What you guys think about this headset to start out with?

midcap

midcap

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midcap
I don't get it......are you currently borrowing a headset for training?

I'd say, unless money isn't a concern, go relatively 'on the cheap' during training. then when you're done you can use those for pax and get yourself a better set. if u got the cash, get yo'self a nice set now and a nice set later.
 
midcap said:
This is what I am using during lessons right now.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/aviation-headsets/telex-headsets/telex-echelon-20-headset.html

Should I buy my own pair just like them since I know that they work for me, or should I just hold off and buy an ANR set later?

I was thinking I could buy this set, then use it and then get an ANR set and have a back up or use it for a passenger down the road.
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I'm not a big fan of them but that being said I've got a buddy that won't part with his for ANYTHING. No matter how much I get him to try other headsets or suggest he gets something nicer he sticks with those.
 
If it works, it works.

It's all up to you, but I do strongly suggest you try one on before you buy. Expensive doesn't necessarily mean comfortable.
 
You can do much better for $200 (including tax and shipping)
Don't get all ANR happy yet. Eventually you'll end up with Halo or Clarity <- See that?
If they are "loaning" these stay with that. If they're charging you more than a nickel you should buy a good solid used set.

Looking for a used headset? Call me.... er... not really... just wait for Pig Pen classified. :)
 
I am a fan of buy once, cry once...if you spend $200 now to spend $600 later on a nicer set....your headsets just really cost you $800 for the same end result. Many FBOs will give you loaner headsets for PAX.

If money is tight and a new nicer headset will cut into your flying time, different story...but why buy what you can still borrow when it is something that you ultimately don't want?
 
The first headset I owned was a rugged aviation set I bought on Amazon. Worked great for training. Now I have two Ruggeds, a David Clark, and Halos. The Ruggeds were great, for being as cheap as they are. Only problem is that as with most over ears, they can get clampy on a long flight, when you chew gum it breaks the seal, and sunglasses sometimes fit/feel weird with the headset on without getting everything just right. Which is why I got the Halos and haven't looked back. But I have 3 passenger sets now and sometimes I'll wear the DCs just because the mic on the Halos ****es me off on occasion.
 
You could probably get a non-ANR David Clark and then install the ANR later. That's what I did and really like it.
 
FWIW, I have some concerns about Telex headsets. I think they are very good headsets in general (I have owned 3) but my long term impression is, Telex acts like a company planning to leave the field. I don't think they've even added a really new GA headset in at least 10 years. Their top-line Stratus still has a corded cellphone interface designed to work with phones from the pre-Smartphone era.

Customer service? Same thing. I have a Stratus 50 Digital, out of warranty. The only thing wrong with them is the cellphone and music audio adapters stopped functioning. Got in touch with customer service. No flat fee because of their age (identical to their current top-of-the-line model); estimated $500-$600 to work on it. Compare that to Lighspeed's $100 fixed rate for out-of-warranty work. Or compare it with David Clark, which responded to a request I made some years ago to repair an obsolete headset (for passengers) by telling me they couldn't fix it but would trade it for an equivalent current model for between $70 and $130 depending on how bad the old one was (It was quite a while ago but I think it ended up being $80).

(I now own a LightSpeed - better deal than the Stratus repair cost. The stratus is now the best passenger headset :))
 
I agree with the above comments. If you can get by with using a borrowed set, I'd keep using it for the time being. Wait until you finish your training and then splurge and get yourself a nice ANR set, but if money is no object, then by all means get it now.
 
Get the Quiet Technology Halo. 45-day money-back guarantee if you don't like them. Much more comfortable than any over-ear headset and fantastic noise reduction and audio quality.
 
Most ANY headset is much better than the old days of using the mic & speaker. Fleabay will have some that would(should) work. I wouldn't feel the need for the newest ANR($1k) headset. A used DC would do fine.
 
Larry in TN said:
Get the Quiet Technology Halo. 45-day money-back guarantee if you don't like them. Much more comfortable than any over-ear headset and fantastic noise reduction and audio quality.
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Not all of us can tolerate ear buds for any length of time. Even when listening to music I prefer over-the-ear headphones. Same principal applies with headsets for me.
 
Try out as many as you can before you make up your mind. Remember, not all headsets are the same - even if they look the same. The most expensive is rarely the best, but you do get what you pay for in this industry. The most important thing though, is YOUR HEAD. Find one that fits your head, your budget, fulfills your needs and if you have the money, get some that give you a few of your "wants" as well.
 
Mtns2Skies said:
Not all of us can tolerate ear buds for any length of time. Even when listening to music I prefer over-the-ear headphones. Same principal applies with headsets for me.
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I'm another one. I tried out a set of demo Clarity Aloft. I was very, very impressed with the quiet and sound quality, but I didn't like the "stuffed ear" feeling they gave me.
 
I've worn Dave Clark skullcrushers for decades now. At one point, flying for USAF, I flight tested The first generation Bose ANRs and advocated against them for several reasons.

I found that in a four engine jet, DCs with ear plugs were more effective at reducing outside noise in all conditions than the Bose.

I also found the Bose to be more comfortable for any duration of mission.

My recommendation came down to batteries/battery life. At that time (early '90s), the DC worked without batteries, Boas didn't.

Other than a short conversation with Shane at the Squawk Shoppe, I haven't done any research since then and still wear Dave Clarks with ear plugs.

I also wear ear plugs with my M/C helmet when I ride.

Old school just works for me.

Your decision should be made after flight testing several options in all conditions.

When spending your own dollars, comfort is important.
 
I bought a David Clark 13.4 while training and thought I'd bought an awesome headset... That was 2 years ago.

Over time I figured out that comfortable headsets make the flying experience much more pleasant for myself (as pic) and especially my pax.

Also I felt like going ANR vastly improved the radio clarity and made communication much better.

Now, as for $. No way in hell am I paying a $1,000 or anywhere near that for a headset.

I currently own 2 lightspeed Zulus that were bought on eBay for $400 each (separate purchases). Great condition at half price. Just have to be a savvy ebayer.

I also own a David Clark DCX pro that was bought new for the wife. $650 and most expensive headset I own by far. It's the only headset my wife would wear and you know what they say about keeping the wife happy... And dang is that thing comfy. I just don't like it because being "on the ear" it allows a little more outside sound in and that's fine for pax, and not so much for me talking to ATC.

I have 2 other headsets that are mainly for my kids but IMHO they represent the absolute best value for an awesome ANR headset. By far most comfortable headset I've ever worn... Uflymike + Bose QC15. Uflymike (google it) for $225. Nice used Bose QC15 for $100-$125 on eBay. So you're looking at ~$325 for a ridiculously good headset.

The uflymike has one primary negative IMHO and that is that the mic gets its power from the headset battery which means when the battery dies the headset as a whole is dead. It does not revert to passive like other ANR headsets. Keep extra aaa batteries close by and really nbd. I also think the headset gives an audible alert when it's close to dying but since my kids wear them I haven't heard that alert myself. The batteries last well over 20 hours I believe.

Good luck with the choices but IMHO get a good headset but don't buy new. Good headsets can be had that will improve your flying experience without having to pay full retail.
 
eman1200 said:
I don't get it......are you currently borrowing a headset for training?

I'd say, unless money isn't a concern, go relatively 'on the cheap' during training. then when you're done you can use those for pax and get yourself a better set. if u got the cash, get yo'self a nice set now and a nice set later.
Click to expand...
sorry I should have been more clear. I am borrowing the headset out of the plane. I don't own one yet.
 
rolivi said:
You can do much better for $200 (including tax and shipping)
Don't get all ANR happy yet. Eventually you'll end up with Halo or Clarity <- See that?
If they are "loaning" these stay with that. If they're charging you more than a nickel you should buy a good solid used set.

Looking for a used headset? Call me.... er... not really... just wait for Pig Pen classified. :)
Click to expand...

nope, free to use for as long as I want.

I may just keep on borrowing them, since they work just fine.
 
eman1200 said:
I don't get it......are you currently borrowing a headset for training?

I'd say, unless money isn't a concern, go relatively 'on the cheap' during training. then when you're done you can use those for pax and get yourself a better set. if u got the cash, get yo'self a nice set now and a nice set later.
Click to expand...
Why is your long term hearing of any less consequence when you are training.

When I first took lessons in the early '70s, we mostly used the mic and speaker. Today, I can't hear **** without the most expensive hearing aids on the market, and even with them, my hearing still sucks. Granted, there were other things in the '60s and '70s that may have played a part, but the airplane is the one I remember causing a ringing in my ears for days afterward.
 
Did you catch the part that he was going to BUY the same thing he can borrow?

Of course he should spend the money for a Halo or Clarity <-- did he do it again?
But for the question at hand, keep on borrowing and spend the savings on logbook hours.
 
rolivi said:
Did you catch the part that he was going to BUY the same thing he can borrow?

Of course he should spend the money for a Halo or Clarity <-- did he do it again?
But for the question at hand, keep on borrowing and spend the savings on logbook hours.
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not a bad idea. I may buy a lightspeed as a present to myself when I get my ticket.
 
sounds like ravioli has a headset for ya ;) <-- aww did he just do that??
 
JOhnH said:
Why is your long term hearing of any less consequence when you are training.

When I first took lessons in the early '70s, we mostly used the mic and speaker. Today, I can't hear **** without the most expensive hearing aids on the market, and even with them, my hearing still sucks. Granted, there were other things in the '60s and '70s that may have played a part, but the airplane is the one I remember causing a ringing in my ears for days afterward.
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eh, hearing shmearing.

no I hear ya (see what I did there?) but it's the internet and there's a bazillion different answers to his question and I gave mine and that's that. we can debate hearing protection all day long. no guarantee an $800-1000 headset will protect exponentially better than a $200 one. and then again maybe it will, who knows. the OP didn't mention hearing protection as a concern, so based on the info he gave, that's my answer.
 
midcap said:
This is what I am using during lessons right now.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/aviation-headsets/telex-headsets/telex-echelon-20-headset.html

Should I buy my own pair just like them since I know that they work for me, or should I just hold off and buy an ANR set later?

I was thinking I could buy this set, then use it and then get an ANR set and have a back up or use it for a passenger down the road.
Click to expand...
a previously-owned headset

Sure, this looks like a reasonable deal (Sporty's has a 30-day return period, so keep all of your packaging, etc.), so get the set and try it out. Also, good advice about finding a previously-owned headset for a fraction of retail price; consider doing it that way. Everybody has an opinion, and everyone seems to like what they have -- so get yours and enjoy it. It probably won't be your last headset anyway. Blessings
 
rolivi said:
No Way eMan.... I'll never part with my Clarity Alofts.
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oh, I thought u were hinting that u had a spare set.

but I was more pointing out that I called u ravioli than anything else. and that's due to my 6th grade sense of humor, sorry.
 
Am I the only one that thinks borrowing is nasty? I prefer not to swap spit with the last person using it. I know us pilots are cheap but come on:D
 
midcap, I like your original plan. Buy a cheapie, and then later use it as your pax headset and buy yourself an ANR rig. I'm not an earbuds kinda of guy, so no Halo for me, but I can highly recommend the Faro G2 ANR headset. $350 (through Aircraft Spruce, or Amazon). I am super-pleased with it.

I suppose I'd get two ANR sets if I was doing multi-hour cross-countries with friends, but mostly it's shorter lunch hops and joy rides.

Even if you can borrow a headset for free, there's nothing like owning your own stuff for convenience.
 
ASA is a great route to go for a entry level headset imo. I think we bought both of ours for $150 or less and they came with a bag. Comfortable to wear for a couple of hours and great clarity. They also have a lifetime warranty which we used once on one of them when one of the wires had some kind of weird short that was tripping the radio...or at least that is what we could figure out. Called them up ,they gave us the info to ship it to and two weeks later we had a brand new one in hand.
 
Cykoguy said:
ASA is a great route to go for a entry level headset imo. I think we bought both of ours for $150 or less and they came with a bag. Comfortable to wear for a couple of hours and great clarity. They also have a lifetime warranty which we used once on one of them when one of the wires had some kind of weird short that was tripping the radio...or at least that is what we could figure out. Called them up ,they gave us the info to ship it to and two weeks later we had a brand new one in hand.
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Yep, ASA's are great entry-level sets.The one I bought in 2006 is still going strong (for pax now).
 
jordane93 said:
Am I the only one that thinks borrowing is nasty? I prefer not to swap spit with the last person using it. I know us pilots are cheap but come on:D
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yeah the CFI said that if the guy before me had a cold i'd catch it :eek:
 
So, everything is "sold out" on the Squawk Shoppe website. Anyone know what's going on there?
 
Started out with David Clark and liked it; thought I wanted ANR so I bought Faro G2 which has great noise reduction but the mic has to practically be IN your mouth for it to work right. Then I bought a Bose A20 which I really like but the summers here in Arizona are hot so I bought Clarity Aloft and I'm sticking with them until winter and then back to the Bose. So I have 4 headsets, two for me and two for pax. I'm done buying headsets for a while.
 
I'm my experience, I prefer DCs (with ear seal fabric covers and a comfort kit), lightspeed, or Bose.

My main set is a pair of Zulu 2s which I wear everyday for work, backup/pax is a DC 56 with a comfort kit.

If you can borrow whatever for free, do that till you get your ticket, then see what pigpenracing has for sale, and check craigslist too.


Cykoguy said:
ASA is a great route to go for a entry level headset imo. I think we bought both of ours for $150 or less and they came with a bag. Comfortable to wear for a couple of hours and great clarity. They also have a lifetime warranty which we used once on one of them when one of the wires had some kind of weird short that was tripping the radio...or at least that is what we could figure out. Called them up ,they gave us the info to ship it to and two weeks later we had a brand new one in hand.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't, ASAs were the loaners I had during my PPL training, before I bought my Zulu 1s which later were destroyed through no fault of the headset, long story.. Anywho, ASAs are the cheapest headsets I've ever used and I wouldn't take a pair for free, just kick in a few more bucks and get a pair of David Clarks if you want a inexpensive pair of passives, you can always kit the DCs into ANR later too.
 
Velocity173 said:
So, everything is "sold out" on the Squawk Shoppe website. Anyone know what's going on there?
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I contacted them a few weeks ago. I believe they had an issue somewhere in the supply chain that has temporarily stopped their production of headphones. I'm waiting for them to get some back so I can buy a set for my daughter.
 
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