Comments on: ANR Headsets Worth It?

By: Administrator

Administrator — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:56:45 +0000

Thanks for all the suggestions, I am definitely going to check them out. I do like the idea of the ‘in ear’ products, and I see the Lightspeed version is a little cheaper than the Clarity Aloft. Still some serious bones though…. but an annual bonus only comes once a year!? Though the difference *is* a couple of hours flight time…..

By: DavidW

DavidW — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:06:39 +0000

I used to have the Lightspeed 15XLC. Then I bought the Clarity Aloft. A much better headset! It’s extremely lightweight and its ANR capability is as good as the 15XLC. If you aren’t used to wearing foamy earplugs, it might take a few flights to get used to them. Special bonus – no headset hair.

By: DaveOlson

DaveOlson — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:11:25 +0000

I got a LightSpeed QFR Xc when I started my training. I’ve been really happy with it and it is noticeable when the batteries are dead. It’s a great light and inexpensive headset. Haven’t had any problems with it. My instructor recommended an ANR and I’m happy she did.

By: crazyscot

crazyscot — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:24:21 +0000

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. I bought myself a Pilot 17-79 a few years ago as a present for having gone solo and I don’t regret it for a moment. It has a little magic in its circuitry which amplifies the speech band slightly – reduced my “say again” rate even further. And I can still hear the engine; the ANR doesn’t kill the engine noise, but just turns down the lower, more annoying frequencies to the point where I think it’s more likely I’ll pick up a funny-sounding engine sooner than if I had no ANR. (FWIW I fly the standard spamcans – C150/152, PA28/28R.)

Good gel earseals are a particularly worthwhile addition if you don’t get them as standard.

By: Big Country

Big Country — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:15:23 +0000

Saw your post on the Plus One board and hadn’t had a chance to respond yet.

I bought a Lightspeed Twenty 3G about a year ago and haven’t regretted it. It’s extremely lightweight and comfortable. I wore mine for 3 hours going to VGT with sunglasses on and it didn’t bother me or make my head hurt. The Thirty 3G is a little better (in ANR and PNR rating), but I don’t fly enough to make it worth it so I saved a few bones.

You can still hear the engine in the background and enough sound to tell if something is going wrong, but the improved clarity in communications is amazing due to the overall reduction of background noise. The overall total noise reduction will also preserve your ability to have a conversation with your grandkids when you’re 65.

Bottom line: I would highly recommend ANR, but especially a Lightspeed. Bought mine at Marv’s.

Taking an Archer to CNO with a few friends on Sunday. Some pictures at the museum and a Flo’s gut bomb should make me a happy man.

Cheers,
BC