BOSE X on the Q400
 

Just curious how the Bose X performs in the Q400. I'm primarily looking for information concerning how it handles the "white noise" from the hot mic system. For example, can you turn down the interphone volume and then turn up the headset volume to reduce most of the white noise? Thanks in advance.

Whoa, noise cancel active noise cancelling? You just blew my mind.

The Bose X works quite well in the DHC-8-100/300. I've never been in a -400, so I'm not sure how it would do for any kind of noise in that airplane. As for white noise, I've never noticed a reduction. The headset reduces noise from outside the headset, but static and stuff from the radio isn't really reduced. I think if you buy one you can return it if you decide it doesn't work for the aircraft you're in. I'd also add that I just sent mine back to Bose to do some maintenance on it and am incredibly satisfied. All the stuff I asked them to do was still under warranty and there were no questions asked. I sent it over Christmas and still got it back in about 2 or 3 business days. I haven't had anything but great service from the company. Good luck choosing.

Just ask the other guy to turn his hot mike off. I hate when guys fly around with that open. Unless you are in an active conversation there is no need for it to be open.

I am going to assume its a similar system to the RJ. In the RJ I have to turn the volume on my bose x all the way down or the dings and chimes will make you deaf. So headset volume all the way down then adjust with the radio stack volume.

Its a great headset in the RJ. Probably overkill.

Bose X worked great in the Q400. The white noise really isn't that bad and you can control it somewhat but like riddleeagle said if the hot mike is off it's silent. I have to add that I did make the switch to a Clarity Aloft headset and prefer it over the X, FWIW.

Just wondering...I have to send mine back for some MX...do they have a website where you can fill out the info, or do you have to call them or what?
Thanks

The "white noise" your talking about here is not the ambient aircraft noise directly, rather it is the other pilot's mic picking up the ambient noise. The amount you have is directly related to the quality of the other pilot's mic. If he/she has a noise cancelling mic and/or a good wind cover, then the amount of noise coming through the headset is greatly reduced. A good demonstration of this is to listen to the amount of noise coming through the J/S headset with it in HOT MIC (very annoying). Not much you can do other than turn down the interphone and turn up all your radios. All in all it has nothing to do with your headset and everything to do with the other pilot's headset. I hope this bit of rambling makes sense. Personally I would never spend $1000 on ANY headset.

i use the X in the Q and i think its great...always kick it on when our props speed up (aka rumble in the floor is time to go quiet)....extremely quiet when you put the wipers in up position while flying, literally silent then.

the white noise like others said not usually my headset its the others mic picking up sounds and for that I just turn down the INT volume and turn up my headset or the COM 1 volume.

If you own a decent headset with a quality mic and muff, there should be no reason to ever have the "hot mic" selected off. That's the whole freakin purpose of it. There's nothing more annoying then the other crewmember who has that Telex headset with the mic that picks up the passenger sneezing in 20D along with every knot of wind in a 3 state radius...

There is a better alternative.

I use the Sennheiser HMEC-25-KA ANR Headset.

I have had it for five years and it has NEVER given me any problems.

It fits in my flight bag and it is extremely comfortable.

Also, if you compare prices, you will save yourself hundreds of dollars!

One more thing, I've talked to a lot of pilots that have the Bose headset and every one of them have had to send their headsets in for maintenance. Every one! Sure, they pay for shipping and the maintenance is usually free, but what a hassle.

Hope that helps!

Jeff

P.S. Here is a review I did on my blog on the Sennheiser, maybe it will help: Sennheiser HMEC 25-KA Headset: What Is So Great About Them? - Almost the Speed of Sound