Which headset do you use?
 

I got my headset when I first started flying years ago. I didn't really care at the time if it was nice or not. Now that it's sat on my head for 1000ish hours I'm starting to hate putting it on every day. So, which ones do you all use out there? I was thinking this one....The ANR one The Pilot Shop - FlightCom Denali Headsets


Any suggestions?!?!

I use the Bose Aviation X. First I ever put on, and last (I hope) =)

Have owned a few headsets, Boses all the way!

Bose X is my second set. The other day I forgot them at home and had to put borrow a cheap pair from the flight school and I will never forget my Bose again. David Carks as my first pair... Not too bad for the first hour, but I don't think i'll use anything besides my Bose unless something better comes out

I have heard wonderful things about the Bose x and the lightspeed zulu's unfortunatly Im stuck with my DC headsqueezers till I can afford either of the aformentoned sets.....:cool:

I had a set of the flightcom denali non anr. The microphone on this thing is probably the best on the market. I even had ATC at different airports ask me what headset i was using a couple times. This is nice for your instructor, but not the number one thing about a headset.

Above all, this is not the most comfortable headset on the block. Especially with the ANR version, there is no reason to clamp it on, but these do. Ok for a short flight, but nothing above 1 hr. I'd get many others on the market before this one...X's X11's, Zulu's.

I'm looking for the most comfortable. I can't really get worse than I have now.(ASA) They are very heavy. The Bose is a touch out of my CFI budget. Thanks for the help!

In my search for "Headset Nirvana" I've tried many, the Bose X was pretty good but I have been very impressed with the "Clearly Aloft" "in ear" headset. You don't know you're wearing it. I got it at Sporty's, they'll let you try it for a couple months and return it if it's not for you.

If you don't mind an in ear type headset, you should like this.

Link:Clarity Aloft™ Aviation Headsets Site

I love my Lightspeed 20XLc.
ANR is great and it has cellphone/ipod input too.

Marv Goldman has them for $385.00

If your just working off of a CFI salary, I would suggest getting a cheaper but still descent ANR headset, it's worth the extra money.

Sennheiser HMEC 460 Aviation Headset

Very good sound, noise reduction and comfort. Call and check on rebates. got mine for $580

This is why I was looking at the denali. has ANR but isn't quite as expensive as bose x

was just checking out ebay, some decent deals if you dont mind used...

I have had a pair of used DC H10-13.4s off ebay for 5 years now and have been pleased. Although, the thing about DCs is they're so beefy it feels like you could use them as a self defense weapon, but then again that is what makes them good.

I've tried the Boses before, and they are impressive. Although, when the anr is off you can tell the passive reduction is low.

Has anyone used the Telex Stratus 50, DC X11, or Zulu?

I've got a pair of Denali's, and they seem to work well. I'm a flight student, and will eventually be a CFI. I felt as if I wanted ANR, but didn't want Bose X/LSZulu prices, and I found the Denali's. They seem to work well. Much better than the real cheap Avcom's I used to fly with. The ANR definatly makes a difference, but I'm not really sure how to describe it. Its best to observe first hand, I suppose.

I have the ANR Denalis. They are pretty good. I think I like Boses and DCs better though.

When in doubt, the worlds biggest garage sale isnt too bad of a place to look.

Picked up Lightspeed 20xlc on Ebay for $360. Told my friend, and the cheat found his set for $300. They retail for $460 or so.

Wiped it off with an antibacterial cloth...looks and feels good as new.

Search around you never know what deals youll find there...

Bose used to have a 12 month no interest program. This may be a good option. I bought mine when I was flight instructing and have used it in three different jets. I recently tried out the LightSpeed Mach 1 because I thought it would be nice to save a little room in my chart case. I wore them once and sold them on eBay for a $50 loss. Save money over long run and buy the Bose. You won't have to buy another headset again!

headset
 

I use the Lightspeed Zulu. It's on the pricey side but is well worth it.

My first pair where David Clark H10-13s. Not very fancy but very durable and rugged. I still have them but have them as backup. My second pair and the one I currently use is the David Clark X11. Its extremely comfortable and lightweight, but expensive and the ANR makes a weird static noise so I never use it. I will be getting the Bose X hopefully soon.

I'd recommend the Denali anr. I have about 50 hours on mine and love them. The passive noise reduction itself is impressive, I've forgotten to turn the anr on during several flights. I picked mine up on ebay new for a little over $400. I'd say its cost effective alternative to the bose.

I'm another Bose guy, 300 hours later they are going strong! Only annoying thing is forgetting to replace the batteries... Always carry extra in your headset bag.

I love my Lightspeed Zulu. I have had both the lightspeed Zulu and Bose X and they are very very close in noise reduction. The reason I suggest Zulu over Bose is the bluetooth capabilities (great for calling FSS or taking an important phone call on a cross country) as well as the price ($850 for the Zulu - $1000 for the X)

I got me the Bose X with the payment plan. It was on the pricey side but well worth it. Great noise reduction. I wasnt aware that the Lightspeed Zulu had bluetooth capability. Someone please elaborate on that one for me please.

They operate as the headset and mic for anything that sends a bluetooth signal. So if your cell phone rings you are able to answer and communicate through the headset , a large version of what everyone wears while driving...

Borrowed a friends for a 3 stop xcountry and I was sold

I checked out the payment plan thing on the Bose website. Anyone know more details? Can I use a debit card? Or do I have to use my credit card? Do they put a hold for the entire amount? Is it a seperate line of credit from Bose, or is it strictly charged to my credit card? I'm going to call tomorrow but if anyone could share their experience that would be great!

I've been using a DC H10-13.4 for 9 years and still going strong. For louder aircraft (i.e. C206) I found that wearing earplugs underneath was helpful, but for every other aircraft I've flown, they've been adequate.

I wear them in the RJ, although some girly men complain that they clamp down on your head too tight. I've tried the Bose X, and it's surly a nice set. Not $1000 nice, but if you're entitled to a trust fund it's probably worth it.

As for me... I'll wear my 13.4's till I leave the biz. (Will re-evaluate when my W-2 shows 6-figures.... which means never.) DC has a great spare parts catalog to keep 'em in service.

I'll have to agree with the others on the BOSE Aviation X headsets. You will be very happy with them.

Also BOSE customer service is incredible if you ever need them serviced. They will actually advance send you out a loaner set of headphones while yours are being serviced. They are expensive, but they are worth it. Considering you make your living flying in an airplane, I can't imagine using anything else.

I train in Arizona, it get pretty hot. I had a pair of lightspeed 20xl but hated replacing the batteries every month or two and they were sooo hot on my head. I tried clarity aloft but they hurt my head, then I purchased the halo from quiettechnologies.com best headset ive ever had. They look like the clarity aloft except they have clear tubes from the wire ring that goes around your head to the ear plugs. I was in the military on the flight line for a lot of time so I don't mind wearing earplugs...some people might. I use my headset in C-172, Piper arrows, Piper Sceneca's, and I get better audio than I ever did with the noise canceling. I absolutly love them to death, Ive used my pair for over a year now.

I have a Capcom classic PNR, which is good but burns through the batteries kind of quickly, and i have heard only great things about bose headsets. If you're not willing to shell out for a new one, ebay might have some good deals

good luck :cool:

Depends on the plane. if its got a prop go with a bose, jets go with a light headset like lightspeed mach 1, or telex airman,

I have a bose X for GA and I have a lightspeed mach 1 for the "other" job in the quiet airplane.

Bose X my airplane is pretty loud so I went with the best.

before the Bose X I used the Bose QC2+uflymike which worked great but, the actual headset was starting to wear out and rattle after a year of line flying.

I've owned a DC 13.4 for 9 years, it flew with me for my first 4000hrs. 2 sets of replacement ear gels, one head-pad(wasn't necessary, but did it anyways).

I also have had a Clarity Aloft Pro for about 9 months. It's my X-C headset, works very well, Db's are greatly reduced. Does pinch a little bit if you put it on too tight, but constant wrenching on the wire frame has finally made it fit comfortable for over 3hr flights w/o any issues. I just wore it for 9+ hours yesterday flying a Meridian from Indiana to Portland, OR.

Sound-wise, I can't tell a difference between the Bose X and the Zulu's but it's easier to plumb music into the Lightspeeds, so that's what I went with. The bluetooth thing is cool I guess, but you can't use it once you're higher than about 040.

If you can't afford them, any ANR headset is better than not having one. The "I'll wait until I have a real job" argument just doesn't hold water because the noisiest planes you'll ever fly are the ones you fly when you're getting started!

As far as hearing mechanical problems, I think you can hear them easier when the drone of the engine noise has been suppressed. If you can't afford an ANR headset, just don't buy a digital flight computer, expensive flight bag or a bunch of other useless electronic crap and you'll have the money.