OK I'm torn!

Tonight I went up for the first time in at least 3 months! It was fun to just get up and scoot around the pattern for an hour in a C-172 even if it was on my own dime.

I had been looking for a better full time job, hence why I haven't flown as much as I wanted too. I was very gratefully was hired by an awesome company now so the flying thing is back in! Its not a flying or instructing gig, but its a better fit for me then what I was doing before. So I'm happy!

But any who, I went up with a friend of mine who had a Lightspeed 30/3G and a Zulu, and he let me fly with the Zulu.

What an experience! He had let me try one of his other ANR head set briefly while taxiing just to experience how 'quiet' they are, but I had never flown from start to stop wearing one, but now I am seriously thinking of getting a set before I fly again.

Granted the huge con to them is they price, but for me I would think they are worth it. First off, I do plan on flying more, especially if I pick up a student or two. Second it was a huge work load relief not haveing to concentrate so much on filtering out the communications from the noise. Third, getting a set will protect what hearing I have left. You see I'm deaf in one ear. And while I have always flown with a head set, the noise still is a concern to me. (remember seeing old training films with people not wearing a head set? Yeesh!)

But I am curious if there are other people out there that have an ANR and I am looking for opionions on which one to get. I really like the Zulu. Its noise canceling ability is awesome, its light weight, and the form is not bulky, but still theres the price.

Whatz duz yuz tink?

I just bought a new set of Zulus for $550 using the company's trade in offer. They give you about 90% of the purchase price you paid on an old set of Lightspeeds toward your purchase of the new one. I had a pair of XL15's I used for 5 years straight, a fine headset in itself, and I received 90% of my original purchase price toward some Zulus. In my opinion Bose X is overpriced by about two bills, and at this point is also bit out of date. They really need to come up with something other than the payment plan- perhaps a trade in offer or a lower price, or maybe all 3 options at the same time.

Well the ANR and passive reduction is about the same between the two headsets and it boils down to purely features and price. Lightspeed is more aggressive in marketing than David Clark or Bose and is willing to take an upfront loss to undercut the market share at the top.

I would venture a guess Bose will respond fairly soon with some kind or rebate or trade-in scheme. Using the numbers from my own trade in case for a set of new Zulus, why would anyone be willing to pay 81% more for the Bose when it is not really much if any better than something else, namely the Zulu headset. That's a lot of money for GA pilot.

I've used both Bose X and Zulu.. and I feel the Zulu has better bass... had a much deeper tones as opposed to the Bose X, not to mention Bluetooth and an aux input (that cuts out when the radio receives signals) that you can plug your ipod into. If you're flying in busy airspace all the time then you really don't want to use those features, but if you're in the country side VFR without flight following or flying at night when there's reduced traffic, having music is rather nice, better than the monotonous sound of the engine(s) droning you out. I wish the Zulu headset came in a darker color (like dark gray) but I can paint it when I purchase mine.. plus it's cheaper than Bose.

I've been flying with the Zulu's since last august and I can say I love them. I've used the Bose X as well, they are great but I really enjoy the bluetooth and music input in the Zulu's. Cheaper and more features to fiddle with, You won't regret it.

zulus all the way because upside down listening to the deftones is well worth the price