Headset
 

What headsets would you all recommend for the first regional job?

I have used my David Clamps for like a decade. I don’t buy that the ANR actually protects your hearing so I prefer PNR and after this many years they’re pretty much form fitting to my head.

Highly recommend the Bose A20

F=MA, they work just in the exact opposite way an amplifier works, to each their own.

regardless, A-20s are awesome. I’ve had mine for four years now and love em.

Anecdotal, but I used A20’s in my turboprop days and that was easily the most perceptible hit my hearing has taken over the year. Would love to see more research on the mechanisms that cause hearing loss and if ANR is as protective as PNR.

Consider an ANR set with Bluetooth to connect your phone. This works well both in terms of canceling noise and phoning in to dispatch/maintenance in an otherwise very loud environment.

This is just my 2c.
I personally love DCs since they have one of the absolutely best warranties out there.
But if you buy DC, Bose, Zulu's, clarities is basically your own preference. But if i could offer you my point. I go through batteries like no other.
Either invest in a good rechargeable batteries with a travel charger or invest in a panel power, CRJs, ERJs, Airbus and Boeings use them so that is at least my goal going forward.

Second the rechargeable batteries. I personally use blackube. They use micro usb to charge and come with an octopus charger which takes up very little room.

Hows the blacktube? I've been meaning to look into them?

Blackube do NOT google blacktube.

the batteries are awesome though. Highly recommend.

Bose A20 with Bluetooth. Get the 5 pin XLR plug so you don't have to constantly change the batteries (for ERJ).

Meh on 5 pin XLR plug. Sure, if thats the only place you ever use yours and you are just buying the headset, but if you want flexibility - an extra mic-volume-box-cable is $295. Two AA batteries are about a buck (when you buy 40+ for $20) and will last you 40ish hrs. Let's say 30 to be on a safe side. 295x30= 8850 hrs. My current A20s have about 2000 hrs on them (high impedance mic, works better in the current aircraft), another pair had a 1000ish or so - they are good headsets, I don't think either would survive 9000 hrs though

Recharcable batteries are the way to go for me. I use the Panasonic Eneloop batteries. Comes in a charger pack that charges 4 at the same time and they fit perfectly between the ear cups of my a20s when its all zipped up in the case. My batteries lasted over 5 years so far and they last about 2 trips as long as i dont forget to turn off the ANR when we park

Used A20s with Dual Pin. Don't go blow a ton of cheddar on brand new A20s or ProFlights. You can find some quality used ones on your company FB page probably.

It seems like there’s a good consensus for A20’s with rechargeable batteries.

Do you need to specify rechargeable batteries when ordering? Or can you just buy generic AA rechargeable batteries afterwards

I’d just buy AA’s separately. I have a set from ikea that came with a USB charger and four batteries for like $15. Not sure how long they’d last in an A20 but they do just fine in my Xbox controllers.

Really any rechargable AA battery will do. Just keep in mind they tend to be a bit lower voltage so the status light will be yellow instead of green for a little longer but thats about it.

QC-35 and UFlyMike. A20s are overkill for jets and hurt after a while. I could wear QC35s all day and they are plenty good ANR.

I have an A20 with the Airbus/ERJ plug....Happy with everything except the portability of it. The A20 doesn't pack flat at all and so I end up running around with 3 bags (roller + cooler + Bose headset bag).

I'm very intrigued by the Uflymike or Avee20 paired with the Bose QC35/45. The cost is 1/3 of the Bose ProFlight and the ability to disconnect and just use the Bose headphones for leisure purposes (deadheading, etc) is super appealing.

That said, I tend to use my AirPods for all of my leisure needs, and they're 1000% more portable than any of the Bose headset options....so I'm probably not making a change any time soon.

100%. I have used the QC-35 and UFlyMike for almost two years and have never had a more comfortable headset. I recommend them to anyone who asks (and probably a few who don’t)

QCs and Lightspeed are not TSO’d. I doubt anyone really cares but if the wrong fed ends up on your JS could be a bad day.

I mostly see Bose these days. Not many folks are wearing DCs.

I still use my DC H10-13.4 and they have been all right. I’m in a turboprop so our flights are usually less than 2 hours, so they’re not too uncomfortable. I would like to get a set of ANR DCs.

I really appreciate David Clark’s customer service. I sent my set in for a small issue a while ago and they sent it back earlier than expected with a full refurbishment on my accessories.

I have sony xmh-4 and considering the avee mic setup. Anyone have that setup ?

I'm waiting for their bluelink to be released and i am getting the avee for my Bose 700

it depends on the airline. TSO is only required if the airline says it is

Does psa require tso headsets? In in training for them still. I was going to sell my lightspeed zulu 3 for the a20. But if they don't require tso, I'll continue to stick to my zulu 3.

You'll have to look in the company manuals, most likely the FOM

I don't work at PSA anymore but when I was there it was a requirement.

In Ear perhaps?
 

For an alternative to the ones previously mentioned you may want to look into an in-ear headset. Doesn't mess up your pomade. Available in TSO and non TSO and the PNR value is very good.
Some examples are Quiet Technologies Halo, Clarity Aloft , CQ1, FARO AIR.
They don't take batteries are comfy, light, durable, pair well with sunglasses and protect your hearing well.
Used a Lightspeed Mach1 for 8 years flying CE-U206G and I have been using a TSO Clarity Aloft for the last 10 years flying King Air and jets. Tried other headsets on occasion but won't go back.

If you want to still have batteries and headset hair Bose makes an ANR in ear headset. It looks cooler than mine.