Starter Headset

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kyleb

Final Approach
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Drake the Outlaw
Are there any preferences at the bottom end of the headset marketplace? A good friend's son is taking flying lessons and I've loaned him an older set of DC knockoff's. He's welcome to use them for as long as he wants, but has decided he wants his own headsets.

I don't think he is at the point of dropping big bucks on a Lightspeed or Bose. He's looking at what I'll call entry-level headsets.

Thoughts? (Other than, use the freebies as long as he can, then buy something nice.)

Got any brand/model preferences?
 
I've been happy with my passive Crazed Pilot headsets
 
Rugged Air RA900. Quite comfortable.
The gel ear seals make a big difference.
 
Recommend wise, I like lightspeed as they have a large earcup which helps for loud aircraft
 
 
I used the ASA Classic @Salty mentioned through my Sport Pilot training and I still have it. The ASAs are a good value in a passive headset. Mine have held up very well, and the lifetime warranty is a big plus. An ASA can be relegated to passenger use if the pilot decides to upgrade later on and the warranty will keep it going and going...

TIP - if you get the ASA, spend just a few dollars more and get a set of cloth earpiece covers. Makes a BIG difference in comfort.

Now, if you can spend a bit more, you can pick up something like this and get active noise reduction: https://www.gulfcoastavionics.com/products/gca-anr-stereomono-anr-headset?variant=39418557431985 . They list for $250, but I got mine on sale at SNF for $200, so watch for a sale. They're not as good as my wife's DC One-X, but they were a couple of hundred bucks and not a thousand. I've had the headset for a couple of years now and while I'm not delighted, I'm satisfied.
 
flyingron said:
I'd rather have a gently used one rather than a cheap new piece of junk. Keeping your hearing is more important.
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Very true, a close second is comfort. Personally I never found an over the ear headset, even $1,000 Bose, that don't give me a massive headache in an hour or so of flight. This is where I fell in love with the Halo in ear headsets, light weight and no head clamping. Their passive noise reduction is on par with many ANR headsets.

It's a persoanal prefernce, I know some pilots that hate in ear headsets...

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
BladeSlap said:
Get a good headset

This is not a place to save money
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Agree

I got a starter headset. Then I got a light speed. I was an idiot for getting a starter headset.

He will have a much better learning experience with a real headset. You’re paying $12000 for lessons - nothing about learning to fly is going to be inexpensive.

Have the young man go to a store and try on either a light speed, a Bose, or a DC One X. Pick the one that is most comfortable. If he likes Lightspeeds, Pig Pen racing here on the board sells reconditioned light speeds. As an owner / former user of a pair of in ear Clarity Aloft I do not recommend them as I do not find them durable or easy to use.
 
I’ve bought a couple Bose X’s used for $4-500 each and they’ve been great. As others have stated, hearing is too important to go cheap. I started flying in 1984 with a hand mic and the cheap paper overhead speaker, finally got introduced to headsets and a portable intercom!
 
Whatever brand--get ANR.
When I started my training, I couldn't understand a thing through the school's vintage DCs. With everything new, with the crappy audio quality of the 40 year-old radios and intercom, compounded by the crappy headset, I was missing a lot.

I bit the bullet and bought an ANR equipped headset. Changed my training. Might have saved my training. Suddenly, I could understand radio calls, and I stopped saying "what?" to my CFI.
 
Thanks to those of you who answered the question that was asked.

I understand that different people would do different things with their money or for their reasons, but the answer in this case is going to be an entry-level headset. The good thing about that is there's no loss if he quits his flying lessons after 20 hours, and if he continues, he can buy a nicer set later and let a passenger use the entry-level set.
 
You’ve made up your mind that your friend’s son is best served with a cheap head set. Best of luck to the young man and his training.
 
WDD said:
You’ve made up your mind that your friend’s son is best served with a cheap head set. Best of luck to the young man and his training.
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Read the first post. It clearly laid out the scenario including that he's welcome to use the loaners I provided until he wants to buy a nice set of headsets. But that isn't what he wants. You can start backpedaling any time now.
 
Has anyone explained to the young man the issue of long-term hearing problems? Has anyone taken a DB meter along with them in a flight and noted out the noise level?
Has anyone explained a good headset (not even ANR) can be had for the price of a couple lessons, and in the long-run, more than worth it?
*sigh*
Doesn’t matter what anyone here says, the kid will do what he wants and many years from now, regret it when he understands.
 
While getting a good headset is important. Note that if you get a headset you don't like, simply keep it as a headset to let your passengers use. It's not really wasted money.

And, note, you might need to go through a couple of headsets before finding one that you find comforable on your head.
 
Also remember that most vendors offer a 30 day trialperiod so he’s not out all that money trying to find one he likes.
 
I did the same as a student, per the recommendation of my CFI. Buy a starter, and if you continue to fly you'll have one for passengers.

I chose this one and liked it: Here
Made in Korea, as were the ASA's at one point...but heard through the local flight school that ASA was taken over/bought by a Chinese company and the quality is not as good, can't say for sure.
They've gone up a bit (20 bucks) since I bought mine, but what hasn't. Definitely better than the old DC's I have used.
Cheaper version but haven't tried them. here
 
murphey said:
Has anyone explained to the young man the issue of long-term hearing problems? Has anyone taken a DB meter along with them in a flight and noted out the noise level?
Has anyone explained a good headset (not even ANR) can be had for the price of a couple lessons, and in the long-run, more than worth it?
*sigh*
Doesn’t matter what anyone here says, the kid will do what he wants and many years from now, regret it when he understands.
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Today's most basic headsets provide ample hearing protection. Below is a link to a table showing OSHA's and NIOSH's hearing limits. With any of today's cheap headsets, you get 23-25 db of noise reduction which puts you at an effective 70-80 db in cruise in most light aircraft. That's comfortably below the industrial guidelines, which are designed for workers who are in high noise environments 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year.

https://www.google.com/search?q=osh...E&biw=1366&bih=625&dpr=1#imgrc=bUDQn_opLlxoqM
 
kyleb said:
Read the first post. It clearly laid out the scenario including that he's welcome to use the loaners I provided until he wants to buy a nice set of headsets. But that isn't what he wants. You can start backpedaling any time now.
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I read the first post. I offered advice based on my similar experience. I believe the premise of starting training with a cheaper headset is wrong.

You don’t agree with my advice - peachy. No need to be snarky.
 
Bose A20s hold their value well. A used set, then re-sold a year later if kiddo gets bored, will amount to no more than a $50-100 loss.

I doubt that there are more than 1 or 2 makers of the cheap white-label headsets that are everywhere. I think there is the "round cup" model and the "wedge cup" model. They may even be made by the same place, no idea. They're all the same as far as I can tell. Find a set of those on craigslist for $20.
 
WDD said:
I read the first post. I offered advice based on my similar experience. I believe the premise of starting training with a cheaper headset is wrong.

You don’t agree with my advice - peachy. No need to be snarky.
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I didn't ask for anyone's premise on what level of headset to buy. I asked for a starter headset recommendation.

If you want to talk snarky, look at your first post in the thread.
 
My first post? I said I got a starter headset when I first started training and it was a big mistake. How is that snarky???

Time to switch to de caff.
 
What are any complaints of the in the ear type, Martin P. approved, other than fragility or maybe in the ear comfort?
Are there any alternatives to Halo?
Compared to the $$ of Bose or LS someone could buy a 2-3 Halos then get some shooting or industrial ear muffs on top if they wanted.
 
Some people just can't stand the feel of something in their ear, while others find the clamping pressure of an over the ear set intolerable. For me, I started with a $100 pair of off brands, they worked fine enough for shorter flights and they are still my passenger set now 18 years later. I now use QT Halos and will never go back to clamp types. No more headaches after long flights, no more interference with hats or glasses, and 1/3 the cost of Bose or Lightspeed. As mentioned above, even cheaper sets generally have enough hearing protection to keep your ears safe, the big differences are in audio quality, mic quality, and comfort, along with amenities like bluetooth. For what it's worth, my starters were DRE stereo PNRs, which are still available, although the earcups have changed color and the price is up to $139.
 
Robert Gee said:
What are any complaints of the in the ear type, ...
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I use my Halo's during summer months as I find myself sweating under the earcups of my over the ear headset. I find them quiet enough and comfortable.

As downsides, I find that the weight of the cord pulls the microphone out of position near my mouth as I turn my head. QT used to supply a cord clip with their headsets but stopped prior to when I bought mine. Find one so that you can clip the cord to your shirt with some slack between the clip and headset. The other downside is that it takes some time to properly insert the foam earpieces in ones ears. I find that the silicone rubber "Christmas Tree" shaped earpieces are faster to insert. But still not as fast and easy as an over the ear variety.
 
Robert Gee said:
What are any complaints of the in the ear type, Martin P. approved, other than fragility or maybe in the ear comfort?
Are there any alternatives to Halo?
Compared to the $$ of Bose or LS someone could buy a 2-3 Halos then get some shooting or industrial ear muffs on top if they wanted.
Click to expand...

I've got Lightspeed Zulu's, Sierras, a couple sets of basic DC knock-off's, and two sets of Halo's. I generally wear the Halo's because they work better with a hat and eyeglasses. They don't offer quite as much noise attenuation (IMO) as the Lightspeeds, but they benefit from not needing batteries. The downsides of the Halos are that they are more fragile than regular headsets (the cords and control box are weak spots), and they don't have a great microphone. One key with the in-ear's is to find the right inserts for you. I was about to give up on the Halo's until I tried their silicone earpieces (not the ribbed ones). The foam and ribbed silicone versions didn't work well at all for me.
 
BladeSlap said:
Get a good headset

This is not a place to save money
Click to expand...
WHAT DID YOU SAY"? I CAN'T HEAR YOU BECAUSE I RUINED MY HEARING YEARS AGO BY USING A CHEAP HEAD SET.

Actually, that is partly true. But mostly because back when I was learning (in the '70s) most of us didn't use head sets. Now I am profoundly deaf without the most powerful hearing aids. And THEY cost a lot more than a good headset.
 
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I recommend the David Clark 13.4. Will be about $300, but will likely last you 20+years. You can upgrade to a ANR set when you like, but the DC will be a good passenger or backup set. I still regularly use mine just because they are handy for short flights or for switching to other planes.

Biggest issues with cheaper headsets are quality, the common issue is after about 100 to 200 hours of use (2-3 years) the cables will often break internally, like cheap earbuds. Really cheap headsets will have terrible microphones and will pickup all the background noise in the cockpit and can be difficult to filter out background noise with the intercom squelch, plus’s you/everyone hears that background noise when you transmit.

Brian
CFIIGI/ASEL

I have had good luck with Flight coms headsets in the about the $130 (4DLX) category, but usually only last about 3-5 years due to cables breaking.

Brian
 
brcase said:
Biggest issues with cheaper headsets are quality, the common issue is after about 100 to 200 hours of use (2-3 years) the cables will often break internally, like cheap earbuds.
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Another reason to get ASAs with their lifetime warranty if you’re shopping for an inexpensive headset.
 
bkspero said:
I use my Halo's during summer months as I find myself sweating under the earcups of my over the ear headset. I find them quiet enough and comfortable.

As downsides, I find that the weight of the cord pulls the microphone out of position near my mouth as I turn my head. QT used to supply a cord clip with their headsets but stopped prior to when I bought mine. Find one so that you can clip the cord to your shirt with some slack between the clip and headset. The other downside is that it takes some time to properly insert the foam earpieces in ones ears. I find that the silicone rubber "Christmas Tree" shaped earpieces are faster to insert. But still not as fast and easy as an over the ear variety.
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Check out REI or other sports shop for replacement widgets for camping and such for clip thingies for the cords.
 
My first headset was David Clark 13.4s. Good solid, beginner headset and probably the cheapest I would personally go.
 
rugger1869 said:
My first headset was David Clark 13.4s. Good solid, beginner headset and probably the cheapest I would personally go.
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I 100% agree with this...If you can't afford a high end (Lightspeed) ANR don't waste your money on a cheap ANR.
The David Clark H10-13.4 is a great passive headset and is quieter than the junk budget anr stuff. The DC passive will last MANY years.....
The cheap $125 headsets usually last a year and the cords fall apart and the mics are nothing to write home about.....
 
Jeez. All these opinions. Where was everybody when I was in high school and learned to fly in a 152 with an overhead speaker and hand mic? Whatever entry-level headset the new student is going to get will be miles better than the mic/speaker combination.
 
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