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  #1  
Old 09-02-2017, 05:29 PM
TXFlyGuy TXFlyGuy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Jazz Town, USA, TX
Posts: 501
Default Bonehead Composites Helmets

Anyone here wearing a helmet from Bonehead? Like, or dislike?
There are many options, especially with the headset.

What say you?

Last edited by TXFlyGuy : 09-03-2017 at 09:37 AM.
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  #2  
Old 09-02-2017, 06:00 PM
jump4way jump4way is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Coolidge, AZ
Posts: 339
Default Bonehead

I've been using their helmets for years in the skydiving world and can't speak highly enough about their helmets and support.

I don't have any experience with their aviation helmets but I highly doubt you could go wrong.
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  #3  
Old 09-02-2017, 06:09 PM
RVStudent RVStudent is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Stilwell, KS
Posts: 16
Default Good service

I am having good luck with a PilotX model from Boneheads. They steered me away from a more expensive model when I mentioned it was for an RV8 and I am 6'-3". The lack of a 'knob' on top could make a difference on scratching the canopy. The ANR is the way I went and works well. Very personable and efficient business.
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  #4  
Old 09-03-2017, 09:41 AM
TXFlyGuy TXFlyGuy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Jazz Town, USA, TX
Posts: 501
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RVStudent View Post
I am having good luck with a PilotX model from Boneheads. They steered me away from a more expensive model when I mentioned it was for an RV8 and I am 6'-3". The lack of a 'knob' on top could make a difference on scratching the canopy. The ANR is the way I went and works well. Very personable and efficient business.
Thanks! My cockpit is extremely noisy (think P-51), and a friend who owns a real Mustang told me that ANR headsets are pretty much useless with that much ambient noise.

I have noticed that even with a good set of David Clark headsets, the engine and exhaust noise is so loud that it is picked up over the intercom system and you hear it in your ears.
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  #5  
Old 09-03-2017, 09:52 AM
mattsrv7 mattsrv7 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 152
Default

I have a bonehead pilotx headset I used in a very loud biplane for 3 years.

With the CEP ear buds and ear muffs the helmet made the sound reasonable. It is very comfortable and light so it does well with aerobatics. I did my own CEP installation as I wanted a stereo setup.

I tried Clarity aloft and that was the best headset. The helmet was quieter. I preferred it and the extra protection it offered.

I'd recommend the PilotX and would buy it again.
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  #6  
Old 09-03-2017, 12:34 PM
xblueh2o xblueh2o is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SF East Bay
Posts: 852
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TXFlyGuy View Post
Thanks! My cockpit is extremely noisy (think P-51), and a friend who owns a real Mustang told me that ANR headsets are pretty much useless with that much ambient noise.
All true.
I have two HGU-55 helmets. One has ANR and the other has CEP.
In a loud warbird I also find the ANR can be overwhelmed. I notice it at take off power but once you reduce to climb or cruise it works fine. The aircraft has to be pretty darn loud for that to happen though. I have not experienced that in quieter warbirds (T-6) and I suspect in the RV it would work just fine. If I am alone in the aircraft I will wear foam ear plugs and then the ANR helmet. If there are two of you, you either have to both wear foam plugs or neither. You can't mix because the intercom/radios need to be turned up loud enough that it is annoying for the non-plug wearer.
The CEP is an in ear plug just like the Clarity Aloft set up and works well. You have the in ear plug plus the passive reduction of the helmet itself.
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  #7  
Old 09-03-2017, 01:17 PM
longline longline is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: silverdale, WA
Posts: 208
Default ANR

I was an early adopter of ANR in my helmet. Flying very noisy helicopters like an S64 Skycrane. The ANR system was not up to the task then, got better over the years. I have moved to the CEP system for the last 4 or 5 thousand hours and would never go back. I suspect that a current top-of-the-line ANR system would work in most any RV, however. Note that I have never used a headset with either system, only helmets.
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  #8  
Old 09-03-2017, 03:10 PM
penguin penguin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: England
Posts: 1,087
Default

I've been using a Gunar helmet with a Halo headset underneath for several years and like it a lot. I have tried to build a mic & speakers into the helmet using motorcycle components with an adaptor to aircraft headset specs, so far without much success. Bonehead now provide a kit, but it is quite expensive.
Pete
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  #9  
Old 09-03-2017, 05:56 PM
TXFlyGuy TXFlyGuy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Jazz Town, USA, TX
Posts: 501
Default

So the CEP is a good option, an "in ear" plug?
Bonehead says these are good, but I have no experience with them. Are they comfortable, for extended wear...3 to 4 hours?

I might like the foam EAR plugs with a standard headset along with the helmet.
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  #10  
Old 09-03-2017, 09:16 PM
jbDC9 jbDC9 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 868
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by xblueh2o View Post
I have two HGU-55 helmets. One has ANR and the other has CEP.
I went the alternate route; had my HGU-55 modified with both ANR cups and CEP plugs. Best of both worlds, works really well in the noisy stuff, aka, T-28s. I've worn the CEP plugs for several hours at a time, no problem with comfort, just like having a set of Halos plugged in.

Quote:
Originally Posted by xblueh2o View Post
I have not experienced that in quieter warbirds (T-6)...
T-6, quiet? Daaaang, what's the really noisy stuff you fly? Mustangs? Last year I was flying a B-17 northbound out of Sun n Fun, had a P-51 beating us up a bit. That Merlin was so loud that on one of his passes I could hear his noise over the sound of 4 R-1820's and my ANR headset. And I'm kinda sorta deaf!
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