Radial Engines and Headsets

[Flybabe]

Looking to pick up a noise cancelling headset, but wondering if any of the avionics gurus out there could enlighten me as to what headset *might* be more effective in the kind of environment I work in.

I'm flying a large air tanker with 2 Wright Cyclone 3350's. Not sure what db rating would apply.

Suggestions?

[Conquest Driver]

Not sure what db rating would apply.

With or without the jets? Had to ask

I'm really happy with the Bose X. I've used Bose and Telex headsets over the years and they've more or less kept my hearing intact flying R-2800's and a bunch of other stuff.

[Strega]

DC-H10.13X hands down..

[rum-runner]

Looking to pick up a noise cancelling headset, but wondering if any of the avionics gurus out there could enlighten me as to what headset *might* be more effective in the kind of environment I work in.

I'm flying a large air tanker with 2 Wright Cyclone 3350's. Not sure what db rating would apply.

Suggestions?

Headset?? You should be wearing a helmet.

[Flybabe]

LOL - I have one. It has ANC. It does NOT have A/C.

[Shep]

DC-H10.13X hands down..

Agreed

[200hr Wonder]

Telex Stratus 50D has the best sound attenuation of any handset on the market. Does not matter if you are flying radials, turbines, flat engines.

[Hedley]

There are two different kinds of attenuation: passive
and active. Passive attenuation results from insulation,
active attentuation is what electronics does by cancelling
out sound waves.

Passive attenuation is needed for mid to high frequencies,
active attuenation works best on low frequencies.

You need both. The old Bose Series I/II had both, both
the new Bose X has very little passive, only active. I was
very disappointed when I tried to use a Bose X in a Pitts -
it was overwhelmed.

The headset with the most attenuation on the market is
the Telex Stratus 50D - I think I've bought 4 (5?) now.
It works well, with flat and radial engines, in very noisy
cockpits. The mike has too much gain for really noisy
cockpits, though - you will distort your transmission, and
will likely need to adjust the gain, either at the mike or
at the radio (potentiometer).

I might suggest very thin wire frames on your (sun)glasses
to avoid lifting the ear seal.

[Carrier]

After several years with two LightSpeed headsets I decided to make a change. They are not robust enough for daily use by professional pilots. The same would seem to apply to both the Zulu and the Bose X. Good after sales support is nice but I prefer a headset with long term reliability that does not have to be sent back to the makers, particularly when they are in another country. David Clark seems to make some sturdy non-ANC headsets but its ANC headsets seem to lag behind in performance.

After checking no end of threads on various forums and numerous printed reviews and talking to users I came to the conclusion that the best value for money in performance, comfort and long term reliability is the Telex Stratus 50 Digital http://www.telex.com/aircraft/Product.a ... oductID=10 Apart from its outstanding acoustic performance, out of the box it runs on either batteries or aircraft power, has adjustable clamping force, and has plug-ins for cell phones and iPods. I obtained one several months ago and am satisfied with it.

You could obtain quotes from the dealers listed on the manufacturers’ websites. Alternatively you could obtain prices from various pilot shops.
If they are in another country ask them also for the price of postage/shipping and insurance to where you want it sent and remember to include for any duties and sales taxes where you are. It is usually cheaper and less trouble to have a headset sent by registered or insured mail through the post office rather than using a courier service.

[fougapilot]

I use to fly with a Bose X in my Yak. Worked well had no complaints.

Then I moved to low level aerobatics and decided to go with a flight helmet. I opted to get a Gentex helmet from Flight suits (now known as Gibson&Barnes) and included their ANR. Man was I surprised! Unlike most ANR (including Bose) which is design for 90% of the piston engines, Flight suits uses an ANR designed for round engine.

Once in a while I still use the Bose, but I much prefer my helmet.

F

[adf]

The Telex 50 D is the quietest. And I have used a number of different headsets. The Bose- lightest and most comfy, but seems less robust than some others. The Telex- a little bulky but comfy and very quiet. The DC- least comfy, not very quiet, but structurally will last longest. Old Lightspeed- comfy, light, but bulky and only lasted 3000hrs before structural failure. New Zulu- very close in comfort and weight to the Bose, but notably quieter. Completely different style and build quality from the older Lightspeeds, should last many years. Has other neat features too.
Employer just bought us new headsets, so if you would like a pre-owned 50D PM me.

[Adam Oke]

Then I moved to low level aerobatics and decided to go with a flight helmet. I opted to get a Gentex helmet from Flight suits (now known as Gibson&Barnes) and included their ANR.
....

F

Which model did you go with fougapilot?

[Invertago]

Telex 50D has been great for me, but the ear pads wore out after only 200 hrs. ($26 to replace I believe) Guess durability is what you trade off when you want comfort on the ears. I did 13 hours of flying over 2 days using a Bose X and found myself missing my Telex 50D. The big advantage to the bose is if you are tall it won't hit the ceiling of the aircraft. Don't try to wear a Telex in a Diamond aircraft if you are over 6'. If you've flown the diamonds and are tall, you'll appreciate what I mean.

[SuperDave]

I'll also vouch for the Stratus 50D.

Yes it is a little big, I've found it comfortable, quiet, durable...and I'm learning Spanish on the long survey flights through the music jack. So far it's been great behind everything from an R-985, Garrett and PT-6.
Often, while taxiing the Caravan at idle while going through the checklist with the F/O, I've found myself on numerous occasions having to re-check the ITT for I could hardly hear the engine running. Also unlike the Bose, if your batteries do die mid-flight, it still provides ample passive noise-reduction to the tune of around 30db I think. I think I read somewhere that you're not supposed to use re-chargeable batteries for whatever-reason, but I've been running of four re-AA's for about 3 years now. Good luck with you search!

Dave

[200hr Wonder]

Telex 50D has been great for me, but the ear pads wore out after only 200 hrs. ($26 to replace I believe) Guess durability is what you trade off when you want comfort on the ears. I did 13 hours of flying over 2 days using a Bose X and found myself missing my Telex 50D. The big advantage to the bose is if you are tall it won't hit the ceiling of the aircraft. Don't try to wear a Telex in a Diamond aircraft if you are over 6'. If you've flown the diamonds and are tall, you'll appreciate what I mean.

Invertago, funny you mention I sent my head set in for a warranty repair in November of last year and about a month or so ago the cushions started to separate on the new cushions that where installed during service. I called the repair depot and there are new ones on the way out no questions asked. The funny part being that my old ones which where not separated and did not look that bad where replaced. Perhaps a bad batch of glue? Too cold in the winter. I will keep a good eye on the new cushions once they arrive.

I think I read somewhere that you're not supposed to use re-chargeable batteries for whatever-reason, but I've been running of four re-AA's for about 3 years now.

Yeah that is in the manual to not use re-chargeables due to something about the way the voltage falls off when they die. I tend to use regular alkaline as they last quite a long time and I can get a 50 pack for $15 that will last about 2 to 3 months and that is after using some in the Wii, Flash Lights, etc.

[Flybabe]

Awesome comments. I seem to think that I've heard some of my coworkers swearing by the Telex headset as well. I may go to CPS tomorrow and see what they've got, just so I can have a good hands-on look at them. If I like what I see, I may be contacting you, ADF.

Thanks folks!

[fougapilot]

Which model did you go with fougapilot?

I went for the HGU-55, but had modified with the -33 visor assembly. My old, old helmet was a straight -55 and I scratched the visor too many times (for those who don't know, the HGU-55 is the typical fighter helmet you see our F18 drivers wearing. The HGU-33 looks like Maverick's helmet in TopGun).

Just love the helmet.

F