Looking at getting a new headset and trying to pick between these three:
DC X11, Lightspeed Thirty 3G or Telex Stratus 50D
Did a search, and found a few comments on the X11 and 50D but not much on the lightspeed.
I'm open to other suggestions that include these features:
1. ANR
2. Input for MP3 player, and if it has the feature where the music is muted during communications, then you must be able to disable that (does the X11 do this by the way?)
3. The more light-weight and comfortable the better.
Typical flight for me is 7h in a Caravan, so max noise reduction is secondary to comfort.
Thanks for any info.
PS. I'm currently using a DC 13.4 which I installed an aftermarket noise cancelling on. Worked great for 1.5 years, but the ANR has become flakey lately and now only one side of the ANR works.
DC X11 or Lightspeed Thirty 3G or Telex Stratus 50D
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heavymetal
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I just bought an X-11 and had my first flight with it today in a Caravan. I only flew a couple of hours so it was hard to say as far as comfort beyond 1 1/2 hours but the noise cancelling works wonders. Its ridiculously quiet and the MP3 input is a nice touch. It mutes when ever the other pilot, you or the radios talk. No way to disable it though. It also supports cell phone inputs. So far so good, but I haven't really put it through the paces yet.
Pm me next week and I'll have more info.
Pm me next week and I'll have more info.
I'm never played as the villian in the stories I've told.
I used the Telex 50D for a bit. I can tell you that the 50db of Digital ANR makes it the quietest thing out there. And they finaly stopped making it in Purple/White. You can get it now in solid black. Wish Lightspeed would learn. We're not all fruitloops. The 50D is very light, but it's HUGE. You can poke a crew members eye out with that thing.
I purchased the 20XL Lightspeed set back in 2000 and a few months ago I upgraded to the Thirty 3G model. The 20XL was fairly good for my purposes but over the years had to have a number of parts replaced on it. Lucky for me it was covered under the 3 year warranty and the service was fast and courteous. One of the problems is the soft case that does not offer enough protection to the set while travelling. Solution: get a hard case.
The Thirty 3G is vastly superior in terms of performance. And it has a five year warranty. I've used it in the back of a large turboprop for test purposes and it really cuts down on the engine/prop noise. Much more than the 20XL.
The Thirty 3G also offers the cell phone/music player inputs. I know of one pilot who uses the music feature......you know PNF.
It does look different and you have to get used to the appearance. For me there was no comparison in terms of price and performance. The David Clark "old school" boys can suffer all they want with their TSO's sets. Oh yes I don't think that the Lightspeed sets are TSO approved so if you have to fly in a plane where they require that look for something else.
The Thirty 3G is vastly superior in terms of performance. And it has a five year warranty. I've used it in the back of a large turboprop for test purposes and it really cuts down on the engine/prop noise. Much more than the 20XL.
The Thirty 3G also offers the cell phone/music player inputs. I know of one pilot who uses the music feature......you know PNF.
It does look different and you have to get used to the appearance. For me there was no comparison in terms of price and performance. The David Clark "old school" boys can suffer all they want with their TSO's sets. Oh yes I don't think that the Lightspeed sets are TSO approved so if you have to fly in a plane where they require that look for something else.
I personally have no experience with the Lightspeed or the DC. However I do own a pair of Telex 50Ds (replaced my DC 13.4) and I think they're great. The 50db of ANR is great and the passive protection is good too when the battery dies. The soft ear seals and head pad are comfortable, which help with the weight of this large headset, I find although it is heavier, they're still more comfortable than my old DCs. The MP3 and Cell inputs do not mute though... but I prefer it that way. There's always a bit of radio chatter and other crewmembers talking so if the thing muted my MP3s everytime someone made a sound there wouldn't even be a point to having it there. You just need to keep the volume low and learn to listen to both at the same time.
My complaints are the size, this thing is HUGE and kinda funny looking but I'm willing to put up with that for the protection it provides. Secondly, there's enough cord on that thing to hang yourself with it so I had to buy some velcro straps from the dollar store to keep the 9ft of cord in check... but i guess you can go take a walk in the back of the plane and still listen to ATC.
Hope that helps
My complaints are the size, this thing is HUGE and kinda funny looking but I'm willing to put up with that for the protection it provides. Secondly, there's enough cord on that thing to hang yourself with it so I had to buy some velcro straps from the dollar store to keep the 9ft of cord in check... but i guess you can go take a walk in the back of the plane and still listen to ATC.
Hope that helps
