Precontact

Recently purchased a Sennheiser HMEC-26-BV-K. Not cheap (circa $800) but totally worth every penny. Extremely lightweight = comfort and the Ipod input is pretty cool too...especially when it auto cutouts when ATC calls.

MaxKts

FCIF to follow - watch what you say on these boards. They are read everyday by big brother

HoursHore

The only thing that helps with Chinese Controllers is Time. They are also like Americans, If you say "Say again" they only talk louder.

MacGuy2

Thanks to all you guys/gals for your thoughts. I'm wondering if noser and HoursHore have it right that it's just a matter of 'time in country' listening to these foreign controllers talk. I was a domestic pilot for a long time so I guess it's just going to take some time to figure out what these guys are saying.

OK, now back to the "My Over 60 Captain" thread. It's a lot more interesting than worrying about headsets.

Thanks again.

MG2

Precontact

YEah yeah I know, but there wasn't much going on at 35W at 2AM...but message heeded.

FearlessFreep

Another factor of noise canceling headsets that was not mentioned; they are very helpful in dealing with fatigue. What is not realized is that a very noisy environment can produce a fair amount of fatigue.

I have been using a Bose X headset for about 8 years. We fly a myriad of different 742/743 aircraft with many different headset jacks, so I have a number of adapters that I use to jack in. On one aircraft we have it has completely oddball XLR connections - male connectors on the aircraft versus the standard female (the "hot" side of any connection should be female to avoid shorts). In any case I had to fly with the aircraft headset after I de-skanked it with copious amounts of isopropyl alcohol. What I found was that after the flight I was much more tired than when I flew with my Bose headsets on.

Some other considerations are that if you are using the ship's headset you are more likely to get ill than if you are using your own headset.

Clarity of radio communications through the noise reduction circuitry is more distinct than regular headsets. This is great for overseas ops and anywhere there are substandard radio transmissions.

Shaggy1970

Bose Avation X with the Blulink Bluetooth Cellphone Adapter is the way to go!

FXDX

Max:

Good advice, but you kind of c-blocked him with the quote.

He can't edit that, but you can.