Headsets

[jj le roux]

I'm new to this site and flying all together. I've just completed my 9th hour under the rotor(gyro). Headphones/headsets came up as a topic of discussion and obviously a must have. In my proffession it's a must have as well and I regard them as personal as a pair of underpants.Now you would not necessarily wear another mans pants would you, so best go get your own! The question is what, where and how much! I'm a big sennheiser fan but are they the best value for money. I don't mind paying for quality but have found that paying more is not always the answer. What's the general feeling and what do you guys suggest?

[Pieter Smith]

Hi jj,
(le Roux)......... dan verstaan jy seker my taal.
Baie welkom in die Gyro wereld, dis sowaar die lekkerste lekker. Jy sal nog sien. Hoop om jou by Gariep te ontmoed. Maak n plan, maar Gariep is 'n MOET vir iemand wat nou begin gyro vlieg.
Headsets, my persoonlike keuse is die ZULU Lightspeeds. Baie baie nice, lees wat het Flynote geskryf by die Xenon "Post " oor sy Zulu headsets.
Nogmaals baie welkom op die forum, geniet en sterkte met jou opleiding.
Pieter

[jj le roux]

Baie dankie Pieter! Hoop regtig ek kan dit maak vir Gariep en as alles volgens plan verloop wie weet selfs in my eie gyro.

[t-bird]

Depends if it is open or closed cockpit

ANR- active noise reduction struggle in open cockpits. I have tried them all from Bose, Seinheizer,Light speed etc.

Your headsets also needs to be setup with your radio.

You will find that the radio works perfect for one headset but not for another.

This becomes quite problematic when you have different headsets. I have found that if I use David clarks with Light speed that the David Clarkes takes priority.

The radios that I have tried are the Filser ATR 500 and the ATR 600.

I fly with stock standard David Clarkes and it works perfect don’t waste your money on the ANR DC’s for an open cockpit.

[MAGNIficent]

I tend to agree with T-Bird on the AN - Headsets for Open Cockpits

Work with Micro Air and Filser ATR 600, as T-Bird said David Clarks fine.

[jj le roux]

So T-bird you reckon David Clarks in a open cockpit?

[jj le roux]

Why would certain radio's work better with certain headsets? Surely it's a signal...1 in and 1 out?

[t-bird]

Different headsets have different mic's with different ohm values.Your radio is then setup for a specific headset. This will have an effect on your vox and intercom.

You also get dynamic and electret headset.

[FLYNOTE]

Guys , I just have to share this one with you. You will remember that I raved in the past about the Lightspeed Zulus and all who have flown with me in my Xenon could not believe how quiet and comfortable these headsets are.
You may also recall that I mentioned a while back on this forum that my one set is switching the ANR off automatically after a few minutes.I tried various avionics dealers in JHB and CT to address my problem and all had one story upon the other and I was getting absolutely nowhere but very frustrated. In desperation I mailed the Lightspeed factory. This was the instant reply:

"Hi Johan,>
> Thanks for your email. I'm sorry you're having a problem with your
> headset, unfortunately it will need repair, this is not something you
> can correct by changing any settings. We can take care of the repair
> for you. We have repair centers in Germany, Australia and here in the
> US. Repair and return shipping is no charge and turn around time is
> just a few days. Please provide your phone number, shipping address
> and the serial number of the headset (found under the removable head
> cushion for Zulu and Sierra, inside the battery box for other models).
Once I have this information I'll
> get back to you with return instructions.>
> Thanks and let me know if I can be of any further help.>
> Best Regards,>
> Jan"

I sent the set off and a few days later...

"Dear Johan ,
Case No. 14-78680
We have completed the repairs on your Zulu headset.
Your headset was shipped within the last 24 hours via Express Mail Int'l. If you wish to track this shipment, your tracking number is EG614962637US.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. If after you receive your headset, you have additional questions, Please call us
Thank you
LightSPEED"

Are these guys for real ?
So I try the headsets and it does the same thing.
I mail them and inform them that something is still not right and I receive this reply:

"Hi Johan,
I'm so very sorry this happened, this is very unusual. We tested the headset here for over 30 minutes and it worked well for us, I'm not sure why you experienced something different in your environment. I think our best option at this point would be to replace this headset with the new Zulu which has a different ANR circuit and will resolve this issue for you. I am working on these arrangements and will get back to you soon.
Let me know if this will work for you. I apologize for all the inconvenience.
Best Regards,
Jan
The Lightspeed Sales Team
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com
800-332-2421"

I asked them if they couldnt replace both my sets for me with the new generation. I am prepared to pay for the second one.
And then...

"Hi Johan,
Please return the headsets on RMA0419. Once they arrive we'll ship you a pair of the new Zulu and this issue will be resolved. I'm very sorry for all the inconvenience and really appreciate your patience. I will be out the next few days so I have copied my co-worker, Joe, who can help you if you need anything.
Thanks again,
Jan
The Lightspeed Sales Team
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com
800-332-2421"

Now how is this for great service? I felt bad that they are prepared to replace both my sets with the new generation Zulus at no cost so I offered again to pay for the second one. This was their response;

"Dear Johan,
Thank you for your kind response!
We are happy to take care of this for you. It is important to us that you have a headset that best suits your needs!
Have a wonderful day! Please let me know if there is anything that I may assist you with in Jan's absence! How is also here to help!
Best Regards,
Karina Bradshaw
The Lightspeed Sales Team
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com
800-332-2421"

I really believe that we in South Africa have forgotton what customer service is all about. How can one not buy a product from a company that gives this sort of support and after sales service?
Thumbs up to Lightspeed Zulus all the way !!!!

[James Bentley]

I have read this thread with much interest and can confirm that Lightspeed Zulus are excellent!

Service from Lightspeed is also fantastic but their “local” agent is pathetic…

I decided to support the local guys when buying instead of using a vendor in the US as I felt if they ever needed repair it could be done more efficiently, how wrong I was!!!
My one headset also developed the same problem; it came on and within a few seconds went off, contacted the Lanseria based avionics dealer who supplied them to me who requested that I send the headset to them as they would repair it in their workshop and return it to me within a few days. A month later and after repeated phone calls I was told that it would now have to be sent to the USA as they could not correct the fault locally.
Lightspeed acknowledged receiving the headset in a very short time, they confirmed that it had been repaired and within days would be shipped back via UPS. It took another 3 months of phone calls and emails to the dealer before it arrived in the country and they provided me with a very hefty bill for the return shipping and admin fees (almost 30% of the original price of the headset). I objected to the cost as the headset was still under warranty but they would not release it to me unless I paid, my argument being that they are the local agent and should have had the necessary equipment/parts/knowhow to repair locally. It was revealed to me only now that they were not the official agent and only a reseller and all costs were for my account. If I had known this upfront I would never had dealt through them and communicated with Lightspeed directly who incidentally kept me informed all the time about my headset. What I presume happened was that the dealer requested to Lightpeed that they send the headset to an address in the US for consolidation into a shipment for them. Lightspeed were prepared to send it to me directly at their cost but again I felt that I should do the correct thing and let the dealer arrange it all not expecting a bill for the transport. After all, he made a profit on the sale to me and acknowledged that service was no problem. So be warned, check who you buy your headsets from and make sure that they can do repairs locally or if it does go wrong who will pick up the tab for the return to the manufacturer and back to you.
I could have almost bought a brand new headset taking into account all the courier costs incurred.

James

[FLYNOTE]

Wow James ! You would have seen my toys fly if I was in your position ! No, the moment I realised that I was not getting anywhere with the local guys and decided to contact Lightspeed directly ,I had the most satisfying experience. The turnover time was 10 days! The guys are on the ball and respond immediately to your mails. They keep you informed every step of the way. This is why I maintain that we have so much to learn about customer and after sales service. The Lightspeed guys are doing it right.. and I did the right thing to go directly to them. This is one very happy customer!

[old no 7]

So Johan,
Het jy al die nuwe Zulus ontvang?
Hoe verglyk hulle?
Ek wil nou in Oshkosh twee koop.

[James Bentley]

Unfortunately it puts one off buying locally, service in this country has to step up a gear!

I am a very satisfied Light speed customer and will buy them again but will contact the manufacturers for a dealer recommendation next time

[FLYNOTE]

Jip James, I agree. I would absolutely hate to be labelled as one who does not support local as I always aim to. But sometimes your shopping experience is so much better on the internet dealing directly with suppliers or dealers in other parts of the world.Bear in mind that it depends entirely on what you are shopping for. I am not knocking local...just the service sometimes. I have in the past bought various aviation products from www.marvgolden.com and you cannot believe how fast and efficient the service is. O hell, I am opening a can of worms here !! Maybe I should drop the topic. Just wanted to say how happy I am with Lightspeed!!
My sets are on the way and judging by the turnover time last time I should have them next week and will tell what I think. But I know they will be great. Zulu has been the best for me since day one and the very first sets.I have been through ... you name it ... every single set on the market. Once you fly with a Zulu ... thats it. Nothing comes close in my humble opinion.

[old no 7]

At $900 a piece it is quite a big investment, but I will take your word for it