Headsets
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Land of damp and drizzle
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I've not had a chance to compare with other ANRs, but the Lightspeed Zulu is pretty decent. It's nice and light, and still works well without batteries. The Bluetooth connectivity is a little gimmicky, although it does work just fine.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
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Bose Headsets
Hi All
After trying the the Bose X headset i was thinking of buying some for my self. I have priced a set from America at a saving of £200 pounds, does any one have any exprience of buying from the US, will they work just the same? Will the US nato plug fit all helicopters?
If anyone has any recommendations of any other headsets that are as good or better your exprience will be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
After trying the the Bose X headset i was thinking of buying some for my self. I have priced a set from America at a saving of £200 pounds, does any one have any exprience of buying from the US, will they work just the same? Will the US nato plug fit all helicopters?
If anyone has any recommendations of any other headsets that are as good or better your exprience will be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
I have tried the Bose X, albeit briefly. Personally I don't like the Bose because of it's very poor passive protection qualities. Sure it sounds quiet when the ANR is running, but the frequencies that the ANR doesn't filter and that you don't perceive as being "noisy" will damage your hearing just as much!
I have used the Sennheiser HMEC372, which I found less comfortable than the Bose, but the ANR was equally good and the passive protection is much better. Comfort wise I would say it was on a par with a Peltor. Much cheaper than the Bose.
I have now started using the new Lightspeed Zulu headset and I am very happy with it. It is sufficiently comfortable to wear and the ANR and passive qualities are great. It also comes with some additional features if they are of any interest e.g. bluetooth, MP3 input, etc. Cheaper than the Bose as well.
HTH??
I have used the Sennheiser HMEC372, which I found less comfortable than the Bose, but the ANR was equally good and the passive protection is much better. Comfort wise I would say it was on a par with a Peltor. Much cheaper than the Bose.
I have now started using the new Lightspeed Zulu headset and I am very happy with it. It is sufficiently comfortable to wear and the ANR and passive qualities are great. It also comes with some additional features if they are of any interest e.g. bluetooth, MP3 input, etc. Cheaper than the Bose as well.
HTH??
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
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apart from how good they are etc.
Expect to spend the saved 200 on a new microphone. I believe standard US is a dynamic microphone and you'll probs need an electret one for the UK (or vice versa).
Nato plug won't be a problem since you can easily get an adapter plug
Expect to spend the saved 200 on a new microphone. I believe standard US is a dynamic microphone and you'll probs need an electret one for the UK (or vice versa).
Nato plug won't be a problem since you can easily get an adapter plug
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Aberdeenshire
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bose x best headset i have ever used, have used mine flying super puma's on the north sea for the last 6 years with a couple of minor repairs needed but it has done over 3500 hours so far....and still going strong.
Speak to headset services in shoreham they may be able to do you a deal...save the hassle of buying from the states...
Speak to headset services in shoreham they may be able to do you a deal...save the hassle of buying from the states...
Join Date: Aug 2006
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My parents bought me back an Bose Aviation X headset from the states as a present - works absolutely great - no problems and even headset services at shoreham recognised the warranty when I discovered that they had bought me the fixed wing version by mistake. They changed the lead to a coiled helicopter one free of charge!!!
HP1982
HP1982
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Bought mine in the US and they work fine in the UK, saved a packet as well, remember that if you buy mail order HMRC will have you for import duty & Vat, unless you bring them in yourself and forget to declare them - not that I would recommend that of course!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
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I bought my Bose X in the States because the price was the same £/$ in the UK, so would actually have been twice as much in Britain!
They're great, very comfortable and quiet, but they do eat batteries like you wouldn't believe. Expect to be buying AA batteries frequently (carrying some spares with you when flying is also a good idea).
They're great, very comfortable and quiet, but they do eat batteries like you wouldn't believe. Expect to be buying AA batteries frequently (carrying some spares with you when flying is also a good idea).
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Invest in some NiMH batteries and a charger. The only thing I use alkaline batteries for is things like clocks and remote controls, which use very little current. Alkalines work better there, but in any application which requires a lot of current draw, such as cameras, headsets, etc, NiMH batteries are a much better chioice. You can recharge them thousands of times, and they handle the current draw well. You'll save a great deal of money in the long run. The hybrid batteries are the way to go now, instead of the older straight NiMH technology, because they hold a charge much longer when idle.
I have just read most of the replies on this thread and I realise now that my original post must have been misleading. I should obviously have said something along the lines of:
"I have spent a huge amount of my money buying a Bose. I have not tried any other headset, therefore I think you should buy a Bose as well 'cos it's really nice."
Obviously the fact that the Bose might be damaging your hearing doesn't matter?
"I have spent a huge amount of my money buying a Bose. I have not tried any other headset, therefore I think you should buy a Bose as well 'cos it's really nice."
Obviously the fact that the Bose might be damaging your hearing doesn't matter?
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
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Gomer Pilot, thanks for the advice.
Variable Load, how does the Aviation X damage your hearing? (Sorry, genuine question, I'd not heard this.) Oh, and I did try David Clark headsets beforehand, but found them to be more noisy.
Variable Load, how does the Aviation X damage your hearing? (Sorry, genuine question, I'd not heard this.) Oh, and I did try David Clark headsets beforehand, but found them to be more noisy.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Belgium
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Just got a new Lightspeed Zulu. Been using Bose for the last couple of years, and just don't like them, there wasn't a good alternative until recently. Before Bose I used Dave Clark. The Zulu is very comfortable and crisp clear, they look a lot stronger than the Bose (magnesium earcups).
But I would suggest to try headsets before you buy, no head is the same.
But I would suggest to try headsets before you buy, no head is the same.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Middle of the Pacific
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It may depend on which aircraft you fly, and the size of your head.
In the BH-412, I preferred my David Clark ENC headset, but in the S-76, I think the Bose was far superior.
Because I wear glasses and have a large sized head, clamping force will always be a major issue with me- and the Bose is easy on the clamping force.
In the BH-412, I preferred my David Clark ENC headset, but in the S-76, I think the Bose was far superior.
Because I wear glasses and have a large sized head, clamping force will always be a major issue with me- and the Bose is easy on the clamping force.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I have a friend who bought the Zulu. I used them once but didn't really like them. Probably should give them another go as they had some good features. Loved the Bluetooth and playing music through them was excellent. They were a nice fit and comfortable. The carry case was very snug!
I mainly use the Bose and love them. Really easy to fly all day in comfort. Better the devil you know.
I mainly use the Bose and love them. Really easy to fly all day in comfort. Better the devil you know.
Hi Gypsy_Air
The Bose X has very poor passive attenuation when compared to (almost) any other ANR headset out there. This basically means that the earcups let in more noise. Ask anyone that uses one what it sounds like with the ANR turned off and if they are being honest they will tell you it is LOUD!
Now the ANR only tunes out certain frequencies ranges, but not all of the frequencies that you should be able to hear. Net result is hearing damage in the frequency ranges not filtered out by the ANR.
For anyone looking to buy a headset I would suggest you not only try one before buying, but also spend some time looking at the specification sheets. In particular look at passive dB attenuation figures and the frequency ranges that the ANR tunes out.
Sure, the Bose is probably the most comfortable, but that is partly because it has less clamping force and smaller ear cups. This design "comfort" results in a headset that then fails with it's primary task i.e. protecting your hearing.
The Bose X has very poor passive attenuation when compared to (almost) any other ANR headset out there. This basically means that the earcups let in more noise. Ask anyone that uses one what it sounds like with the ANR turned off and if they are being honest they will tell you it is LOUD!
Now the ANR only tunes out certain frequencies ranges, but not all of the frequencies that you should be able to hear. Net result is hearing damage in the frequency ranges not filtered out by the ANR.
For anyone looking to buy a headset I would suggest you not only try one before buying, but also spend some time looking at the specification sheets. In particular look at passive dB attenuation figures and the frequency ranges that the ANR tunes out.
Sure, the Bose is probably the most comfortable, but that is partly because it has less clamping force and smaller ear cups. This design "comfort" results in a headset that then fails with it's primary task i.e. protecting your hearing.
Join Date: Oct 2003
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To me, the most comfortable by far, and the quietest according to the manufacturers' specs, are the Clarity Aloft and the Quiet Technologies HALO. They aren't the traditional style, but I will never go back to domed headsets.