Reasonable Headsets

OkieFlyer

OkieFlyer

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Display name:
Andrew L.
My el cheapo headset has started to crap out on me after several years of use, and it's time for me to replace it. I'm looking for something on the cheaper end, but I don't want total junk. I just can't bring myself to pop for Bose, or any of the higher end stuff. That being said, I've come across the Flightcom Denali line of headsets, and they look pretty nice, and pretty cheap (relative to the big boys).

There is a passive model, seen here:
http://www.marvgolden.com/flightcom-denali-d30sp-passive-headset.html

And an ANR model, seen here:
http://www.marvgolden.com/flightcom-denali-d50anr-headset.html

They look like they would fit the bill, but I was curious if any of the good people of POA have used them, and what they think of them.


I'm also interested in the Quiet Technologies Halo. Reviews appear to be overwhelmingly positive, and are said to be extremely quiet and clear, but can be a bit of a pain to put on, and can be easily knocked off ones head because they are so light. I like to wear a hat and sunglasses, and these do seem to make that easier to do and still get good noise reduction. Still, I'm not 100% sold on the in-ear type of headset. What say you?

QT Halo:
http://www.quiettechnologies.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_59



Also, I've never used ANR, but I'd like to hear from any 182 drivers as to whether it's something I should move to. It's not a very loud plane, and I've never felt that I needed noise cancelling, but then again, it may be one of those things that you didn't know you needed, until you try it.


Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.



-Andrew-
 
I will second the Halo. I only have about 25 hours wearing them, but especially since it has been so hot lately I am much more comfortable than my CFI.

The band on them bends, so they can be adjusted to be as tight or loose as you prefer. I have not had any issues with them being knocked around.
 
I'm a fan of a uflymike paired with a set of Bose ANR earphones. More comfortable than Bose A20 at about 1/3 the cost. I originally got them for pax but am using them myself now.
 
I've been wearing my Halos since I flew WV to S. Fl. In 2009. Just over six hours each way. No headaches like just 2 hours in my old clamp-o-magic headset. No sweaty ears, no extra noise when wearing sunglasses.

The Halos generally don't move much, except when I forget I'm wearing them and try to exit the airplane without taking them off. . . But I don't use the foamy inserts, don't like the way they feel. There are also silicone tips that are much more comfortable to me. Just found that we also have silicone earplugs at work, so no more foamy things there, either.

Did I say yet how much I really, really like my Halos? You can buy a pair for you and a pair for your wife, and two sets of David Clark's for passengers; or you can almost buy one Bose or Lightspeed ANR set. It's your choice.
 
Another happy Halo user here. I've never had them knocked off, but I have tried getting out a few times with them still on (it's pretty easy to forget they're there). The only real complaint I have is that I've severed the wire on them twice closing them in the door. The wire is both longer and thinner than any other headset I've used. Both times the manufacturer fixed them and sent them back within a week... and both times I went back to my old clamping headset while they were being repaired and remembered why I love the Halos so much. Just be careful with them in the door (once you finally remember to take them off) and you'll never want another headset again.

I'm getting ready to order a second set for my wife. I'd say I'll buy yours from you if you don't like them, but... there's a free trial period, so no need!
 
Please insert my usual Clarity Aloft praise here....

And I do also like the uFlyMike with the Bose QC2's when I'm traveling commercial and renting at destination. Less to carry and I don't have to run to the hangar to retrieve my CA's before I go.
 
Thanks for the info, dudes. Sounds like the Halo is pretty beloved by it's users.
 
rolivi said:
Please insert my usual Clarity Aloft praise here....
Click to expand...

Thank you. I've looked at those too, however, I kind of wrote them off as being a little too high priced for a set so similar to the Halo. Sounds like the sound quality and mic quality are top shelf, though. Probably going to be a little over my budget.
 
I have around 150 hours on my Halos. They are easy like Sunday morning and comfortable as all get out.

First few hours I griped they were too quiet.
 
Clarity Classics are about $150 more than Halos, without the wait time.

Best if you can go up to OSH or similar show and try both. That's when I decided to get CA's. I have clampers like the Bose X and DC's for passengers in the club planes.
 
rolivi said:
Best if you can go up to OSH or similar show and try both. That's when I decided to get CA's.
Click to expand...

I am going to OSH this year. That was actually the motivation for getting a better headset....to make that trip more comfortable.
 
OkieFlyer said:
Can't disagree with your logic. Honestly, I've written off DCs because the only ones I've worn were freakin' heavy. Those may have been an older, heavier model though.???
Click to expand...
They seem to be exactly the same weight as a friend of mine's Telex's and other softcomm passive headsets so it could be that there was an older heavier model.

If you really want to treat yourself... get the David Clark One-X... lightest over ear headset on the market and I love them :) Though a bit pricey.
 
OkieFlyer said:
I am going to OSH this year. That was actually the motivation for getting a better headset....to make that trip more comfortable.
Click to expand...

Make them your gift for the ride home! And if you're el cheapo's crap out completely before then I'll loan you my Bose X for the trip.
 
I don't know if anyone has had luck ordering from the QT Halo web site, but you might try calling the phone# at the bottom of the page or emailing. That site is either broken or else he only turns 'on' ordering for very short intervals.
 
exncsurfer said:
I don't know if anyone has had luck ordering from the QT Halo web site, but you might try calling the phone# at the bottom of the page or emailing. That site is either broken or else he only turns 'on' ordering for very short intervals.
Click to expand...

Bingo... You can only order when stock is on hand. I don't believe he back orders them.
 
I have a pair of Bose a20 and recently went halo and love them. Wife uses Bose as an upgrade from a pair of rugged air passive headset. All other passengers gets those $150 rugged air headset ordered from Amazon prime.
 
Once you've used an ANR headset it's pretty hard to go back.
 
OkieFlyer said:
My el cheapo headset has started to crap out on me after several years of use, and it's time for me to replace it. I'm looking for something on the cheaper end, but I don't want total junk. I just can't bring myself to pop for Bose, or any of the higher end stuff. That being said, I've come across the Flightcom Denali line of headsets, and they look pretty nice, and pretty cheap (relative to the big boys).

There is a passive model, seen here:
http://www.marvgolden.com/flightcom-denali-d30sp-passive-headset.html

And an ANR model, seen here:
http://www.marvgolden.com/flightcom-denali-d50anr-headset.html

They look like they would fit the bill, but I was curious if any of the good people of POA have used them, and what they think of them.

-Andrew-
Click to expand...
I have both the passive and ANR versions of the Denali headsets. I ordered the passive set about five years ago and like them so much that I ordered the ANR version to be my primary set and have the passive set for backup or as a passenger set. I have zero complaints with them. They are very light weight, comfortable and come in a nice padded case. All-in-all I think they are a great bang-for-the-buck headset. I would encourage you to spring the extra bucks, if possible, for the ANR version. They have served me well for the past five years.
 
ANR to CA was really easy transition. (Bose X and DC 10-13X)

And all that battery savings to boot.
 
I took an old David Clark passive headset that I got for a few dollars at an airshow flea-mart. Added a Headsets, Inc ANR kit for $139. It works pretty good. The passive noise reduction, plus ANR really works well. Now, I've been given another old DC headset for free. Just needs new ear seals. Guess I'll be putting ANR kit on this one as well.
 
I flew for years and years with an old battered DC headset.

Obviously active noise reduction and lighter weight is great, but it's really not necessary if you can't afford it or want to spend the money on something else right now.

I did the Lightspeed Sierra for a while. Not impressed with build quality but work.

Upgraded to Lightspeed Zulu 2. Great headset.

Those DCs got the job done fine and had a better microphone than anything since. They're also nearly indestructible.

The crappy little electret mics on the modern headsets sound like crap to me. But I want the other features so I live with it.

The padded top, gel ear seals, and sweat socks on the ear-cups on the DCs were the top of the line when I started flying. I can do about four hours with the old headclamps before I have to take them off.
 
Last summer I bought a Clarity Aloft headset, which is about half the price of the Zulus that I've been flying with for the past 6+ years. They have no noise cancellation so they don't work well in a loud cockpit, but I am really enjoying flying with them. I especially like them during the summer months when the large headsets add to sweat and heat around my head. In the 414, I expect I'll fly with the Clarity Alofts exclusively.

If you have a loud airplane, this isn't a good option in my opinion. If your plane is not that loud, then it makes a good option.
 
On the Halos and getting them ordered... If he has ordering off with no stock on hand, then contact him via email and he will put you on the list. The list gets first shot at the new stock for a week before he open it to general orders. At least that is what he did when I bought mine last Oct.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Last summer I bought a Clarity Aloft headset, which is about half the price of the Zulus that I've been flying with for the past 6+ years. They have no noise cancellation so they don't work well in a loud cockpit
Click to expand...
I have not used the Clarity Aloft but do have the similarly designed QT Halo.

The QT Halo has excellent noise reduction--better than the ANR headsets that I have used. All that's required is that you properly insert the foam ear plugs. Is it possible that you are not inserting the ear pieces fully?
 
Larry in TN said:
I have not used the Clarity Aloft but do have the similarly designed QT Halo.

The QT Halo has excellent noise reduction--better than the ANR headsets that I have used. All that's required is that you properly insert the foam ear plugs. Is it possible that you are not inserting the ear pieces fully?
Click to expand...

The ear pieces do absolutely make a difference, but I still didn't find them as quiet as the Zulus in the 310. Another point is that my ears require the "large" size, and maybe they actually require an "extra large" but it doesn't go that big. Thanks for reminding me, I'm going to order some more. :)
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Last summer I bought a Clarity Aloft headset, which is about half the price of the Zulus that I've been flying with for the past 6+ years. They have no noise cancellation so they don't work well in a loud cockpit, but I am really enjoying flying with them. I especially like them during the summer months when the large headsets add to sweat and heat around my head. In the 414, I expect I'll fly with the Clarity Alofts exclusively.

If you have a loud airplane, this isn't a good option in my opinion. If your plane is not that loud, then it makes a good option.
Click to expand...

BAD advise Ted....
When I had my 11:1 540 powered Christen Eagle that was turned up to 3000 rpm's it was the loudest airplane around. Engine was loud and prop tips went supersonic. It was so loud the airport manager was on my case to quiet it down. I tried David Clarks, Bose, Zulu's, Beyerdynamics, Telex etc... I sell headsets so I have access to them all. My ears would ring 3 days solid after a 15 minute flight. I saw all the aerobatic guys were going to Clarity Aloft... Those are the loudest planes. I ordered a Clarity from my buddy Marv Golden. He said I was crazy, they were for quiet jets. LOL!
The Clarity aloft was the best I found for high noise. No more ringing ears at all. They were quieter than David Clarks with earplugs.
You do not get any better for high noise applications.
 
Add another phenomenally happy QT Halo user. Never had any problem with them getting knocked off, but they are considerably more quiet and more comfortable than my previous Bose and Zulu headsets.
 
exncsurfer said:
I don't know if anyone has had luck ordering from the QT Halo web site, but you might try calling the phone# at the bottom of the page or emailing. That site is either broken or else he only turns 'on' ordering for very short intervals.
Click to expand...

I've tried to purchase a couple of times and finally gave up.
 
LDJones said:
I've tried to purchase a couple of times and finally gave up.
Click to expand...

Call the guy and he will get you a headset. It is a 1 man operation and he is also a full time doctor. He puts the website on long enough to get about 20 orders, fills those then puts the site on again. If you email him he will put you on a waiting list. I can't believe nobody can call and order these days..... I have called him several times and he answered the phone each time. He tried to hire some folks but guess what? Nobody wants to work! It is 2016....
 
I've got over 400 hours with my Halos and would never go back to a traditional headset. They are so quiet and comfortable, it's almost unbelievable.
 
LDJones said:
I've tried to purchase a couple of times and finally gave up.
Click to expand...
Ordering was enabled this evening, ordered a set for my wife. He stated they would probably sell out pretty quick.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk
 
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