Aviation Headset Suggestions??

[tcco94]

Decided I'll be getting my PPL this summer before college (cheaper at my local flight school) and will be starting in two weeks!  I'm really excited but kinda lost on getting a headset. I knew I would need one eventually but not sure which headsets are good/preferred.

I'm looking for a headset that won't be uncomfortable and bother me but also one that will last me awhile and not break. I'm obviously planning on taking it to school with me when I start getting my instrument, commercial...etc... 

I notice that some of these headsets are very expensive but I was hoping the good ol' forms could maybe give me some insider opinions on one that won't break the bank. I obviously know I'll have to spend some money but seeing some headsets in the 4 digits...

Thanks for the help guys.  8-)

[Fozzer]

I thought everyone wore pale green, David Clark's... ;)....>>>

http://www.davidclark.com/

You are not a real Pilot until you are seen in public sporting a pair of those!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

ENC, Noise-cancelling headsets are the type you need...and these are expensive, by design!

Your Flight Instructor will probably be able to advise on a suitable headphone set, to suit your pocket.

Paul... 8-)..!

Oh...and don't forget the expensive..."Shades"

[DaveSims]

David Clarks are good headsets, you can pick up a non noise cancelling set for about $300.  If you have $1000 to blow, then the Bose ANR headsets are awesome.  For college though, I'd probably stick to the Clark, you won't be disappointed, and won't spend a small fortune.

[SaultFresh]

I have a David Clark H10-60, it's never failed me. I wouldn't say I've had it for a long time, I started flying in 2008, and it gets used on a very regular basis, haha. The key is in taking care of your headset. I had a friend who used to put his in his bag, and then he'd just toss his bag about, either forgetting the headset was in there, or believing it was safe because it was inside something. Needless to say, he went through a different one all three years of college, haha, and although he's a flight dispatcher for the time being, he probably doesn't have the same headset I last saw him with, haha
So, an important rule you will learn, if you take care of your stuff, it will most likely take care of you. Enjoy flying.

[C]

If you have $1000 to blow,

Unless you have a very good source of private income, very few student pilots have $1000 to blow!

My advice? To be honest, why bother. Most schools I know of can lend you headsets, and when you're going to need as much money as possible to pay for flying hours, why waste the money on something you don't need to buy?

Mine's a Dave Clark 13.4. Hardly ever used it. Needn't have bothered (see my point?)...

[DaveSims]

If you have $1000 to blow,

Unless you have a very good source of private income, very few student pilots have $1000 to blow!

My advice? To be honest, why bother. Most schools I know of can lend you headsets, and when you're going to need as much money as possible to pay for flying hours, why waste the money on something you don't need to buy?

Mine's a Dave Clark 13.4. Hardly ever used it. Needn't have bothered (see my point?)...

Last I knew Tcco was going to a university for flight training.  Most of them don't provide headsets, it is a requirement of the syllabus you get your own usually.  And seeing as he is hoping to go down the road to be a professional pilot, it wouldn't hurt to invest in a decent headset. 

I don't have a $1000 either to blow on a headset, but have borrowed a Bose a few times and have a hard time going back. 

[tcco94]

Yes I will be getting my normal training at a University so I'll need my own headset. The David Clarks are the most common to me at least as far as how many headsets I've actually seen.

I don't understand the noise cancelling deal and if its really important to get it. Obviously I know it cancels noise  but I can tell prices go up more if you want it or not. The flight school i'll be at over summer said it won't be a big deal since I'm flying a 152 which aren't to loud but obviously in 2 years when I'm at school the airplanes will get much louder....is it a big priority to get noise cancelling headsets then?

My parents said they don't want to buy a headset that won't at least last through college. My biggest concern is comfort and a headset that will last.

[DaveSims]

[quote]Yes I will be getting my normal training at a University so I'll need my own headset. The David Clarks are the most common to me at least as far as how many headsets I've actually seen.

I don't understand the noise cancelling deal and if its really important to get it. Obviously I know it cancels noise

[DaveSims]

I will add, there is a kit available to turn a standard David Clark headset into an ANR headset for $169.00.  I have yet to do it to mine, but know a few guys that have and have only heard good reviews.  It does require some basic electrical knowledge and the ability to solder.  Not sure I would recommend the installation to the unexperienced, but if you know someone who is.

http://www.headsetsinc.com/ANR_kits.html

[beaky]

Active noise reduction is not really a "must have"... but it is really nice to have. REALLY nice. Good ANR doesn't just block out sound more; it selectively reduces the most annoying and harmful sounds. Some pilots claim they're "too quiet", but the first time I used ANR, it was in the front hole of a Stearman, and it was amazing, to me, how much better I could hear the moving parts of the engine over the roar of the exhaust and the wind. and of course, with ANR, the "roar" was more like "sssshhhh". 

But again, ANR is not vital; good passive noise reduction is enough just to protect your hearing. Compare specs; you may see some cheaper passive headsets that have very good noise reduction without the fancy electronics.

I'd suggest you buy a more modest set now (but try to avoid buying anything you can't wear first, to see if you like it)... that can become your backup/passenger set later, when you upgrade. Priorities should be light weight and good passive noise reduction, within your budget.

My 15-yr-old Telex headset has always worked fine, and its passive noise reduction rating is actually a little better than my new Bose ANR set (with the ANR off). It is fine for passengers, or for me if something happens to the Bose set. the main difference is that they are a lot heavier (as headsets go). I would probably have bought a lighter passive set to replace it, but I got an "insider" deal on the Bose set and couldn't resist.

Another thing to consider is finding a good used headset... you might find a great deal on something you couldn't afford brand new. If you find such a deal online, see if you can find the same or similar model at a pilot shop and try them on first. Fit is important... everyone's head is different, and if you wear prescription glasses or sunglasses when flying, be sure to have some glasses with you when trying on headsets (or try on some new sunglasses too, LOL).

Whatever you do, don't just buy the cheapest new headset you can find... you really do "get what you pay for" with headsets.

[SaultFresh]

I'd probably just stick to a relatively less expensive David Clark then. I never saw the point in getting a fancy headset with noise cancelling and stuff. I did all of my training in a Zlin 242L, then a Piper Seminole. That was in a college program in Northern Ontario. Chances are, you won't fly something much louder than a Zlin during your training, haha. I think mine was 300-350 brand new, almost 5 years ago now, and it's never failed me. Now I instruct on 172S' which are a fairly common and normal trainer, probably similar in noise to anything you'll be training on. You don't need anything fancy for that.

[pete]

& don't forget to check out 2nd hand ... the ones on ebay or maybe advertised on your club noticeboard. I got a great set there including noise canceling (which is good) for 25% of new price .... & it was barely used and came with a helicopter adapter too ...

[tcco94]

It's not that I'm looking to buy a headset just for a 152, I'll be training in that over summer but in the next 2-3 years getting my instrument and multi, I don't plan on spending away more money on getting a new headset. It seems like the noise-cancelling is worth it's money and can only benefit me in the long run. I probably wouldn't need it for my PPL training this summer but the only reason I'm thinking it's just a better option is because what if I do end up having a loud twin engine and need to buy a new headset...

As far as David Clark's go, I've used them before for a few flights I've already done....and of course Fozzer nailed it...I've actually recognized them. The H10-13X looks like a nice ENC headset for a decent price. Seen some of them online for $500 which was what I was expecting to pay...

Say I do have $1000 to burn...what would be the best mic to get? All I've heard was good things about those Bose headsets...

[DaveSims]

Say I do have $1000 to burn...what would be the best mic to get? All I've heard was good things about those Bose headsets...

Well, while it might be overkill for a beginning pilot, IF you have $1000 to kill, I'd highly suggest the Bose A20.  I've had the opportunity to borrow one a few times, and I've gotten spoiled.  Very lightweight, comfortable, and excellent noise reduction.

Or you could just buy the $300 DC and send me the other $700.

[Rocket_Bird]

I used to ride around with a David Clark H10.