A bit of a stray from the original question. It seems you must require a Helmet vs. Headset. That being the case to get one new its going to cost big bucks. If properly maintained it should last a long time. I still have my old Military one although its not ANR it works great. Try www.flightsuits.com for new ones and believe it or not www.ebay.com for old ones.
If you can settle for an ANR headset (also not cheap) I have had a David Clark ANR, worked good but got heavy. I now am trying a Lightspeed which works for me and the factory service for questions and support are good www.anrheadsets.com
Give yourself some time, after 30 some years of this stuff I cant hear that well anyway.
Good Luck.

ANR Don't bother.

If you do go ANR, at least get something that gives passive protection at the level of passive sets. ANR only works on low frequencies, and works on main rotor noise, only marginally on tail rotor noise, and not at all on turbine noise. Thus, if your passive protection isn't up to standard, you're getting greater hearing loss than you would with a good passive set. Check the NRR at all frequencies, not just the average NRR, in passive and active mode. If it falls off at higher frequencies, look elsewhere.

412/212 headsets
 

Question:

Bell delivers 412s (and previously 212s) from the factory with the aircraft wired for the old, military style headsets (Old ugly grey things with the kidney-shaped, 8-ohm earpiece and 5-ohm dynamic mic.) The intercom system can accommodate modern civil headsets (150 ohm earpiece, high impedance microphone with DC bias) by swapping over some wires.

My question is....For the most part, have people switched their 412s / 212s over, or are they still using the military headsets and ICS as deliverd by Bell?

For those who haven't switched, Do people consider it a pain that you can't use your new-technology headsets (ANR etc.)?

If you fly multiple types, do you have two headsets, or do you keep the 412/212 headsets with the ship and use a personal headset for everything else?

Avnx EO.

I've never been in a 212 or 412 that used low-impedance headsets. They all have normal civilian avionics, at least all that I've seen, so apparently the conversion is common, if in fact Bell does deliver them that way. I've never heard of this even being discussed before.

We fly a mixed fleet of old 212s and 412s. The 212s do use the old low impedance systems. You can either shell out a lot of cash for a David Clark head set with a high/low switch, or buy a separate low impedance mike from CommInnovations. Some of our guys have wired two booms together and then connect which ever one they need to use. The other alternative is to buy a low impedance box (also from CommInnovations), into which you simply plug your HI head set.

Dave, what does the plug look like? There are several sources for adapters. Try Sportys:

http://www.sportys.com/acb/showprod....ctGroup_ID=505

There several adapters there.
Barryb

If you cant get an adaptor off the self, try Adams Aviation at Biggin Hill - they made me an adaptor from UK NATO to US NATO. Not cheap, but saved investing in another headset. You could also try Head Set Services at Shoreham. If you are lucky enough to find an Avionics Engineer, he might be able to put a more convention plug on for you for the cost of the plug and a few beers!

Good Luck

ANR Headsets
 

I'm sure it's been discussed but I either missed it or didn't want to think about spending $500 - $1000 on ear warmers - until now.

Sennheiser is "the one" I see most on the line. I used a Bose ANR 10 years ago in the corporate world and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.

What'cha got or what do you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance.

Gup

Try the form-fitted ear thing in one ear and a foam ear plug in the other. The foam ear plug works best when insertion coincides with other crewmember's discussion of how he can't believe he's getting paid to do this job.:ok:

Flash

I have the Sennheiser Whatever-45. The smaller of the two available. They are 100 times better than the plug in the ear Telex. However, they only take the edge off the noise, I wish they did a little more. As for the the other model up, the -25, most of the guys that have them keep one cup off their ear so they can hear. Kind of a waste if you are going to use them just like the old headset.

I flew with a guy that had the new Bose Aviation X. I tried them and the were a lot quieter and very comfortable. I don't see myself tossing a $500 headset on the shelf to shell out a grand for the Bose.

You can payroll deduct the Sennheisers.

I tried the new Telex 850 (no battery required, open ear ANR) It sucked. I sent it back. I'm still using the company issue.

I have an old Dave Clark 10-66 I bought for when I flew the "Four Fanned Trash Can." I sent it back to DC for a ten year spruce up and for $90 they sent me a brand spankin new headset! My daughter glommed on to it and used it for her Private Rating.

Just for giggles, I brought it on a trip when my FO had his Sennheiser's and we compared: The old DC's were WAY quieter but after only a few minutes your head felt like it was in a vice. Odd, I used to wear the things for hours with no discomfort at all. DC has a new sheepskin cover that might help "pointy heads" like me.

As Flash related, the earmold in one ear with a foamie in the other is a remarkably quiet and economical combination. I have nearly 20 years in the 737 and my hearing tests keep coming back with no hearing loss. Remarkable considering my penchant for occasional loud sessions with my Stratocasters. (Another hint: With earplugs in you can even turn it up LOUDER!)


Good luck.


PT:ok:

I've used my Sennheiser for a couple of years and wouldn't fly without it. Here are some tips to make it better:

1. Buy the more expensive stereo version. The stereo lets you turn up the outboard ear for the radios, but turn down the inboard ear to hear the other pilot. Or, if the guy's a d*ck, you can turn up both. In either case, the noise reduction is independent of the radio volume level.

2. Buy the version with the open cell foam ear disks. The harder foam ear cups give most people an ear cramp after an hour or so. But, so will the open cell foam, just in a different spot.

3. So, when you buy the headset, also spend the $7.00 for a set of replacement soft foam ear cups-- the combo of the softer foam ear cups with the flatter open cell foam disks makes all the difference.

4. Unless you want to payroll deduct, you can also do a Google search for the model number--I think it is the Sennheiser HMEC-45-- and get a really good factory refurbed headset for about $400. When mine was stolen from my truck, I did that and got what was, as far as I could tell, a brand-new headset, with several more things than I did with the SWA version-- a nice carrying case and some instructions, etc.

Hope this helps.

And there lies the rub.

Do you think it would cost $1000/plane for an adequately sound-resistant cockpit? Maybe the company would be able to get a better deal than $500/headset? (Of course, that would mean the negotiators at Sennheiser would be as poor as the swapa team.)

In the meantime, the company feels that the possibility of losing a $2,050,000 lawsuit from this group of self-sacrificial jelly-fish for not providing hearing protection in a known hazardous work environment is worth the risk.

Next thing you know, we'll pay for our own type-rating and uniforms.

I'm using the Seinheiser -45 as well. I'm happy with the Seinheisers, but to get the best results, the other guy needs them too. Then you can do the rubber band trick and talk over ICS. Really nice on long hauls. I mean I've "heard" of people doing that trick with the rubber band and the ICS. The -45's seem to use batteries more slowly than the -25s, but I still bought a NiMH recharger and 4 batteries from Radio Shack. Works out great when you forget to turn off the ANR switch. I also agree that the stereo function is worthwhile as well. Get the foam ear pads, as Mr. Jag says.PT, do you have or have you tried the "Pandora's Box"? I'm thinking about getting one from Santa, but haven't talked with anybody that's really played with one. Sorry for thread creep and thanks in advance.

Trying the telex 850 now. Haven't come to the "it sucks" conclusion yet. I like the fact that you don't need a battery pack. Seems to cut out quite a bit of the hissing wind noise. It only does 10 or 12 dbs compared to 22 to 30 for a foam earplug. I don't take one of the earpieces off until approach so that I'm sure to hear all of those deviation callouts.

Hope this helps

I tried the Sennheiser with the stereo controls for one month. I liked the noise-cnx and I liked doing the "rubber-band" thing, but, I decided the whole thing was not worth the hassle. I usually had an earcup off to listen to whispering Captains, too many wires to plug-in and plug-out(rubber jungle), batteries are a hassle, and the fatique issue seems like a sales-gimmick to me. Sennheiser happily took it back and I am happily using my molded ear-piece thingy again. Keep it simple, man.

Little Elvis, The Pandora's Box is a decent piece. I have the old one (a few years old) and have played thru the new one too. For the size, you can't beat it. Couple it up with my Steinberger, and it's the smallest jamming package I know of. Drum patterns, bass patterns with movable keys, 50 presets and a slew of programmable room, and that's the old one. The new one is more ergonometrically friendly.

Flash

Thanks Flash. Maybe Santa... errr Herb will bring me one for Christmas!

LE