Headset Hunt

[DarkSarcasm]

Hi all,

 

I am now officially on the hunt for a headset and therefore am looking for any and all advice anyone wants to give me. This will be my first headset but I'm looking for one that will be a good long-term purchase and will last me for years (hopefully).

 

I don't have a particular price in mind at the moment. I'm happy to pay a higher price (around $1000ish) for a better headset since I'm hoping I won't be needing to buy another for several years...

 

I'm particularly looking for one that is quite lightweight. I have a scar on my head that becomes painful if too much pressure is placed on it for a long period, so the weight of the headset and the clamping pressure are particularly important to me. If anyone has any suggestions about this, that would be awesome :)

 

I've looked into the style like the LightSpeed Mach 1 but I don't think they would have enough hearing protection and would be uncomfortable on longer flights.

 

I've heard good things about the LightSpeed Zulu headset, does anyone have it or has anyone tried it (and would you recommend it...)?

 

Also, does anyone know of any shops in Melbourne that have a good range of headsets (of various brands) where I can go and have a try-on?

 

Any help at all would be handy :)

 

- Darky:cool:

 

 

[Guest Decca]

Hello again Darky.

 

Just in case it hasn't previously been suggested, the clear prop shop at these forums has a very cost effective headset. (Just ask Ian). There may also be a critique on it in another section of the forums. And a warranty that could be hard to beat (I think it runs on the lines of complete satisfaction guaranteed).

 

Check it out, Decca.

 

 

[brilin_air]

Hey Darky.

 

We have a set of Bose X headsets. Now there are those out there that will go on about them, but we fly long distances (from South to North) quite a bit, and they are extremely comfortable around the ears and quite lightweight for the 5-7 hour trips that we do, and even though they ARE pricey, I would like to recommend them on THOSE qualities.

 

There are of course other sets out there more affordable under the 1k price tag, but may I suggest you try a pair of headsets on, and go from there? Personal preference for all.

 

Hope this helps

 

-Linda

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Hi, thanks for the replies :)

 

I need to find a shop in Melbourne where I can go and have a try on...I'd particularly like to try the Bose X and the LightSpeed Zulu (particularly the Zulu as I've found somewhere where you can get it for $1000 which is closer to what I'd like to spend...), I just need to find a shop....

 

Anyone know of any shops in Melbourne?

 

 

[Captain]

I'm with the Thread Killers. I reckon that my Bose units are just about the best money I have ever spent. I have done a 12 hour day and there was no problem with them being worn for that time, in fact I forgot I had them on. The sound quality and noise cancelling are great ........ but they are X'y.

 

 

[brilin_air]

Anyone know of any shops in Melbourne?

There is a shop at Essendon Airport who has quite a few different headsets. Sorry his shop name escapes me at the moment, he also has Ians' headsets there aswell.

 

Thanks Ratman...I try.:encore:

 

-Linda

 

 

[Guest basscheffers]

Try the Sennheisers also my passive ones are much lighter than "standard" David Clark ones and don't clamp very tight either. They have an ANR version of the same and also other ANR ones.

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

I'm guessing ANR is important and I should get an ANR set?

 

 

[Guest 172M]

Hi,

 

I was lucky enough to "inherit" Bose X with an aircraft, then gifted a Lightspeed Zulu .The Zulu lives on the left seat, the right seat thinks I am loopy,draw your own conclusion!!!

 

 

[Guest basscheffers]

I'm guessing ANR is important and I should get an ANR set?

I thought you already decided that's what you wanted. :)

I don't do enough flying to justify the extra money and I find the standard ones just fine. But that also depends on the aircraft; I am happy with it in the SportStar but flying an O-540 182 a while back, I would probably prefer an ANR in that one!

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

I don't have a clue what I want! I just assume that if the more expensive sets have ANR then it must be a good thing...however I could be totally wrong :P

 

Hence the reason for this thread....just because the Bose or LightSpeed Zulu sound good doesn't mean that people actually think they're good so I'm hunting for reviews and advice :)

 

172M - so you prefer the LightSpeed? Is there any particular reason why?

 

I like the look of the LightSpeed but I'm trying to make sure I'm not swayed by the exciting gadgety extras like music and bluetooth...

 

I know that sometime I'm going to go and have a try on somewhere. I'm hoping to find a shop that has both the LightSpeed Zulu and the Bose in stock (plus a few other brands ideally) so I can try them all on at once but so far no luck

 

 

[Guest 172M]

The Lightspeed are a bit lighter, and the ear pressure is a bit less, the audio quality is at least as good as Bose. the blue tooth works very well (a pity 3G doesn't !!)Music I already have so it is not an issue. I guess it gives more bang for your buck, maybe a personal preference, If you are spending a lot of time in a "fast glass" active noise reduction maybe an overkill as the "plastics" tend to be a lot quieter than the "Cokecans"it is a personal choice. Dave Clark is a good option for passive reduction, been the standard forever again not inexpensive but they do last forever, I guess you are even more confused.... It all comes down to your needs and wants , LS/Bose@cost= a couple of hrs flying$ You probably will have to do the retail rounds to try both as your need is comfort, pick the one that fits best your overall needs there is not a great deal in the performance of the two active NR's performance. your choice

 

Rgds

 

Leigh

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

That is fantastic, thank you so much!! Having someone who's tried both compare them is really good. The weight and pressure and important deciding factors for me so to hear your opinion on that is very helpful.

 

I'm leaning towards the LightSpeed over the Bose at the minute simply because theyre $500 less (buy from US for $1000AU). Either way, I'll go have a try on sometime soon. Since I'm planning on this headset lasting me for years I want to make sure I get everything I should (like ANR)....out of curiosity, is the music feature good or a total pain?

 

Anyways, thanks loads 172M that was an awesome help :)

 

 

[Guest basscheffers]

A while back I heard a story (I think it was from a guy on the Uncontrolled Airspace podcast) that sent two older Zulus into Lightspeed for service. They were working but getting a bit knackered. Within days, they were returned all fixed up, with some new parts fitted and as good as new for the grand total bill of $0! (Not even a charge for shipping them back)

 

I guess he was likely still in the 5 year(!) warranty, but this was normal wear and tear that you wouldn't expect to be covered.

 

One reason I would choose the Zulu over the Bose too.

 

 

[perthjay85]

hey dark, just remember when buying from usa and spending over 1000 AU you will be slugged with an import tax. I dont think its that expensive though. someone here might know what it is but i think maybe 10-15%.

 

so if you do order from USA some zulu's just remember that so you have a few dollars left over for the import tax.

 

unless you can kindly ask the shop your purchasing them from to state they are gifts like many ebay sellers do.

 

I to am looking into some Zulu's and im going to sydney in september so i want to try a few headsets on before i purchase them.

 

good luck though

 

Jay

 

 

[Guest burty]

Have used the Lightspeed for approx 6 yrs and found them excellent. Fly for Coastguard and they are great for mutli-frequency radio use. We did have them for all crew but they did not standup very well to many people using them, but even basic models seem to struggle when used all the time like that. The only items that I have replaced are ear seals, and they are a 5 min job.

 

 

[Guest drizzt1978]

I buy heaps of stuff from the US, as long as you use a air postal service, not a courier, the odds of getting hit with any import fees is very rare. I think one out of ten things I have ordered have been stoped, and we are talking 1000 + each order, over the last few years (Mainly toold for work)

 

Michael

 

 

[perthjay85]

been slugged %70 of the time. its something to consider. if you blow your budget completely on the headset and then get hit with it its pretty annoying.

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Hey guys,

 

Yeah I had forgotten about the whole import tax thing (argh) so thanks for pointing it out. Out of curiosity, has anyone (or has anyone heard of anyone) buying a headset off ebay (a new one I mean) and would you recommend it?

 

So overall it seems that everyone thinks that the LightSpeed have good build quality?

 

5 year warranty? That's fantastic...and also really surprising. It always seems that with electronic things that have lots of little parts to break, they have as short a warranty as possible, so I'm mightily impressed.

 

The Zulu's do seem to be better value than the Bose (more features) and from what I've read, the audio quality seems just as good (or better?). Is the ANR battery life good or do they need to be replaced pretty often? I assume that if the battery runs out the headset still works, it just turns into a passive headset is that right?

 

The Zulu's are looking better all the time...now I just need to go and try them on...

 

 

[perthjay85]

Hey dark

 

from what i have read the battery life is around 40-60 hours. thats from owners and not from sales pitches. and its something that you dont have to have turned on at all let alone all the time.

 

And I would highly recommend purchasing one of ebay if you can, make sure you check there feedback and aim for something around the 200+ sales and a feedback of at least 99.5%

 

also ask them if they can mark it as a gift and you will be fine on import tax.

 

good luck and let us know how you get on if you go this way

 

Jay

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Thanks Jay. I'm going to try and find time to go to a shop somewhere and try them on sometime next week.

 

Right now I'm thinking that I'll only try on the Bose if I find the LightSpeed uncomfortable because the LightSpeed has good reviews and it's that much cheaper....or should I try on both? (If I could find a shop that had both I'd be set, but they all seem to have one or the other...)

 

 

[perthjay85]

im in the same boat as you. i work mon-fri and the only pilot shop in wa is closed on saturdays so i know what you mean. take a day and find two shops that have either one and compare is the only advice i can give you. that is if you are unsuccessful in finding a shop that stocks both.

 

Me im waiting till september when im off to sydney to pop into a pilot shop and check out the lightspeed and bose. I will more than likely go with the lightspeed simply for the already setup bluetooth system. But i will only purchase after trying them both on my head.

 

good luck

 

Jay

 

 

[ahlocks]

...The Zulu's do seem to be better value than the Bose (more features) ....

Are you looking for a comfortable headset for use while operating an aeroplane or something to listen to music and make phone calls with?

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

I really am trying my best not to be swayed by the gadgets but I do like gadgets....

 

Seriously though, it all depends on how they feel when I try them on :)

 

 

[ahlocks]

Yeah, it's pretty easy to lose sight of what you're actually after if gadgets are involved...