Top Document: rec.aviation FAQ Previous Document: Miscellaneous questions Next Document: Intercoms See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge Q5: I want to buy a headset. What should I buy? A: There are three types of aviation headsets which are commonly available: 1. Active noise-cancelling (ANC). These are in the $600-$900 range, from Telex (ANR, ~$660; the ANR 4000 is not recommended), David Clark (~$850), and Sennheiser (~$700). The Bose headset (~$900) is available only directly from Bose in Framingham MA. 2. Passive noise-cancelling. These are in the $90-$300 range, and come from a variety of manufacturers. David Clark is generally regarded as the "Rolls Royce" of headset makers, and their models are more expensive than the competition -- they stand up to amazing abuse. Recommended models include the H10-13.4 (13.4 oz -- light!) ~$245, H10-60 ~$250, H10-20 ~$225, H10-80 ~$245, and H10-40 ~$220, usually in that order. The H10-30 is not recommended (inferior microphone). A number of companies import "clones" of the David Clarks; many netters have found the Flightcom 4DLX, ~$120, to be satisfactory in terms of performance and reliability. There are many, many more makers out there -- try 'em on and see what feels comfortable to you. Other notable headsets: Peltor 7004 ~$190, which has a significantly different and possibly more comfortable "feel" -- buy it in preference to the 7003, which has an inferior dynamic microphone; Pilot PA11-20 ~$140; Telex Pro-Air 2000E, ~$225. The Peltor is probably the best choice for kids. 3. "Open-air," "Walkman-style". These are for quieter aircraft such as jets or sailplanes, and are _not_ recommended for prop aircraft use. [Headsets are typically discounted; prices given above are typical US$ discounted prices, not list. See Q7 below for mail-order supply houses.] User Contributions:Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic:Top Document: rec.aviation FAQ Previous Document: Miscellaneous questions Next Document: Intercoms Single Page [ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ] Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer: geoff@peck.com
Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM
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