Discussion
Currently working towards my JAA PPL and I'm looking to inves into a headset. I've been advised to look into a david clark headset, just trying to get a few more opinions on this. I'm not too fussed about fangly dangly functions, as long as it does the basic function well, is comfortable and has a long life I don't really care. I'm looking to pay about £300 maximum..
You can't really go wrong with a cheapo set of DC's to start with - plenty going on eBay, I'd say avoid the oddball 10-80 though, as I think the ear-seals are a non-standard shape.
Kits available for ANR if required, but if stock passive noise reduction from isn't doing the job look at a) better ear-seals or b) fitting CEP earpieces - I've put them in various helmets and DC headsets, and IMHO it is the most cost-effective means of stopping yourself going deaf in an aeroplane there is - although your standard SEP tourer shouldn't be generating the sort of noise levels where it becomes a necessity.
I did go down the route of blowing £500 on set of the latest DC ANR kit when I was doing my PPL in 2003 - in retrospect I'd say spend max £100 on some used DC's and maybe fresh ear-seals, give the plugs a clean and they'll be good as new.
Bought myself a set of new DC's at £299... I thought about the second hand route, but I've always been someone who prefers to know how the kit has been used during it's life. I'd rather fork out the extra money and be happy that the kit was cared for than have to replace it down the line due to it being mistreated by a previous owner... But that's just a bit of OCD I guess =P
EdBarrett said:
Bought myself a set of new DC's at £299... I thought about the second hand route, but I've always been someone who prefers to know how the kit has been used during it's life. I'd rather fork out the extra money and be happy that the kit was cared for than have to replace it down the line due to it being mistreated by a previous owner... But that's just a bit of OCD I guess =P
Fair enough....but in that case best not to dwell on the abuse your average flying club rental hack has been through in its long career..... 
I remember one of our club PA-28s had two wildly different fuel gauges, both in design and performance (not that you'd actually trust either of them) - it was only a random bit of Googling on the registration that revealed that the reason the left-hand gauge was different was presumably because the whole left wing wasn't the original item, on account of the original one having been left in a hedge some years previously.
Your new DCs are pretty much bullet-proof though!
Another vote for DCs. I'm studying for my PPL and got some after talking to a pal of mine who is a commercial pilot who also flies a SEP. He highly recommended DCs (passive versions) for SEP use, and given that he has a highly vested interest in protecting his hearing to retain his Class 1 medical, I figured he should know what he's talking about. They have been great.
eharding said:
You can't really go wrong with a cheapo set of DC's to start with - plenty going on eBay, I'd say avoid the oddball 10-80 though, as I think the ear-seals are a non-standard shape.
Kits available for ANR if required, but if stock passive noise reduction from isn't doing the job look at a) better ear-seals or b) fitting CEP earpieces - I've put them in various helmets and DC headsets, and IMHO it is the most cost-effective means of stopping yourself going deaf in an aeroplane there is - although your standard SEP tourer shouldn't be generating the sort of noise levels where it becomes a necessity.
I did go down the route of blowing £500 on set of the latest DC ANR kit when I was doing my PPL in 2003 - in retrospect I'd say spend max £100 on some used DC's and maybe fresh ear-seals, give the plugs a clean and they'll be good as new.
Do this. Forget about things like the Bose X, I think they're rubbish anyway. Kits available for ANR if required, but if stock passive noise reduction from isn't doing the job look at a) better ear-seals or b) fitting CEP earpieces - I've put them in various helmets and DC headsets, and IMHO it is the most cost-effective means of stopping yourself going deaf in an aeroplane there is - although your standard SEP tourer shouldn't be generating the sort of noise levels where it becomes a necessity.
I did go down the route of blowing £500 on set of the latest DC ANR kit when I was doing my PPL in 2003 - in retrospect I'd say spend max £100 on some used DC's and maybe fresh ear-seals, give the plugs a clean and they'll be good as new.
However, a good set of DC's with an aftermarket active noise reduction kit fitted by someone competent makes the Bose headsets look like the plasticky, over priced rubbish that they are.
Edited by IforB on Saturday 3rd November 21:48
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