yet another headset question.
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, I WAS Birddog
-
Redneck_pilot86
- Rank (9)
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:47 pm
- Location: between 60 and 70
yet another headset question.
Just curious to know if there is anything you can buy to turn a PNR headset into an ANR headset.
The only three things a wingman should ever say: 1. "Two's up" 2. "You're on fire" 3. "I'll take the fat one"
-
sidestick stirrer
- Rank 5
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:22 pm
-
Redneck_pilot86
- Rank (9)
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:47 pm
- Location: between 60 and 70
Interesting. $169 for all I need to have an ANR headset, eh? Has anyone else used this setup? How did it work for you, and how hard was it to set up? I'm looking at using it in a beaver.
Just a note to others, the link is actually http://www.headsetsinc.com/
Just a note to others, the link is actually http://www.headsetsinc.com/
The only three things a wingman should ever say: 1. "Two's up" 2. "You're on fire" 3. "I'll take the fat one"
-
sidestick stirrer
- Rank 5
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:22 pm
I kind of wondered after I hit submit whether or not the URL had an "s" in it.
I bought this kit to convert my very-old Gentex 41-1, half-shell helmet to ANR.
Althought that model helmet was not listed on their applications, it went right in with little problem.
I did go for several of the options: the combined audio/mic/power cord, the power supply, etc.
The instruction were good, and the kit is very complete, right down to the solder.
A little fussy working inside the earcups with short lengths of wire, especially so when it's a helmet that keeps trying to roll off the workbench...
I can only compare the actual ANR performance with a Peltor that my daughter uses in our RV-6 and a Senneheiser set that I use when flying the line at work.
Even wearing prescription glasses with reasonably-thick temples and saddled with a fatty deposit just behind one ear( no jokes now), the helmet seems at least as quiet as either of the others.
The RV is quite noisy, with unmuffled pipes exitting the airframe right under your toes.
It would probably be quieter if I'd done a better job on the canopy skirts.
To compare this company's costs, visit Oregon Aero's website.
Our local homebuilt-airplane avionics guru has installed dozens of these kits for people, and he thinks they are the best.
As you can figure out, it's cheaper to buy a PNR headset and add this kit to it.
Using the optional 9-volt battery pack on the helmet( there's only ANR power from the bus on the left side)I can run half a year versus the Peltor's needing a battery almost every month......
I bought this kit to convert my very-old Gentex 41-1, half-shell helmet to ANR.
Althought that model helmet was not listed on their applications, it went right in with little problem.
I did go for several of the options: the combined audio/mic/power cord, the power supply, etc.
The instruction were good, and the kit is very complete, right down to the solder.
A little fussy working inside the earcups with short lengths of wire, especially so when it's a helmet that keeps trying to roll off the workbench...
I can only compare the actual ANR performance with a Peltor that my daughter uses in our RV-6 and a Senneheiser set that I use when flying the line at work.
Even wearing prescription glasses with reasonably-thick temples and saddled with a fatty deposit just behind one ear( no jokes now), the helmet seems at least as quiet as either of the others.
The RV is quite noisy, with unmuffled pipes exitting the airframe right under your toes.
It would probably be quieter if I'd done a better job on the canopy skirts.
To compare this company's costs, visit Oregon Aero's website.
Our local homebuilt-airplane avionics guru has installed dozens of these kits for people, and he thinks they are the best.
As you can figure out, it's cheaper to buy a PNR headset and add this kit to it.
Using the optional 9-volt battery pack on the helmet( there's only ANR power from the bus on the left side)I can run half a year versus the Peltor's needing a battery almost every month......
-
Redneck_pilot86
- Rank (9)
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:47 pm
- Location: between 60 and 70
How much flying time is that in a half a year? Rec flying, or working?sidestick stirrer wrote:Using the optional 9-volt battery pack on the helmet( there's only ANR power from the bus on the left side)I can run half a year versus the Peltor's needing a battery almost every month......
Also, I cant tell from the pictures, but are there a lot of extra cords, or do they replace the cords I have now? Extra cords aren't a good thing in a floatplane, one more thing to trip over and faceplant on the dock haha.
The only three things a wingman should ever say: 1. "Two's up" 2. "You're on fire" 3. "I'll take the fat one"
-
sidestick stirrer
- Rank 5
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:22 pm
I usually fly the RV about once or twice a week, more often when someone needs training on it.
There is only one cord if you opt for the three-in-one cord, it just has an extra connection on the plug end that goes into either the portable 9-volt battery pack or to the permanently-wired jack in the airplane.
My Sennheiser goes through two, NiMH AA-size batteries in one trip on the line, although that can be about fifteen hours of use, unless the relief pilot is using it when I'm on break!
There is only one cord if you opt for the three-in-one cord, it just has an extra connection on the plug end that goes into either the portable 9-volt battery pack or to the permanently-wired jack in the airplane.
My Sennheiser goes through two, NiMH AA-size batteries in one trip on the line, although that can be about fifteen hours of use, unless the relief pilot is using it when I'm on break!
RedneckInteresting. $169 for all I need to have an ANR headset, eh? Has anyone else used this setup?
Just a note of caution, that's $169 USD which is $180 CDN, add on the shipping costs and taxes and you're easily above $200.00. Note that you will require gel ear seals to make it effective, adding another $30-$40 to the cost.
Also note that you will need to remove some sound insulation in your passive to fit the ANR retro-fit which reduces the headset's overall effectiveness in the PNR range. (Also note that you will have to buy a fine-tip soldering gun and possibly a continuity meter unless you happen to have one handy.)
Finally note that the rewiring is tricky and unless you're good with electronics, there's always a chance it's not going to work.
In short for the $250 bucks you going to shell out for a retro-fit ANR you could probably be in striking distance of buying a brand new budget ANR. Take a look at Softcomm, Lightspeed or even some of the on-line custom models made for Marv Golden or Gulf Coast Avionics.
Cheers, mdh
I converted a DC 13.4 with their kit: it was really easy to do (took me about 3 hours, no previous electronic experience) and they worked great....for the first 1500 hours or so.
I eventually got a high pitched squeal in one ear, so I sent it back to them to get fixed. 3 weeks and $100 bucks later it was good as new (apparently a bad Sensor mic on that side). 2 weeks after that it happened on the other side. Sold a kidney on ebay and bought a Bose.
No regrets on either purchase. The Headsets inc kit was quiter than the 13.4 by far, but where I really noticed a difference was at the end of a 9 or 10 hour flying day. The fatigue level was really a lot lower with the ANR.
The longevity of the kit was a bit dissapointing, but for $180, I guess it probably wasn't designed to last forever. 12 cents an hour was certainly worth it to me.
I eventually got a high pitched squeal in one ear, so I sent it back to them to get fixed. 3 weeks and $100 bucks later it was good as new (apparently a bad Sensor mic on that side). 2 weeks after that it happened on the other side. Sold a kidney on ebay and bought a Bose.
No regrets on either purchase. The Headsets inc kit was quiter than the 13.4 by far, but where I really noticed a difference was at the end of a 9 or 10 hour flying day. The fatigue level was really a lot lower with the ANR.
The longevity of the kit was a bit dissapointing, but for $180, I guess it probably wasn't designed to last forever. 12 cents an hour was certainly worth it to me.
A friend of mine, who is handy with a soldering iron (apparently the installation requires some skill) installed the Headsets Inc ANR kit into his passive Dave Clark a few years ago, and lent it to me for a flight.
I didn't like the reduced passive attenuation caused by the removal of insulation from the ear cups (extra hardware has to go somewhere I guess). The ANR was nothing to write home about, either.
He has since moved on to a Telex Stratus 50D.
If you're good with a soldering iron, and don't need much passive attenuation (eg mid and high freqs) but you want/need ANR for the low freqs, give it a shot.
I didn't like the reduced passive attenuation caused by the removal of insulation from the ear cups (extra hardware has to go somewhere I guess). The ANR was nothing to write home about, either.
He has since moved on to a Telex Stratus 50D.
If you're good with a soldering iron, and don't need much passive attenuation (eg mid and high freqs) but you want/need ANR for the low freqs, give it a shot.
