Normann

I recently got the 850 to use it in the A320.

My question is to those who use this in this airplane: Can you still hear a faint hissing sound while in cruse or at mid altitudes? It is barely noticeable. I think it is the ANR generating it.

I remember a year ago when I borrowed the 850 from my CA for a few minutes I could not hear any hissing. But mine is not like that. I did get mine used so now I am thinking may be I should get a new one. Btw I have tried both settings on the side. I can hear the hissing in both hi/low.

And yes I did think of getting the uflymike but I am afraid I won't hear the other guy when he is not on the headset. I can wear the 850 throughout the whole flight and still have a conversation in cruise. At our company nobody uses their own headset so this is an issue.

Thanks!

ExAF

I use 850s and I don't hear a specific hiss. I do hear some muted (noise reduced?) background, but not a hiss. Hope this helps.

Superdad

Just curious, why do you need and ANR headset in that cockpit? It is very very quiet.

Normann

After flying the 20 for a few years lately I started to get a ringing noise in my ear. I can hear it louder after working. It goes away after I am off for a few days. I ended up measuring the noise in cruise and it is above 80db. Which is where hearing loss kicks in.

The difference is huge with the ANR headset. The plane is quiet compared to most but it does have noise especially from the vents.

EMBFlyer

If you bought it used, try replacing the ear pads. I hear that solves a lot of problems with it.

slavenaway

EMBFlyer is right. I replaced my ear pads after 5 years and they seem like they are a brand new headset. If you have the Airbus adapter, sometimes one or more of the pins which connect to the aircraft's headset jack get pushed in. In that case, just get a new adapter or find some way to get them fixed.

The 850 is a great headset in the A320 -- in my opinion. I highly recommend a pair. After using the 850 for years, sometimes I use the 700 in the aircraft for a single short leg and the difference in the aural warnings and the autocalls is striking loud without the ANR.

Oh yeah, no hissing on mine.

Normann

Thanks guys! I think I will buy those ear pieces.

LandGreen2

Do any of you guys have experience on UFLYMike v Telex 850 on the 737NG?

ExAF

Probably don't "need" them in the bus, but even the bus has enough noise (especially from the cabin fans/vents) that there is a benefit. I find it amazing how much "clearer" all of the radio calls are (especially going to Mexico) with them. It is also nice to have a headset that only you have sneezed and coughed on as opposed to hoping the sanicoms do their job. I'll never go back to the regular headsets.

NedsKid

I use the UFlyMike on the A320 series, works fine, I hear the other guy in normal conversational talking too. Those guys who mumble and whisper into their side window will be an issue no matter what headset you use, or even if you don't use one at all.

ANR doesn't really reduce the sound of the voice of the other pilot, only the background noise (mostly wind and/or AC blowers on jets), and the Bose QC2 and/or QC15 don't have much passive NR - the ear cups are mostly for comfort. It's probably a tiny bit harder to hear normal conversation in cruise (seriously, I've had no issues), but I'm willing to forgo that for the added comfort and NR of the UFM set-up vs. the 850. Any headset is going to be less comfortable and make it harder to hear vs. no headset, but the 850 sacrifices NR and comfort for better conversational hearing, while the UFM strikes a better balance for me, and has more uses outside the flightdeck (I use mine while mowing my lawn!).

As for the need for ANR on an A320 series, use ANR and then look @ the volume settings of the guy who's not using one. The guy using the 750 (or speaker in cruise) usually has the volume @ 75% of max. You'll only need 25%. The difference, over a career, can cause major hearing loss. $400 for a lifetime of hearing is a good investment. Be it the 850, the UFM, or just earplugs - use something. No matter how quiet the cockpit seems, its still loud.