Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I've been fighting buying a pair of ANR headsets for a few years now. One, because I'm cheap and two, because I still fly with the same pair of David Clarks Dad and I flew with 30 years ago, so there's a fair degree of sentimental attachment.

I did however fly with a pair of flight com Zulus the other day as well as borrow a set of flightcoms from David Read last summer on the way to Oshkosh. In short I got hooked so last night I installed the Headsets Inc. ANR retrofit fit in my old DC's and I have to say it's a winner! Basically you gut the innards of your existing headset (just the audio side, the mic stays intact) and replace them with new components supplied in the kit. It was about a 30 min job and at $149 the price is right! In fact one could buy an old "out of date" set of DC's and the kit and come out under $200 for basically a new ANR headset.

Here's the link in case anyone is interested.

http://www.headsetsinc.com/

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I had a pair of DC and did the same thing to them about eight years ago, and they did a nice job. when I replaced them with a pair of light speeds the comfort level coupled with better noise reduction and the fact you can wear them all day without the ear squeeze thing going on sold me. highly recommend although they are more expensive.One must decide where to spend the bucks.

Lance 38DT

Ah, here is something I can actually comment on with some authority.

Lee – Headsets Inc is a great way to go, but make sure you never run out of batteries. Ten years ago I wired Headsets Inc ANR into a cheap Flightcomm or something. It worked fine, but one day I was towing gliders in a Citabria and the light went red. I felt obligated to keep flying, and a couple of hours later, my ears were ringing. They have never stopped. (Mind you, I also learned to fly before headsets were invented, so I was pre-deafened.)

The Headsets, Inc units take up a lot of space in the cup, often space that was formerly occupied by foam. Without the electronics working, some headsets turn into tin cans. Can’t comment on DC’s, but with respect to comfort, I hear some people call them Davey Clamps. I have a 30-3G now. They are comfortable but look really goofy. I wish I had waited for Zulus.

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In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.

I guess I'm pretty used to the DC's, I don't see any difference in comfort other than the light speeds are a bit lighter.

But Lance you are right spend 1k on a headset or $200, it's all up the spender. I try to keep a 1:1 ratio (airplane vs stuff wife wants) so I'm constantly bound by the dollar! In other words if I spend 200 on headsets it's really 400 as the extra 200 goes to the Mrs.

All being said it was the light speeds that convinced me to go ANR so they are indeed great products ... Just $$$.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Thanks Dick That's good advice, I'll stock up on 9volts!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Get you a 12v to 9v converter and eliminate the batteries.

Roger that ... Just put that on my todo list today. We have great electronics supply house around the corner heading over there shortly . Thanks again Bill!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Another pitch for Lightspeed. I was one of the first customers to get the 25XL back in the day. I have had several instances when I needed something repaired. They always did it fast, no questions asked, AND FREE!!! They always updated the ear foam and headstrap foam as well. The last time I went to get something fixed, I upgraded to a 30G3 instead. Great company.

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Cubes
831GR
Las Vegas

Another pitch for Lightspeed. My son flys Beech 1900s for a commuter airline and has used Lightspeeds since he pulled banners in SuperCubs in 2006. They get beat up pretty good and Lightspeed stands behind their products. He has had a couple of wire problems and they have been quick to take care of problems.

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darylat8750ft

I have a couple of off label Lightspeeds that I am very happy with. That is they are made by Lightspeed to the same standards and configurations but are less $. your preference of with or without ANR or aux inputs with stereo/mono modes. They are called Victor headsets. Tina's pilot shop (at 52F) carries them exclusively.

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Pat
N89SB
T-18W