Best headset for flight training??

[Jonesie]

Hey ladies and gents,

Going off to Sault for some flight training in September... I already have my private license and the headsets I rent from the airport are CRAP!
So I'm looking to invest in my own set to take to college with me. I want the best bang for my buck, any suggestion?

Thanks,
Rob

edit: Ok, well... my parents are quite generous so... whats the best ANR headset ?
I quite like the DC X11
I would love the Bose but im not spending that much on my first headset

edit #2: Also, how do the battery powered headsets work? the ones i use now have 2 plug-ins that go in the dash of the C-172 i buzz around in. The battery powered ones have... 1 plug in that goes into the dash?? does "portable" and "installed" have anything to do with this?

[C-GGGQ]

the cheapest? or your standard DC 10.13

[deflux]

Can't go wrong with the DC H10.13

Don't they provide you with one at Sault college?

[chippy]

Nope.

[shannon]

DC H10-13.4

[ditar]

If you're planning on making a career out of flying invest in a noise canceling headset right away. Although the H10-13.4 is a great headset, I ended up selling mine and buying a noise canceling one as soon as I got my first job. I got the H10-13X and never had any regrets. It's cheaper than the X11 and Bose and in my opinion works just as good if not better (I've tried them all). Call it personal preference.

[Sidebar]

Go for the noise cancelling headset.

[hairdo]

I'd like to say ANR (noise-cancelling) because they are awesome, but they are also expensive (all of 'em. Bose, Telex, Lightspeed, you name it, they cost $$$). If money isn't an issue, go for it. If it is (like it is for most students), then a 13.4 will serve you well for a while. And, IF you get into flying and find it's not your thing, an ANR is going to be big $$$ for nothing.

If Sault has an option to rent a headset for a month or two, I would do that. Then if you have no doubt that you want to continue flying, get an ANR (if you can still afford it). That way you aren't left hanging with an expensive paperweight if you decide to call it quits, or stuck wishing you had an ANR when you bought a passive headset.

My POV.

[Rowdy]

Ask yourself these three questions

1) Do I have a normal sized head?

2) Am I name brand kinda guy?

3) Do I like to spend lots of money?

If you answered yes to these three buy a bose and tell all your friends you're a hot shot pilot. If not, the DC's are the best way to go. they fit goofy sized heads, are tough as nails, have been around forever and are reasonably priced. In the end though, it's all personal prefernce. Go try a few on at the pilot shop. See what best fits your melon. I'm gonna upgrade from my 13.4s to an XL set when I get back to canada.

[The Barrel Man]

Take a look around the airport and see how many pilots use David Clarks, got to tell you somthing. There are other good headsets around but you just can't go wrong with the DC 13.4. Unless your flying some radial engined airplane save your money, you don't really need an ANR headset right away. Just one lame pilot's thoughts here.

[Doc]

Two words........David......Clark.

The rest is a matter of personal taste.
For training, I'd go with the aforementioned 10-13.4......If somebody walks off with it, you won't be as likely to slash your wrists as you would if you lost a 1200$ headset.
In a training environment, the noise reduction on a non "ANC" headset will be just fine.
When you get that first job, or as a graduation gift, treat yourself to the noise canceling headset of your choice. You will have had the opportunity to try several, and make a really informed decision by then.
And, keep your 10-13.4 as a spare.
Good luck with your choice of career.

[just curious]

I've put 3000 hours on an early Dave Clark, 5000 on a Dc 10-13, 5000 on a DC10-13 NC and 6000 on a DC 10-56 XNC They all still work. If you don't kick them like footballs, and clean them periodically, and put them in a bag when you aren't wearing them, you will be able to sell them for roughly what you paid for them.

[Doc]

I've put 3000 hours on an early Dave Clark, 5000 on a Dc 10-13, 5000 on a DC10-13 NC and 6000 on a DC 10-56 XNC They all still work. If you don't kick them like footballs, and clean them periodically, and put them in a bag when you aren't wearing them, you will be able to sell them for roughly what you paid for them.

Shit, you must be really OLD!

[just curious]

Thanks Dad!

[5x5]

I've used the DC 10-13.4 and it is a fine headset with all the previously mentioned virtues and a very solid, workable headset. This winter I got a Lightspeed Zulu and certainly it's a lot more money. However, it is more comfortable than the DCs but that's not the best thing I've found. Also, the connection (wired and Bluetooth) for a cell phone is handy, but not really necessary.

The very best thing I've experienced is an amazing increase in reception clarity of radio transmissions. Calls that would be fuzzy and hard to hear with the DCs are plainly heard with the Zulu. I haven't tried the other noise canceling sets but I'm sure they must have similar performance. And for me, that benefit in clarity combines with the other features to make them more than worth the extra $$$.

[Jonesie]

Haha have to love the humour,

Thanks so much for the input guys, I will be sure to shop around!

Cheers
-Rob

[Captain X]

David Clark's are a waste of money.... by a Avcomm AC900

http://www.canada-shops.com/Magasin/vip ... 384.2.html

Way more options, I used & abused mine and it lasted.... the only reason i gave it up is when i bought my 1st noise canceling headset

Save yourself $100 over the DC 13.4 an go buy some beer!

[Connor M]

I have always worn headsets right from day one.

I was one of the people who thought I'll get the noise canceling when I get out of the little machines.

Problem is that you will fly the noisest airplanes when you first start out. As you progress thet planes get quieter in my experience. Protect your hearing when you start out, you can't get it back. I know I have enough of a hearing loss now that I have a hard time hearing radio calls without my enc.

I have had two enc headsets a DC 10-13.4XL and an DC X-11 both worked extremly well.

[trampbike]

I bought a Sennheiser HME 110 without really shopping ... How does it compare to the other mentionned above?

[SurfViper]

I would seriously consider these: http://www.clarityaloft.com

I've recommended them before, viewtopic.php?f=54&t=54755 . When I say they keep you cooler though, I mean that you don't sweat as much and get headaches from the traditional 'clamp' effect. Not to be mistaken for the vernacular "cool" synonymous with: boss, dandy, divine, glorious, hunky-dory, keen, marvelous, neat, nifty, sensational, swell, etc....which I couldn't care less about.

They're super comfy, and have better attenuation than most ANR sets. No batteries needed, but you do have to replace the tips ~ once a month if you're flying regularly.

Certainly not the most money you could blow on a headset, but they are a little on the pricey side. I still think they're the best bang for the buck though.

[SkyWolfe]

Always was a Light Speed fan myself... I wouldn't go any other way. Made my life nice with the ANR...

[hairdo]

I bought a Sennheiser HME 110 without really shopping ... How does it compare to the other mentionned above?

Well, it won't compare at all to a decent ANR, and I would say that any David Clark is better... but that's me.

[Jonesie]

Ok, well... my parents are quite generous so... whats the best ANR headset ?
I quite like the DC X11
I would love the Bose but im not spending that much on my first headset

edit: Also, how do the battery powered headsets work? the ones i use now have 2 plug-ins that go in the dash of the C-172 i buzz around in. The battery powered ones have... 1 plug in that goes into the dash?? Does "portable" and "installed" have anything to do with this?

[Flaperons]

Zulu. Best ANR on the market and the price is right. No question.

[RFlyer]

I've had a LIghtspeed for 4 years now. Recently it started having some static in the right ear and I'd done nothing by way of harsh treatment that would have caused it. I phone Lightspeed for an estimate and they:

- Issued me a Return Authorization Number
- Told me the repairs were free of charge
- Turned in around in less than a week
- Paid the return overnight Fedex on it to my house

I was completely surprised by the last bullet and offered to pay them the shipping at least. They wouldn't hear of it.

When I was without my 20XL for the week, I took up my old standby pair and I'd forgotten just how _bad_ they really were. Old sigtronix - I could hardly hear ATC and vowed not to fly again until I had my Lightspeeds back. Aside from the poor audio quality of the Sigtronix, they were bloody uncomfortable.

With my Lightspeeds I don't even notice I'm wearing them and they really do reduce the noise considerably. I'm sure those Zulus must be very good too and cheaper than Bose. One thing about the 20XL is the headband is a little on the thick side. When I sit in a Katana, for instance, my head hits the canopy and it's difficult to be comfortable. But I've noticed the Zulus are more like the Bose in their design with a thinner headband.

You should also read that tinnitus (sp?) thread; make sure you protect your ears!!

Cheers,

RF