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ANR headsets with glasses

G

Geoff

I'm doing some headset shopping for my recently-completed RV-8. To put this into perspective, I've never owned an ANR headset and I'm pretty happy using my 22-year-old David Clark H10-40s with gel earseals.

I used the Bose Aviation X during transition training, and it was awesome. But I don't think I'm going to be flying enough to justify a $1000 headset.

I bought a new Lightspeed QFRXCc for $300, figuring I couldn't go wrong. I like the headset okay, but it doesn't work so well when I'm wearing sunglasses. It seems like any little gap between my head and the earseals renders the ANR pretty much useless. Also, the audio quality of my own transmissions seems a little muffled when compared with the David Clarks.

I'm thinking about trying a reconditioned Lighspeed 20XLc for $350. Can anyone report on how well that headset works with sunglasses?

I've read all the reviews on these headsets and the other options. I'm looking for something that I can put over my head (as opposed to in my ears), works with sunglasses, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Thanks in advance for any info,

-Geoff
 
Lightspeeds

Geoff,

I've flown Lightspeed 15XLC for slightly over 200 hours ... all with glasses ... and had no problem whatsoever. I find them both comfortable and delightfully effective in both active and passive NR. From what I see there's very little difference between the 15 and 20 models.
 
It's All About the Glasses

I think you need to look the glasses you are using. You need some thin flexy wire temples that interfere the least with the earcup seals.

Hans
 
Got to agree with nucleus. I've been using the 20xlc for quite awhile. I switched sunglasses from Ray Ban's to pair of Oakley's, and it has been killing me. The particular style of Oakley's I have are great on the ground, but has such a spread off my temple that is interferes with the headset and causes a headache after a few hours.

Buy the 20xlc - just be careful with your glasses.
 
nucleus said:
I think you need to look the glasses you are using. You need some thin flexy wire temples that interfere the least with the earcup seals.

Hans
Click to expand...

Serengeti. Very thin wire arms.

My David Clarks with gel earseals work fine with the glasses, but the Lightspeed QFRXCc with foam earseals is a problem.

Perhaps the answer is gel earseals or the Lightspeed 20XLc with the 1.5" thick earseals.

-Geoff
 
light speeds 15xl

had the leather ear seal, now have the slick nylon looking ear seals. have always worn glases with them, rather thick arms and never been a problem.
 
Upgrade Earseals

Geoff,

When I first purchased my QFR's (over a year ago) I had the same problem that you are having. The original ear seals are kind of junky. It did'nt seem to make much difference which sunglasses I used. I purchased the upgraded earseals from Lightspeed and the problem is solved. I like the headset so much now that I purchased another set for the passenger.

Jim
 
IN the ear for me...

I'm a perscription glasses wearer for flying, so I always have glasses on in the cockpit. I fly long trips on business, and I found the discomfort from the glasses parts pressing into my head opressive. And, the ear seals didn't seal well enough to get rid of noise.

I'm well into my second set of in_the_ear headsets and love the. This time it was Lightspeed with custom molded earseals. Far more comfortable and better noise attenuation with glasses.

Art in Asheville
N666AT RV-8 Fastback
 
I had the same problem when I upgraded my David Clark's to ANR, with a Headsets Inc kit.

I up graded to the gel seals, problem gone.

Reading above, the gel seals seem to be a common fix.

Try them, if you dont already have 'em.

Cheap/easy.
 
Geoff said:
I'm thinking about trying a reconditioned Lighspeed 20XLc for $350. Can anyone report on how well that headset works with sunglasses?
Click to expand...

I have some of the reconditioned 20XLc sets. They work great and for now I don't think I would want/need anything else for my flying. They seals are comfor-foam like stuff -- they are a little hard until they warm up, but they do fit your face very well. The only complaint I have about them is the adhesive used to hold to seals to the headset is pretty bad. On both of my sets the seals fall off easily and I always have to stick them back on. Obviously this isn't a problem when they're on your head -- only when you get buckled in and you reach to put the headset on and you're missing a seal and you see it sitting in the floor out of reach.

I would try to make sure that your sunglasses have smaller arms on them though. I do notice a difference if I'm using my silhouette eyeglasses w/ clip-ons vs. my prescription sunglasses. The silhouettes are titanium and have tiny, tiny flat arms on them. The prescription glasses have a slightly larger arm and the difference in sound reduction is noticeable if I swap my glasses out in-flight.
 
gasman said:
they will help you with this.:)
Click to expand...

I did, and they did. They're sending me some new seals to try.

What a pleasure it is to deal with a company that wants to make sure you're happy with their product!

-Geoff
 
I have worn glasses since 4th grade. I am now 50-years old.

I used H10-40s without the glasses seal and they worked well for me in my RV. The glasses seal did make them quieter. Yes I do own a set but found them not worth the extra effort.

I have owned the Lightspeed 25XL and they worked perfect for many years. I did the upgrade to the Thirty3G's and they are even better. I used NO extra seal on both of them.

I may upgrade for the Zulu when they have a trade in program. My hearing is worth more than all the money in the world. If I do not upgrade for the Zulu, I may buy two sets of Bose's headset.

I only flew my RV-6 for 2,064 hours in the past 10.25 years. A dollar per flying hour over ten years is a small part in the total cost of owning and operating an airplane. IMHO, find a way to buy the BEST there is and enjoy it over the life of the airplane.
 
Keith F said:
Got to agree with nucleus. I've been using the 20xlc for quite awhile. I switched sunglasses from Ray Ban's to pair of Oakley's, and it has been killing me. The particular style of Oakley's I have are great on the ground, but has such a spread off my temple that is interferes with the headset and causes a headache after a few hours.

Buy the 20xlc - just be careful with your glasses.
Click to expand...

I have the same issue. My Oakley Crosshairs aren't' happy with my 25XLc headset. I did put the "XLc Soft Seals" on my Christmas list. A pilot related gift that's under $500 :eek:

--Bill
 
For me, it went the other way - no ANR

I looked around, and decided to go with an in-ear style headset - lighter, not as sweaty, and could wear whatever hat and glasses I liked.
It's passive, not ANR, but the noise reduction is very good, subjectively.
And it doesn't take batteries.
 
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