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Clarity Aloft headset, anyone use one?

Discussion in 'Airline Pilots' started by wheelsup, Oct 11, 2011.

  1. wheelsup Well-Known Member

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    What are your thoughts about the ear plugged clarity aloft? Just wondering about how the plugs feel after a few days of working of going in/out of your ears.

    Also any reason to buy the TSO version or is that just a waste of $$?

    It's either this or the Bose X, I can get a Bose for $450 so it's cheaper but for the $$ difference not sure if it's worth it.
  2. braunpilot What day is it?

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    I haven't used them but I know a couple of people who have and enjoy them. One replaced his earplugs once a month and flies 5 days a week. He said you could tell when you changed them but he had no issue with them in his ears. The guy also flies routinely 2+ hours per flight one way.
  3. jtrain609 Well-Known Member

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    I tried the TSO'd version of the Clarity Aloft (required per the FOM) and I returned it after a trip. It was uncomfortable for me, and I think the non-TSO'd version is a much better headset, but alas I can't use it.

    I just picked up a set of Telex 5x5's and I'm going to get a set of custom ear molds for them, I'll let you know how that goes.
  4. cime_sp Well-Known Member

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    I have the TSO'd version, and you can pry it out of my cold dead hands. Love it.

    Think of headsets like shoes....there are Nike, Addidas, Asics, Reebok, etc.... All good shoes, but there is no ONE best. You have to find what fits YOU the best.
  5. ZapBrannigan Old School

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    Try the Quiet Technologies Halo. Costs a fraction of what Clarity Aloft does and works GREAT. I love mine!!
  6. poser765 Well-Known Member

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    You fly in the ERJ right? Short of them being uncomfortable how was the noise reduction?
  7. poser765 Well-Known Member

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    TSO?
  8. bike21 Well-Known Member

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    I've had mine for about 6 years and I love them! Incredibly comfortable, durable, quiet and Clarity has fantastic customer service. Just recently I needed to have one of my ear pieces replaced (loose wires), which finally started to go after a lot of use. They hooked up me no charge since I had the other one repaired last year. So now it will probably last me another 5+ years without any worries.

    I have nothing but good things to say about them. Only slight gripe is the mic boom, which doesn't move very far out of the way if you are eating a sandwich for instance. Other than that, I don't plan to buy anything else again.
  9. BeRich Very Special Agent

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    I've had my non-TSO'd for about 6ish months now, and I love it. It's extremely comfortable for me (I don't feel the plugs in my ears after a few minutes). How often you fly determines how often you need to change the plugs, but it isn't all that often. It should definitely be cheaper to have to replace the tips than replacing batteries all the time.

    I agree with bike though, the boom is awesome for talking, but you can't really move it out of the way if you need to. I don't think the QT Halo would be any better for this, but I don't know.
  10. ZapBrannigan Old School

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    When I'm eating I just move the Halo down to my neck. The mic is out of the way and the earplugs stay in. This also works if you need to wear O2. No loose wire problem either because the electronics are all self contained -- only sound tubes go to your ears.

    They're not TSO unfortunately for those of you whose companies require it.

    My only complaint is that there is no cellphone input. That would be nice to have when calling the Lockheed clearance line, or CanPass or something. Our airplanes all have sat-phones but only a few are wired through the audio panel.
  11. flyer8 Well-Known Member

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    The headset is phenomenal (TSO'd version).
    However; the customer support at clarityaloft leaves alot to be desired. No return calls on voicemails. No loaners available. Turn around time of at least 2 weeks. My headset is there right now, and I had to buy a temporary one to get me through these two weeks, that makes me want to go back to Bose or Lightspeed.
  12. BeRich Very Special Agent

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    As an opposing point of view, I don't feel that way at all. They shipped mine quickly when I bought it, and were more than willing to double the length of my trial period because I didn't have the chance to fly with it in the however long that they originally give you.
  13. surreal1221 Well-Known Member

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    Good choice. I don't regret getting my Plantronics MS50 T30-1 with the custom ear molds. Extremely comfortable. I'm about to order the Y connector so I have sound in both ears, need to go and get the left ear mold made.

    I recommend a very similar set-up either with the MS50 T30-1 or the 5x5 over a far more expensive Clarity Aloft.
  14. flyer8 Well-Known Member

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    I did send the headset back for servicing in 2009 and that was my same experience (Good). This time though was a 180 in terms of service and support.
  15. dasleben a> run "dasleben's_email"

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    Plantronics MS50 with custom ear mold works very well. You can get a second mold for your other ear if you prefer. Cheap, light, and good sound quality. Good sound isolation with the ear mold, too.
  16. surreal1221 Well-Known Member

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    +1 million :)

    Best headset I've ever used, and I know I can count on it for the rest of my life.
  17. Cav Well-Known Member

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    I used the Clarity Aloft TSA version in the ERJ and liked it a lot. I also used the non TSO'd version (prior to the change in XJT's FOM) and found it to be superior but I still liked the TSO'd version enough to keep it. Might be interested in selling it :)
  18. RPM Well-Known Member

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    I've used the normal one in the ERJ for 5 years. It is the best headset I've ever had. Not uncomfortable at all for me, forget I even have it on. The TSO one doesn't work as good but it looks identical.. so do what you want. I know a lot of people that use the normal one and are very happy with it.

    I also think the customer service is fantastic. I broke mine in half (completely my fault) about 2 years ago. Was out of warranty.. I called them and they replaced the headset free of charge with a new hard carrying case included (to keep me from breaking it again) and the turnaround was 2 days. Couldn't ask for anything better.
  19. Jed1087 Well-Known Member

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    I use the Clarity Aloft TSO'd version in the ERJ and love them. Most of the time I forget they are even on.
  20. Johnny Beau Bekkestad Well-Known Member

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    I found a company a few years ago that would do this, but i am not able to find it again.
    Which one are you using?
    The company i am looking for is actually making their own headset. Pretty much like the Clarity.

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