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Lightspeed headset service

G

GlennBfromOz

Member
Recently, I set about replacing the damaged cables leading from the two plugs in my 12-y-o Zulu 1. The project immediately went off the rails while disassembling the case of the control box, as the tiny volume sliders popped out and bounced off my bench, never to be seen again. If you can no longer control the audio volume, it makes the headset pretty much useless.

So, a distress email to Lightspeed support. At this stage the neatest solution seemed to be a whole new control box with cables included. But, no: the original Zulu is no longer supported, so you can't get spares for it, and it's not compatible with the controller for the newer models.

But, they said, if all I needed were the sliders, they could indeed send me those. I pointed out that this mightn't work, as USPS doesn't post to Australia, and the cost of parcel freight would be ridiculous. Oh, don't worry about that, they replied.

4 days later, the UPS truck rolled up and deposited a box with several sets of sliders, at no cost to me. In the meantime I'd fixed the cables, so I now have a fully functioning headset again.

This is outstanding support for an old, long superseded product. When the current headset eventually breathes its last, the choice of a replacement will be easy.
 
I've used nothing but Lightspeed for a while now. Customer support has been fantastic. I'm a happy repeat customer.
 
I love light speed. I have two pairs of original zulus and after about 15 years the pads worn out on both. I wasn't at OshKosh last year but had a buddy swing by their booth too see if he could get some for me.

All they wanted was the serial numbers and a picture of the old ones and they comped me two headsets worth of new ones.
 
Desert Rat said:
I love light speed. I have two pairs of original zulus and after about 15 years the pads worn out on both. I wasn't at OshKosh last year but had a buddy swing by their booth too see if he could get some for me.

All they wanted was the serial numbers and a picture of the old ones and they comped me two headsets worth of new ones.
Click to expand...

Thats a nice plus, I just paid for complete update kits for both my worn out Lightspeeds. I have used many headsets over the years. Lightspeeds always feel like home.
 
Can I switch the mic boom from left to right?

I know this is an old thread but I have a lightspeed question. Can I switch the mic from the left side to the right side? You would think the mic boom would flip either direction but it does not on mine. My wife is now flying with me and it is a pain for the cord to cross over her. I guess I could move the plugs but if the boom could switch it would be easier.

Thanks
 
well, at least on my old ones, you just rotate the boom down like you're sailing around the south tip of Africa, then flip the headset around and the boom and cord have magically swapped sides...
 
rockwoodrv9 said:
I know this is an old thread but I have a lightspeed question. Can I switch the mic from the left side to the right side? You would think the mic boom would flip either direction but it does not on mine. My wife is now flying with me and it is a pain for the cord to cross over her. I guess I could move the plugs but if the boom could switch it would be easier.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Depends on the model. The mic on Zulu's is not "flippable". The one on Sierras is. Don't know about Tangos.

The difference is the Zulu's ear cups are not designed to be reversed left to right (they are optimized the way they are) and the Sierra's ear cups are bi-directional.
 
Thanks Kyle. I was afraid of that. I watched a video of a guy tightening up his boom and it looked like it might be possible to flip it when you had the retaining nut off but I dont want to be the first to try it! I sent a support ticket to Lightspeed - hope they have a solution.
 
So the headset refurbishment service is not available for the Z-1's? Thats disappointing. Anyone know if the new style cables are available as a separate item? I know how to solder - maybe I can get another 14 years out of mine.
 
Toobuilder said:
So the headset refurbishment service is not available for the Z-1's? Thats disappointing. Anyone know if the new style cables are available as a separate item? I know how to solder - maybe I can get another 14 years out of mine.
Click to expand...

I have a NIB set of Z-1 cables with a control box. Make offer. ;-)
 
Toobuilder said:
So the headset refurbishment service is not available for the Z-1's? Thats disappointing. Anyone know if the new style cables are available as a separate item? I know how to solder - maybe I can get another 14 years out of mine.
Click to expand...

I have both the old and new style cables. I prefer the old. The new ones are like shoelaces and dont appear to be nearly as durable as the old style. They tangle up more and look cheap!
 
rockwoodrv9 said:
I have both the old and new style cables. I prefer the old. The new ones are like shoelaces and dont appear to be nearly as durable as the old style. They tangle up more and look cheap!
Click to expand...

The new ones are made of Kevlar. Supposedly more cut/abrasion resistent.

I have guillotined both styles with the seat tracks on the RV-10. :-(
 
GlennBfromOz said:
Recently, I set about replacing the damaged cables leading from the two plugs in my 12-y-o Zulu 1. The project immediately went off the rails while disassembling the case of the control box, as the tiny volume sliders popped out and bounced off my bench, never to be seen again. If you can no longer control the audio volume, it makes the headset pretty much useless.

So, a distress email to Lightspeed support. At this stage the neatest solution seemed to be a whole new control box with cables included. But, no: the original Zulu is no longer supported, so you can't get spares for it, and it's not compatible with the controller for the newer models.

But, they said, if all I needed were the sliders, they could indeed send me those. I pointed out that this mightn't work, as USPS doesn't post to Australia, and the cost of parcel freight would be ridiculous. Oh, don't worry about that, they replied.

4 days later, the UPS truck rolled up and deposited a box with several sets of sliders, at no cost to me. In the meantime I'd fixed the cables, so I now have a fully functioning headset again.

This is outstanding support for an old, long superseded product. When the current headset eventually breathes its last, the choice of a replacement will be easy.
Click to expand...

Good to hear. I just bought mine. Very pleased so far.
 
I got a response from Lightspeed. There is no way to make the mike work on the right side on the model I have. Ugg. Well, they did get back to me reasonably quickly.
 
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