Bose Proflight
 

These seem interesting....

Has anybody had a chance to try them out?

https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/...oductTabs_tab0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXR_wVFBktY

Without looking at details, I have been waiting for something like this from Bose for a LONG time. I may finally be joining the "I bring my own headset to work" crowd.

Wait, there are people that DON’T bring their own headset? Gross

I have the bose sport same design without the headband and mic.
They started falling apart within six months they were handled a little more rough than I would handle aviation headsets but for 2-300 whatever they cost it’s crap. The bose label came off the volume button is barely hanging on the power button is gone.

Clarity aloft, no better work headset out there.

Amen. The Bose is $995 worth of NOPE! I've had my CA's for over 5 years and they are still going strong. Only way of improving them is getting custom molded ear plugs which I highly recommend.

I was looking over CA's website and the FAQ recommended against custom ear plugs. Any guesses on why they would say that?

Custom plugs seem like the way to go.

My only concern with the ear mold is not having a good seal.

Clarity aloft were uncomfortable for me. Headset is either too loose or too tight. At a comfortable tightness, they slide down when my head goes down. At a secure tightness, the skinny metal dug into the skin above my ears. It's even more uncomfortable with glasses because the glasses band and the headset compete for the same spot above your ears.

These new Bose look promising to me.

The Bose website didn't say anything about the availability of Airbus plugs. I wonder if you can get it with the Airbus plug or if after spending $1,000 you need to spend another $50 on an adapter.

Just a thought, unless you know you’ll only fly the bus the rest of your career, probably better off getting the two plug and the adapter.

I’m a long time CA user, too, and mine are finally starting to fray on the cords to the ear plugs. I will probably give the Bose a serious look. Can’t beat a free trial. If they don’t work, I’ll stick with a new CA set.

Looks like they’re available with the Airbus connector. The generic description of the Airbus connector is “5 pin XLR” and the notes on the Bose website mention that this is one of the available options.

To test the theory, I pretended like I was going to buy one and was able to select the 5 pin plug as an option at Checkout.

I went with a Telex 5x5pro with custom ear molds, and couldn't be happier. Total cost including molds for both ears is less than the CA pro. does take some getting used to, but once you do, you don't even notice

Send them in front for a refurb. Sent mine in last year and for $150 they fixed everything up. Small price to pay for a headset that’s 10 yrs old and still works fine.

Tried it on today, very conformable and the noise cancelling is impressive during the demo. It has 3 levels of ANC, and you can double tap either ear/headphone and it will disable the ANC so you can hear like normal. Didn't feel like anything was on my head. On the 320 since its not too loud I'll stick to company headset but if I'm on anything louder (73) in the future I'll definitely get one.

Very nice. I tried to buy one over the phone today, but they said it wasn't available for purchase until the 2nd or 3rd week of May.

From the Bose website:

How many different versions and configurations are available for the Bose ProFlight Aviation Headset?

Customers can configure their Bose ProFlight Aviation Headsets in many different ways. In addition, customers have their choice of connector configurations with each module. Designed for use in both civilian and military aircraft, the ProFlight offers all of the most common plug configurations:

Dual G/A plug (PJ 068 and ¼ inch Stereo): With this option, the headset is connected to the aircraft’s intercom via a dual plug and is not powered by the aircraft. Two AA alkaline batteries provide a minimum of 45 hours of operation while flying. This configuration is the most common version purchased by pilots.

XLR 5 Pin: Often called the Airbus plug, this configuration is a mono connection to the aircraft and, depending on the installation, may be powered by the aircraft. When disconnected, the flexible power feature lets the headset switch seamlessly from aircraft power to battery power so users experience no interruption when the headset is plugged into or unplugged from a source of power.

XLR 7 Pin: The latest ARINC defined standard pin connection, which provides for binaural audio, aircraft power as well as separate grounded audio, microphone and EMI/EMF shields. Although not in wide use yet, it is being adopted by the airline industry as a new standard plug type.

6-pin connector wired to the aircraft (LEMO): With this option, the headset is connected to the aircraft via a six-pin connector and is powered directly from the aircraft. Two AA alkaline batteries can also provide pilots with a new level of flexibility. When disconnected, the flexible power feature switches the headset seamlessly from aircraft power to battery power so users experience no interruption when the headset is plugged into or unplugged from the aircraft.*

*Adapters are available from Bose to convert a 6-pin connector to either a dual G/A plug or a U174 for additional connection flexibility.





Excellent point. Wonder how many Virgin pilots thought they'd be retiring at an Airbus-only airline.

Any reports from users out there?

Went on sale from Bose on 7/17 and I put an order in(5pin XLR option). I'm crossing my fingers and really hoping it's worth it for the ANC, much lighter weight and slimmer profile. I've had the Bose A20 for the past 6yrs and although the ANC is superb and it's very comfortable, it gets heavy and the clamp force is noticeable after ~ 4/5hrs. I wouldn't ever go back to any other over-the-ear type but for the Airbus, I've been told the A20 is a little overkill, hence pulling the trigger on the ProFlight. STBY for a Pirep in a few days.

Just placed an order for the dual pin Proflight GA plug model for use in the B737. It’s on backorder with no update time available so who knows how long it will take. Until then I am thoroughly happy with the performance and comfort of the A20 that I’ve had for 4+ years, but will be selling it once the Pro Flite arrives.

It seems I’m like some guys with wives....feel the need to switch my headset every few years.

I currently use the DC Pro-X in the 737. The on-ear gets a little old after a while. I ordered the ProFlight last week and it showed on backorder. I called Sporty's today and they said it's shipping out this afternoon. Won't be here in time for my next trip, but it should be here later in the week. I was contemplating switching it out for the A20, especially since Bose brought back their Oshkosh offer of a free bluetooth speaker with purchase. I'll see how the ProFlight does.

I placed my order directly from Bose on the 17th. It was delivered on Saturday. Have not had a chance to try it out yet but it sure seems flimsy. Not sure how it will hold up to the daily grind. Guess time will tell.

I’m not sure if anyone’s seen these YouTube videos on the Bose Pro Flight, but I thought they were good.
https://youtu.be/dH7UY6kX1Vo
https://youtu.be/HOHhVh4frA4

That mic sounds like it sucks.

I’m sending mine back. The cord is shockingly heavy. Good for durability but if you don’t have the means to secure it with the clips or don’t fully unload the weight of the cord off the headset, it makes it unbalanced and uncomfortable. The cord also comes straight down from the microphone side so I found it touching the side of my face and neck. Maybe some won’t mind that but it was a nuisance and made it awkward turning my head and always running into the cord.

The ANR was solid for the 737 and the pass through feature is truly unique and beneficial.

All this said, I am one of the few users that went from a lighter headset (Clarity Aloft) to the Pro Flight. The added weight was noticeable and I find the in-ear plugs from the CA more comfortable than the Pro Flight ear tips. Also, the passive noise reduction is almost as good as the ANR on the Bose...with the added bonus of no batteries.

I know a lot of my complaints are subjective but I just wasn’t sold on it.

I’ve got my eye on the Clarity Aloft Flex next.

Agreed, the head band doesn’t fit right. Feels like it’s about to slip off. Additionally, audio quality seems subpar to the QC20s, the Bose in ear ANR headphones. Sounds muted. Was hoping for the same or better quality.

Mine arrived yesterday. I just got home from a trip today, so I got to play with it a little bit. It seems to fit my melon well. The noise cancelling seems good around the house and the tap-through feature is really cool. I go out again on Sunday, so I'll get to try them in the airplane.

I pre-ordered a pair about a month ago, and they arrived before my last trip. I wasn't too terribly impressed with them. They feel awfully flimsy, none of the ear seals fit my correctly, really irritating my ear canals. Ended up bouncing around Asia for a week, hating this headset. I just shipped it back to Marv Golden today, and am going back to my A20s. They're a nice concept, but not for me... YMMV.

Interested to see how they work... and if the cable really is too heavy. You get a discount?

I ordered from Sporty's so no discount. I didn't have to pay tax or shipping, so I think the discount from Bose would have equaled to what I paid at Sporty's.

I'll report back after my trip on Monday (traded from Sunday). We'll see if I keep them or if I switch to the A20s.

I am curious, has anyone here made the switch from the Clarity Aloft to the Bose Proflight? Asking because us Clarity Aloft users are more used to this style of headset.

I did so see my opinion of the Pro Flight a few posts up. After I decided to send the Pro Flight back, I ordered the Clarity Aloft Flex but haven’t had a trip with it yet.

Bose Proflight
 

Let me expand on my heavy cable comments. In addition to the weight, it’s not flexible enough. This is undoubtedly to make the cable last a very long time which I think it will. However, the trade off is the weight it can put on the headset if you are not able rig the cord the right way.

Again, just MHO.

Cheers! I see it now. Great review!
Very interested to hear your opinion of the flex!

Flew an almost 3 hour leg with it today. Unfortunately, it's getting returned and an A20 with Bluetooth will be going in it's place. The sound quality is very good and the noise cancelling is surprisingly good for how it's supposed to work. However, I just can't quite get used to the ear tips. The biggest problem, though, is it squeezes my giant melon uncomfortably. I was developing a headache by the time we landed. The pressure points are just weird on it.

I really wanted to like it.

I agree ... just tried on the headband and it was squeezing the hell out of my temples.

I’m glad I’m not the only one, had some serious hot spots at the end of a 5 hour flight on my temples. Plus my ears hurt also from the in ear earbuds. Wanted to like it as well but just not for me.

Just sent mine back too. Agree 100% with detractors. Flimsy, heavy chord, pressure points, ear discomfort. Back to A20s

Yeah, I noticed my ears felt weird after the leg.