ScaryKite

ok i have no desire to buy any of this crap except for the fact that my David Clarks wont fit in my flight kit now that i have to carry 6 billion jepp binders! So i am going to cut some space by possibly getting a set of these, looking into the clarity aloft vs. the lightspeed mach 1s. Anyone have any input!TNX

SK

Window_Seat

I had the Mach 1 for 2 months. They would have been just alright if they were $150. Overpriced and most of the time did not stay secure in the ear. I was always having to hold the mic up to my mouth. If you bought the custom ear molds it would have brought it up to around $750 total. I would not recommend them. The guys at Marv golden pilot supplies recommended the clarity aloft though, a lot less returns. If you do buy, buy from their website, great return policy and very friendly and helpful.

FLINHI

Thanks for the info I was considering the Mach 1, but I think I will go with something else.

Aviatormar

I just recently bought the Mach 1, and have been so so results with them. I was looking to upgrade my headset and thought hey why not? Well, after 3 weeks with them, I think I"m going to give them up and try something else. They offer great sound pick up, and I haven't had a problem with them moving all over the place, but could see that as a problem down the line. The only problem I have with them is the noise. They do a decent job, but no where near a good headset (bose X) does. I did a back to back flight in them, in an Alurus, which is a loud, single and he bose was much much quieter. If I was doing this again, I'd buy them, try them out and return them if it doesn't suit your needs.

MX442

First of all, neither are TSO'd.

I bought Mach 1's when they first came out. They had a lot of feedback from the A/C current running through the windshield heat. Lightspeed took them back and modified them. When I got them back, the mic didn't work at all. So I gave up and sent them back for a full refund. I used them for 2 trips and didn't like them. Always tangled. They don't block out a lot of noise. I'm convinced that noise vibrations travelled right through the earplugs and directly into my ear.

Next I bought a plantronics with a custom ear mold and a splitter to have it in both ears. Hated it. Sounded like everyone was in a hollow tube. My voice clarity was terrible. Everyone had a hard time understanding me. To hear other crewmembers over the microphone feedback, I had to turn the volume up too loud to the point it hurt my ears. I'd bet that these will damage your hearing over time.

I was not impressed with "in the ear" headsets. I now use entry level noise-cancelling headsets. The cockpit is so much quieter now, I hear things that I used to never hear before.

Hope this helps on the Mach 1.

KZ1000Shaft

Anyone try the Panther electronics C.A.T.? Looks pretty interesting. I am thinking about giving them a try.

georgetg

The Clarity Aloft headset rocks!

It doesn't look as futuristic as the lightspeed, but it just works especially in a turboprop.
I know of of pilots trying the lightspeed, but sending it back and then buying the Clarity Aloft.

TSO is required if you are an aircraft manufacturer and want to provide headsets. As a pilot you can plug in anything you want...

Cheers
George

schoolio

I used the Lightspeed in the Dash 8 (a loud noisy turboprop), and it worked great. The only problem I had were both the beltclip and tieclip breaking (twice each). They fixed it free the first time, and I haven't had the chance to send it in again to have it fixed. Otherwise, sound quality is great, hearing protection is great. I've had no problems with the boom mic or earpiece breaking, or the wires splitting. I still use the blue earpieces that came with it (a new set every once in a while - I'm not nasty), although I'm considering getting the custom ear molds. Once I get through training here at XJT I'll use it in the ERJ and give y'all an update.

Fokker28

NOT TRUE!

At many carriers, including mine, TSO'd headsets are mandatory!

par8head

I LOVE THE MACH 1!

I got mine a year ago and originally had some problems with the microphone when taking off into the sun in props because it was light sensitive, continued to use it because it happened rarely until the belt clip broke.

I called up Lightspeed and they said send it in and we will send it back the same way you shipped it, so I overnighted it they fixed it same day and overnighted it back to me (3 days!) excellent service!


The new headset came back to me with a brand new case that is much easier to store the headset in. They basically sent me a new headset that is built stronger and the microphone is better, the headset is very light, with no clamping force, however if you don't like things in your ears you will not like it. I have always used earplugs so it wasn't a big deal for me.

the only bad thing about the headset is dealing with the wires, they can get tangled if you just through the headset in the case, a little patience goes a long way!

Good luck