Posted: 8/26/2008 6:26:28 PM EDT
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Some things to think about. The "soft leather" looking headset cushions deteriorate in about 1-2 years. They then leave greasy, cracked bits of "reverting" (as in reverting to it's original form) plastic on your ears. In hot weather, it gets worse. Lightspeed, Telex, Bose and others use this crap. I like cloth or terrycloth ear cushions Any full size headset will clamp your head and after a few hours, will likely annoy you, A LOT. Bose is among the best in this regard, as they are lighter. If you are renting planes, ANR headsets must have batteries. My Peltor ANR has a 9V battery in the ear cup. Kinda cool, no external battery holder. I like the Bose better than the Peltor, but not by much. There are plenty of aftermarket DC type headsets that work quite well. |
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If you can afford to replace the comms with civilian gear, flight helmets are actually really, really nice. Can be a bit warm if your cockpit is hot, but easier to hear, loads more comfortable than many headsets, and the visor > sunglasses on a bright day. Might freak out people on the tarmac, but who gives a shit. 
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| I'm sorry, but anyone who steps out of a 172 wearing a helmet is a superdouche. There's just now way around it, I wish i could find some leniency, but they will be excoriated. Bonus points for a kneeboard, flightsuit, and Oakley Pilot Boots. And when you step out of your aircraft wearing all this regalia, forgetting to unplug your mic cords, then your head snaps back like a rodeo calf and you go down hard on the gear leg, well - you own the ramp. |
 the ole superdouche! |
+1 on the superdouche |
That's why you take your 'flight gear' off *IN* the plane... Although the 'bag' is a bit much... |
Win! 
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What would you call the guy that wears an SV-2 survival vest complete with flare pistol and extra flares, emergency water and food rations, plus all the other flight gear mentioned above (with Nomex gloves) just to fly a 172 on CAP missions... in Florida! I know the guy from work and he's an uncircumcised prick there... |
When I was a 100Hr private pilot I had an $85 Flightcomm headset and dreamed of a Bose. When I was a 350Hr commercial pilot I had a $400 Lightspeed headset and still dreamed of a Bose. When I was a 5000Hr Instrument Commercial pilot I had gone back to a $385 Flightcomm ANR and realized that gear was queer and whatever worked for someone was just fine. Now with 7500+ Hrs I am even getting over laughing at the flight suits and helmets. If you are too soft to fly for 11Hrs in a day without complaining about your headset hurting your head, you are a noob, pure and simple. It's one of those full circle things. Oh, I still laugh if the flightsuit helmet guys have that "strut". You know the one. Otherwise the headset debate is for aspiring flight instructors to sort out. My ear seals and head cushions quit bothering me years ago. |
Yep. Headsets are the M4 feedramps/chrome lined barrels of Aviation. Everybody worries about them at first, but later you realize it's whatever works for you. If you want a good headset, buy a David Clark, if you want the best, buy Bose X. |
Funny thing. I have been doing this for 20 years. The headsets still hurt my ears after 2 hours. I have been to more than half the worlds countries via private aircraft, no newbee here, have plenty of helicopter time too, and the Bose headsets are still the most comfortable. |
I can accept that, just as I can the helmet guys. Usually though, the buzz is from 500hr flight instructors waxing elloquent about DC or Bose. Peace bro. |
