Bose X vs. Lightspeed Zulu vs. David Clark X11

[JEG]

I bought my Zulu in March and love it. I've used it on C172/206/207/208/BN2A and BE99. The Islander actually became relatively quiet, as did the 99. In the Caravan I'm driving now, it's awesome. The Piston Cessnas were also a marked improvement compared to the passive DC's I had before.
I have not tried the Telex, but I was told by a co-worker that it is a very quiet headset. He left for another job before I could find out first hand. He mentioned it was to the point that, in a 172, he had to turn off the active to actually hear the engine without being paranoid that it died/lost power, as well as to save battery life. I did have a chance to try the Bose in a BE99 and it was virtually the same as the Zulu. The only real difference was the price, and that you at least have some (although very little) passive attenuation as mentioned in another post. The sound quality is better than any of the passive DC's I have used, although I don't own an MP3 player to know how well the Front Row Centre feature works. I find that standard AA's last a couple of weeks of solid flying, I'd estimate 50 or so hours as listed in the advertisements. Although I have only had it a few months, it has so far withstood temperatures ranging from -30 to +30 and I have not had a problem with it.

[SuperchargedRS]

I heard some bad things about the X11 when I was looking for a headset, besides I think the noise killing biz is more of Bose and LS's game.

I got the Zulus, I've had them for almost 2 years, no issues what so ever. The blue tooth is nice, used it a few times to let people on the ground know about delays etc.

Both the Zulus and the Bose have the same warranty, though I have yet to need to use mine.

As far the the mp3 on the Zulus, I have had to wait out some weather a few times, I will bring my headset into the lounge and fire up my ipod, with the front row center on in a quite area where all I am paying attention to is my music, they rock!


just get one of these to keep some batts near by

[iflyforpie]

Just ordered the Zulus to replace my old DCs. Can't believe how much they've come down in price since last year! Less than $1000 all in.

[WHIPPER]

Just ordered the Zulus to replace my old DCs. Can't believe how much they've come down in price since last year! Less than $1000 all in.

I paid around $940 all in when I bought mine about two months after they came out. Just curious, how much were they going for before they came down in price? I haven't been price watching...

[rjonno]

Have heard the 50D is a great headset, only one that can handle metro, but is a bit big and goonie looking. Course if you don't mind that its suppose to be great, though it lacks many of the features of the zulu.

Had an X11 for year, nothing but trouble, very disappointing, finally got a full refund from DC and bought a Zulu, never looked back.

-Jonathan G.
CYWG

[iflyforpie]

I was looking at VIPs Christmas flyer that was for some reason kicking around. It said $995 plus tax and shipping. I paid $970 including tax and shipping (list $895). That's the only price I saw so I assumed they had come down. I am in the boonies so no pilot store around the corner.

[RFlyer]

As for the price on the Zulus, if you are contemplating buying one and have another Lightspeed product, they have a trade-up program which saves even more $$:

http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/conte ... ram---Zulu

RF

[trampbike]

I am looking for a headset too. My concerns are noise reduction (passive and active), and reliability. I do not really care about bluetooth and super dooper stereo sound system. The Zulu sure seems awesome, but quite expensive for me. I was wondering if there was any other headset as good in what I care about, but without the fancy features I dont mind?

[Captain X]

I am looking for a headset too. My concerns are noise reduction (passive and active), and reliability. I do not really care about bluetooth and super dooper stereo sound system. The Zulu sure seems awesome, but quite expensive for me. I was wondering if there was any other headset as good in what I care about, but without the fancy features I dont mind?

Take your old DC 10.XX and other brands of passive headsets and you can buy and install this noise canceling mod

http://www.headsetsinc.com/

never used it myself but reviews on the net seemed good... and if you know how to sodder you can do the work yourself or send it in.

[Flybaby]

I've only used the bose X and the X-11.
Bose X
Pros
Great battery life.
Great ANC
Very light
Very comfortable (except see ear cup con)
Cons
Some find the ear cups too small (big ears need to be folded in)
Poor PNC
Plastic frame cracks over time
No Cell phone and MP3 plugs

X-11
Pros
Good ANC
Cell phone and MP3 plugs
Large Ear Cups for our large ear friends
Cons
Poor Battery life (eat twice or more as many battery's as Bose)
Top support not as comfortable as Bose X
Poor PNC

[iflyforpie]

Two days with the Zulus. Freakin' awesome! Thought the engine stalled when I turned on the ANR it went so quiet. Dodging peaks to Van Halen via my Bluetooth MP3 phone was awesome too! Head doesn't get sweaty anymore under the ear muffs and they feel so light compared to my H20-10.

Passive attenuation doesn't come close to the old DCs, so take extra batteries. Also sometimes the ANR gets out of sync and pounds the ear drums a bit, but I didn't have any of those problems over 5.4 hours today...