dlu@tektools.UUCP (Doug Urner) (03/06/86)
I'm in the market for a headset (and maybe an intercom). Does anyone have any recomendations? I'll be using them in a 172 so I put a bit of a premium on protecting my hearing. So far I'm leaning toward David Clark's model 10-40 though I've been told that the combination headset/intercom made by AudioCom is a good deal. As usual, thanks in advance (and I'd be happy to summarize to the net), Doug Urner, dlu@tektronix
Oliver.osbunorth@XEROX.COM (03/10/86)
Doug, seems I can't send direct to you. First, I applaude your decision to use a headset. Not only will it help extended your years of hearing but they make radio communication much less a chore. When coupled with an intercom there should be a lot less "what?"s in the cockpit. A few years ago I bought David Clark's model 10-40 for my own use and 6 months later I got another one for my wife. I now use them with the Radio System's Technology intercom I put together from a kit. I am happy with all this gear and recomend them. Note that because of the large signal produced by the electret microphones in the H10-40's, the intercoms and/or the COM radio's input can be overloaded. A simple resistor change in the intercom and/or a Mike gain adjustment in the COM radios takes care of this annoyance. This is a guess, but I think that all headsets with an electret mic share this high signal level anomolly. David Clark's model 10-30 is the same headset but with a dynamic mike instead of an electret. This set's microphone characteristics are a much closer match to what is installed in most rental aircraft. If I was still a renter I would probably opt for these. (mucking with the mic gain on an aircraft which you are renting is very poor form indeed.) I'm sure that the electrets are clearly (ooh, I made a pun) a superior microphone. So, my rule of thumb is; If the headset stays with the airplane use H10-40s. If the headset wanders from airlane to airplane use H10-30s. Note that I have a crude thumb. Also, find yourself a current copy of TRADE A PLANE and check out the prices in the adds. I found this to be the cheapest way to buy headsets. I haven't checked recently but two years ago I got my H10-40 for $155 and they threw in a push-to-talk switch with the deal. This was from a place in So. Cal. Delivery was swift,too. Blue skies to ya, Ollie
notes@harpo.UUCP (03/14/86)
I have the Clark headset with the electret mike. I also got the liquid cuffs and the cloth headset covers. The liquid conforms better to your head, and particularly glasses. The sound reduction is wonderfull. I use to fly with a Telex about 12 years old, and to get good sound reduction I used to use the EAR ear plugs along with the headset. With the Clark's, I get excellent sound reduction with having to use ear plugs. It sure makes it a lot easier to understand the controllers. Irv McNair
marcum@sun.uucp (Alan Marcum) (03/18/86)
I've flown with an intercom and headsets since very early in my
student pilot days, when my instructor got a Dave Clark 10-30, a
Telex D-950, and a portable intercom. I consider myself very
fortunate to have been able to learn in this kind of an environment,
both for my private and for my instrument. I was so impressed with
the difference between headsets-intercom and plugs-shouting that I
bought my own headset, then an intercom and more headsets. I'm now
on my second intercom (a Telex), have four headsets (all Telex; the
original D-950 and three E-951s), and love it! I'm planning on getting
the new Dave Clark 10-80 sometime in the future, especially given the
reviews I've seen on it. Incidentally, I've never had any noticeable
trouble with the electret mikes in the planes I use (flying club),
both with an without the intercom. I've also never had any trouble
mixing both electret and dynamic mikes with either the Telex intercom
or the RST I used to use.
I can STRONGLY recommend getting (borrowing if necessary) a reasonable
headset. I find the Telex 950/951 much more comfortable than the Dave
Clark 10-30/10-40; if the plane is very noisy, I'll use earplugs as
well as the headset. I tried on the 10-80 in a shop, and was very
impressed with how it felt, and the noise reduction (in the store; I
haven't had the chance to fly with one yet). If you tend to fly with
other people, do everyone a favor and get another headset (or few if
needed) and an intercom. And, if you're an instructor, please, PLEASE
get an intercom and a couple of headsets. It's said the an airplane
is a lousy classroom; why make it any worse than it must be?
--
Alan M. Marcum Sun Microsystems, Technical Consulting
...!{dual,ihnp4}!sun!nescorna!marcum Mountain View, Californiaal@infoswx.UUCP (03/20/86)
I use the plantronics starset. My preference for this over the others was based on a the fact that I rent aircraft from several FBS's, none of which have intercoms installed. With a tradition headset, I felt I could not properly hear the passengers if they were talking. I give each passenger a set of E*A*R plugs, and I wear one in my right ear. With that, everbody talks loud, and everybody can hear one another. Al Gettier
ark@alice.UucP (Andrew Koenig) (03/22/86)
If you're in the market for headsets, consider Sigtronics. They're much less expensive than the big names, and appear to be every bit as good (though I must admit that the Clarks, at twice the price, seem to offer a tiny bit more noise isolation). They have a volume control in the headset (nice feature) that cannot be turned all the way down (safety feature). Sigtronics makes good intercoms too. If you have a yoke-mounted PTT switch, they will modify their intercom for a nominal fee to work smoothly with it.