A Tale of Two Headsets

[Dave Piehler]

Last Saturday when went to shoot some approaches I put on my Lightspeed 30 3G headset. It’s old, but it works (other than annoying me more than once when the batteries failed without warning inside the FAF, resulting in a huge increase in noise just when a distraction is particularly unwelcome). When I checked the sidetone, there was none. Wiggling the wires resulted in intermittent sidetone. Checking with my safety pilot confirmed that the mic was intermittent. I switched to my Peltor 7004 backup set and completed the flight uneventfully.

Lightspeed has an excellent reputation for customer service, but they can’t support products forever. A quick check online confirmed they no longer support the 30 3G. So I may be in the market for a replacement, depending on one possible repair establishment (still waiting to hear).

And now for the rest of the story….

The Lightspeed is my backup headset, which I was using because my Quiet Technologies Halo headset was in the shop. I bought the Halo headset at least ten years ago at OSH. The wires at both plugs had separated from the insulation, despite the strain relief fittings. When I stopped at the QT booth at OSH last July and told the proprietor, Phil McQuillen, what had occurred, he immediately told me to send them to him. QT has a refurbishment plan, explained on their website ($135 for a complete OH, other repairs billed when the headset is returned). Being in the slow season for flying here in the northwoods, I popped the headset in a USPS Flat Rate Box and mailed it, and an explanatory letter, on 2/6. It arrived at QT on 2/8 (nice work, USPS). I received the repaired headset on Monday, 2/12 (a mere six days after I shipped it off), along with a note indicating there was no charge for repair – not even for return shipping!  

Talk about one-upping Lightspeed for customer service.

The moral of the story: Stop at the QT booth at Oshkosh next July and check out the Halo headset. It’s price is amazingly reasonable, the service is outstanding, and everyone I know who’s bought a set loves it. In fact, they often buy a second set after their SO swipes the first one.

Dave

Edited February 14, 2023 by Dave Piehler

[Gorilla]

I will have to agree with Raptor. I have purchased a second set of QT Halos due to my satisfaction with the first set. They are light, comfortable, and the passive noise cancellation is very good. 

[midlifeflyer]

I agree about how quiet they are.  Not surprising since those eartips are the same ones used by audiologists for hearing tests. And they are very , very comfortable.

But, having tried them, I disliked how poorly the mic boom was set up. Never stayed near my mouth. That seems to be standard - I think every video I've ever seen of them  being used has the pilot holding the mic to their mouth while communicating. Or, as another pilot in the traffic pattern said when I test flew them and asked for a radio check without holding it against my lips, "You sound like you are in a tornado but otherwise broadcasting fine."  (I have the audio file :D) 

[Dave Piehler]

Although I've noticed that the mic can wander, I've never had to hold it close to my mouth.  I've always been able to adjust it to work without repeated adjustments.

Dave

[Hank]

I love my Halos, and use the silicone tips. Gabe away the foamies. Finally convinced my wife to try a pair, and said I could sell them in an hour if she didn't like them.

After a 20-minute local flight, she put her David Clark's with gel seals back on the hatrack! This was coming home from the beach, 2-1/2 hours or so.

[Dave Piehler]

11 hours ago, Hank said:

I love my Halos, and use the silicone tips. Gabe away the foamies. Finally convinced my wife to try a pair, and said I could sell them in an hour if she didn't like them.

After a 20-minute local flight, she put her David Clark's with gel seals back on the hatrack! This was coming home from the beach, 2-1/2 hours or so.

Thanks, Hank.

Your Honor, I rest my case.

Dave

[Dave Piehler]

Further info on my malfunctioning Lightspeed 30 3G headset: I found KC Headsets (KCHeadsets.com).  Terry, the owner, knows his stuff cold.  I described my problem to him in a phone call and he knew exactly what was wrong.  I stuck both the Lightspeeds and an old Peltor headset with a broken mic in a USPS flat-rate box.  They got to KC Tuesday, and late Tuesday afternoon Terry called with quotes to repair both headsets.  $135 for each instance.  So for $270 I get both headsets functioning again.  A bargain, indeed.

Pro tip:  The website uses a contact form to make an inquiry.  It failed for me.  Instead, call Terry at 816 835-4575, or e-mail sales@KCHeadsets.com.

Dave