Headset recommendations

[gwagen]

I've tried a variety of head sets both passive and ANR.

I bought the Bose A20's and do not for a second regret it, I think they are fantastic.

I am surprised that guys with large heads dislike them.

I have a VERY large head, put it this way, I went to get a snowmobile helmet when I was 13 and after the
salesman tried to jam on the biggest of the youth selection, we ended well up in the adult sizes. Embarrassing.

I find them very comfortable and have only one little complaint. I wish the ear cups were slightly deeper.

Not only do I have a huge head, I have ears that, as I learned on my first day on the school bus in Grade 1, ears that stick out like
convertible car doors.

Totally worth every penny, yes they are expensive but the sound quality and the quietness and reduction of noise related stress
is worth it.

That said.

I got this in my email the other day, new headset from Faro, looks interesting and quite affordable. Exclusive to sporty's.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/aviati ... adset.html

[YQkC]

Had Zulu 1 and now 2. Hands down best warranty. Always comfortable even after a 14 hour duty day. PFX nice but eats batteries at over double the rate. Probably get 50 hours of flight time on two AA's given they sit out in -30° also.

[goingnowherefast]

Lightspeed does have incredible warranty and customer service. I'm forget how old my Zulu 2 is, I've used it for thousands of hours. They're taking it back for warranty repair. I described the problem, they sent me a warranty return authorisation number and an address. I called asking about getting new ear seals at the same time and they immediately knew who I was. By the way, to have them install new ear seals while it's in for warranty is $20 USD.

My biggest concerns are what taxes/tariffs Trump is going to impose in the next week while it crosses the border each way.

[JasonE]

I had to get warranty on both my Lightspeeds. Neither got the software update as they want $100 extra for that....I don't consider that good warranty. Also the warranty line was very long at Oshkosh compared to the Bose booth.

[AirFrame]

We flew 31 hours in Europe in the 182 last summer, each with a Bose A20. We started with fresh AA cells, and they were exhausted at the end of the trip a week later. The two AA's in the David Clark probably have 50+ hours since last summer, and are still going strong.

This is definitely a consideration worth noting. I *hate* disposable batteries, that always seem to die halfway through a flight and there's no way to be sure how full they are before you take off.

I have a set of LEMO jacks that I plan to install when I re-do my panel. I could piggy-back them onto standard jacks and have both, but i've decided to ditch the standard jacks and go just with the LEMO connector. I will have my Lightspeed converted to a LEMO cord (removes the battery box, replaces with a smaller control box with LEMO plug) and buy a LEMO to GA adapter for the passenger side. If a passenger has a LEMO headset, they can use it directly. If not, they can use the adapter. No more batteries.

[BeaverDreamer]

I have a Zulu 2 and it's the only headset I've tried that doesn't hurt after 12 hour days. I really like DC's as well but the sound quality is not on par and they get uncomfortable on my head after ~4 hours. I had a Bose A20 before my Lightspeed and it was okay but I much prefer the Zulu 2.

[7ECA]

I started out using the cheapest of the cheap headsets, the ASA $100 specials. They work well enough for initial training, but I found as soon as I began making longer flights or multi leg trips, the metal band would dig into the top of my head and I would end up with headaches.

My exposure to higher end headsets started when an instructor let me use his Bose on a solo flight in the circuit at CZBB. The sound quality was much better than the ASA, and the noise cancelling was an eye opener. But, that ratcheting headband was much too uncomfortable (I have a large head).

So, when I decided to get a new headset, I went to Aviation World YVR (back when they were actually an impressive store) and tried on a Bose, a Senheiser, and a Zulu 2. The Zulu 2 was the best of the three without a doubt in my mind. Comfortable fit, lighter than the others, much better passive cancelling - and at the time the Zulu's were a good $200 cheaper than the others as well.

I've used my Zulu 2's for a number of years now with no complaints whatsoever, battery life is great (although I do find that sometimes the auto shutoff, doesn't, so I always check that the headset is off after flights/between legs.

[co-joe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqycJpRdVaY

I too have an orange on a toothpick so its good to hear the virtual planetoid side of the stories. I like the old DC's because I could bend the metal band slightly and get a good fit, but everything is plastic now.

[NorOntair]

Sennheiser.

[Blueontop]

Thanks everyone for all the input! I think I may try the clarity aloft for 30 days and see how they work!