Headset

[Kabloona]

My only ANC experience is with the Telex 50D and I really like them. Great with the noise cancelling and really good when the batteries die. I get about 20 hours from 4 AA so buy rechargeables. Comfortable and good support so far ( 3 years ).

[bushhopper]

My only ANC experience is with the Telex 50D and I really like them. Great with the noise cancelling and really good when the batteries die. I get about 20 hours from 4 AA so buy rechargeables. Comfortable and good support so far ( 3 years ).

I was on the verge of just getting the Telex 50D. Good price, but I keep on hearing that they are heavy, contrary to bose A20. I personally was disappointed with passive noise reduction on bose, but once I hit the switch, I was impressed. A couple of my buddies use Zulu, and I could not make out the difference between the Bose. I just feel more comfortable buying Bose. Don't know why? Good marketing maybe.

I never had a chance to try out DC ANR headsets. I am surprised to hear positive comments on the ANR version. Could someone recommend the best DC ANR model?

I also hear Bose ANR is better on turbine engines, and not as effective on piston engines. Bluetooth worth the money? Honestly, how often do you answer a phone call while your flying?

[Slats]

You'd be hard pressed to find better noise reduction than the 50D. Even the passive is good. It is a big headset, but I've put in plenty of full duty days with it and haven't experienced any real discomfort from the weight. You can adjust the clamping force, which is nice. The main drawbacks that I've experienced with it are the ear seals and the mic windscreen. Both wear out more quickly than their DC counterparts. I try to take great care, but I seem to split an ear seal after about a year and the mic screen seems to last about as long. It is not as heavy duty as a David Clark.
If, like me, you fly really loud piston bangers for long hours a day, and are interested in attempting to protect your hearing, the 50D is worth the investment, as the noise cancelling is second to none, but you might as well purchase a few replacement ear seals and windscreens with it.
Oh, and the ipod input is nice.

[Gbax]

I have used for the last 3 years without any trouble, a combination of the Bose quite comfort headset and the mic adapter from http://www.uflymike.com

I cannot speak more highly of this headset and mic combination. The beauty of this set up is you can use the head set in or out of the flight deck, either with your Ipod or with the movies in the back of the aircraft. The uflymike web site has a ton of information to help you make up your mind. It cost me around $500.00 because I bought the bose headset in the U.S. on a layover.

gbax

[Tiny Voices]

Hey Gbax,

In what aircraft type are you using the ufly setup? And is it the TSO'd version that you're using? I'm somewhat interested in this combo, but my understanding is that in order to meet TSO standards, which is a required by my employer, you need to use the QC2 with the uflymike and the ufly earbuds. For some reason they haven't TSO'd the QC15 setup. Why this arrangement when it is just as costly, if not more so, than some of the out of the box solutions?

Thanks

[Gbax]

Hi TV;

I fly the Embraer at AC. I do have the QC2 model, as I have been using this set for quite some time now 3 maybe 31/2 years.
I purchased the the head set while on a layover so it cost me $299.00 plus tax, and I picked up the uflymike for 199.00
(had it shipped to the states).. So pretty well, all in for 500 bucks. I decided on this set up for a few of reasons: 1. The headset
is comfortable and light weight. 2. The noise canceling is excellent, which makes the sound reproduction phenomenal. 3. The head set is
versatile, I use it for work in the flight deck and when dead heading for the movies in the back, I also use it for my Ipod.

I give the Bose QC2 and the uflymike setup a 10/10.

[Tiny Voices]

Thanks Gbax! I've read some reviews over on prune, but everyone of them sounds like they are on the ufly payroll. Nice to read a real whorl evaluation. One more question; Do you have a hot mike in the EMB? We don't in our 37's, so a person would need to wear it with one cup behind the ear. Also, we do a lot of flights in the 3-6 plus hour range. Would it still be comfortable to wear for such an extended period of time? Guess that was tow questions.

Thanks!

[Gbax]

TV;

The EMJ has a hot mic, however it can be selected off or on, we usually have it on all the time. I bid for longer legs and have flown the YYZ-SEA a lot, the leg is 5 hours long, and head set is just as comfortable as when I first put it on.

gbax

[4hrstovegas]

I use the Telex 50D; yes, heavier than the Lightspeeds, and no bluetooth, but the sound quality (music, for example) is much better than the Zulus (I've compared both). Also, I don't know how many times I've heard a copilot with Zulus say, "oh no, my batteries are going and I don't have spares!" The passive noise reduction on the 50Ds is excellent... sometimes I forget to turn on the ANC... and their active is amongst the best in class.

As far as the weight goes, they have 3 adjustable hinges which can distribute the weight very nicely. It takes 4 AA as opposed to 2 AA, but I use rechargeables that give me about 20-25 hrs of use.

I try to take great care, but I seem to split an ear seal after about a year and the mic screen seems to last about as long.

Telex will replace these parts for FREE for 5 years!! I sent mine to Telex for servicing and a firmware updgrade (their support is AMAZING), and they replaced the headband, ear seals, and mic muff for free. They do that as a normal function of their support service, and the coverage is 5 years.

I had mine shipped for $650 brand new from a shop in Florida.

[randallg]

I never had a chance to try out DC ANR headsets. I am surprised to hear positive comments on the ANR version. Could someone recommend the best DC ANR model?

I bought the H10-13XL ten years ago when I began flight training. I still use and love them, but I have not tried the Zulu. Later I bought the X11, but I didn't like it as much, so it is for passengers.

Several years after purchase I lost a plastic cover for the battery pack. I emailed them a picture of the unit without the missing piece, and received a replacement in the mail for no charge.

[Tiny Voices]

Thanks for the info Gbax. Helped me make a decision. Seems like a good, comfortable, and cost effective alternative to traditional airline style ANR. Probably not the right choice for myself with us not having hot mikes.