New professional headset...what to buy??
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: England
New professional headset...what to buy??
Hi, sorry if this is the wrong forum! Im looking for a new headset as the captain wants his spare back. Havent got a clue what to go for. Dont mind price...within reason, any suggestions, make model etc???
Also, are the noise reducing ones any good? I know they cost more but the boeing cockpit is pretty noisy and I'm often blasted out by ATC! Are they worth the money?
Any helpful suggestions are appreciated.
Also, are the noise reducing ones any good? I know they cost more but the boeing cockpit is pretty noisy and I'm often blasted out by ATC! Are they worth the money?
Any helpful suggestions are appreciated.
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: kuwait
TELEX Airman 850 single side
i use the Telex Airman 850 single side with Active Noise Reduction (ANR).
i like it very much, i have it now for a long time, no complaints at all.
very light and i it cost approx 400$.
before the 850 i had the 750 model...which is also ok, little cheaper, but i recommend the 850 model for you.
Regards,
i like it very much, i have it now for a long time, no complaints at all.
very light and i it cost approx 400$.
before the 850 i had the 750 model...which is also ok, little cheaper, but i recommend the 850 model for you.
Regards,
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 1
From: Hampshire, UK
Well it's £370 in the UK. And it broke, easy as you could imagine. VERY weak on the headpiece swivelling joints, which are only a plasticky bakelite type material, far too weak for the job. They really are as flimsy as they look, and a headset repair place in the UK said it couldn't be repaired as they couldn't get the spare parts- Telex customer support is non existent for Europe (UK anyway). Don't go there! I'd go Sennheiser ANR- yes, ANR works.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Thailand
If you type the word 'headset' into the search function you get 50 pages of responses.
To avoid the waste of bandwidth and yet more drivel about the variety and use of all the different types of headset that some will buy and others will never spend a cent on, (me) why not try that route before you post a new thread?
To avoid the waste of bandwidth and yet more drivel about the variety and use of all the different types of headset that some will buy and others will never spend a cent on, (me) why not try that route before you post a new thread?
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 1
From: Hampshire, UK
I'm suggesting don't touch Telex! The OP seems to have the wrong idea of ANR though. If you are 'blasted out by ATC', you have the volume too high! ANR is for reducing background noise only, you take care of radio volume yourself. It is interesting seeing how low you set the radio volume with an ANR set- usually about 40-50% as opposed to 80-90% (approximately). It does make a difference, and must be good for long term hearing protection.
Bottums Up
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 3
From: dunnunda
I use a Plantronics MS250 Monoaural (single earpiece) in a B717. No noise attenuation but I didn't want it in this aircraft.
It's exceptionally light, the Tx & Rx quality is excellent, and it leaves the company supplied Telex head sets for dead. AUD$360 about 2 years ago.
It's exceptionally light, the Tx & Rx quality is excellent, and it leaves the company supplied Telex head sets for dead. AUD$360 about 2 years ago.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Thailand
Why don't you simply cut and paste your replies from the 50 pages of posts on this subject instead of repeating the dross you have all posted before, oh so many times?
38 years and all I used was the company supplied headset, without any apparent detriment to my hearing, as has been posted several times before in several threads on the subject.
Save your money, you might need it for something really important in these hard times.
Why give these companies your hard earned cash when it serves no purpose?
Bonkers!
38 years and all I used was the company supplied headset, without any apparent detriment to my hearing, as has been posted several times before in several threads on the subject.
Save your money, you might need it for something really important in these hard times.
Why give these companies your hard earned cash when it serves no purpose?
Bonkers!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: England
thanks
Thanks for the help that gives me a good idea. Rubik101 I did type headset into the search before & yes you get 50 odd posts but with no relation to headsets in the title. The word headset has probably been mentioned once somewhere in the thousands of replys to each post, which is why they come up. I dont have to time to seach through all these posts of which most are probably related to PPL headsets anyway. 24hrs later after posting this I have what I wanted so thanks! 
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 1
From: Hampshire, UK
You for real? I have never seen anyone wear such a headset in a jet! Apart from looking totally daft, how will you discuss your catering with the cabin crew? Go back to your prop job!
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 35
From: I wouldn't know.
We have company provided Sennheiser HME 45 headsets and they break very easily. I used up around 1-2 per year. especially the microphone boom is very prone to either break off or completely disintegrate, but also the electrical connections to the earphones, the battery box for the ANR was a real problem as well.
Bought myself the Telex 850ANR and although it looks very delicate i hadn't any problem with it. When not in use i allways carry it in its (slim) case so i use the swivel mechanism on the earcups quite a bit.
All in all i prefer the telex quite a bit over the sennheiser, much more lightweight and comfortable to wear and the ANR without any batteries works like a charm in the 737.
In good pilot shops you might be able to try out a headset for a bit before you decide on which to buy. Best way to go about it in my opinion.
Bought myself the Telex 850ANR and although it looks very delicate i hadn't any problem with it. When not in use i allways carry it in its (slim) case so i use the swivel mechanism on the earcups quite a bit.
All in all i prefer the telex quite a bit over the sennheiser, much more lightweight and comfortable to wear and the ANR without any batteries works like a charm in the 737.
In good pilot shops you might be able to try out a headset for a bit before you decide on which to buy. Best way to go about it in my opinion.
Aviator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Norveg
I have never seen anyone wear such a headset in a jet
Plenty of people in my company wear them, and I know SAS were supposed to install them in all their 737s (voted best headset after a trial period). Dunno if the economic downturn cancelled those plans? It is THE best headset. By far. Hence the most expensive one, sadly. If you're gonna buy an on-ear headset - then what would be the difference between that one and the !!!!ty ones delivered by Boeing?Around-ear headsets are much better at reducing noise than are on-ear headsets. This means better communication pilot-pilot and pilot-ATC because you can actualy hear what is being said without having to turn the volume up to Spinal Tap-strength (11). You don't have to shout at each other. Daft? Nope - smart...
You can always buy the FO-version (cheaper
): Bose QuietComfort2 with UFlyMike adaptor.Your genes (or alleles) will decide how much noise you can take before a hearing loss, and possibly tinnitus sets in. Just as you will not necessarily die from smoking - plenty of people have smoked and lived past 80-90 years. Still, that is not a good argument for you not to give up smoking...
Protect your hearing, wear around-ear quality ANR headsets!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: N/A
I'd recommend a noise cancelling headset - once you have hearing loss you have it for life. What price will you put on keeping your hearing? What you save now you'll probably end up spending on hearing aids later.
I personally use the Sennheiser HMEC 25 KA - its not perfect but it does the job. I find the pressure around the ears can be mildly annoying after 2 to 3 hours but perhaps my headset / sunglasses are not that compatible.
The biggest differences I found were:
1. Clarity is much improved
2. The overall volume can be reduced significantly - I usually turn down receiver volume settings left by the previous pilot by approx 25%
3. The reduction in background noise is extremely good.
I personally use the Sennheiser HMEC 25 KA - its not perfect but it does the job. I find the pressure around the ears can be mildly annoying after 2 to 3 hours but perhaps my headset / sunglasses are not that compatible.
The biggest differences I found were:
1. Clarity is much improved
2. The overall volume can be reduced significantly - I usually turn down receiver volume settings left by the previous pilot by approx 25%
3. The reduction in background noise is extremely good.
Retired
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Survey results from 1500 professional pilots taken in 2008. Bose Aviation X, DC X11, Plantronics "earspike," Sennheiser 45 & 46, Telex 850.
Protect your hearing (both ears) with something! Don't believe flying 40+ years won't effect hearing. Flew 7 years in helos, 18 in fighters, 11 airlines (Boeings). Worst hearing loss was using Plantronics at airlines. Used earplugs + helmet before that and still had hearing loss but not like airlines.
Problem with Plantronics is the db volume of the earpiece is often set to damaging levels. It's not the cockpit noise that causes the most damage but the volume of the earpiece to overcome the cockpit noise, e.g., Boeing cockpits typically run 82-84 db in cruise. Even at the gate, gaspers/cooling fans will generate 80+ db. Extended exposure to 85 db causes hearing damage. Plantronics may be at 90+ db.
P.S. If you wear the Plantronics, wear an earplug in the other ear! It will save your hearing in BOTH ears.
Protect your hearing (both ears) with something! Don't believe flying 40+ years won't effect hearing. Flew 7 years in helos, 18 in fighters, 11 airlines (Boeings). Worst hearing loss was using Plantronics at airlines. Used earplugs + helmet before that and still had hearing loss but not like airlines.
Problem with Plantronics is the db volume of the earpiece is often set to damaging levels. It's not the cockpit noise that causes the most damage but the volume of the earpiece to overcome the cockpit noise, e.g., Boeing cockpits typically run 82-84 db in cruise. Even at the gate, gaspers/cooling fans will generate 80+ db. Extended exposure to 85 db causes hearing damage. Plantronics may be at 90+ db.
P.S. If you wear the Plantronics, wear an earplug in the other ear! It will save your hearing in BOTH ears.
Last edited by mblackey; 21st April 2009 at 03:47.