Clarity Aloft or Halo?

[Lood]

I'm toying with the idea to get a new headset. I currently use a DC H10-13.4, which I modified to ANR using the ANR kit from Headsets Inc. It works fantastically, but it is moderately heavy on batteries and they normally tend to quit, at the most inconvenient of times.

I've read only good reports on both the Clarity Aloft and Halo headsets and would like to get an idea which, if any one in particular is preferable?

Regardless of the minor price difference of $166 odd, small differences that I pick up form the websites are that the Clarity offers music input - which I like to use during longer flights. However, I couldn't determine whether the music would be automatically muted during radio transmissions?

The Halo's are are adjustable, which counts in their favor.

 

So, which one would you recommend and why? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[BTR]

I have the Clarity Aloft and love them. I don't use the music feature,so no help there. They are so comfortable there is no need to ever adjust them. You can actually forget your wearing them.

[chrisk]

I have Halo's. I love them. The sound is very clear and full. They are well supported, and I believe the companies owner flies a Mooney B.

My panel has a PMA 8000B, which contains an audio input, so that did not factor into my decision. The music gets mutted every time a radio call is made. If the air space is busy, I don't get to hear much music.

[David Mazer]

When I was looking for a headset I tried both on.  I preferred the Halo.  I've shown both to many other pilots at SNF over the last few years and everyone preferred the Halo except one.  So, while not unanimous, almost everyone preferred the Halo.  As far as music input, if it comes through your audio panel it also comes through the Halo.  If it is blue tooth, there is a $200 Blulink I use that bluetooth connects to my phone.  The Blulink makes the combination cost more than the Clarity aloft if the price difference is $166 but you can use the Blulink on any headsets.

 

As a side note, Phil, the owner of Quiet Technologies and member of this forum, is very responsive to questions and issues.  I also believe he knows his stuff and what he is doing.

 

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

[lahso]

Halo. Gave my old Bose headset to my wife, and haven't looked back. Phil gives great customer service, too.

[BTR]

After reading the other comments, I may need to give Halo a try. My wife's been fussing about her cup style headsets getting heavy. This may be the excuse I need. Must keep her happy.......right?

[Hank]

Once she tries the Halos, she won't ever go back. I've seen ladies with long hair wear them, just slip it around the neck and up under the hair. Not only are they lightweight with very clear sound, she will no longer have "headset hair" and never fuss with batteries. My benefit it that my sunglasses no longer interfere with the seal around the ear making it noisy, no more clamping headaches on longer trips [or on IFR training flights! Those were some long days] and I can wear any hat I want and not just a ball cap without a button on top.

 

Quiet Technologies also offers a 30-day money back guarantee, but few people have used it. The company is run by a PhD Audiologist who is a Mooney pilot, and he hangs out here too. Phil knows what he's doing! Personally, I use the long-lasting silicone plugs, not the foamies.

[mikerocosm]

The guy who provided my Mooney transition training used the Clarity Aloft, and really liked them. Cheapskate that I am, and in response to the overwhelming recommendations of Halo owners, I bought Halos and absolutely love them. (It's worth noting that the other time I've seen earpieces like the ones on the Halos was at the audiologist's office when getting my ears tested. They fit very well, and seal out extraneous sounds quite effectively.) My wife is also very happy with my barely used Zulus, (My panel has audio input that I rarely use, and she makes most of the phone calls anyway, so no Bluetooth issue, but if there were, I'd go for the BluLink.) Occasionally, however, I find myself exiting the Mooney with the headset still on . . .

[Marauder]

The guy who provided my Mooney transition training used the Clarity Aloft, and really liked them. Cheapskate that I am, and in response to the overwhelming recommendations of Halo owners, I bought Halos and absolutely love them. (It's worth noting that the other time I've seen earpieces like the ones on the Halos was at the audiologist's office when getting my ears tested. They fit very well, and seal out extraneous sounds quite effectively.) My wife is also very happy with my barely used Zulus, (My panel has audio input that I rarely use, and she makes most of the phone calls anyway, so no Bluetooth issue, but if there were, I'd go for the BluLink.) Occasionally, however, I find myself exiting the Mooney with the headset still on . . .

Always proud to welcome another member to the Cheap Bast&$d's Club. You make us proud.

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[Piloto]

How do you cope with the wax in your ears. I used to have the old Telex in ear headset and love it. But the wax kept plugging the insert plugs. I learned that I have to clean my ears with a Q-tip before flight. Are the ear inserts disposables or you cleandisinfect them after use. Or is this something like the O2 cannulas?

 

José

[Oscar Avalle]

I like the halos

[Marauder]

How do you cope with the wax in your ears. I used to have the old Telex in ear headset and love it. But the wax kept plugging the insert plugs. I learned that I have to clean my ears with a Q-tip before flight. Are the ear inserts disposables or you cleandisinfect them after use. Or is this something like the O2 cannulas?

José

The silicone ones can be removed and washed. The foam ones (warm weather usage) are disposable.

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[PaulB]

Just placed an order for the Halos a few days ago based on Hank's recommendations.  Can't wait to give them a try.

[Mooneymite]

Okay, Phil.....since no one else has asked...

 

Is there a "special good deal price" for Mooneyspace-cadets?   

[PaulB]

Thanks for all the comments on the Halo, but I do need to correct some misinformation...

 

1) The Halo now has direct music input jack!

2) The Halo now has super soft foam eartips available for those who don't like the originals

3) The Halo now has full independent R/L volume controls for those with asymmetric hearing losses

 

The comparisons are now over.  The Halo RULES!  

 

Phil Mc

 

(Full disclosure.... my opinion is just a little biased toward the HALO)

Phil,

 

Great news about the music jack.  How does it work and will it be on the new set that I ordered about 3 days ago?  Is it just a 3.5mm female audio jack that I could plug my iphone into?

[Marauder]

Jose,

As an audiologist, I can wholeheartedly recommend that you take those Q-tip thingy's and toss them in the trash PERMANENTLY! IMHO they should be banned from the market. Ears are self-cleaning mechanisms and require no maintenance. We see patients on a DAILY basis with severely impacted earwax from Q-tip use. Q-tips do NOT remove cerumen; rather they act as battering rams and push the wax deeper creating a more severe problem. If you read the warnings on the package, they say "DO NOT INSERT INTO EAR CANALS". There is a reason for this warning. Once patients stop using them, their problems go away.

Here's the funny part... the supersoft foam ear tips used on insert earphones have been shown to DECREASE cerumen with regular use. Our competitor has data on that claim. Turns out that the open cell foam acts as a capillary wick and draws the gooey stuff into the ear tip and ears stay cleaner.

Now that you are thoroughly grossed out, go back to eating your breakfast... enjoy!

Phil Mc

Pretty funny Phil! Breakfast is done!

Funny story. When my daughter was around 10, our pediatrician said our daughter failed a hearing test. She said both ears were filled with wax (and no we didn't use the ram tools). She recommended that I use one of those Murine ear wax wash kits and see if it would come out before she tried to remove them physically. I followed the directions carefully. After 7 days of rinsing, both ears released these gigantic ear wax plugs. It was amazing to see how large they were!

Once my daughter saw them, she asked if we could make a candle out of them

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[PaulB]

Once my daughter saw them, she asked if we could make a candle out of them

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Please tell me you did.

[Marauder]

Yep... A little one

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[Piloto]

Phil Mc

 

Thanks for the advise. I suffer from tinnitus, is there a good cure for it? It does not bother me that much since I had it since young.

 

José 

[Andy95W]

Okay, Phil.....since no one else has asked...

 

Is there a "special good deal price" for Mooneyspace-cadets?   

Please? As a fellow Mooney owner who promises to never use Q-tips again?

[Ned Gravel]

+1for the Halos.

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[PaulB]

Thanks for the reply Phil.  My wife wants to know when you're gonna make them in pink.

[Houman]

I did most of my flight training with the Halo, they are great, but not really comfortable in cold weather, the yellow ear tips are not good for winter, never thought of using the silicone ones, not sure I got them, since I bought it 2 years ago. I ended up buying a Zulu for the ANR I guess have not used the Halo for a while, but loved the fact that by the time I was ready to taxi, I had forgotten that I had a headset on !

[Hank]

I love the silicone tips, and I did much of my IFR training in Ohio in the winter. Roll them once in my  [gloved] fingers and stick them in; by the time I reached the hold short I didn't know they were there. Getting out of the plane with the headset still on does not work . . .

[Hank]

Phil--

 

Saw a question about the music input on another forum. You need to update your website and mention the input and the individual volume controls. Hope you don't mind that I pasted your comments above into the Blue Board.