Lightspeed Zula 3 v. Bose A20

[Darren Kerns]

I am considering buying a Lightspeed Zulu 3 headset for Christmas.

I currently fly with a reconditioned LS 25XL headset. Been a great one but the sheathing over the wiring is coming off. Cannot complain. I have had it for years. Been a great headset and still is.

Just wondering if anybody has flown with the Zulu 3 headsets and really like them?

My wife and I just cannot stomach the A20 price.

Thanks to all
Darren Kerns
RV7 N599DT

[scrollF4]

....popping the popcorn.....

[TShort]

I have a bose X, an A20, and bought a Zulu 3 at OSH for the girlfriend as she hates both of the Bose headsets (comfort issue).

She loves the Zulu 3. It is more comfortable for her, sits better on her ears and head.

I prefer the A20. It fits me fine, and I feel the attenuation is better. I also like my old X better than the Zulu 3, but the Zulu is a fine headset. Just not my preference.

It's definitely a personal preference thing.

[gyoung]

I had 3 original Zulus and have upgraded 2 of them to the Zulu 3. The 3 is a big enough improvement on the Zulu 1 that I upgraded the 2nd one after I tried out the first and I'll probably upgrade the third one rather than get it repaired. It will be a quantum improvement over your 25XL. I've been a LS customer since they started and continually upgraded. The original Zulu was a vast improvement over my XL. The Z1 was good but the Z3 has much better passive attenuation, the mic is improved, the Kevlar cord is a delight and the ANR is better yet. I can't compare it to Bose as I've never used one but the Zulu 3 is great.

[maus92]

I own a Zulu 3, but I actually prefer my Clarity Aloft when flying in my RV-8A. The Zulu 3 noise cancelling circuitry suppresses / distorts engine sounds non-linearly / irregularly, which grabs my attention unnecessarily. I like the Bose A20 when flying in my friend's certified / plush airplanes mainly because they are less bulky than the Zulu 3s..

[Lynnb]

Lightspeed has a 30 day money back offer. I picked up a Zulu 3 tried it, wasn't impressed enough to replace the Bose and sent it back. I might have had to pay shipping back but small price to pay to demo it in the environment I was flying in. It's a big investment, so I'd take advantage of there satisfaction guaranteed offers. I found the links and bose offers the same guarantee:

Lightspeed:
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/co.../challenge.htm

Bose:
https://www.bose.com/en_us/support/r...exchanges.html

[Darren Kerns]

Thank Guys for all of the responses. I tried a Bose A20 on at OSH 2016. Loved it too.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!

Thanks Again
Darren Kerns
RV7 N599DT

[737Guy]

I have a Bose20 and love it. You may want to consider a Bose/UFlyMike combo. I used one in the past with a QC2. Super lightweight and versatile. I don?t have the link for UFlyMike but I?m sure you can Google it.
Good luck,
Shane Adair

[RV10Man]

Two years ago I bought a Zulu 2 at OCH. Last year, I bought a Tango. This year I bought a Zulu 3.

My daughter has been using the Zulu 2 since February, she's having a problem with it randomly "shutting off". I'll be sending it in next week. But, she's had my Zulu 3 for about a month now and really likes it. She tried a friend's Bose A20. She said it seemed quieter, but not "quieter enough" to justify the price difference.

I use the Tango exclusively. It's not perfect, but it sure is convenient to not have to worry about tangling the wires. And it has only the rechargeable battery. It's recommended to charge it if you know you're going to be flying the next day. But, I haven't, and it's gone dead on me in the air, that sort of sucks. But that's my fault. A charge is good for about 12 hours.

[DonFromTX]

For what it is worth, I just bought a Bose A20, a lot of the reason was that they seem to be very happy with hearing aids. They are great with hearing aids I found out.