ANR Headset Upgrade
 

I'm a flight instructor and currently own a cheap non-anr headset and I'd like to upgrade. I have experience with the Bose X and really liked them but don't have much experience with anything else.

My problem is this...in a few months I will most likely be working for a regional carrier on an RJ. What is a good headset that will double as a good set for noisy GA cockpits and for the RJ cockpit? I'm really interested in the companies that offer rebates to CFIs like Bose and Telex....ANY suggestions welcomed!

Thanks!

Try the Lightspeed 20 or 30 3gs. They are half the price of Bose and they sound like they are just as good (I have used both). Plus when the battery dies (which you will forget to replace batteries in both) it is definately better than Bose. It has a normal amount of Passive NR and a good chunk of ANR (30 3G I think is like30db ANR).

Bose is the way to go, and the standard of the industry. I've tried the Lightspeeds and DC X11's and neither held a candle to the Bose X, from my experiences. Everyone says that the Bose passive noise reduction is horrible, but I honestly don't think it's that bad...It's just a big change when you've been flying around with that great ANR system all day. For comfort on those long days...It's Bose all the way. Even if you decide you want to buy something else, you would have no trouble getting $800 out of your Bose X on Ebay, provided you take care of it.

Which RJ are you flying? It's been a while since I've been up front in a CRJ, but from what I remember, it was quiet enough for some crews to run handmike/no headset the whole flight. The ERJ on the other hand...loud.

Good luck.

I've used my Bose in about a dozen pistons, 3 turboprops, and 3 jets, and I can say I love them. When you turn on the Bose ANR, there is an indicator light to let you know when the batteries are getting close to running out. I usually replace them when I see that - or after that leg (depending on length). Plus, the new ones run on AA's instead of the old 9V. You can find AA's almost anywhere: some airlines have them on board for purchase for pax (often you wont pay for them), anywhere in a terminal, or of course, most remote controls in your hotel room.....;)

Hey guys thanks for the opinions. I think I'm going to wind up getting the bose. The only bad thing people tell me about them is the price. I've used 30g's once and I liked them but they are HUGE I feel like I have a coffee can over each ear.

I'm NOT flying any RJ at the moment but I'd really like to work for XPJ so that would mean the ERJ.

I was just of the opinion that airline pilots didn't really use a ear covering headset like a bose for example.


Is Bose X really the "industry standard"???

I've flown with a couple of Lightspeed headsets, and they are good. Good passive and active noise cancellation, and mine lets me know if the batteries are getting low. Takes two AAs. The only problem with them is they are like you said, quite large.

What has impressed me most about Lightspeed is their customer service. I had one headset develop a short in a wire. They replaced the wire, battery box, ear seals, and headband all free of charge, and then overnighted the thing from Oregon to Florida. Not sure if Bose would have done that.

Often when we get to cruise, I'll take them off and use the speaker. They are comfortable enough that you can leave them on all day and never really notice them. Or just pull off one ear so you can still hear ATC in the other.

I bought mine using my tax return last year. Let me justify the spending a little, but after using them, I'm mad I didn't get them earlier.

Also, usually they have a deal that you get a free gift if you look in Aviation Magazines. I know they had a handheld Garmin GPS and a pair of Bose QC2's offered last year. (There was none when I ordered mine, and a month later you got the free GPS...)

I've had my Bose for a little over a year now and love them. Whoever said their passive protection sucks is right. That is why i always carry plenty of batteries. I've never had to do extended flying with dead batteries. The price tag is high but I used Bose's interest free payment plan. 12 months @ 82 bucks a month. They just charge your credit card every month. If you pay it off every month then you're golden. Worked out well for me. My biggest complaint is they have no aux input like the Lightspeed headsets. Why they don't? I have no idea, seems like it would be pretty easy for the Bose company to add something like that.

I'm currently using the Bose X on the CRJ 200 and I have to say that it has been a delight. The only qualm that I have with is its size in comparison to the Telex 850s (ANR) or 750. I'm in the process of getting a setup that a IOE Captain told me about which is an earmold coupled with the Plantronics MS50/T-20. It's an in-ear option, but its the smallest thing around! I'm about packing light and making my flying the easiest and smallest as possible. I'll post some pics in a different forum once the setup is complete.

I do love my Bose though! I have a set of QC2s and was thinking of the uflymike setup which introduces a mic adapter for the QC2 audio headset. Because it is not TSO'd, I've heard that some airlines have banned the use of them even though there isn't a FAR written about using a TSO'd headset while in flight. I think that Alaskan and Fed Ex has dis-allowed their pilots to use them, but some guys here swear by them still. The problem that I have heard that some pilots are bringing up is that it is too good that some sounds that the aircraft generates such as warnings and horns become absent once the QC2s Noise Cancellation is activated. Oh well...good product though overall!

I fly only pistons but my Lightspeed 15XL's with ANR are quite satisfactory. They are cheaper ($350) and I find them perfectly adequate in noise performance, durable at 250 hours, and comfortable enough to go about 4 hours without noticing which is more than I can say for the Bose. The Bose were less comfortable and cost 4 times as much so I don't get the point with them. I had to open up the headband on the Lightspeeds a little bit and flex the steel band out to make them fit right when I got them, that took maybe 20 minutes. Without a certain amount of dead weight passive headsets cannot kill much noise and as long as you have dead weight it inversely affects comfort. The 15XLs have a battery-saver thingy and battery life leds.

I had the 15XL for about 3 years bought the bose when I starting instructing. If you want a full size headset there is no comparison. The 15xl is good but the noise canceling isn't as good and its hot. It also clamps down on your head. I'm fixin to start flyin a jet for a regional and I'm probably gonna get a telex 750 or 850. The flight school that I work at also has a pretty good sized internet pilot shop and so I have used all different kinds of headsets and if you want a regular sized one that is good for small and big airplanes there is no comparison to the bose.

Put the money you'd spend on the Bose into a savings account. Suffer with your ANR till you get the job. Then use the D-Cs the company supplies with the plane. Be sure to also use the wipes the company also supplies with the plane. Send me half the intrest in ten years. ;)

Companies supply headsets? I'm unfortunately going to be forced to get new headsets. Or used ones, just new to me. I currently have the DC 20-10s. They are great headsets however while the ANR is good you can't hear anything when the battery dies. These are modified using the ANR upgrade you can order from Headsets INC. Just curious if it would be against rules to use them in the cockpit of a CRJ or ERJ since they aren't FAA approved.

I use Sennhausers(spelling) and they are money. Half the price of Bose, smaller in size, and you can't hear any outside noise when using the ANR, and when the batteries die and forget to change them, they are still excellent in keeping sound out.

Give it to you? I'll need it for a hearing aid.

Everyone has a different fit. I've tried headsets that people swore were incredibly comfortable only to get severe headaches. I used my Bose on an 18.5 hour round trip flight in a NOISY old 206 last summer and barely felt the things on my head.

How's the comfort and what type are they?

Is the lightspeed headset with boom mike (not sure on model) with customized ear molds adequate for the ERJ?

My thoughts exactly. Some think that ANR is a needless luxury...and there's no way to know whether or not that is true, to be sure. However, I do know that when I have flown with a non-ANR headset I have had to turn the radios up much higher to block out the aircraft noise, accelerating the harm to one's ears.

On the Lightspeeds...yes, they are cheaper. But I've often said that when I wore one I felt like I was wearing the Pope's hat in the cockpit, due to their size. After an hour and a half, my ears and the side of my head hurt...a lot...from the clamping. So, from my experience, their comfort, size, and noise reduction were all lacking in comparison with the Bose X. If you buy the Bose X, you will no doubt be able to borrow someone else's Lightspeed to try for a bit. If you like it, buy one, and sell your Bose for a great price...you wouldn't be out much.

As with all things in life, one has to do what's right for them. If at all possible, try several options, and go with what you deem to be the best.

Mach 1 is what you are thinking about. I tried it out for a month but didnt like having something in my ear. Years of using ear plugs will do that to you. Lightspeed worked with an exchange and I got the 30xl with the mp3 and phone adapter hook up and I love it. The phone adapter comes in handy when I need to call maintenance on a tight turn and dont want to take my headset off. Very comfortable and not much bigger than the bose. I like the bose but could not justify another $400 when this headset is just as good. I fly the CRJ-200 and I am more concerned with my long term hearing and comfort than how it messes up my hair. Lightspeed has superb customer service and great products.

There are some avionics shops out there that will let you try out a headset before you buy. I tried 3 different ANR headsets besides Bose before I decided. It was quite nice to be able to try them all out. Ask around.

I have had a Lightspeed 20xl for a couple of years, and didnt have any issues with it at all. I have heard several others say that they break easily, but that hasnt been my experience. They are kind of goofy looking on your head. I recently purchased the Bose and the Lightspeed headset hasnt been out of its bag since.

I've sampled most brands, for me Bose was the best in every regard except price. All worked well, in the end I got the Bose since the company provided me one free of charge.

someone said that BOSE offers a CFI or company discount. Any idea how much?

$95 rebate.


You have to be a member of the National Flight Instructor Assoc. too. I believe.

I think that they are really comfortable. I just recently flew one of the longest legs that we fly from DTW-AUS, logged 3.5, and never took them off. I had no problems at all. Sometimes I go topless, but that is just because I don't feel like wearing a headset at all. I went to Sporty's while visiting my parents and picked them up. The woman working there said that the Lightspeed Mach 1 was the most returned item that they sell throughout the whole store. The model number I got is Sennheiser HMEC-25A. You can look at them closely at SennheiserUSA.com under aviation, then jet headsets. On their site it says that the listed price is $675.00, but I remember getting them for less than that from Sporty's, but either way, they are well worth the price, less than Bose and they are smaller.

I'm getting me one of these. $95 is a big money when you are not in the majors