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April 18th, 2008, 11:45
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#1 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Saint Misery, Misery
Posts: 190
|  Fancy Headsets
Ok, sell me on them. I've used the same H10-30 since 1993. It's never broken. I've replaced the earseals once. The headband is getting a little long in the tooth, and will probably require replacement, which will set me back about $30, I think. As far as I can tell, my hearing hasn't been permanently damaged, and I've flown some pretty loud airplanes.
With all that in mind, what's the point of dropping $1k+ on these fancy-pants new-fangled battery powered doodads? I'm being deliberately curmudgeonly, if that isn't obvious, but the question is real: What do you get out of your expensive headset to justify the price? | 
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April 18th, 2008, 12:24
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#2 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 113
| Re: Fancy Headsets
You get near absolute silence and a headset that fits like a dream! Next to my mail order bride, my Bose have been the best investment to date.
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April 18th, 2008, 12:37
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#3 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix
Posts: 106
| Re: Fancy Headsets
You get noise reduction.... hopefully.
this equates to:
less noise
reduced fatigue
better clairity on radios
less volume for radios
Now, from my limited experience, the active noise reduction headsets do a fairly good job of canceling out low freq sound, and a terrible job of canceling out high freq sound. So they only work in GA for the most part.
the bose X I have fit way better than DC. Its like not even wearing headsets.
I have read that a good pair of active noise reduction headsets and some earplugs is the best you can do for hearing. Its what I do.
caution however, when the batteries go dead in the headset, its like wearing no headsets at all.
I have noticed my ears may be sensative to noise.... I fly very loud planes for very long duration sometimes. I have noticed an almost permanent ringing in my ears now. But maybe then I just have really good hearing in the first place.
I know a guy thats 75 in ga for 50+ years, he initally started flying without headsets. No hearing aid, he hears perfect. He says some people are affected by sound more than others.
Ive been wanting to try out the new lightspeed.
a bose X can be bought on ebay for $700. I bid on one, found out the person was in the same city, sent them a message, turned out to be a Mesa pilot. We bypassed ebay altogether. | |
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April 18th, 2008, 13:01
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#4 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: CFI / CFII in PA
Posts: 2,439
| Re: Fancy Headsets
i say if it ain't broke why fix it? | |
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April 18th, 2008, 13:51
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#5 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Saint Misery, Misery
Posts: 190
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote: |
Originally Posted by moxiepilot i say if it ain't broke why fix it? | That's my general tendency, too. But who doesn't need something else to spend their tiny paycheck on?
I probably won't bite, since with any kind of luck at all after this job it'll be something big and quiet for me. Still, it's interesting to know what you're missing. | |
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April 18th, 2008, 14:31
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#6 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: _
Posts: 4,827
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Are you flying a prop or jet? Don't waste the money on ANR (IMO) in a jet. In a prop? Go Bose all the way if you are going to be in it for awhile (reference the industry). | |
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April 18th, 2008, 16:33
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#7 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Michigan
Posts: 339
| Re: Fancy Headsets
You don't have to drop a grand for a decent anr headset. I am a fan of the anr. Since I started using it, I don't mind the drone in the backgroud. Try one and see if you like it. | |
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April 18th, 2008, 17:13
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#8 | | Moderator
Join Date: May 2003 Location: GRR
Posts: 8,100
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheelsup  ...Don't waste the money on ANR (IMO) in a jet... | I'm not sure I agree with that comment. I've got the Sennheiser HMEC45 (latest version is the HMEC46), and it works well in the jet cockpit. Lightweight, comfortable, and the ANR helps reduce the ambient noise level and reduce fatigue. Me like.
I understand the Telex 850 is another option in the same catagory. Open air design with noise cancelling.
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Take it in, take it with you when you go. ~JBJ | |
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April 18th, 2008, 17:19
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#9 | | Old Skool
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dirty Jerzey
Posts: 1,939
| Re: Fancy Headsets
We definitely have to know what you're flying! That determines everything.
When I was Flight instructing, I had a great David Clark 10-34. Awesome headset. Started flying a Turbo prop and went with a Pilot Avionics ANR headset for $450 (this is a great buy!) and I loved that headset on the 1900, it really made things quiet and when you're flying 5-7 legs a day, you need a QUIET and comfortable headset. I would recommend that headset to any Prop driver.
On my IOE on the jet, my head was killing me after wearing a big headset for 2+ hour flights, and there really is no need for it. So I just bought a Telex 850 ($380w/shipping) on a recommendation by both of my IOE Captains. Haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but I can tell it will be much more comfortable. It is the ANR version of the 750, so its good for protecting your hearing from the wind noise. | |
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April 18th, 2008, 17:19
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#10 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 95
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Well, if you think long-term hearing loss and how much that's worth to you I'd say spending 1K is cheap. Even in the ERJ I think you need at least ear plugs and then the DC's on to protect yourself. I wear bose in the ERJ and I can tell it makes a big difference. Just carry extra batteries and your set. Your hearing will thank you in the future... | |
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April 18th, 2008, 17:30
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#11 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix
Posts: 106
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3green Well, if you think long-term hearing loss and how much that's worth to you I'd say spending 1K is cheap. Even in the ERJ I think you need at least ear plugs and then the DC's on to protect yourself. I wear bose in the ERJ and I can tell it makes a big difference. Just carry extra batteries and your set. Your hearing will thank you in the future... |  | |
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April 18th, 2008, 22:56
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#12 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia
Posts: 12,328
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Matt: With the Bose headset, you can actually hear the FMS beep at you! Imagine what you're missing! 
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April 18th, 2008, 23:31
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#13 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT
Posts: 1,013
| Re: Fancy Headsets
For at least $100 less you can get the Lightspeed Zulu, which I find to be as good if not better than the Bose X.
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April 19th, 2008, 02:32
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#14 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Saint Misery, Misery
Posts: 190
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote: |
Originally Posted by wheelsup Are you flying a prop or jet? | An MU-2. So, uh, both, I guess? The funny thing is, it's pretty loud on the ground, but in cruise its a fricking martha-stewart-living pseudo-eastern rock garden compared to a baron. Quote: |
Originally Posted by mtsuav8r Matt: With the Bose headset, you can actually hear the FMS beep at you! Imagine what you're missing! | The little altitude chime is more than my little pea-brain can process. Please don't ask me to understand all the bells and whistles the Jet Jockeys have. I'm just a humble cargo pilot, dreaming of contrails. | |
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April 19th, 2008, 07:48
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#15 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ
Posts: 888
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeOH58 For at least $100 less you can get the Lightspeed Zulu, which I find to be as good if not better than the Bose X. | You mean 150$ 
The Zulu is 850$
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April 19th, 2008, 09:30
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#16 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 47
| Re: Fancy Headsets
I got the lightspeed Zulu a couple of months ago and so far I like it better than the Bose, simply because I felt like the bose was clamping my head a little too hard. I even tried the zulu turned off without the ANR and it was better than any passive headset I've ever had. I still like my old DC's but the ANR's just make a long day much more comfortable. | |
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April 19th, 2008, 09:33
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#17 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: WMA
Posts: 54
| Re: Fancy Headsets
I'm a Bose guy. Love this headset so much.
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April 19th, 2008, 11:16
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#18 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Left Seat
Posts: 5,000
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Real pilots use hand mics. | |
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April 19th, 2008, 12:06
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#19 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 11,645
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobDDuck Real pilots use hand mics. | I've got a funny story about a hand mic, the Los Angeles class bravo airspace, single pilot flying and the Piper Chieftain...
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April 19th, 2008, 13:58
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#20 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ
Posts: 888
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtrain609 I've got a funny story about a hand mic, the Los Angeles class bravo airspace, single pilot flying and the Piper Chieftain... | mind sharing it? 
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Soaring ,Soaring To New Heights and Out of Many, One People
| Air Jamaica Motto and Jamaican National Moto
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April 19th, 2008, 14:03
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#21 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
| Re: Fancy Headsets
You can't bait us like this and not tell the story!
David Quote:
Originally Posted by jtrain609 I've got a funny story about a hand mic, the Los Angeles class bravo airspace, single pilot flying and the Piper Chieftain... |
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April 19th, 2008, 16:01
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#22 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NC
Posts: 2,073
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtrain609 I've got a funny story about a hand mic, the Los Angeles class bravo airspace, single pilot flying and the Piper Chieftain... | Inverted with no seatbelt... | |
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April 19th, 2008, 19:02
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#23 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia
Posts: 12,328
| Re: Fancy Headsets
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April 19th, 2008, 19:12
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#24 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Big D
Posts: 1,258
| Re: Fancy Headsets
I bought a gently used Bose headset a few years ago on Ebay.
I got the 9 volt version for about $600.
You can swap the 9 volt mic boom assembly/cord for the AA version. The replacement assembly costs about $100. If ya want.
I bought some rechargeable nine volts, and it works pretty well.
It's expensive, but once I used it just can't imagine using much else.
Plus, you can write it off your taxes as a professional expense, I believe.
If you're going to fly for a number of years, it might make sense. A number of companies will send you headsets for free trials. Bose is one of them.
Give it a swing and see how ya like it.
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April 19th, 2008, 23:41
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#25 | | Old Skool
Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: On top of Mt. Vandervere.
Posts: 1,747
| Re: Fancy Headsets
Quote:
Originally Posted by EDUC8-or Inverted with no seatbelt... | sharks everywhere!
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