ANR Headsets + wearing glasses

[ZBBYLW]

I have done a quick search and read a bit but I am looking for a particular question.

I wear my sun glasses when ever its sunny out. I tried a light speed zulu and had alot of issues with it making a high pitch sound with the glasses on. Are there any decent head sets that do not really get bothered by wearing sun glasses (or anytype of glasses for that matter). I have read alot about the Telex 50D and it seems like a good bet, just wondering if anyone has used them with sun glasses (Ray Bans particularly) and if they have issues with sound leaking in and trying to cover it up.

[KenoraPilot]

I quite enjoy my Sennheiser HMD 46. Light weight, and loud enough. I also had a DC ANR before this and it was great with the gel seals.

[C-FKLY]

I've been using a pair of David Clark H10's since I've started flying, I always fly with sunglasses, and the performance is equal with or without glasses on -- if you can stand the weight, I'd recommend them for sure. However, I've tried the X11s and Bose X, and although they perform great and feel great on their own, they do buzz with sunglasses on -- so my recommendation is avoid the lightweight headsets if you want good performance with glasses on.

[InControl]

I have the Telex 50D and they work great. I have a pair of RayBan sunglasses, and even though they have a fairly thin wire arm it still lets some noise in. I usually end up having the sunglasses tilted with the arms just above the ear cup. A bit of a pain, but better then having to listen to the droning of a Garrett engine for an entire trip.

[ahramin]

I have a 50D, had a pair of Serengetis with thick arms, and found that it let some noise in. I bought a pair of Serengetis with wire arms and this has solved the problem. I don't notice any difference in noise between wearing and not wearing the sunglasses now.

[Old Dog Flying]

We use the lightspeed 30G3s in the Grumman which is a noisy aircraft and no problem with wearing any kind of sunglasses. And the noise reduction is very good. Lightspeed also has fantastic service.

[tonyhunt]

I wear glasses, and bought Telex 50Ds specifically for use in the Husky. They are the best in a high-noise environment and were recommended by other Husky owners. I also have a pair of the Lightspeed Zulus and they work well. I bought prescription sunglasses with flexible, "flat" arms that are just as comfortable as normal reading glasses with thin arms. When I wore cheap sunglasses with rigid arms, none of the headsets would work well.

I also have a pair of BoseX, they work great in most aircraft but start to "pop" during takeoff in the Husky. The BoseX ANR can't cope with the high ambient noise. Nothing to do with wearing glasses.

[hairdo]

I wear glasses and use the Lightspeed Zulu without any issues. The glasses have thin, flat arms, so that probably helps, as others have mentioned.

[metal]

Ditto for myself, glasses and sunglasses with my Zulu and no problems.

[SuperDave]

I'll also vouch for the 50D...over 2k hrs on it now and it's still going strong.

As far as the shades go, I just tip the arms up so that they go over top of the ear-seal. It's looks kinda weird but...never having been one to care too much about that sort of thing it's all good. I'd rather look a little less 'cool', but save my hearing. Also, after 8 hrs the lack of pressure points from doing it this way is kinda nice. But everyone is different...some pilots have small egos and cannot cope with looking uncool, especially during the flight school days, but that's a bit off topic. Good luck!

Dave

[just curious]

I have a set of neoprene sleeves that slide over my glass frames to avoid the air gap. DC makes them. worked great last 8000 hours.

[skybaron]

Purchase yourself a Bose headset and end this nonsense.

If you don't want to go that route, then wisest choice would be to keep that Zulu junk, and wear sunglasses with thinner arms - NOT them Gucci/Jackie Onasis/Ruff Ryder set you're probably sporting.

[SurfViper]

This is what I use: http://www.clarityaloft.com, and I highly recommend it.

Not only do you not have to worry about breaking the ear cup seal with glasses arms, but you tend to stay a lot cooler without the usual bulk sitting on your head.

At a rating of 35-45 dB, they also claim to have better noise attenuation than any ANR sets. I've tried a few ANR sets and have personally always found them to be louder.

Yes, you have to replace the foam plugs once in a while when they get dirty, but at roughly $30 for a twelve pack it's still cheaper than the hundred$ you'd be spending on batteries over the life of an ANR set.

That's my $0.02.

[enbt]

I have the 50D as well and do what SuperDave does, very comfortable that way. On a side note, I sat on the cord one day and ripped out a few wires. Sent it back to Telex, they fixed it quick and didn't even charge me.

[Tim]

This is what I use: http://www.clarityaloft.com, and I highly recommend it.

Not only do you not have to worry about breaking the ear cup seal with glasses arms, but you tend to stay a lot cooler without the usual bulk sitting on your head.

At a rating of 35-45 dB, they also claim to have better noise attenuation than any ANR sets. I've tried a few ANR sets and have personally always found them to be louder.

Yes, you have to replace the foam plugs once in a while when they get dirty, but at roughly $30 for a twelve pack it's still cheaper than the hundred$ you'd be spending on batteries over the life of an ANR set.

That's my $0.02.

what a/c are you flying with those?

[Tim]

I have a set of neoprene sleeves that slide over my glass frames to avoid the air gap. DC makes them. worked great last 8000 hours.

JC, are they easy to get on and off the frames or do you just leave them there? also what headset do you use?

i saw a pair of these recently for the first time and the look like a great idea

[mathewc]

I wear a Bose X and have no problem with sunglasses at all. HOWEVER you cannot wear thick framed glasses or the kind that do not go down around your ear. I found this out very quickly and now use very thinly framed glasses as to keep the seal around my ears.

[SurfViper]

This is what I use: http://www.clarityaloft.com, and I highly recommend it.

Not only do you not have to worry about breaking the ear cup seal with glasses arms, but you tend to stay a lot cooler without the usual bulk sitting on your head.

At a rating of 35-45 dB, they also claim to have better noise attenuation than any ANR sets. I've tried a few ANR sets and have personally always found them to be louder.

Yes, you have to replace the foam plugs once in a while when they get dirty, but at roughly $30 for a twelve pack it's still cheaper than the hundred$ you'd be spending on batteries over the life of an ANR set.

That's my $0.02.

what a/c are you flying with those?

Well I'm one of the low-timers with poor timing for entering the industry, so I've only used it on trainers so far. C-152, C-172, C-180, DA-42. However I have used it in a DHC2 right seat ride-along and didn't notice any decrease in performance.

I did a LOT of research before parting with my hard-earned cash to buy it several years ago, and I have no reason to believe that it won't stand up to the paces of daily use once I find that oh-so-coveted first job.

[Bush League]

For the same weight as the 50D's you could use a helicopter helmet. Then sunglasses would be included. Plus you can wear it out to the bar and not be laughed at like you would with a traditional headset. For those keeping track, that's win, win and win.

[McPhoo]

I've used the Bose X and currently use the Light Speed Zulu. The only thing I noticed with the Bose has been mentioned, the buzz on takeoff. I have had the Zulu's for a year and half and after 800hrs they are still fantastic. Can't say enough about them. I wear sunglasses most of the time and have never had a problem with them. I have a pair of RayBans that are wrap around style with normal thickness temples. Not the thin aviator style, still no problem. I wonder why you are having a problem?

[Invertago]

+1 for the Telex 50D with Serengeti glasses, get the "S" frame arms they don't mess with the seal on any headset I've tried.


Oh, and the 50D is the quietest there is, switch it on and you can't even here the Bose babies whining about their headache

[visual approach]

Oh, and the 50D is the quietest there is, switch it on and you can't even here the Bose babies whining about their headache

so true! What I really like is the high passive rating as well. I have been too lazy to change my batteries for the better part of a week and I can still hear myself think! Wouldn't want to do the same with a bose...

[SuperchargedRS]

Zulus + Randolf Engineering shades works great for me, just get the ones with the "bayonet" blades.