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4 Answers

First Headset – Used vs. New, Stereo vs. Mono, Passive vs. Active

Asked by: 10316 views , , , , ,
Aviation Headsets, General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Hello,

I am a student pilot working towards my PPL. I've got about 35 hours in my Log Book and up until now I've been using the school provided headsets (ASA). However it is essentially like I'm kissing every other student because the school doesn't clean the headsets after each use. Now that cold season is coming, I'm thinking of getting my own headset so that I can avoid the inevitable viruses that will start spreading amongst the students. Plus who knows where some of those mouths have been! :)

I've been looking primarily at Passive headsets just due to the price point and I know my instructor uses a Passive David Clark H10-13.4 which he recommends highly. I have a few questions though:

  1. Is it worth it to buy a used headset (e.g. David Clark H10-13.4) for about $100-150 less than retail or should I just bite the bullet and buy new? What are the risks of buying used?

  2. I noticed with the DC H10-13.4 headsets that there is a Mono and a Stereo version? Anyone know why I would need the stereo version? In what situations would one use the stereo feature? I know that the ASA headsets the school uses are always set in the Mono position.

  3. As this is a hobby and I'm not flying all day every day for work or anything like that, can you confirm that I'm on the right track looking at a Passive noise cancelling one. Consider that I usually fly twice a week for about an hour each time and that I will likely fly the same or probably even a little less once I have my license.

I know that these questions are rather basic, particularly the Mono vs. Stereo one, but I couldn't find a good answer to that one online. I'm hoping to learn from the wisdom of you all so I get started on the right path.

Thanks,

Aslam

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4 Answers



  1. Gary Moore on Oct 12, 2014

    Great questions and they are likely generate a lot of different opinions. Here’s mine. Buy a reasonably priced, brand name, solid headset. Mono is fine, passive is fine. I’ve had a basic pair of passive David Clarks for over 30 years. I’ve experience the high end, the Bose and others and they are way cool….but for me the decision was simple. I’d rather spend those extra dollars on actually flying the plane…..

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  2. Adam Broun on Oct 12, 2014

    Of course it’s subjective, but…

    . You may not be flying for long periods now, but hopefully after you get your license you’ll get the itch to do some longer flights. Comfort becomes important then, and as Gary said, get a solid brand name pair. Peeling those ASAs off the side of your head on a hot day…not fun.

    . When you start taking friends and family along, you might need more than one pair.

    . Don’t bother with stereo.

    . I’ve had a pair of DC 13.4s since I started flying 20 years ago. They are a fantastic way to start, and I recommend getting the gel earpads for them to add comfort. They’ve lasted really well – I did need to get the plugs replaced after about 18 years, but the factory does a great job supporting them.

    . As I’ve needed more headsets I’ve added a pair of Bose A20s and a pair of Lightspeed Zulus to the collection…both active sets, and the Bose requires the 6-pin connector in the plane (which I have). I bought both of those used for a couple hundred less than new, and they’ve both been great. I usually wear the Lightspeeds – I find them the most comfortable, even though they need batteries.

    Good luck!

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  3. Mitchell L Williams on Oct 13, 2014

    Somebody borrowed my David Clark 13.4’s and did not return them. After those I bought a Lightspeed that I wore over about 1000 hrs of flying. Next the RV homebuilders talked me into a quiet technologies Halo.

    The ear plugs get gross after a few flights, but they are only $1 per set and the headset comes with 20 or pair. There is also a wax removal process – throw them in cup of water and microwave. There are way more comfortable that dave clarks. I have maybe 350 hours in them so far. I worked in power plants and am used to wearing ear plugs, so the transition was easy.

    https://www.quiettechnologies.com/

    I have the ASA $150 sets, and AircraftSpruce label sets with our rentals. The ear pads seem to get hard in about a year. The ones with a boom mic seem to be better than the one with the mic on the wire holders.

    I had my Dave Clarks rebuilt twice. For $75 then replaced the wires, earpads, all the plastic or rubber parts.

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  4. Bob Watson on Oct 14, 2014

    I’m another member of the David Clark fan club. I bought my first pair over 30 years ago (an H10-30). After 25 years of bouncing around in various flight bags, I sent them in to have the cord replaced and they came back like new! I expect they’ll last another 25 years. Sure they’re heavy and head clamping, but in the airplane, I like things that I don’t have to worry about.

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