AFaIK, NO LightSpeed headsets (including Zulu and Zulu2) uses anything from the mic plug (key or mic bias voltage) to control power.
Heh. Partially correct. Or incorrect. Depending on if you're a half glass full or empty type.
Lightspeed Sierras use batteries and have no auto-shut off (at least mine never do). Manual on and off.
Except... they utilize the bias voltage to power the main boom mic, and the Bluetooth module is both useless without ship's power (no mic, dead air for whomever you're calling) and is also crippled (no A2DP music/audio support).
I knew about the A2DP support going in. I had no idea the BT wouldn't work without the headset being plugged into the aircraft and the aircraft providing bias voltage.
It's the number one thing that ****es me off about the headset. The cheap plastic headband that their logo'd little cover keeps popping out of takes 2nd place.
Lightspeed really did themselves a disservice putting this cheap-o version of their tech on the market.
If the point of the BT module was to call for clearances on the ground, requiring the aircraft to be started is supremely dumb. And if the purpose was to call the wifey and let her know you're done flying, keeping the aircraft electrical system on to do that is even more stupid. Cell phone in flight is technically illegal, so that blows the third reason.
The BT module in the Sierra, as it's designed, is worthless.
Love the ANR but the Sierra's design otherwise just makes me angry.
It's stuff that's way too obviously crippled to keep people from stepping down from the Zulus and that implies that Lightspeed's engineers were told to cripple the things by higher-ups.
And that's a sign the higher-ups wanted to make darn sure to disrespect anyone buying the lower priced units. Why even put the BT module in the things?!
My money will be going to David Clark, Bose, or perhaps Sennheiser on the replacements for these. These will become passenger headsets.
The ANR is too good to ignore, and I wear 'em for now, but there's plenty of other ANR headsets and even kits for older headsets to put up with stupid electronics games like this headset from Lightspeed.
I know a lot of folks will say to just bump up to the Zulus -- but I can't do that in good conscience knowing this company cripples their low-end stuff that new pilots on a budget would likely purchase.
I can forgive the cheap plastic. I can forgive that mine were broken right out of the box and their policy to local dealers is not to swap but to send them in. I can even understand the removal of the A2DP...
But requiring ship's power for the mic when there's a battery 1" away in the ANR module is unforgivable BS.
Bye Lightspeed. See ya. Shouldn't have put this crap on the market. 'Cause I don't "do" the "fool me twice" game.
he may also have panel powered ones.
They are just like the 30-3G's. You gotta manually power the ANR on by pressing a button on the inline controller.
