Headset adjustments - suggestions?

[Matthew]

I have an older headset, an off-brand version of the Lightspeed QFR.

The earcup adjustments don't hold very well at all, and continuously slip down. These are not the DC style, where there is a nut that can be tightened to hold adjustment, these require a friction hold on two wires on the front and back of the earcup.

Very similar to Peltor headsets:

Over time, the system that provides friction between the wire and the plastic tube it slides inside of has loosened to the point where it really doesn't seem to do anything anymore. After a few minutes, or seconds, the earcups begin sliding down.

Any ideas or experience with tightening up this kind of thing? I use them for my passengers, and the last couple times I've noticed them having to hold them in place the whole flight. The electronics work well, but the fit doesn't.

 

[Archammer]

Unfortunately there is no way to repair the existing assembly. There is another option that you could try. Many of the cheap hearing protection that you buy at Walmart or Target, have that particular yoke and overhead band. (That is a 3M patent) The standoffs for the mounts should be the same size or similar. Try buying some cheap hearing protection, take the overhead band and yokes off, and swap them out. It will only cost you about $15 to try.


I don't work on those models for that reason.

 

[Matthew]

Do they snap out of the ear cup?

I don't mind messing with the yokes - it sounds like there isn't much I can do to make it worse. But the ANR is actually pretty good and I don't want to damage anything important. I'll check to see if there is a way pinch it somehow.

edit: I'm not proud, I might email 3M support tomorrow. I was just on their website. If the yokes snap off, there probably will be an easy fix.

 

[Archammer]

Do they snap out of the ear cup?

I don't mind messing with the yokes - it sounds like there isn't much I can do to make it worse. But the ANR is actually pretty good and I don't want to damage anything important. I'll check to see if there is a way pinch it somehow.

edit: I'm not proud, I might email 3M support tomorrow. I was just on their website. If the yokes snap off, there probably will be an easy fix.

Yep, the black tube portions have a C section that snap onto the standoffs on the ear pieces. You just push the tube section above and below the standoff's towards the back and they should pop loose. Then get the new ones and snap them right on. Done!

 

[Matthew]

Yep, the black tube portions have a C section that snap onto the standoffs on the ear pieces. You just push the tube section above and below the standoff's towards the back and they should pop loose. Then get the new ones and snap them right on. Done!

OK. I'll take a closer look at them. If that's all it takes (and a rerouting of some wiring) it shoulders be a simple job. Then add some new ear seals and they should be good for another decade.

 

[Matthew]

Got hold of 3M, they won't respond because it isn't a 3M or Peltor branded headset. Lightspeed says they don't have replacement headbands, just headband pads.

Looks like it's off the HD or Lowe's for a shopping trip. I need to check on the wiring and how it's routed. I might need to do some soldering, too. I'll need to ruminate on this for a while.

 

[dell30rb]

If you're the only one who uses it,

Glue it. Or Duct tape

 

[Matthew]

If you're the only one who uses it,

Glue it. Or Duct tape

That might be the route I go.

If I can somehow just gum up the wire guide so there's some friction between it and the wire, it would be just fine. Duct tape adhesive residue would work well.

 

[bkspero]

Call Lightspeed. They are the repair service providers for every source of rebranded QFR headset that I have seen. Their service is excellent. I would not be surprised if they repair them for free even if they are out of warranty. Or at least send you a replacement part.

 

[Matthew]

Lightspeed, this afternoon, said they don't have replacement parts. I didn't ask about repairs, just if I could get a replacement part.

 

[bluesideup]

Hi Matthew.
I would try to score the surface with wire cutters, assuming that the shaft, the surface it slides on, is metal, to create some grooves with the V sharp pointed down about 1/8 in apart all around the shaft, and see it creates sufficient added friction to hold them where you want.
Be gentle at first and make sure you do not cut the shaft. I hope it makes sense. TV

 

[Henning]

I have an older headset, an off-brand version of the Lightspeed QFR.

The earcup adjustments don't hold very well at all, and continuously slip down. These are not the DC style, where there is a nut that can be tightened to hold adjustment, these require a friction hold on two wires on the front and back of the earcup.

Very similar to Peltor headsets:

Over time, the system that provides friction between the wire and the plastic tube it slides inside of has loosened to the point where it really doesn't seem to do anything anymore. After a few minutes, or seconds, the earcups begin sliding down.

Any ideas or experience with tightening up this kind of thing? I use them for my passengers, and the last couple times I've noticed them having to hold them in place the whole flight. The electronics work well, but the fit doesn't.

Yeah, that's the problem with cheap stuff. What I would do is get them set, then give it a tight over wrap in a heavy thread from 3/4" below the the slip joint to 3/4" above, and go over the center 1/2" a few times. Once secured, soak all the thread in superglue, and get a good dab into the slip joint as well as you can. That should hold them in place.

 

[jesse]

Like pretty much everything else in life, this can be fixed with some JB Weld. You'll never adjust it again though.

 

[cgrab]

Have you thought about wrapping a pad around the part that goes over the head. It would keep the earcups in place.

Either that or only take people flying who have ears that stick out and can hold up the earcups.

 

[Matthew]

Have you thought about wrapping a pad around the part that goes over the head. It would keep the earcups in place.

Either that or only take people flying who have ears that stick out and can hold up the earcups.

This is an idea, too. Since the adjustment always ends up in the fully extended position, adding a thicker cushion to the headband would help pull the earcups back up into place.

 

[bkspero]

Lightspeed, this afternoon, said they don't have replacement parts. I didn't ask about repairs, just if I could get a replacement part.

Matthew, surprising that Lightspeed no longer has replacement parts. I have three like this that are still well within warranty. Be interesting to see how they would handle a warranty repair.

Which raises another thought. Mine, which came through 3 different private label resellers, all came with 3 year warranties. Also, I bought mine using a credit card that adds another year to the warranty. Any chance that yours is still under warranty?

 

[dans2992]

Does 3M even support Peltor aviation headsets anymore? I couldn't get them to service my wife's headset.

 

[Matthew]

Matthew, surprising that Lightspeed no longer has replacement parts. I have three like this that are still well within warranty. Be interesting to see how they would handle a warranty repair.

Which raises another thought. Mine, which came through 3 different private label resellers, all came with 3 year warranties. Also, I bought mine using a credit card that adds another year to the warranty. Any chance that yours is still under warranty?

Not under warranty. They might be close to 10 yrs old by now. I emailed Lightspeed support, they said they don't have headbands. I don't know if there is a service dept that might say otherwise.