Headset questions
 

Hey all, first off this is my first post but I've been reading for a while. I'm a CFII working at a flight school working towards my MEI and a career in aviation, whether it is commercial or corporate or wherever the winds blow me.

I'm going to be purchasing a new headset and am thinking of an in-the-ear type headset. But since I've never used on I have a few questions.

I'm considering a clarity aloft or lightspeed.

1. What is TSO? and do major, regional and corporate rules require their pilots to have TSO certified headsets. If so this will almost make my decision for me.

2. Anyone with clarity aloft. Can you get custom ear molds? That is one of the features I like about the lightspeed Mach 1.C.

3. Anybody have any experience with both and have a preference? Or is there a better headset available?

Thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to your responses.

Most airlines require the headset used to comply with the tso requirements.

I use a ANR 850 and it works very well in every aircraft I have flown.

Technical Standard Order... No, not normally, but I do think there was some issue at SWA.




I have the TSO'd Clarity Aloft. You can get molded ear pieces any where in the world that sells hearing aids.



Get the headset that's comfortable to you, and for the plane you plan to use it in. I don't recommend the Clarity in a noisy prop plane (I use a Bose X for that). Even the noisier jets. Also, don't recommend it for crew aircraft that don't use an intercom (Boeing).

Finally, this probably does not belong in the Major forum.

There has been some FAA interest lately in non-TSO headsets at a few airlines (including mine) so you might want to go with TSO.

I use a telex 850 too, works great in a jet but for piston general aviation you probably want an over-the-ear headset like a bose or lightspeed to block out all that prop. Those are expensive.

I used the clarity aloft as a CFI in the seminole, functionally they were excellent, no problem at all with noise, they sounded great. Unfortunately the pieces that go over you ears dug into my skin and after a 4 hour cross country I shipped them back.

Then I got a pair of Bose which I loved. Used them for a little while in the ERJ but they were overkill, and I was worried about my flight case crushing them. So I sold those and bought a pair of telex 750s on ebay for $80 and used those + foam earplugs, worked great.

I would recommend getting a good GA headset and worry about a jet compatible headset when you get hired to fly that equipment. If you're a CFI now you know how uncomfortable a traditional DC esque headset can get after a long day. I would recommend either the Bose or Lightspeed Zulu. I recently purchased a Bose earlier this year using their 0% financing ($83 a month/12months). By far the best investment I have made.

I had been a long faithful to my DC's and was planning on getting a telex or something similar when I got to a regional. But after my furlough last year I realized I would be spending a lot more time in pistons. In the interests of preserving my hearing I've invested in the Bose. It should also work out as tax write off as an independent contractor.

I occasionally pull 12+ hour days in a piston single wearing Lightspeed Zulus. They are very quiet and very comfortable for that purpose. I tried a pair of Clarity Alofts in the same situation and found them a bit troublesome to put on, susceptible to inadvertent dislocation, and the noise level was so-so. However, they might be ok for jets and I did not try them there.

David Clarks. The are a bit uncomfortable after 6 legs, but if you're in a 700 or 900 and you can go "topless" it's not so bad, you only have to put them on for T/O, and descent/landing. I've had the same DC's for 20 years, and I really can't complain. Was going to buy some Bose, but decided to wait.

The real answer: whatever you like and your job lets you use. I understand some of the regionals actually specify only TSO'd headsets in their GOMs.

Bose. They cost a lot, but are worth the money in my opinion. Not only are they a great headset, but they have superior customer service too. I've used them in the pistons, dash8, crj, and now the E175. Many say it's overkill, but they are comfortable enough to wear for 8 hours of flying in a day, and I feel less fatigued compared to wearing the 750's. I tried the 750's in both jets with and without earplugs and ended up wearing the Bose in the end.

I've used the QC2 with the Uflymike on the ERJ145, Saab and in a mooney single piston and it was great. I bet the QC15 will sound even better.

I own Clarity Aloft headset and I agree with above, except I never had a discomfort issue. Owned an ANR headset previously and compared it with CA headset flying Seminole/C172 and the difference in sound/noise was minor. ANR headset I had to worry about the battery and the comfort was not so good during long flights. I suggest buying the headset from the store that offers 30 day money back guarantee so you have enough time to test them. With Clarity Aloft you’ll have to replace the foam tips every two months though. After 2 months they start sliding out of the ear canal… Replacement foam tips run about $4 for a pair.
For me they work great in the regional jet as well. The regional airline I worked for does require that headset be TSO certified though.

The Clarity Aloft comes in both TSO'd and non-TSO'd. If you get molded ear pieces, the replacement foam issue becomes moot. Also, the molded ones will not fall out.

I haven't flown in the US since July 3, 2008, so I'm definitely not the best source for what the FAA is doing these days. Thanks for clarifying.

The Bose X is TSO'd also; not sure about the Light Speed Zulu.

Clarity Aloft is a fantastic headset.

Simply put it is not possible for a "normal" headset to be more comfortable than the Clarity Aloft.
The band is adjustable but requires considerable force to reshape it.

The whole headset is built tough even though it looks fragile.

I used to wear it for 8 leg days in a turboprop, I wouldn't want any other.

If you're worried about TSO get the TSO'd Clarity Aloft.

Cheers
George

I guess I'm the only one who uses the clarity aloft and the lightspeed mach one..

The cub out in the front yard has CA's in it. They're wonderful. They're TSO'ed.

My flight bag has a pair of Mach Ones in it. My regional specifies TSO'ed headsets, I suspect mainly because of the rash of amateur electrical engineers building headsets out of things that weren't designed to be aviation headsets. As far as mine.. they don't matter, I'm furloughed.

Anyway, I LOVE the lightspeeds, right now I'm using clarity aloft earpieces. Never bothered with custom molds, the foam stuff seems to work fine.

Go with what you can afford.. and try before you buy!

" RUGGED RA200 AVIATION PILOT HEADSET AIRCRAFT ASA"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-R...5fPartsQ5fGear

Hey guys... Im thinking of buying this one . Has anyone used this for their flight training? Many thanks. I havent heard of this brand before or anyone discussed it so Im being cautious. if anything, I will stick to a regular David Clarks.

Ive been using lightspeeds for about 6 years now. I had the thirty 3 g's, which were dead silent, but a little large and cumbersome. If you want a headset that works great for GA and the jet, lightspeed zulu's are the way to go. If your are just starting to learn to fly, get something much cheaper, from my experience as a CFII about 1 in 5 people actually kept going with flying. I would meet my students the first day with their brand new Bose headsets only to see them 6 months later leaving the flying world. Normally the cost of a job with an unstable future would deter them from dropping another $10,000 on a class...

I agree with you. I can get a David Clarks H10-30 on ebay for $150 in mint condition but this one I asked about, its $99. Once I progress in training, then I can think about something more sophisticated. I just want one ASAP that I can use since I cant wait to do my 2nd flite lesson after getting a taste of things!

Look on ebay for a used pair of David Clarks....

I had the Bose X when I flew GA and in turbo props for two years. Absolutely loved it and never really heard of anybody being dissatisfied in any way. I sport the telex 850 in the CRJ and it seems to be a perfect fit.

[quote=fjetter;693153]I would recommend getting a good GA headset and worry about a jet compatible headset when you get hired to fly that equipment. If you're a CFI now you know how uncomfortable a traditional DC esque headset can get after a long day. I would recommend either the Bose or Lightspeed Zulu. I recently purchased a Bose earlier this year using their 0% financing ($83 a month/12months). By far the best investment I have made.

I reitterate fjetter's post.

For pistons, invest the money, its worth it over time.
Once your operating turbine platforms, clarity aloft and others mentioned are something you can't go wrong with.
However, look here as well. I understand these are impressive. Best of luck.
www.quiettechnologies.com

Custom Molds for Clarity Aloft
 

First, I am new to these forums so hello all. I also have the Clarity Aloft Headset and I love the comfort it provides. I use the custom molded ear pieces with my headset and it feels even better than the brown foam tips. The best deal I found for the Custom earplugs for the Clarity Aloft was through L2K Technologies, they offer them online as well.

Has anyone used the clarity aloft pro in the emb145? heard that they have a bleed through. Just wondering? Thanks

I've never used the HALO headset, but have flown with a guy who had it and swore by it.

I had some Halos- not recommended over Claritys for piston use. I would spend the extra couple bills for Clarity Aloft before getting another pair. The wires were prone to getting dislodged which greatly interferes with the noise reduction because it has to have perfect ear fit to work. Also putting them on is a 5 minute affair, too much fuss.

AGREED! I don't know what some people do to make this headset uncomfortable, or for that matter....less effective than a Bose. I fly pistons, Turboprops, and jets, and I fully believe I get much better hearing protection with the CA than my company Bose headset (info from their respective companies agrees with me). The earpiece replacement turns out to be nearly the exact same price as batteries for the Bose.