholmondeley,
I have been using the BOSE X set for the past 6 months and it is superioir to any other NOISE REDUCTION headset out there. As for High or Low Impedence, that would depend on the A/C you are flying.
Someone mentioned that Low is only for Military A/C, not true. In our worldwide fleet (300+ aircraft) we are about 70% High and 30% Low impedence so check with your operator. Hi or Low does not affect in any way the performance of the headset.
Cheers,
OffshoreIgor
I have been using the BOSE X set for the past 6 months and it is superioir to any other NOISE REDUCTION headset out there. As for High or Low Impedence, that would depend on the A/C you are flying.
Someone mentioned that Low is only for Military A/C, not true. In our worldwide fleet (300+ aircraft) we are about 70% High and 30% Low impedence so check with your operator. Hi or Low does not affect in any way the performance of the headset.
Cheers,
OffshoreIgor
BOSE Aviation Headset Spares Source
Repairs to an early BOSE Aviation Series I/II awaiting arrival of plastic ear cup trim/clip! (pax use)
Been advised by avionics dept of resident engineers that BOSE has policy of not supporting out-of-warranty articles but there must be a source for such a part, second-hand anything?
They've informed me that if unable to source part then need to replace whole of headset!
Pull the other one 'cos i think it has bells on.
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
Been advised by avionics dept of resident engineers that BOSE has policy of not supporting out-of-warranty articles but there must be a source for such a part, second-hand anything?
They've informed me that if unable to source part then need to replace whole of headset!
Pull the other one 'cos i think it has bells on.
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Cornwall
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I have sent my headset back to HeadsetServices of Shoreham about 4 times for different problems and they have sorted it out every time. My headset is over 3 years old now and HeadsetServices have looked after it.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Up here, but not for long
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ANR Headsets
I'm considering buying an ANR headset and I'd be very interested in other pilots experience with performance versus cost etc.
Any information would be helpful, I've had a cruise around the interweb but now I'm even more confused - there's a lot of choice out there!
Wiz
Any information would be helpful, I've had a cruise around the interweb but now I'm even more confused - there's a lot of choice out there!
Wiz
Join Date: Aug 2003
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What type a/c are you going to be using the ANR in? I have a Bose X and am VERY happy with it. The ANR works great, but for me the light weight and comfort of the leather ear cups are as much a deciding factor as the ANR. I know DC and others make ANR, but they basically took one of their existing headsets and added ANR, so you still have the high weight and clamping force. Having said that, the Bose offers almost no passive noise reduction, so if the ANR is off, it will be noisy. Whereas the DC will still work as passive noise reduction if the batteries or headset fail.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Denver, CO and the GOM
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I own a set of Bose X, about 750 hours flying in them in turbines and piston, doors off, doors on, and I'm as happy as I was on day 1 (which is very happy). I use lithium batteries in them (I have the newer-style electronics) and get about 30 - 40 hours out of a set of batteries (and always carry a spare set in my kneeboard).
No question that without functional ANR, the Bose are barely functional, but once you push the little button, you will not find abetter place for your ears.
I have flown about 10 hours in Lightspeed 3Gs, and find them clunky and uncomfortable - nothing to recommend them. I have also used the DC 10-56HXL for an hour or two and it is as quiet as the Bose, but a lot heavier and with the aforementioned high clamping force. However, the DCs are as tough as nails, and do provide fairly good NR without the ANR functional - I would go that way if you are going to be in the jungle or something. I also got to test-fly a prototype Telex ANR set - excellent NR, but really heavy, and a somewhat arcane power system.
Anyway, hope this helps!
No question that without functional ANR, the Bose are barely functional, but once you push the little button, you will not find abetter place for your ears.
I have flown about 10 hours in Lightspeed 3Gs, and find them clunky and uncomfortable - nothing to recommend them. I have also used the DC 10-56HXL for an hour or two and it is as quiet as the Bose, but a lot heavier and with the aforementioned high clamping force. However, the DCs are as tough as nails, and do provide fairly good NR without the ANR functional - I would go that way if you are going to be in the jungle or something. I also got to test-fly a prototype Telex ANR set - excellent NR, but really heavy, and a somewhat arcane power system.
Anyway, hope this helps!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South Africa
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Update
I've now read through all 13 pages of this thread, and I've checked out almost all the sets mentioned.
So far:
Bose X: Lot of fans, best noise cancelling, but still very expensive, with questions on durability,and virtualy no passive protection. 20 hours battery life. 12 ounces.
David Clark: 13HXL or 56HXL. Durable, but heavy. Good passive headset. Still pricey. 17-19 ounces.
Lightspeed 20XLc: 50 hours on 2 AA batteries. 15 ounces, but still bulky in size.
Pilot PA 1779XLTH: Apperently good on R22, but questionable on turbines. 45-60 hours on one charge of built in batteries. 14.8 ounces.
All in all, I'm considering either the Lightspeed, or DC option. On paper the Lightspeed looks really good, but I've had a DC before, and I tend to stick to something I know.
Please feel free to comment on which is better, cause I'm still deciding.
Kro
So far:
Bose X: Lot of fans, best noise cancelling, but still very expensive, with questions on durability,and virtualy no passive protection. 20 hours battery life. 12 ounces.
David Clark: 13HXL or 56HXL. Durable, but heavy. Good passive headset. Still pricey. 17-19 ounces.
Lightspeed 20XLc: 50 hours on 2 AA batteries. 15 ounces, but still bulky in size.
Pilot PA 1779XLTH: Apperently good on R22, but questionable on turbines. 45-60 hours on one charge of built in batteries. 14.8 ounces.
All in all, I'm considering either the Lightspeed, or DC option. On paper the Lightspeed looks really good, but I've had a DC before, and I tend to stick to something I know.
Please feel free to comment on which is better, cause I'm still deciding.
Kro
Join Date: Sep 2003
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May have already been covered here but ive got a Bose X , great with the doors on, take a rear door of in a jetanger say to do aerials and the noise cancelling drops in and out, and its very annoying...
not sure about money well spent but for normal ops doors on its brilliant. mine has a 40hr AA battery life, which is pretty close to those numbers when used all the time.
not sure about money well spent but for normal ops doors on its brilliant. mine has a 40hr AA battery life, which is pretty close to those numbers when used all the time.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Denver, CO and the GOM
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My Bose work fine in the R44 with David Clarks in the other jacks. The R22 won't accept any two different make headsets as far as I've experienced - this isn't a Bose issue, it's an R22 issue.
If you're choosing between DC and Lightspeed, go DC - Lightspeed will not go the distance - they are inexpensive, and there's a reason.
If you're choosing between DC and Lightspeed, go DC - Lightspeed will not go the distance - they are inexpensive, and there's a reason.
The battery life seems to vary with the aircraft type: I suspect that the ENC must work harder in some types than others, thus draining the battery more quickly.
In the 206, it seems to cope quite well, and battery life is around 20 hours, but in the BK117 I only got about 10 hours or less. It seems to have trouble coping with the 4 blade beat, and takes some time to settle down after take off, with reversions during flight allowing the 4 per to come through.
We now have Bose X hard wired in the BK (10 of them
), and the pilot's headset allows a lot of wind noise from the door and window seals, but at least I no longer have to swap batteries on a regular basis 
In the 206, it seems to cope quite well, and battery life is around 20 hours, but in the BK117 I only got about 10 hours or less. It seems to have trouble coping with the 4 blade beat, and takes some time to settle down after take off, with reversions during flight allowing the 4 per to come through.
We now have Bose X hard wired in the BK (10 of them
), and the pilot's headset allows a lot of wind noise from the door and window seals, but at least I no longer have to swap batteries on a regular basis
For comparison to the David Clarks, we use Bose headsets, run on 2 AAs and they last about 50 hours. It also switches itself off once ambient noise drops below engines running level, useful feature for saving battery life.
Best headset I have ever used, comfortable and quiet and if I changed company to somewhere that didn't provide headsets I would definitely buy one (despite the high cost).
Best headset I have ever used, comfortable and quiet and if I changed company to somewhere that didn't provide headsets I would definitely buy one (despite the high cost).
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Got a DC with the Nine volts, better than the one carrying 6 double As. Helicopter pilot can afford to carry extra batteries.
Bose are nice, but so is the price. No winners here unless you have a rich boss.
Bose are nice, but so is the price. No winners here unless you have a rich boss.