Headset Competition S1 VS Zulu PFX VS AV100 VS A20

[Prodriver]

The Zulu's you can patch your Sat phone in and you can't on the second gen Bose A20. I love my Bose but I ffind this oversight anoying. Last time they missed auto on, but it is fixed on the new cord update. Also kuddos to Bose for selling the upgrade cord and allowing for a trade in deal, Great Job!

[Chris M]

Hmmm...

http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/Tango ... ?cat=35717

[ogc]

Hmmm...

http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/Tango ... ?cat=35717

Im shocked it took this long for someone to make a wireless headset

[Prodriver]

Hmmm...

http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/Tango ... ?cat=35717

Im shocked it took this long for someone to make a wireless headset

Me too, it's a little ugly looking, but I love the fact that the cord is gone! I hate the cord on my Bose.

[TeePeeCreeper]

Hmmm...

http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/Tango ... ?cat=35717

Im shocked it took this long for someone to make a wireless headset

Me too, it's a little ugly looking, but I love the fact that the cord is gone! I hate the cord on my Bose.

Love the concept and hate the cord... But I can already foresee my inevitable curses from not having a cord keep my new headset out of the drink!

[5x5]

Not sure I'd buy a Sennheiser now - http://www.flyingmag.com/avionics-gear/ ... set-market

[xchox]

I've used them all and the S1 is hands down the best.

[tipsails]

The Tango headset is based off the Sierra ANR. So its less superior to the Zulu2 and PFX. I'll wait for reiteration #2 to come out before I consider a wireless unit.

[ogc]

Update on my S1D.

After a year and a half i had to send it in for warranty work. The cord was seperating where it goes into the ear cup and causeing it to cut in and out.

Good news is they had it back within a week and the new cord they replaced it with is a beefier design so I dont think i will have that problem again.

I had to go back to my old DCs though for a couple days, man did i miss that ANR.

[Jet Jockey]

So glad I don't have to wear any of those bulky headsets. Our planes are quiet enough that you can hear the pax talking in the back.

[JasonE]

We have 2 Lightspeeds and I will not buy another one. They want $75 plus $65USD return freight for software update that came out just after we purchased. They will not do the update without both charges at the same time as a warranty repair (which has free return freight....).

[eastpilot]

I have actually tried everything!
I even used a crappy computer mic taped to a Seinnheiser
Earphone from a studio. (yes, I got laughed at)
I prefer the A20, because;
The mic is better
The audio from a device is better
Albiet not BY
The design is friggin tough
The headband is comfy
Refit kit cost 80 bucks after 2 years and 1900 hours of flying!!! Wow, a NEW feeling rig for 80 bucks!
But, #1...
It's Bose
I trust Bose
I believe in Bose
I prefer Sennheiser in the studio, but Bose is a better all around product!

[fleet16b]

Gosport

[NorOntair]

Sennheiser S1 is the best headset I have ever used. Hearing great things about the new David Clark Pro X but haven't tried them yet.

[JasonE]

After recent issues with my Lightspeeds (x2) thought I would post here. Both are having random squealing (in 1 ear only), and the plastic pivot is coming apart on 1. Not very good quality in my opinion. Both are having to be send in for warranty. I would not buy another one.

[WhiskeyWhiskey]

I have used them all. Sennheisers S1 is by far the best.

[Cessna 180]

i have to report back that I've been using the red Duracell super-whatever batteries that I bought in a large package at Costco and they seem to last significantly longer than regular AA batteries in my PFX. Maybe 12-14 hrs.

[PostmasterGeneral]

Holy crap! I better try those. I get about 8-10 hours on normal AA's in my PFX.

[ZaSz]

Why can't they make a headset ANR that connects to a USB port on the airplane instead of having batteries? Would that be a problem?

[I_Drive_Planes]

I've been thinking of trying a Quiet Technologies Halo. I had a weight lifting accident a few years ago and my neck has never been the same since. If I'm having a bad day, a full day of flying with the weight of a standard headset on my head will leave me with a stiff neck and headache for up to a couple days afterwards. The reviews of the Halo are very good (for those that can handle having something in their ears, anyway) and noise attenuation is about the same as an ANR headset at 1/3 the cost. I like the idea of being able to wear a hat or whatever sunglasses I want without interfering with the function of the headset. The only disadvantages I see are that bluetooth isn't available, and having to buy fresh ear tips (though they are cheaper than batteries for an ANR headset). The Halo also looks like it might be a little more fiddly to put on than a regular headset.

[co-joe]

I wonder if that's compatible with custom hearing protection? I have some "DB Blockers" from Custom Protect Ear that are so comfortable I forget I'm wearing them. http://www.protectear.com/ They say there's an aviation application for them but I have trouble finding a headset specifically designed to fit them. They're around $150 for the mould that they do at your house.

[Cessna 180]

Holy crap! I better try those. I get about 8-10 hours on normal AA's in my PFX.

I was surprised. I keep bringing 4 AAs with me expecting the headset to die since it normally would have by now, but no beeps from the headset.

Why can't they make a headset ANR that connects to a USB port on the airplane instead of having batteries? Would that be a problem?

They make headsets for newer airplanes that provide 12V on the tip of the audio plug, but that doesn't help out for older planes with older audio stacks.

[I_Drive_Planes]

I wonder if that's compatible with custom hearing protection? I have some "DB Blockers" from Custom Protect Ear that are so comfortable I forget I'm wearing them. http://www.protectear.com/ They say there's an aviation application for them but I have trouble finding a headset specifically designed to fit them. They're around $150 for the mould that they do at your house.

I'd imagine they could work, but they aren't recommended. This is from the Quiet Technologies FAQ:

Do I need custom earmolds?

NO...Custom earmolds are not recommended for the following reasons...

They take time and effort to get
A FULL 30% of all earmolds leak somewhat. The noise spectrum that enters the ear canal with small leaks are the low frequencies...engine noise.
IF you get a good seal, that means it is pneumatic and cannot equalize pressure at various altitudes
they cost range from $80 to $200 / pair making the experiment an expensive one.
Stick with the foams if at all possible.

Clarity Aloft, another in ear headset maker has this to say about custom molds:

We do not recommend custom ear molds for a variety of reasons. The Comply®Canal Foam will supply 5 decibels better noise suppression than a custom ear mold. This foam acts like a self-sealing memory foam and will comply to the outer ear canal much better than a custom mold. The seal is maintained throughout the changing shape of the ear canal during head turning, yawning, chewing and swallowing, unlike a hard, custom ear mold. Use of a custom ear mold also voids the three year warranty.