Headset recommendations?

[Hybrid VW]

I think I'm going to be in the market for a headset in short order. What's everyone's favorite and why? I've found a pair of Bose X headsets (batteries required) for $520 ea., shipped, should I just go that route?

[ATL_Av8r]

They have a spring on the "crossbar" that can clamp down on your head and become uncomfortable after a while. That may depend on the size of your head....my hat size is BFH

Otherwise, the X is a generation old and the price seems high. You can never go wrong with Dave Clark's. Try a few out if your local FBO or someone will let you borrow.

[andycooper]

They have a spring on the "crossbar" that can clamp down on your head and become uncomfortable after a while. That may depend on the size of your head....my hat size is BFH

Otherwise, the X is a generation old and the price seems high. You can never go wrong with Dave Clark's. Try a few out if your local FBO or someone will let you borrow.

I always found the DCs were insanely uncomfortable because they clamped so hard. I've got a Telex Stratus 50D (dunno what the current model is), but it was about the only headset that worked well in my Pitts (noise cancelling was important, and the 50D worked the best there). I tried a friend's Bose in his Comanche and liked it as well, but preferred my 50D.

[71sbeetle]

I'm a David Clark man and I absolutely despise Bose ..... but I traded in my DC X11 for a Bose A20 headset after using the A20 for only a month, night and day difference, and just as comfortable as the X11. I've now flown over 1500 hours with the A20 and it's still going strong.

[FlyinTurbo]

I had a couple of Bose X and purchased a couple of A20s when they came out. I LOVE the A20s... I can wear em for 7 legs a day and almost zero fatigue at the end of the day. The sound quality is amazing and I like the bluetooth connection to my phone. The downside is the price and batteries don't last too long.

[71sbeetle]

Seriously? My batteries will last me 70-75 hours of flight time just a little less than a month's worth of flying. My X11 batteries would last me 40hrs IF I used Energizer E Square batteries, if not less than a week (20-25 hours).
On the A20, you CANNOT use Lithium batteries (as per the TSO) so I use the Costco Duracell batteries, which batteries do you use?

[vwbrvr6]

I've been using my David Clark's 13.4 for ten years now, actually bought them when I first started flight training. Never had a problem with them. They're inexpensive at around $300, pretty light, and will last you a long time. Only thing is the plugs are brass and will tarnish after a few months so you have to rub steel wool on them or else the sound will will crackle. I think the new ones aren't brass anymore. They can get uncomfortable after an 8 hour round robin flight though due to the clamping. When I have the cash though I want to upgrade to those really light weight noise canceling type headsets.

[71sbeetle]

I've been using my David Clark's 13.4 for ten years now, actually bought them when I first started flight training. Never had a problem with them. They're inexpensive at around $300, pretty light, and will last you a long time. Only thing is the plugs are brass and will tarnish after a few months so you have to rub steel wool on them or else the sound will will crackle. I think the new ones aren't brass anymore. They can get uncomfortable after an 8 hour round robin flight though due to the clamping. When I have the cash though I want to upgrade to those really light weight noise canceling type headsets.

I still have my 13.4s that I bought in 1995 when I started flying. A couple of years ago when I sent my X11 in I inquired about having my 13.4 switched to the non brass plugs, they told me to send both headsets in (they payed for overnight shipping) and they'll get me a quote on overhauling my 13.4. A week later I had both headsets back in my possession, not a penny out of pocket !
And that's why I love David Clark. Now if only they made an ANR headset that would compete with the Bose A20!

[Ikey3125]

Where do you guys get parts for DCs?

I got a set, and lost the ear cushions somewhere either on a bus or something.

That and the wire that goes between my mic and headset keeps breaking, which bugs the crap out of me when I have to readjust the mic anytime I wanna talk.

[FlyinTurbo]

Seriously? My batteries will last me 70-75 hours of flight time just a little less than a month's worth of flying. My X11 batteries would last me 40hrs IF I used Energizer E Square batteries, if not less than a week (20-25 hours).
On the A20, you CANNOT use Lithium batteries (as per the TSO) so I use the Costco Duracell batteries, which batteries do you use?

I use the Duracell batts too... I usually get 2 weeks or so of use outta em.. 30 - 40 hours. One thing I have found about the Bose is that they'll indicate they're low when they really aren't.

[OOOO-A3]

Late, so I'll be brief. Ask for whatever details you want.

David Clark's are overpriced bull****.

Best noise reduction: Telex Stratus 50D. Also very durable.
Best audio quality, comfort and (arguably tied with the 50D) noise reduction: Lightspeed Zulu or Zulu2

Bose are LESS comfortable, LESS noise reduction, WORSE audio quality and more expensive than the Zulus. The ONLY reason to get the Bose is if you need a TSO'd headset to satisfy an airline's requirements.

Best value: Telex Stratus 30. Not as quiet as the 50D, less expensive than the others, value/$ can't be beat.

Avoid ALL non-Zulu lightspeeds.

I steer most students to the Stratus 30.

I own a Zulu. I regularly fly aircraft equipped with Bose. There's a huge difference.

[Ikey3125]

David Clark's are overpriced bull****.

But for the price I paid...free .99, its decent...just I keep seeming to break wires in the cable between the mic and headset...probably wrapping the bitch too tight.

[71sbeetle]

The Zulus are not TSO'd? I thought they were.
When my A20 blinks red, I have about 2 days of flying left (10-15 hours) so plenty of advance notice. On my X11 I'd get about 15 minutes notice that's it lol.
Do you have the bluetooth on all the time? I only turn mine on when I need it.
The Bose X are garbage compared to the A20, they are uncomfortable and the noise reduction is mediocre at best.

[OOOO-A3]

Ok, now that I've gotten some sleep...

When I started flying 22 years ago David Clark's were the best for all the reasons people cite, mostly durability. Even then, their entry-level models were bad: carbon mics instead of electret mics, virtually no insulation in the earcups, foam-filled earseals and hard rubber headbands that were torture after a few minutes.

There was and still is a whole aftermarket of upgrades for DC and similar headsets. The best stuff is from Oregon Aero (http://www.oregonaero.com/headset-up...t-upgrade-kits). The 'hush kit' insulation, upgraded earseals and sheepskin headbands are awesome. You can put these on any traditional headset, so why start with a DC? Well...

If you disassemble those headsets, you get the following:

• 2 plastic earcups
• Metal headband
• Mic boom (wire or flex)
• Mic
• Speakers
• Wiring (cord & internal)
• Misc switches and volume controls.

Is DC pricing worth the sum of the parts? Not really, but look at the context: There are a bunch of really crappy DC-style headsets out there. AvComm, Pilot, ASA, SoftComm and any of the big avionics shops' house brands, for example. All of them have poor quality of most/all of the components I listed compared to DC, so DC is definitely 'better'.

One brand that is better than all the other DC clones is Flightcom. With the exception of the cord & plugs, every component of the Flightcom 4DX is equivalent to the DC 10-40, and the 5DX is equivalent quality to the DC 10-60 For A LOT less money. Upgrade either of those with all the Oregon Aero goodies, and you have a great value in a passive headset. I still have my 21-year-old upgraded 4DX that I got as an instrument student.

But, it's 20freakin12. Technology has come a long way, and so has the economics of flying. The quieter (and more comfortable) the headset, learning is enhanced for students and safety is enhanced for all. An hour of dual is now $200-ish. The entry-level DC 10-20 is $295. A Telex Stratus 30 is $445. If a student saves 0.7 net hour of dual over the course of learning maneuvers/pattern ops/etc. because they were less stressed or distracted by noise or mis-heard radio comm, the extra spending on the nice ANR headset is suddenly a non-issue.

Those two points are the basis of my anti-DC bias. They survive on their name, not because the value proposition is valid.

[OOOO-A3]

The Zulus are not TSO'd? I thought they were.

Unfortunately not and they say they have no plans to TSO them. That kills them for most regional & major airline use. If I went to a 121 carrier, I'd reluctantly trade them for a Bose.

We have Telex 850 ultralight ANR headsets in the Lear, but I decided to try my Zulus this trip. The Zulus are so much better audio quality except the trim clicker and the A/P disconnect chime are calibrated for the 850s and are unfreakingbelievably loud through the Zulus. landing in CYYZ last night, I hit A/P disconnect and *BONG* OMFGGGGG!!!!! I thought my skull had exploded. Guess I'll stick with the others. Using the Zulus on an Atlantic crossing in the Challenger was awesome.

[unreal]

Using the Zulus on an Atlantic crossing in the Challenger was awesome.

No SELCAL?

[OOOO-A3]

No SELCAL?

SELCAL worked Just general noise reduction is worth it, and it makes hearing HF effortless compared to the telex 750s that live in the plane. Also, community headsets are gross. Ones with foam pads/muff that have everyone else's sweat/ear scuzz/sneeze residue are biohazards.

[unreal]

SELCAL worked Just general noise reduction is worth it, and it makes hearing HF effortless compared to the telex 750s that live in the plane. Also, community headsets are gross. Ones with foam pads/muff that have everyone else's sweat/ear scuzz/sneeze residue are biohazards.

Oh yeah, I won't use the community headsets, but for some reason it seems like I'm the only one who brings along a personal set. I just have the one-ear style Plantronics MS50 with a custom ear mold for the current beast, but I've used standard DCs and Bose X headsets in the past with good results. Would recommend either.

[joness0154]

I'm a weekend warrior so I don't wear my headset more than an hour or two a week.

I've had my DC 13.4s for the past 10 years. Upgraded them in college with the Oregon Aero foam cups, etc. couldn't be happier. There's no way I'm paying 750+ for a headset that I only use occasionally

[FlyinTurbo]

Anyone have the www.clarityaloft.com headsets? I've been kickin around trying something new... opinions?

[vwnut82]

A lot of the captains I know use the Clarity aloft. They seem to like it even in the loud WSCOD cockpit. One guy uses it in his L19 and says it works great in that. I'm pretty sure they would work great for you in the Phenom.

The main headset I see between Eagle and Alaska is the Bose QC15 with the UFlyMic. It looks kind of dumb and is a pain for the right seaters since the boom is on your left but you cannot beat the noise reduction for the price.

I still use the DC H-10 13-XL I've had since I started working on my Instrument.

[vwnut82]

Unfortunately not and they say they have no plans to TSO them. That kills them for most regional & major airline use. If I went to a 121 carrier, I'd reluctantly trade them for a Bose.

We have Telex 850 ultralight ANR headsets in the Lear, but I decided to try my Zulus this trip. The Zulus are so much better audio quality except the trim clicker and the A/P disconnect chime are calibrated for the 850s and are unfreakingbelievably loud through the Zulus. landing in CYYZ last night, I hit A/P disconnect and *BONG* OMFGGGGG!!!!! I thought my skull had exploded. Guess I'll stick with the others. Using the Zulus on an Atlantic crossing in the Challenger was awesome.

You need to fly a plane that you can silence the autopilot disconnect....

I know many people who use the Zulus at the airlines. It would take a pretty anal fed to check the TSO on a headset. I have heard that the ex-waterski POI said only the David Clark H 10-40s were allowed to be used in the WSCOD because that's what the plane was certified with I've seen guys wearing the UflyMic without the "TSO earbuds" with Feds observing and the guy could really care less. When I talked to a lightspeed guy at a tradeshow he said the headset meets TSO guidelines but they do not want to have to pay the government more money that would have to be passed onto the buyers.

[Hybrid VW]

Thanks for all the input guys! I guess I need to find some time and a place where I can try on a few different sets. Arlington is coming up, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it up there for it Maybe I'll have to borrow a set in the meantime (just a couple of flights, most likely)

[3.3.7]

The Bose a20 is amazing. Well worth the money. You will not be disappointed. Bluetooth integration is great if you have to make a phone call at lower altitudes. Noise canceling is great after coming from a David Clark. (a regular David Clark, not active noise cancelling)

[garageless]

Anyone have the www.clarityaloft.com headsets? I've been kickin around trying something new... opinions?

I'm no longer flying but did about 100 hours in small aircraft with Clarity Aloft. I liked mine and still have them but just couldn't buy a home and keep flying. Aviation is not my occupation. No pinch. No problems.

[rambag3]

You need to fly a plane that you can silence the autopilot disconnect....

I know many people who use the Zulus at the airlines. It would take a pretty anal fed to check the TSO on a headset. I have heard that the ex-waterski POI said only the David Clark H 10-40s were allowed to be used in the WSCOD because that's what the plane was certified with I've seen guys wearing the UflyMic without the "TSO earbuds" with Feds observing and the guy could really care less. When I talked to a lightspeed guy at a tradeshow he said the headset meets TSO guidelines but they do not want to have to pay the government more money that would have to be passed onto the buyers.

I use the uflymic, i carry the earbuds in my pocket but i rarely put them in. The headset is fantastic and the mic works great but if you can afford the bose aviation made headset I'd get that.