NWA From United States, joined Jun 2001, 1200 posts, RR: 2 Posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 687 times:
I start college flight school the 25th. So I was wondering, which headset do you guys recommend? I have $550 to spend, and I dont know what a good headset is. I have 3 years worth of flying and plane and pilot mags, and have read all of them. But, I wanted to get answers from you other pilots. So, which headset do you recommend? thanks a lot.
23 victor, turn right heading 210, maintain 3000 till established, cleared ILS runwy 24.
Flyf15 From United States, joined May 1999, 5948 posts, RR: 14 Reply 2, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 670 times:
I'd say above all else, try them on and find out which fits the best and is most comfortable. After that, judge everything else (such as price, sound supression, brand, etc). But, thats just my opinion...
FLYING RULES: 1) KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL, 2) DON'T HIT ANYTHING
SSTjumbo From , joined today!, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 667 times:
If you have 550 bucks, use every bit of them on a headset that will benefit you the most. I personally got away with purchasing lightspeed QFR solo's which have been extremely comfortable and quiet. Generally though, the best selling headset is David Clark. You can check out their home page at http://www.davidclark.com or see reviews at http://www.avshop.com and checking out reviews by clicking the appropriate links. So far, I can tell you that the QFR's kick rear end over the ASA's in every category except warranty and durability, though if you take care of the QFR's they will last. Other than that, be ready for many successive DC praises starting ...now!
JBirdAV8r From United States, joined Jun 2001, 2557 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 642 times:
Yes, the best selling headset is the David Clark H10-13.4...but...
I had one of these headsets for two years, and finally decided to upgrade. I got the LightSPEED 25XL headsets with Active Noise Reduction for $369. I love them...they are tons more comfortable than the David Clark's (for not that much more money), with the ANR they cut out a LOT more noise (feels like it's sucking the noise right out of you) than the DC's...all-around great headsets.
There was a good thread in here a while back about David Clark vs. Lightspeed, but I'm too lazy to search for it at the moment.
FSPilot747 From United States, joined Oct 1999, 3596 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 606 times:
I have a pair of DC 10.13XL's. They were around 650. Definitely a good pair of headsets. I tend to not use the Electronic Noise Cancelling feature unless I'm on a longer flight (i.e. long cross countries). The louder drone from the engine can really make you sick after a couple hours.
It all comes down to budget. You have enough to spend on a superb headset. I'd definitely recommend DC because of their exceptional warranty. I know people who've broken the headsets themselves by dropping them, running over them, etc...and DC replaced them/fixed them for free. I'm really into warranties and stuff like that. However don't hesitate buying a Lightspeed. I think if I could do it all over again I'd save the money and get the LS. But then again, I am very happy with my headset.
Pilothighflyer From United States, joined Jul 2003, 220 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (5 years 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 559 times:
Buy the best headset u can afford, you will be kicking yourself if u buy a 90 dollar headset after a few hours of crosscountry flight. I started my flight training with a Bose Aviation Headset X, and after 100 hours behind the yoke I think its the best money I have spent towards my flight career. Try finding a good deal on the David Clark H10-13X, sporty's has them for $581.
By the way which flight College are you attending?
NWA From United States, joined Jun 2001, 1200 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (5 years 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 563 times:
first, I am going to be at Jackson Community College. after I get my ass. in flgiht science, I am going to trans. to eastern Michigan University, to compleate the business degree. The DC H10-13x's is what I am going to get i think. I was also wondering, do you guys have any log books that you think are really good, or all they all about the same? I think I will get the jepp standard log book. I like the layout.
23 victor, turn right heading 210, maintain 3000 till established, cleared ILS runwy 24.
Jetguy From , joined today!, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (5 years 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 573 times:
I glad that you're doing your homework when it comes to headset selection. Hearing loss is cumulative and once it's gone it's gone for good. Flying is one of those career fields where you are continously exposed to noise and lots of it and unfortunately it's at the frequency where it does the most damage. When you're young you usually don't think too much about it. I come from a family that has a tendency towards hearing loss, so I've been especially careful and after 37 years in the cockpit I haven't been too affected by it. If you're in this for the long haul I don't think that you can be too careful. Buy the BEST headset you can and use it religiously. I have three David Clark headsets and I've been very happy with them. (But I've had to add some of Oregon Aeros accessories to make them comfortable on some of our 8+ hour flights.) I know that there are others out there that seem just as good as the David Clarks, but I don't know if they are "industrial strength" or not - if you know what I mean. If you're only planning on flying for a hobby, say 40 or 50 hours a year then about any headset will work.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to use a pair of Lightspeed headsets. They seemed to be nice units. That being said, I am still a big fan of David Clarks. There was a saying that no one ever got in trouble for recommending IBM. I think the same thing goes for David Clark. Are the other brands just as good? Who knows? I would guess that they probably are, but never the less, I've got a set of David Clark DCNC headsets that are 12 years old and they still look and work like new. My oldest set of David Clark are over 20 years old and they still look and work like new. As far as I'm concerned, their only shortcomings can be easily and inexpensively corrected with a set of Oregon Aero ear pads and a sheepskin top pad. The others may be OK and you may get a lot of service out of them. Like I said, if you're only going to be using them for recreational or non-professional use any of them would be just fine. When it comes to a pilot's professional equipment, that's another thing. It doesn't really make a lot of sense to me to skimp on something as basic as a headset. No one ever regretted buying a David Clark - it's the excepted standard. I don't think that I've ever heard anyone ever compare a David Clark to any other brand of headset, but you're always hearing the other brands saying that they are as good as DC's. Get the DCs, you can't go wrong. Besides, getting another brand would be like riding a Yamaha to the Harley convention in Sturgis.
As long as I'm talking about headsets, I also had a set of Bose. If you elect to go with a set on electronic noise canceling units make sure that the unit you choose has world class product support because you will probably have to use it at some point - the "ANR" part of the thoses headsets can be pretty tempramental. Anyway you look at it, it is going to be a heavy expense so shop around and buy the one that fits you the best. This will be a long term investment so it doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense to buy one particular brand just because it happens to be a little cheaper. Another thing, see if you can try out the set that you are looking at. The various ANR headsets are better at some frequencies than others. I found that I didn't even need them in the Gulfstream G200; that are helpful in the Gulfstream G100 and an absolute necessity in the Lears. Hope this helps.
NWA From United States, joined Jun 2001, 1200 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (5 years 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 541 times:
I *plan* to be a commerical airline pilot. I have been getting flying and plane and pilot for a long time now, and I read about every artical. They stress very much on this headset issue. A loss of hearing will leave me out of my dream job, so I decided to get the best I can afford. thanks jetguy, you were much help.
23 victor, turn right heading 210, maintain 3000 till established, cleared ILS runwy 24.
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