Any More Lightspeed PFX PIREPs?

Jay Honeck

Jay Honeck

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Jun 6, 2008
Messages
11,571
Location
Ingleside, TX
Display Name
Jay Honeck
Home Airfield
KTFP - Ingleside, TX
So far, I've seen ONE guy who has bought them, and bothered to post about them. I'd like a few more opinions before mortgaging the hotel to buy a pair.

Anyone? We tried them at OSH, and really liked them -- but I need some real-world data before pulling the trigger.

Thanks!
 
Jay, not sure but I may be the one guy that bought them and posted about it, if I am not the person you refer to I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. By the way that is one beautiful aircraft you are flying. We were parked beside you at Oshkosh in the blue and white Cessna at the end of the row. Loved your aircraft.
Randy
 
Vaflier said:
Jay, not sure but I may be the one guy that bought them and posted about it, if I am not the person you refer to I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. By the way that is one beautiful aircraft you are flying. We were parked beside you at Oshkosh in the blue and white Cessna at the end of the row. Loved your aircraft.
Randy
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Hi Randy -- small world! :)

If you posted here on POA, then you're the "one guy" who posted a PIREP. If not, you're the "second guy" -- and the one I want to hear from!

How long have you had them? How many flights/hours? Use them for music? How futzy is that enormous battery box ? Do you use it for music? Bluetooth?

Tell me everything! Thanks!
 
Jay, I am not sure if I posted about them on POA or not but either way, I bought them at Oshkosh and have flown about 25 hours with them since. I really like them and they are more quiet than the Zulu 2s I have been flying for 3 years. They do use batterys a little faster but not bad for that. I did somehow turn off the autoshutoff feature and that will eat batteries. Fixed that and they are fine. My mistake not a headset problem. I use them a lot for music and the sound quality will blow your mind. It is truly amazing. I have noticed in flight that they become even more quiet as you fly and seem to constantly self adjust the longer they are in use. The trip home from Oshkosh was 9 hours and wearing them I fell asleep for the first time in a small plane, the noise level was so muted I just nodded off. Very low clamping pressure , seems to be even less than the Zulu. Good thing I was not flying at the time. Flying solid IFR and listening to Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon, it really is surreal. The battery box is a bit large but I have not found it to be a problem at all. My friends Cessna however does not have a great place to put it since the pockets on the side are very low and forward of where you sit. In fact I just made a mounting clip tonight to give him a great way to hang it without drilling any holes. Bluetooth works well for music or telephone. The flightlink App for ipad is great for customizing the sound to suit your taste. The setting in the App to boost voice clarity is super and really does work. We had one controller on our trip home that I was struggling to understand and I boosted the voice setting and could immediately hear her sharp and clear. It does not just boost overall volume , it improves clarity. All in all I am absolutely sold on the PFX and have no regrets about my purchase . They work for me as advertised. I really was not planning on buying new headsets when I went to thier booth, I just wanted to see what all the hype was about. I expected it to be a bunch of BS, but when I put them on and tried them I was shocked. Then I asked the guy about a little music and he pulled out his cell phone and explained that I may not like his choice of music but he put on one of his favorites, Hotel California. I was instantly sold !!!. They really blew my socks off. My friend asked how I liked them and I told him what I thought. He liked his headsets , but wanted to try them anyway for curiosity, I warned him not to or it was going to cost him. He would not listen. We purchased Two pairs. He likes his so much that I think he is even wearing them on his tractor while cutting his grass strip, a little music makes the job go faster. In summary , Buy Them !. If by chance you really are not in love with them I believe the have a thirty day return policy, no questions with full refund. The best way to decide is fly them in your aircraft. If by chance you are not using the trade in option and happen to be a CFI then be sure to ask about the CFI discount. Best of luck.
Randy
 
WRT the iPad adjustment -- is that a one-time, "set it and forget it" thing, or do you adjust it more often?

I don't want to have to buy an iPad just to make these things work. IMHO, this is Lightspeed's biggest screw up, making their new PFX dependent on an Apple iThingy to work -- but I can overlook that if it's a one-time set-up.
 
Jay Honeck said:
WRT the iPad adjustment -- is that a one-time, "set it and forget it" thing, or do you adjust it more often?

I don't want to have to buy an iPad just to make these things work. IMHO, this is Lightspeed's biggest screw up, making their new PFX dependent on an Apple iThingy to work -- but I can overlook that if it's a one-time set-up.
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Unless they make an app for droids it is a deal breaker for me. I don't do ianything. ;)
 
Geico266 said:
Unless they make an app for droids it is a deal breaker for me. I don't do ianything. ;)
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Oh, I can borrow an iThingy to do an initial set up. But if it's an ongoing thing, fuhgetaboutit.
 
It is a one time setup unless you choose to change things for personal preference. Supposedly they are working on a droid APP as well.
 
Vaflier said:
It is a one time setup unless you choose to change things for personal preference. Supposedly they are working on a droid APP as well.
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Good. Lightspeed would be exceedingly unwise to keep all their eggs in the Apple basket.
 
Jay; if I recall correctly, you came up to 52F (Northwest Regional) to have some work done on Amelia soon after you acquired her.

On the field near the diner is Tina's Pilot shop. She is one of the better local representatives for Lightspeed and can offer the same deals you will find direct from LS, including the trade in program. But the added benefit to me if I made a PFX purchase from her is that I would have someone local who is very invested in my satisfaction with the purchase. Plus I'm supporting a local merchant with my business.

While I was in her shop getting a few supplies from her before the Gaston's trip, another student pilot was ahead of me in the queue to pay asking her about the Bose A20 headset as a possible purchase. She then asked if he was doing training at the school on the field (he was) and if he was coming from a lesson or about to go to one. He said his 2nd lesson was starting in about 20 minutes. She then offered him the chance to take a loaner A20 set with him to try during his lesson, as long as he let her photocopy his driver's license and provided the name of his instructor. That was quickly provided and the student left the shop with a new-ish headset to try during his lesson.

If she is willing to do that for you while you have business up this way, perhaps you could get a chance to borrow a PFX for 30-45 minutes while you go terrorize the skies around the northern edges of the DFW Bravo. Giving you the chance to try the set under your actual usage conditions.

If you do come up this way, let me and 6PC and others know. Food/beverage will be our treat.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Jay; if I recall correctly, you came up to 52F (Northwest Regional) to have some work done on Amelia soon after you acquired her.

On the field near the diner is Tina's Pilot shop. She is one of the better local representatives for Lightspeed and can offer the same deals you will find direct from LS, including the trade in program. But the added benefit to me if I made a PFX purchase from her is that I would have someone local who is very invested in my satisfaction with the purchase. Plus I'm supporting a local merchant with my business.

While I was in her shop getting a few supplies from her before the Gaston's trip, another student pilot was ahead of me in the queue to pay asking her about the Bose A20 headset as a possible purchase. She then asked if he was doing training at the school on the field (he was) and if he was coming from a lesson or about to go to one. He said his 2nd lesson was starting in about 20 minutes. She then offered him the chance to take a loaner A20 set with him to try during his lesson, as long as he let her photocopy his driver's license and provided the name of his instructor. That was quickly provided and the student left the shop with a new-ish headset to try during his lesson.

If she is willing to do that for you while you have business up this way, perhaps you could get a chance to borrow a PFX for 30-45 minutes while you go terrorize the skies around the northern edges of the DFW Bravo. Giving you the chance to try the set under your actual usage conditions.

If you do come up this way, let me and 6PC and others know. Food/beverage will be our treat.
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Yep, I had Walt balance Amelia's pretty little prop. :)

We stopped in at Tina's place, and loved it. If she can offer the same trade-in deal as Lightspeed, cash on the barrel head, I am THERE. I didn't know dealers could do that? :dunno:

Lunch at the little on-field diner sounds great. I want to meet with Walt about some avionics stuff, anyway, so I can kill many birds with one stone.

Are you guys ever free mid-week? Obviously, weekends are tough for me...
 
I purchased Zulu 2s when I got back into it. Last month a few folks gave me birthday funds which I quickly dropped on the pfx. I really like them, but only used them for a couple of hours. They seem quieter than my Z2. They are definitely more comfortable. But, been too buy to setup all the features and really try them out.
 
asgcpa said:
I purchased Zulu 2s when I got back into it. Last month a few folks gave me birthday funds which I quickly dropped on the pfx. I really like them, but only used them for a couple of hours. They seem quieter than my Z2. They are definitely more comfortable. But, been too buy to setup all the features and really try them out.
Click to expand...

I've got two pairs of Zulu 1s, which are okay -- but the back cockpit of our RV-8 is louder than the hammers of hell. Even with the Zulu's ANR, it's loud, sitting under that bubble canopy that acts like a big parabolic sound reflector focusing those straight pipes in the middle of your head.

I am really hoping the PFXs calm it down a bit back there. (The front cockpit is fine, strangely enough, with Zulu 1s.)
 
I can do midweek lunch.
 
Possible... But following week better
 
AggieMike88 said:
Possible... But following week better
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Trying to line up staff is...interesting, now that our foreign workers have gone home. Trying for Wednesday, but will know more tomorrow.

If that fails, the following Wednesday might be a winner.
 
Jay Honeck said:
I've got two pairs of Zulu 1s, which are okay -- but the back cockpit of our RV-8 is louder than the hammers of hell. Even with the Zulu's ANR, it's loud, sitting under that bubble canopy that acts like a big parabolic sound reflector focusing those straight pipes in the middle of your head.

I am really hoping the PFXs calm it down a bit back there. (The front cockpit is fine, strangely enough, with Zulu 1s.)
Click to expand...

A muffler may help you some. I like our two mufflers, but still need our Zulu2's. We have a painted interior.
 
Jay Honeck said:
Trying to line up staff is...interesting, now that our foreign workers have gone home. Trying for Wednesday, but will know more tomorrow.

If that fails, the following Wednesday might be a winner.
Click to expand...

I have a meeting this Wednesday at 1:00pm-3:30pm that needs to happen. That means I'd need to skedaddle out of 52F no later than 12:30pm.

Meeting tomorrow or the 21st-22nd would be a better choice for me.

Also, you might call Tina to make sure she is holding one or two units for you. It would suck for you to come all this way and return empty handed.
 
I will have my iPad with me. So if you want to connect and tweak your purchases, we can try that.
 
Was just notified that Wednesday is a no go.

I have been assigned to work a job fair to recruit new talent for our staff. That goes 9:30am to noon, then I have that meeting at 1:00pm.

And I haven't heard back from 6PC yet.
 
AggieMike88 said:
I will have my iPad with me. So if you want to connect and tweak your purchases, we can try that.
Click to expand...
Hmm. Here's the situation: We now have coverage starting at 11 AM Wednesday. That's the bad news. Prolly couldn't be up to 52F much before 2 PM.

The good news? She's gonna cover for us overnight, so we don't have to hustle back. Gonna need a hotel or B&B recommendation! :-)

Dunno the weather, etc. How late is Tina's open? Could you come back after your meeting?

Don't worry if this all falls apart. I don't care if we sleep on the beach Wednesday night -- I'm just happy to have a day off!
 
Jay Honeck said:
Hmm. Here's the situation: We now have coverage starting at 11 AM Wednesday. That's the bad news. Prolly couldn't be up to 52F much before 2 PM.

The good news? She's gonna cover for us overnight, so we don't have to hustle back. Gonna need a hotel or B&B recommendation! :-)

Several not that far away, including some budget ones near TMS. Use TMS or Roanoke as your search centers.

Dunno the weather, etc. How late is Tina's open? Could you come back after your meeting?

5:00-6:00pm I would expect.
I could do dinner for sure.
Roanoke has lots of good places to eat. Look up Babe's Chicken Dinners and Twisted Root Burgers.

Don't worry if this all falls apart. I don't care if we sleep on the beach Wednesday night -- I'm just happy to have a day off!
Click to expand...

See replies above.
 
Jay Honeck said:
No return possible in the afternoon hours?
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For Wednesday the 15th, unfortunately not until I've done the end of day activities here at the yard. That puts me to about 5:30-45pm departure and by then, might as well partake of dinner and drink.
 
AggieMike88 said:
For Wednesday the 15th, unfortunately not until I've done the end of day activities here at the yard. That puts me to about 5:30-45pm departure and by then, might as well partake of dinner and drink.
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That's okay -- I just got an email from Tina. She doesn't have the PFX in stock right now. She says she should have more by week's end.

We might try next week. I will let you know.
 
So we go to Fredericksburg instead of Dallas, cuz the shop there doesn't have a PFX in stock.

So far, it's safe to say it would have been cheaper to buy the PFX... lol
 
Looks like we'll be at Tina's tomorrow, for lunch with Aggie Mike. ETA is between noon and 1 PM.

If anyone else up that-away is out and about, join us for lunch at the on-field restaurant at 52F (Roanoke, Northwest Regional), and then come play with the PFX that we expect to take home. :)
 
We flew up to Dallas today, and picked up a pair of PFX's at Tina's Pilot Shop, a little store on Northwest Regional Airport (52F) a private strip with over 500(!) aircraft based there.

I was gonna do the trade up program, but (a) I like Tina and support small business, and (b) I couldn't be without a headset for the two weeks it takes to turn them around through Lightspeed.

So, I'm gonna sell my Zulus on line. Anyone want them?

First impressions of these ridiculously overpriced marvels:

1. Extremely well built. The cord is KEVLAR. No more slicing the cord in the canopy slider!

2. Extremely comfortable. Better than the Zulu, which I thought was perfect.

3. Persnickety. Like idiots, we left the manual in the luggage compartment before we launched. Getting it to go to "SuperQuiet" (aka: "Streaming Quiet") was a trick of button-mashing.

4. There's nothing else like it. After it mapped my ears several times, it suddenly got so quiet that I could not hear the engine. In fact, the only engine sound I was hearing was via bone conduction, and I suddenly realized just how much vibration a piston engine propeller plane produced. I could HEAR the vibration coming through my spine, into my head. It was weird.

5. Amazing music capabilities. I was able to understand the words to "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress", for the first time ever. Lol

I wish I could report how the iThingy adjustment works, but the buddy I met at the Blue Hangar Cafe (the on-field restaurant at 52F) forgot his iPad at home. So, that will have to wait.

BTW: That enormous battery box is basically a computer -- I'm about to go on the Lightspeed website, to see if there's a firmware update.

To sum up, in my one hour of flying with the PFX today (Mary had it for another hour) I can say that the PFX is the quietest headset I've ever worn. So far, I'm happy.
 
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No Firmware updates available at this time. What is shipped with the set is good to go. But that is one of the really neat updates... when LS improves the signal processing code, you can actually update your headset.

FlightLink (the app) provides for recording of what's heard over the audio panel (ATC and intercom), replay of same, improving some of the audio quality, and turning on and off a few features. More info here on the web, including videos explaining features/functions.
 
AggieMike88 said:
No Firmware updates available at this time. What is shipped with the set is good to go. But that is one of the really neat updates... when LS improves the signal processing code, you can actually update your headset.

FlightLink (the app) provides for recording of what's heard over the audio panel (ATC and intercom), replay of same, improving some of the audio quality, and turning on and off a few features. More info here on the web, including videos explaining features/functions.
Click to expand...
Let me know if you can get Super Quiet (or "Streaming Quiet") mode to work at home. I can't.

LS says that's "normal", but that's not the way it worked in the store, using the test model.
 
Jay Honeck said:
Let me know if you can get Super Quiet (or "Streaming Quiet") mode to work at home. I can't.

LS says that's "normal", but that's not the way it worked in the store, using the test model.
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Wilco. Have lawnmowing to do this weekend. I'll try them out doing that chore to see how well they work.

On the "streaming quiet", double check the switch with the star and house symbols is set to the star (FAVORITES). If set to house (HOME) you're overriding the tweakable settings for the stock basic ones. See page 8 in the user guide
 
And for the Flight Link features... find an older iPhone 4 to purchase for super cheap. Just use it as your Flightlink thingie and music player.

And since you're a died in the wool android user, make sure to wash your hands after each use.
 
AggieMike88 said:
And for the Flight Link features... find an older iPhone 4 to purchase for super cheap. Just use it as your Flightlink thingie and music player.

And since you're a died in the wool android user, make sure to wash your hands after each use.
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LOL! It's set to "favorites".
 
BTW: Here's a pic of Mary and AggieMike88, at 52F. Great day!

e51f83050ccf420be8442c11926485cb.jpg
 
Just got my PFX.

Somewhere I read someone was unhappy that the headset does not let you know about low batteries. You can turn that feature on with Flightlink. ;)
 
So far, I've been mildly disappointed with the PFXs. They seem to work okay, for me, but they don't get as quiet as I remember them at OSH.

Mary has had lots of problems with them -- I don't know if it's something to do with head size, or what -- but she hasn't been able to get them to go into "Super Quiet" mode.

We both like their comfort, and the musical quality is stunning.

I figure we will give them another week of flying, to see if she can get them working. If not, back to Lightspeed they shall go, exchanged for a different pair.
 
Jay Honeck said:
So far, I've been mildly disappointed with the PFXs. They seem to work okay, for me, but they don't get as quiet as I remember them at OSH.

Mary has had lots of problems with them -- I don't know if it's something to do with head size, or what -- but she hasn't been able to get them to go into "Super Quiet" mode.

We both like their comfort, and the musical quality is stunning.

I figure we will give them another week of flying, to see if she can get them working. If not, back to Lightspeed they shall go, exchanged for a different pair.
Click to expand...

Jay,

Do you wear your glasses with the headset? Do the glasses effect the ear seal? I've got two pairs of old Telex ANR headsets I bought off eBay and if I get the seal just right over my glasses they are remarkable (no PFX or even Zulu I'm sure). I wondered how you deal with the ear pieces from your glasses.

John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
jsstevens said:
Jay,

Do you wear your glasses with the headset? Do the glasses effect the ear seal? I've got two pairs of old Telex ANR headsets I bought off eBay and if I get the seal just right over my glasses they are remarkable (no PFX or even Zulu I'm sure). I wondered how you deal with the ear pieces from your glasses.

John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Yeah, we both wear glasses, but that has not been a problem with any of our previous ANR headsets.

I know the ear seal on the PFX must be close to perfect for "streaming quiet" to work. I can get it to go, but Mary cannot.

Since we swap seating positions on every flight, and since these PFXs were purchased to solve a specific noise problem (i.e.: the back seat in the RV-8 is incredibly loud), this may be a deal killer if she can't make them work. $1100 is too much to spend on anything but perfection.
 
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