Headsets

[md 600 driver]

i use the bose i find them to work well in a turbine not tried them in piston

the bose x [the slim ones ] are more comfortable than the original bose headsets

[Heliport]

I use Bose. Expensive but good.
I've not tried them in piston helis, but can't see why there'd be a problem - except for not being able to hear the engine!

Heliport

[muffin]

I was looking at a device last week that may be ideal for this application. It is a lightweight headset originally designed for rapid intervention military and police teams,and the sound comes from a pair of slim flat transducers that fit against the bones in front of your ears. It is designed to be worn under a helmet, and it is fully waterproof and ruggedised. You hear the sound through bone conduction - the audio quality is excellent. Normally the user wants to hear what is going on around them, but for a high noise application such as a helicopter,you can just wear simple earplugs of whatever attenuation factor you desire to keep the background noise out The end result is far lighter and more comfortable than a full noise cancelling headset. The mic is a normal type on a goose neck in front of your mouth.

This device is not available for the aviation market yet, but it would not be too difficult to make one if the demand was there. It is also considerably cheaper than the top end ANR units made for the aviation market.

Would anybody be interested in being a guinea pig if I was to develop this product for helicopter use?

[COLLECTIVE FRICTION]

muffin,
The unit I'm on is doing a trial with an ANR helmet at the moment.I'd be very interested in your system if you were able to develope it.How can I get in touch with you ?

[Nomads]

Hi folks,
I use a CFG Gallet helmet with a david clark H 60 build into it and I would not do without it anymore.

[heedm]

Not active noise reduction, but this seems to be a promising product. Communication & Ear Protection, Inc.

I have no affiliation to the company. I learned about this at an Aviation Life Support Equipment conference and am trying to get some at my unit.

[Dick Mitten]

'Active Noise Reduction' Info Wanted

I'm thinking of getting an ANR upgrade for my Gentex SPH5 helmet. Anyone have comments or suggestions? Do ANR systems live up to the advertising hype? Do you have it, like it; why?

Anyone have a good spot to put the power supply? I'm not that keen on having it lose in the cockpit, tethered to me by the cable. With the gusty winds we've been having lately (and my stellar flying skills...) it'd be a lethal object whipping around the cabin smacking my customers!

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[GLSNightPilot]

Headsets, Inc in Amarillo, TX makes a good kit. The power supply is a box, which you can clip to anything - shoulder strap, seatbelt, or anywhere you want. I haven't used it in a helmet, but it's a drop-in for David Clark headsets, after you drill a hole in 1 dome for the power cord. http://www.headsetsinc.com/ Model M-03 is claimed to fit all military helmets.

[Dick Mitten]

Thanks Stan. Looks like Gentex doesn't do their own ANR now anyways. They're sending helments out to Headsets Inc.

Still looking for comments on performance, please!

And THANK YOU!!!

[CyclicRick]

I've got a David Clark H 56 ANR. Great in fixed wing pistons/turbines and anything with more than three blades (AS 350 etc) But it's bloody awful in two bladed machines (Bell 205/206), you get a funny whooping sound in your ears much like pressure changes so I switch it off.
I know what you mean about the battery box hanging on the cable but I fly so many different machines it was the only option for me...thats life!

[GLSNightPilot]

The HI kit worked well in a DC headset, but I couldn't stay with it. My ears are too big & stick out too much, so there wasn't enough room in the domes for them, & the pressure caused pain very soon. I can't use any production headset, I have to make my own. However, I don't recall having that trouble with the SPH5 oh those many years ago, I think there is more room inside the domes. Every ANR I've tried has the same problem.

The upside of the HI kit is that it's reasonably priced, & having to give it up didn't kill me financially. I am using the speakers from the kit, & the mikes can be reused for something, maybe.

Again, the noise cancelling worked well, flying in a 412 at the time.

[verticalflight]

Related to headsets rather than helmets, but you can find some useful information:

www.verticalflight.fsnet.co.uk

[Shawn Coyle]

I have just tried the CEP system - it uses in-the-ear speakers like most Walkmen, but with foam inserts to really seal the ear. Absolutely amazing and to these tired ears it sounded twice as good as any other noise cancelling headset I've tried.
details from www.cep-usa.com
Cheaper than anything else as well.
Shawn

[CTD]

Dick,

I use a Sennheiser ANR in my Gentex SPH-5 and it works great. Because it's not aircraft-installed, I can carry it from ship to ship.

I was involved in some unofficial trials for it when I worked at Bell - we were concerned that it would interfere with hearing those 'odd' sounds that pilots use to figure out the world is about to go pear-shaped. It did not. As a matter of fact, it made any 'abnormal' noise stand out.

Some spark farmers wired up a power cable for me that plugs into the ship's Aux Power Cannon plug, which saves me carrying around batteries and such.

Awesome system, and I'd highly recommend it.

[Dick Mitten]

Thanks all for yer feedback & suggestions. I've decided to go for the Headsets Inc. ANR kit. Once I've installed it and flown a few days I'll post a review.

Shaun: The CEP looks really interesting, but too new for me. My cautious side requires staying with something better established, even if more expensive...

[HeliMark]

I have been using the CEP for about a year now. It is a great system. Flying with the doors off has never been quieter.

I went from the volume on the radio's being almost full on, flying with the doors off (using a SPH-5 helmet), to dang near off. And so far I have not had any problems with the system. My regular partner had one problem with the plug in his helmet that took less then five minutes to fix.

[Dick Mitten]

ANR Redux

Just got the ANR kit from Headsets Inc and installed it into the trusty Gentex. (Note: I'm a bit of a techy, and the installation wasn't as easy as they'd suggested. Perhaps some missing parts...)

Holy ****, what a difference!! The continual rumble/whine is replaced with a gentle hiss. The Comm volumes are down by 65%, the intercom is turned down to the bottom stop. Comm traffic is clearer and much easier to understand. Totally worthy piece of kit, I'd say.

Sorry to sound like an advert! Just thought I'd follow up on a post of a few months ago where I asked for feedback on ANR...

Cheers,

[BlenderPilot]

Dick,

How long does the battery last? Which heli are you flying, I am thinking of buying this product but I want to know if it will work well in the 206, 212

Thanks

[Aladdinsane]

I have one fitted to a H10-36 David Clark and it is worth every cent. I have used it in 206's, H500's and others with excellent reduction.

The Battery issue is an interesting one. A quality Duracell, Energizer or equivalent lasts about 25-30 flight hours. I have also used rechargeables but they only give around 5 hours life but worse is that they give no warning of going flat. I usually carry a spare in my pocket anyway, once you have ENR you cant stand the noise when the battery goes U/S.

Hope this helps

[Red Wine]

Bought a Peltor ANR once.........great for 2 minutes.....turn your head and the plug and cord that is attached to the bottom of one ear cup dislodges as it rubs against the top of your lifejacket.....great product development !!!!.... standing alone, the Peltor and the Switlik are great tools......put together....look elsewhere.......