dunlaf05

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!

Joe84

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).

kansas

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.

detc

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.....

dunlaf05

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"???

Dash8Pilot

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.

detc

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...)

Seatownflyer

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.

tyrael37

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!

Cubdriver

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.