E170/175's and headsets
 

I was recently hired at Republic on the 170/175. I am doing research on in-ear headsets, as I use the Clarity Aloft for GA flying, and love the in-ear style. I'd like to have separate headsets for 121 and GA flying. Currently, I am sold on the "Regional Jet Package" headset from pilotstuff.com (Link: The Regional Jet Package from PilotStuff.com). I heard that Ejet cockpits are noisy. Does anyone who flies the Ejet have a recommendation on an in-ear headset? Does anyone that owns this "RJ Package" have any reviews/advice? There are no decent reviews from Ejet pilots that I could find. Also, the headset does not need to be TSO'd. Thanks!

Why do you want separate headsets? If you're already happy with the Clarity Aloft and don't need a change, you should stick with it.

The E170/175 is not nearly as loud as the E145s were, but down low it is still quite noisy. Over about FL300 it starts to quiet down quite a bit. I have used the Telex 5x5 with RJ package in the both the 175 and the 145. All day comfort and hearing protection, just like what you use now.

No need for a separate headset. I use the clarity aloft in the 175 and it's all you need.

I use the David Clark Pro-X. A lot of guys use it. Great headset. Cheaper for ANR and lightweight.

Down low, the noise of the DU cooling fans is still louder than the wind noise. It's quite up high. Telex ANR 850s do the trick. and they're $450-$500, new. Your Alofts will be fine.

LH

In one word BOSE, in two words "one grand":eek:

Just use your clarity. It works great in this plane. When it finally breaks get the clarity pro plus.

Even basic David Clarks work fine in the 170 series. The Bose X or A20 headset is wonderful overkill.

Uflymic and Bose qc15

Doesn't UFlyMic have issues with getting product and upgrades out to consumers now that the former owner passed? Never used it, hear good things about it, but it seems they are falling behind, from my research.

Not really. It didn't have to do with the ownership change. It had to do with going from analog QC2/QC15s to all new digital circuitry from the QC25s, with some engineering challenges, followed by supply chain challenges. That and they changed their product from a one piece purchase to a modular system to allow more flexibility and future adaptations. Could the former guy have avoided those issues? Who knows. But it's a small company with one product trying to integrate with another product with a bunch of cogs in the wheel in both dev and manufacturing/supply. Their products are pretty good given the limitations. They have the issues ironed out (I think) and are shipping. It's a matter of production capability now to fill back/pre orders. They started remanufacturing the old system again until these issues got ironed out, so I'd say good on them.

But they are one generation behind, and a year behind on that (QC25). Might seem harsh to say, but they are are lagging. A good product, to be sure, but it really needs to be moving faster and upgraded to the current Bose technology IMO.

unless they recently stopped, we get either an Apple Watch or Bose headset.

What is your class date?

"A generation behind" is debatable. Bose still sells QC25s. They aren't outdated or a previous generation. QC35s came out at an unusually fast interval, and are pretty similar to QC25s, except they are Bluetooth. And, their release coincided with apple doing away with the headphone jack, which was a natural progression and necessity for Bose to keep up with. And, since they changed the circuitry yet again, right in the middle/end of finally getting the QC25 UFM online, along with the unknown of BT/TSO compatibility using QC35, there just wasn't a reason to focus on creating a new product while trying to get the QC25 to work. And the only advantage of the QC35 is Bluetooth, which is pretty much useless in a music headphone to airplane headset conversion. In that sense, a set of QC25s and QC35s is identical in function as a headset. I'd much rather have QC35s than my QC25s in the back commuting, and I hope they come out with an adapter for QC35s, but I wouldn't knock a small outfit like UFM because Bose is creating new products with completely different technology that aren't compatible with past UFM products. If a company like Bose took a while to bring a compatible mic/aviation adapter to market and had issues, that's one thing. Their R&D budget is huge, their engineering and manufacturing is huge, and their knowledge of the technology in each of their products is huge. A small company like UFM doesn't have those resources.

There really isn't a competing product...a conversion of a noise canceling set of listening cans to an aviation headset that can be used as both. If people don't want it, the only thing that'd be similar is keeping a set of D.C. Pro Xs, or some other decent headset, along with a pair of QC25s/35s for the commute. I want to leave my A20s at home and just travel with my QC25s and use them for work and commute. I'm not happy it took longer than initially advertised, but I understand the reasons behind it. I don't think these delays were all that avoidable no matter who is in charge.

I do wish Bose would buy UFM or make their own adapter or make an aviation version of the QC25/35. I understand they don't want to cut into their massive margins on their A20s, but a $500-$600 headset that can be used anywhere for listening to music a la QCs, and used in a cockpit, should be in their wheelhouse. Leave the A20s for GA and get a professional pilot headset usable in the front and back.

And to add to that...the QC25 and QC35 were not created to be used in the cockpit in the first place. The fact that something like UFM exists for use in the cockpit is pretty remarkable considering it's basically just a family operation. They're not a big corporation with a team of engineers. I'm pretty sure it's mostly just one guy figuring it out on his own. I don't think it's fair to say they're a generation behind when they're designing a product for headphones that weren't even created for aviation use. The "aviation headset" A20s have been out for several years. I feel fortunate to be able have an alternative for HALF the price with the same sound quality. Plus it's bonus I can still use the headphones to watch movies while commuting. I carried my bose and my aviation headset both, but now I just need one.

The new Uflymike is out as of 12/23, which is the day I received it. Tested it out on Christmas Eve and it works extremely well. I'm a very satisfied customer.

January 31.

Why is anyone even entertaining this? It's clearly a promotion for some terrible looking "headset" that looks like an IV line attached to a boom mic with whatever flavored gummy bear you want to stick in your ear.

YX guy here using the quiet technologies iv line boom mic deal. I wear the headset on my neck and am completely comfortable. I will never go back.

Another vote from a happy customer 😁

Anyone tried the Bose Proflight in the E170 series? Pros/Cons?

Do you need noise cancelling headset? Considering David Clark DC X Pro Electronic-Noise-Cancelling or David Clark passive DC Pro.

Pro-X works great, had mine for four years and used it in several jets. Works fine in the 170 series as well. Plus if you get it with the Airbus style single plug the airplanes have that too... and you’ll never have to replace batteries.

I’d get the ANR one, the plane isn’t super loud but it still makes a difference.

I use David Clark pro x and I like it....noise cancelling definitely helps!

I’m going to take a contrarian position and recommend the David Clark 13.5 passive headset (assuming they still make them).

One day I pulled out my Bose Aviation X headset and found the ear yoke holding the ear cup to the headband had broken. Had to go on a trip, so I pulled out my 22-year old DC 13.5. Figured I’d use them until I either fixed or replaced my Bose headset.

That was four months ago. I’m sticking with them. The DCs are solidly built, more comfortable and reliable. Don’t need batteries. I unplug it, wind up the cord and throw it in the flight bag without worrying about breaking it. In a 175, my passive DCs provide more than adequate noise attenuation.

If I ever return to piston flying (especially piston twins) I’ll definitely go ANC. I found that ANC in a 175 is overkill, and really unnecessary. You’re protecting against wind noise, not the rumble of two, 200 HP Lycomings going full bore six feet from your head.

My opinion, your mileage may vary.

Just had my first trip with it. Had the Bose A20s for the last 8 years and with that being said I’ll be returning the Proflight and sticking with what I’ve loved. My only pro was the case honestly. It was smaller and easier to carry around verses the A20 case. It gave me a headache after wearing it for a 3 hour flight. ANR was not even close to the A20 which I expected cause it’s on an over ear headset. When I heard myself talk it sounded like I had plugged ears and it was a fairly loud experience. After switching between all the earbud sizes I couldn’t find the right fit. The boom was in the way and felt different. I really was hoping this would be a game changer but unfortunately that wasn’t the case for me. I’ve read good reviews and maybe it’s better in a different aircraft but the pro flight in the 175 wasn’t a good fit for me. Can’t beat the A20 anr.