In The Ear Headset

[Hank]

I've only used the silicone tips for 3 years. Pull the top of your ear up with the other hand, push it in and let go. After a few dozen times, you'll get the hang of it and do it with one hand.

Relacements aren't much more than foam, ~$3/pair but they last a long time with no cold temperature problems. I've replaced one because it kept falling off.

[GaryP1007]

I used my new Clarity Aloft set yesterday for about 2.5 hours and was mostly positive.  It is amazing how things change based on how you hear noise in the airplane.  The in the ear plugs were not a problem at all.  Seemed to me that I heard "different" noise than I did with my Bose.  Let me be clear...it was different not more.  

 

It was nice to not have any discomfort from a headset....although I am not sure I would for 2.5 with my Bose either.  The "mic" seemed to be almost in my mouth even with numerous adjustments and the cord going from the back of the head created a different sensation.  Again, all in all pleased but I will need to get 5-10 hours of use before I can give an absolute opinion.

 

For what it's worth....

[David Mazer]

I'm surprised you got the Clarity Aloft rather than the Halos.  You are only the second person I know that chose the Clarity Aloft over the Halo.  I'm glad your happy with your choice, whichever it is.  These decisions are very personal.

[Marauder]

I used my new Clarity Aloft set yesterday for about 2.5 hours and was mostly positive. It is amazing how things change based on how you hear noise in the airplane. The in the ear plugs were not a problem at all. Seemed to me that I heard "different" noise than I did with my Bose. Let me be clear...it was different not more.

It was nice to not have any discomfort from a headset....although I am not sure I would for 2.5 with my Bose either. The "mic" seemed to be almost in my mouth even with numerous adjustments and the cord going from the back of the head created a different sensation. Again, all in all pleased but I will need to get 5-10 hours of use before I can give an absolute opinion.

For what it's worth....

Going from one brand of an ANR to another I got the same sensation of something "different". When you fly with one headset for a while, you get accustomed to the background noise of your airplane. When I went from my original ANRs to another brand, things just sounded different.

[omega708]

I pulled the trigger on a Halo headset this morning...

One of my buddies picked up a lightspeed Sierra last week and dropped it by for me to try out. If the noise reduction with the halo is anywhere near as good as the lightspeed I will be elated.

If the Halo doesn't impress me, I'll likely order the Bose A20 since it also has a no obligation trial period, and they will even bill you in 12 installments, with no interest. If I don't like the Halo or the Bose, I'll trade in my wife's Dave Clark 13.4 for a lightspeed.

I'll keep you guys posted!

For what it's worth, I hope I love the Halo. The comfort level, especially in the hot Texas summer, would be a major bonus.

[harrispa]

Speaking of in the ear headsets, I have a Panther Electronics CATS in the ear headset that I don't use.  If anyone is interested let me know and I will provide more info.  I purchased one for me and one for my wife. My wife loves it and still uses it.  I didn't care for it and use a conventional ANR headset.  I don't think the Panther is being produced anymore.   It is a molded in the ear type.

 

Paul

[mikerocosm]

I used my wife's Zulus and thought it couldn't get better, but my old Sennheisers were on the ropes, so I took the gist of this thread and bought a set of Halos, and I can't image ever going back to anything else. The sound in ANR sets just goes dead and seems flat, punctuated by some serious loudness whenever the seal is broken. The sound with the Halos may be a bit louder, but it's REAL sound . . . it's hard to describe, but it's great. You can still hear the subtleties of what's happening with the engine, but it's quiet in there, and the sound from the radios is perfectly crisp and understandable . . . a real asset to those of us who are otherwise moderately hearing-challenged. I had my doubts about the foam seals, as my ear canals seem to be small (if ear-buds supplied by Apple are any gauge), but they go right in there, expand to comfortable non-issues, and everyone on board sounds great and hears me just fine. Halos: I use them, and recommend them, FWIW. And Phil's great.

 

Mike

[GaryP1007]

I used my wife's Zulus and thought it couldn't get better, but my old Sennheisers were on the ropes, so I took the gist of this thread and bought a set of Halos, and I can't image ever going back to anything else. The sound in ANR sets just goes dead and seems flat, punctuated by some serious loudness whenever the seal is broken. The sound with the Halos may be a bit louder, but it's REAL sound . . . it's hard to describe, but it's great. You can still hear the subtleties of what's happening with the engine, but it's quiet in there, and the sound from the radios is perfectly crisp and understandable . . . a real asset to those of us who are otherwise moderately hearing-challenged. I had my doubts about the foam seals, as my ear canals seem to be small (if ear-buds supplied by Apple are any gauge), but they go right in there, expand to comfortable non-issues, and everyone on board sounds great and hears me just fine. Halos: I use them, and recommend them, FWIW. And Phil's great.

 

Mike

Great Mike.  I am enjoying the Clarity Aloft product as well.

[201er]

It's like a new pair of underwear: At first, it's constrictive, but after awhile it becomes a part of you.

[carusoam]

That's an image that will take some time to clear out my brain.

Thanks, Mike!

-a-

[omega708]

I estimate that my new Halo headset should arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to trying it out on Friday!

[Lood]

Does anything exist that does the same thing by wire...i.e., something that goes inline between your headset and panel that then has a plug in to accept a wire from an ipod or something? Ie., does the same job simpler and cheaper.

 

I bought a Bluelink recently, a used sample I might add, and mine does not work that well. I want it for the sole purpose to make calls in flight and although I can hear the person on the other end perfectly well, they struggle to even get an idea what I'm trying to say. I used it with my iPhone and haven't tried it with another. Maybe that might make a difference or maybe my sample has some other problem. The seller guaranteed me that it worked well, but he just never used it, hence his decision to sell.

It also seems that the phone and Bluelink needs to be rather close to each other to keep them linked. I have not tried listening to music through it though.

[aviatoreb]

I bought a Bluelink recently, a used sample I might add, and mine does not work that well. I want it for the sole purpose to make calls in flight and although I can hear the person on the other end perfectly well, they struggle to even get an idea what I'm trying to say. I used it with my iPhone and haven't tried it with another. Maybe that might make a difference or maybe my sample has some other problem. The seller guaranteed me that it worked well, but he just never used it, hence his decision to sell.

It also seems that the phone and Bluelink needs to be rather close to each other to keep them linked. I have not tried listening to music through it though.

 

Has anyone tried one of these?  Its not as if I want to use my cellphone every day for flying.  I would just want to use it to open an IFR flight plan on the ground with the engine running at my rural airport.  So for this very occasional use, I figure maybe a wired system would be good enough, cheaper and even more desirable than blue tooth as it is quite apparent that the connection is connected by looking at the wire.   As long as it works.  Do these work well?  Otherwise the rest of the time I would keep it in my goodies pouch.

 

http://www.pilotshop.com/cell-phone-adapter-universal-p-7663.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/pilotUSA25.php

[David Mazer]

As I mentioned, I had a couple problem units from Blulink.  The people I spoke with were very helpful and sent me a new unit immediately.  This unit appears to be working very well.  No problem hearing the other person on the phone and they state they hear me perfectly.  I've tried units similar to the ones above with poor results but those may be better.

[aviatoreb]

As I mentioned, I had a couple problem units from Blulink.  The people I spoke with were very helpful and sent me a new unit immediately.  This unit appears to be working very well.  No problem hearing the other person on the phone and they state they hear me perfectly.  I've tried units similar to the ones above with poor results but those may be better.

 

That is so strange that a wired component would be so much worse.

[flyboy0681]

My BluLink just arrived. I'll give a PIREP the next time I go up.

[omega708]

As expected Halo headset arrived today.  Flying around 7 AM tomorrow with a PIREP to follow shortly thereafter.

[David Mazer]

Erik, I bought an un-powered version from Aircraft Spruce and the volume just went away when I put it inline (even when I wasn't on the phone I couldn't hear the radios).  They claimed the powered version was better but it was about the same price as the Blulink.

[aviatoreb]

Erik, I bought an un-powered version from Aircraft Spruce and the volume just went away when I put it inline (even when I wasn't on the phone I couldn't hear the radios).  They claimed the powered version was better but it was about the same price as the Blulink.

 

Thanks.

[omega708]

First flight with my new Halo headset this morning. One word: Amazing. I cannot imagine ever going back to a traditional headset. I was so impressed that I loaned it to two of my buddies that were flying from Temple to San Antonio and back this morning. Both are lightspeed owners and both are going to order a halo in the next week or so. The ability to wear a hat this morning in the cold weather was a major plus as well. For me, overall the noise attenuation is better that each passive and anr traditional headset that I've tried. It took two or three minutes to get used to the ear plugs, but after that I didn't even realize I was wearing a headset at all. Radio transmissions from other planes and ATC were crystal clear and effortless to understand. Granted, I normally fly with a Dave Clark 13.4, but at least once or twice a flight I have to ask ATC to repeat themselves or if another pilot is with me, I ask them if they understood. I don't think I'll have that problem due to cockpit noise.

[201er]

Granted, I normally fly with a Dave Clark 13.4, but at least once or twice a flight I have to ask ATC to repeat themselves or if another pilot is with me, I ask them if they understood. I don't think I'll have that problem due to cockpit noise.

It's not just that the Halo has better noise blockage and louder sound, but also the way voices sound on it is crystal clear. If you can't make out what they are saying, they're radio is probably busted

[Scott Aviation]

Lightspeed zulu2. Best headset ever!!