First Headset Advice

skelrad · #1 10-23-2006, 01:09 PM

It seems like it's been an absolute eternity since I first attempted to get my PPL (started as freshman in college = not enough money), but the time and finances are finally in place to finish what I barely started and get flying again! I'm trying to figure out what I should do regarding a headset - go with a cheap pair initially and then eventually upgrade to ANR or something like the QT Halo, or just cough up the dough and buy a nicer set right off the bat. For those of you who are using the Halos, do you think they'll hold up as well as "typical" headsets? I'll eventually need a second set for my wife, so that has to factor into the equation as well I guess.

Any advice? Buy cheap and upgrade after I know exactly what I like in a headset, or take the plunge and buy a model that gets good reviews (like the Lightspeed Twenty-3G) and just hope that I like them? I'd like to try on a bunch of headsets, but there aren't many shops around here that have a very decent selection. I'll be at OshKosh next summer - do most FBO's have loaners I could use during training until I can try some headsets at Osh?

Brandon

PS - My wife says that I should start building an RV as soon as I've got some time built up, so I need to get flying and start on the RV before she changes her mind!

Captain_John · #2 10-23-2006, 01:23 PM

The Bose guys will chime in with their "get a BOSE or go home" advice. I think Bose is good, but not worth the loot. Every Cirrus driver gets 'em!

Me? I fly Lightspeed. My spare set is a Solo and my regular set is the Twenty 3G. It is big, but comfy and has good attenuation with dead batteries... not that I ever neded to fly that way.

They are just over $100 and just under $500 respectively.

When I tested the Twenty and Thirty 3G's against one another, I got the loudest Citabria I could find and strapped them both on. I pumped my smartphone MP3's and telephone inputs into it. People on the ground said it souned like I was on the ground! Aural performance between the two were NIL!

Get either the Solo or the Twenty!

My $0.02...

CJ

jcoloccia · #3 10-23-2006, 01:46 PM

I'll just chime in with another plug for the QT Halo. Their quieter than my David Clarks and the comm's are clearer (lower gain mic, I think). We like them so much I just ordered Ellen her own set last night, and my expensive DC ANR's are now my passenger headhpones (lucky passengers). I'll never go back to the Princess Leia earmuffs again.

My first headset was a cheapy DRE. If they were still in business, or if you could find one in stock somewhere, I'd recommend those 'cause they're cheap and were WAY more comfortable than any of the other cheapys...on MY head, at any rate. YMMV.

The bottom line to all of this, though, is that personally I would forget the nice flight bag, all metal E6B, fancy calculators, and wizbang timer. Use a backpack, cardboard E6B, cheapy TI calculator and kitchen timer. Then take the money you saved and spend it on a decent ANR or earplug style headset and protect your hearing. It's so easy to protect your ears, nowadays, it would be a shame to do any unesscessary damage.

edit: just to be clear, there's nothing wrong with my David Clarks and Lightspeed's are nice too. I just like my QT's better.

Roadster · #4 10-23-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_John

Get either the Solo or the Twenty!

Skelrad, I second the LightSPEED recommendation. However, you can get a LightSPEED 15XL, a nice ANR headset without music and cell phone interface, reconditioned from the factory for only $250. It normally retails for $379 new. That might be a good compromise to consider, if you want really good performance at a budget-level price.

If you want an even newer model, the reconditioned 20XL's are only $300 ($439 new), and the reconditioned 25XL's are only $350 ($? new).

FWIW, there is nothing wrong with these headsets. Just a lot of people that want the newest model taking advantage of LightSPEED's trade-up program. I bought one of the recon 15XL's a few months back, and it looked and performed like new. It even came with a 1-year warranty.

Here's the relevant link, if you're interested...

http://www.anrheadsets.com/productsrecon.asp

Capflyer · #5 10-23-2006, 03:19 PM

Ok, I'm one of the Bose guys but I speak from experience. I've had different headsets from junk and up. The sound quality of the Bose is amazing, you hear everything very clearly. Just getting rid of the engine noise is only one part of the equation. I fly with a few guys that have different Lightspeeds and they all agree the Bose is better after trying them for a variety of reasons including the clamping force on long rides, much better sound quality, and they dont triple the size of your head sideways.

This said, I am also very happy with my David Clark 13.4's. They were a good headset to begin with and after I added the Headsets Inc. ANR to them they are very close in every way to the Bose at half the cost. In fact, one of the guys I flew to Oshkosh with this year asked if he could use them over his Lightspeeds for the trip.

So my recommendation is to get the David Clarks then enhance them later if cost is an issue now. Cheapy headsets are well....you get what you pay for. After you have been flying for a while and want to look cool and have the best, then get the Bose.

Now, if only someone would come up with a good headset with no cord.

Baja_Traveler · #6 10-23-2006, 03:40 PM

I was in the same situation last year, so at Oshkosh I tried all of the offerings as close together as I could and made my decision then and there. I figured that I havent started in-flight training yet, and had no other major aviation expenses, so cost was really no object. Bose introduced their no-interest monthly payment option at the show, so that put me over the edge and I went for it. Here one year later they are fully paid for and I don't regret choosing them one bit. I always figure - get the best you can afford and you'll have no regrets later.

Captain_John · #7 10-23-2006, 03:46 PM

Bose, Bose, Bose...

Yah yah yah... I am SURE you like them!

No difference to me. Clarity, whatever...

Wicked Stick has 'em.

My buddy with the helicopter has 'em.

Sure, I have tried 'em.

I plug my Lightspeeds in everytime!

CJ

DanH · #8 10-23-2006, 03:53 PM

I'm with Mike. I've tried Bose and they are good. On the flip side, Clarks last. They accept huge abuse and you can always get parts if they don't. Plus they can be upgraded or repaired without help. I still have and use the H10-30 I got as a gift when I got my PPL in 1982. Now they're stuffed in a cloth helmet for open cockpit use. Only parts replaced are new earcups and headpad.

I have a Lightspeed that started shedding the covers on the earcups after a year or so. Lightspeed cheerfully offered to replace them for free, and updated the hedset at the same. I was impressed, and thankful. They work fine.

A buddy bought four sets of (nameless) yellow ANR's. The frames broke on three of them in the first year, among other problems. Overpriced ****.

Dan

TSwezey · #9 10-23-2006, 03:58 PM

I'm with Captain John. I flew from Savannah to LOE with Bose. My Lightspeed 20-3G was stowed away in the back of the RV-8. I couldn't wait to get them out for the trip home. The Bose are nice but I like the Lightspeeds better. The cell phone interface is great. I used it crossing the mountains back from LOE. I also use the headset when I cut the grass on the tractor. People don't even realize I am on the tractor when I talk to them.You can buy 2 Lightspeeds for the price of a Bose.

Captain_John · #10 10-23-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSwezey

I'm with Captain John. I flew from Savannah to LOE with Bose. My Lightspeed 20-3G was stowed away in the back of the RV-8. I couldn't wait to get them out for the trip home. The Bose are nice but I like the Lightspeeds better. The cell phone interface is great. I used it crossing the mountains back from LOE. I also use the headset when I cut the grass on the tractor. People don't even realize I am on the tractor when I talk to them.You can buy 2 Lightspeeds for the price of a Bose.

Yessah!

CJ