Lightspeed Versus David Clark

[maniac779]

Anyone have any first hand knowledge on this subject, I'm thinking of making a switch and need some input.

For the record its from David Clark H10-13XL to Lightspeed 3G.

Any thoughts?

[fatdumbandlazy]

The lightspeeds tend to crack in the cold. I watched a guy literally destroy his set when he droped them in -20C. They are all plastic construction.

Good luck with your choice.

[hz2p]

The Lightspeeds are very delicate compared the the Dave Clarks. Expect to send the Lightspeeds back for service many times over, before the DC's need repair.

That said, the ANR of DC is terrible compared to what else is out there (including lightspeed).

I wouldn't buy either brand, personally.

[yycflyguy]

Well call me the black sheep. I never knew why everyone is so gung-ho on David Clarks and if people actually compare the two models you are looking at the Lightspeeds 30- 3G are the way to go. Better active noise cancellation, foam ear pads (gel freezes), 2 AA batts compared to a 9 volt in the Clarks, a touch lighter, cell phone interface, both have 5 yr factory warranties, MUCH more comfortable and the Lightspeeds are $50-75 cheaper.

http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm ... ct_ID=1426
http://www.marvgolden.com/headsets/ls303g.htm

[northof49]

I own a Lightspeed 25Xl, and I think its a great headest. Although it is not designed to be used day in day out... it tends to break over time in the head band and stirrups on the side. I have owned the 25XL for 5 years now, and any time I have had a problem the guys at Lightspeed service have always been helpful. The main guy in the service department is named John, and he just sent me a brand new replacement so kudos to Lightspeed....

Great Headset for the weekend warrior, although not designed for daily rigors of line flying...

[greenwich]

DC

G

[Phlyer]

I'm in the DC camp. I got my first set when I started flying 13 years ago and never had one iota of trouble with them. The plane I fly now is very loud so I got a 13XL off EBay for $500 US new in the box. I can't say enough about my new set - comfy as anything and the difference is un-believable from my old one. I didn't look at the others because I'm loyal as my old set was/is so good, and also because as everyone else says, they are flimsy. In my clumsy hands I would break them quickly and don't wish to be without noise cancelling while it gets fixed.
Foto

[Adam Oke]

I had to post this somewhere.

I have the unfortunate experience to be lent a pair of Lightspeed 20XL's until my own DC H10-13's arrive. Thanks but no thanks.

Must say, I'm pretty upset about the quality of Lightspeed 20XL's. I feel like they're about to snap in half every time I put them on. It's made of plastic nearly through out and is particularly weak at the ear phone extension/ratchet point....plastic ratchets at that.

The ear seals suck for passive cancellation, and they're ridiculously huge.

It is an active noise cancellation headset. The active noise cancellation is about as good as the passive.

Maybe not a good review, but a heads up to take a look at the plastic materials, where the headset gets stressed most often, and to ask yourself if it will hold being put on and off 5000 times.

[SkyWolfe]

Lightspeed wins. You get a ton more for the money, and I have abused the hell out of mine. So has my bf, and his works fine as well. The ANR is totally awsome and so are the hook ups for ipod etc.

I sell headsets. I sell lightspeeds, I dont get back nearly as many lightspeeds as I do DC. If you can afford it, go with Bose

[Splatm]

I have many years on my DC 13-X and a set of DC 13.4s that my pax use. They are comfortable and tough, I've never had any problems with them and my nickname is bambam for my tendency to break things. That said the ANR on the 13-X is behind the curve and I expect Santa is going to bring me a Telex 50D Stratus.

[altiplano]

/

[zither]

I need to say my own opinion. No one seems to talk about the new model from Lightspeed, the Lightspeed Zulu.

I bought one 3 weeks ago. It's hard to find in Canada, but many sellers in the USA are offering it. But expect to pay a bit in customs.

I was to buy the DC X11, because I wanted the music interface. But I'read a lot of bad comments on that model. Bad ANR...

This summer I tried the Lightspeed 30-3G. The ANR was ok and it has a music interface as well. And it's cheap plastic...

The new Zulu is all correct. They fixed all the problems of the 30-3G. It's not anymore with cheap plastic, the ANR is actually really good, it works with AA batteries, and it lasts long...

Some people compared it with the Bose. I didn't have the chance to try to Bose, so I don't know. But the Bose doesn't have a music interface.

It's a bit expensive, but I'm really pleased.

Oh! The Zulu is not as big as the 30-3G (you look like Mickey Mouse with it) and it comes with a handful semi-solid bag.

Hope it helps...

[SkyWolfe]

I dont get back nearly as many lightspeeds as I do DC.

I bet you don't sell nearly as many lightspeeds as you do DC either.

Usually I sell more lightspeeds. People that come in usually ar enew pilots who prefer the value to the name.

[altiplano]

Maybe I should have worded it different.

Lightspeed doesn't sell as many headsets as DC.

[wtf_over]

Go with the Bose 10X. You won't have to worry about plastic or crap ANR