Most Affordable ANR?

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buzzard86

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
283
Location
Warrington, PA
Display Name
Jim R
Home Airfield
KDYL -Doylestown
Last fall I purchased my very first airplane. I've been flying the heck out of it, but am quickly realizing that my basic headset that I bought 12 years ago for primary training is leaving a lot to be desired now that I am flying regularly. Even with the volume on the radio and headset turned all the way up, I am frequently having a hard time hearing radio calls clearly. I am thinking that I may need to find an ANR solution to improve the sound quality and decrease hearing fatigue.

I am still recovering from the purchase while also saving in earnest for OH, so simply going out and buying a new pair of Zulu's is out the question. Would I be further ahead to watch for a used pair of ANRs in the classifieds or are those ANR kits a viable option (especially if they would be installed in a cheap PNR headset)?

Also, I am going to OshKosh. Are there used deals to be had there?

Thanks.

Jim
 
Kits are a viable option. Used is also an option, especially with Lightspeed as they really stand behind their products.
 
I got a pair of inexpensive anr's from Spruce, and added gel ear and noggin pads. They work well and are very comfortable, but eat 9v batteries like they're going out of style, like one every 10 hours.
 
Don't forget to check eBay and other venues for used headsets. I was able to get a pair of 30-3G's for $250. Then later on through the AOPA red board I was able to get a used pair of Zulu.2 for less than $700.

A practical alternative to a DNR is the Quiet Technologies Halo. Looking at www.quiettechnologies.com you usually can get a pair of these for less than $400.

I recently got a set of Halos for my own recently. I find it very comfortable in nearly as quiet as the ANR Zulu.2.
 
Watch the internet sites and trade rags. Used Bose 10's are selling in the 3-4 hundred range.
 
I have an ASA pair thru the Aero Club that work fine in the warrior.

I also have a pair of Bose QC 2 coupled with a ufly mike. Use the QC 2' s at home and on airline rides with the ufly mike removed. Makes a dual use buy. ;)

Cheers
 
Why not give us a look, we offer a quite a lineup of options and choices and we are reasonably priced in the ANR market. Also checkout the customer responses who have purchased from us.

If you are a plane owner, then we can even do some custom work, headset to match your plane, free engraving of your aircraft registration on your headset.....etc.

Check us out
http://www.thesquawkshoppe.com/

Paul
 
wabower said:
Watch the internet sites and trade rags. Used Bose 10's are selling in the 3-4 hundred range.
Click to expand...

I bought 2 new Bose X's in 2007 and 2 used sets since then for $500.00 and $300.00 (I think). No trouble with any of them, good battery life, you can buy two good used ones for the same $$ as one new one. ;)
 
Chip Sylverne said:
I got a pair of inexpensive anr's from Spruce, and added gel ear and noggin pads. They work well and are very comfortable, but eat 9v batteries like they're going out of style, like one every 10 hours.
Click to expand...

Get the low-discharge rechargeable 9v batteries and a charger from www.thomasdistributing.com. They're about the same price as a disposable and last a long time.
 
Jim,

I just got a pair of lightspeed sierras. Want to try them out? Maybe fri if we meet at dyl.
 
Quiet Technologies Halo is quieter for me than a Bose A20, and way more comfortable than any conventional headset.
 
LDJones said:
I love my Zulus but these look interesting. I wonder how Sennheiser's support is over the long haul? That's what's kept me in Lightspeeds, but their recent drop in trade-in allowance has me looking at alternatives.
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I have a pair of HMEC250's. No chance to use their support yet, and hopefully won't have to, so can't speak to that. But it's an extremely comfortable headset, which also happens to be its detriment. I think some people will not find it "clampy" enough. There is not very much passive attenuation...i.e. if your ANR is not turned on it is almost impossible to hear the radio unless you have the volume cranked. But... for the money, I think they're a decent value.
 
LDJones said:
I love my Zulus but these look interesting. I wonder how Sennheiser's support is over the long haul? That's what's kept me in Lightspeeds, but their recent drop in trade-in allowance has me looking at alternatives.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the support either as I've never needed it, but my partner bought two of the high end zulu's and two of the Sierra's for the back of his other plane. In the two years, all 4 of the headsets have been returned for various service issues. Lightspeed has been great, I guess, but it sounds like a hassle to me.

I figured if I could get 5 years out of them, I'd just throw them away and get a new pair. I'd say the most likely part that might keep it from making my 5 year goal is the cord. No problems so far, but we'll see. I bought 8 rechargeable triple A's and a charger, and am never without batteries. They last a long time, and the ANR really works.

I like the fact that they don't "clamp" my head, if I wanted that, I'd just use the $100 cheapie headsets that I make the teenagers use. :wink2:
 
RyanShort1 said:
I'm pretty interested in the new David Clark offering...
Click to expand...
Article in Flying Magazine this month, gave them a fairly positive review for what it is worth. Bottom line, not as quiet as Bose, but low profile is a positive. Priced a lot less too.
 
buzzard86 said:
Last fall I purchased my very first airplane. I've been flying the heck out of it, but am quickly realizing that my basic headset that I bought 12 years ago for primary training is leaving a lot to be desired now that I am flying regularly. Even with the volume on the radio and headset turned all the way up, I am frequently having a hard time hearing radio calls clearly. I am thinking that I may need to find an ANR solution to improve the sound quality and decrease hearing fatigue.

I am still recovering from the purchase while also saving in earnest for OH, so simply going out and buying a new pair of Zulu's is out the question. Would I be further ahead to watch for a used pair of ANRs in the classifieds or are those ANR kits a viable option (especially if they would be installed in a cheap PNR headset)?

Also, I am going to OshKosh. Are there used deals to be had there?

Thanks.

Jim
Click to expand...

A used Bose X or original zulu would be perfect for you. I found the original Zulu, and probably the zulu 2's, have an adjustment for frequency response. What a difference in hearing!

I have a couple of DC H10-13's w/ the ANR kit from Headset Inc for my backseat passengers. This ANR kit works extremely well and was cost effective. Another option for you...
 
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