GPS/EFB and Headsets

[Jim Hardin]

For GPS, I don't see how the iFlyGPS from Air Adventure can be beat! - http://ifly.adventurepilot.com/

I have the 700 and the newer 720 is better yet.

I find the iPad too big for my use, whereas the iFlyGPS, is just right...

30 day no risk trial period... Can't beat it!

[Eric Page]

I'll add another vote for the Clarity Aloft headset. I've been using mine in an airlne flight deck, including in noisy turboprops, for about seven years and I love them. My first headset was a David Clark H10-80 with the Headsets, Inc. ANR upgrade kit. In my opinion, the Clarity Aloft is quieter, and it's massively more comfortable.

Pros:

• Very small and light weight
• Comfortable for long periods, especially on hot days
• Extremely quiet (I typically set ship's volume at half what others use)
• Auxiliary music input using standard 1/8" male-male stereo cable
• Switch that puts ship audio in right ear only so you don't miss radio calls while listening to music
• Doesn't use batteries

Cons:

• Uses disposable foam ears plugs that must be replaced periodically

Be sure to take the time to adjust the stiff wire band that forms the headset's frame so that it fits your head. That, and getting used to the ear plugs are the only real comfort issues. Once it's adjusted and you're used to the plugs, you'll forget you're wearing it.

The foam ear plugs are an added expense, but so are batteries for an ANR headset. The ear plugs aren't really that expensive, and believe it or not, I've found that Clarity Aloft is usually the cheapest place to get them (they're used on some kinds of hearing aids and are widely available).

After about 5 years of airline (ab)use, my headset's earphone wires became frayed (be sure to pull the plug from your ear by grasping the earphone housing, not the wire). I sent it back to Clarity Aloft for service, and they found that the mic boom was also in rough shape. They trashed my headset and sent me a replacement at no charge. It's been working perfectly since.

If my headset were stolen or lost, I would definitely buy another one.

[Tony_Fletcher]

Another great option for an "in the ear" headset is the HALO from Quiet Technologies. http://www.quiettechnologies.com/

I have a pair, as well as the Lightspeed Zulu1 and they both are great. When I have a passenger, I give them the Zulu and I use the HALOs.

[Bill Greenwood]

Mostly over the years I have used David Clark in some very noisy cockpits like a T-6, and mine has the noise cancelling addition by HEADSET INC. in Amarillo. It is fairly good but not perfect.
DC sets are very well made and they have or used to have excellent product support and customer service. Aviation Consumer does not rate the newer DC noise cancelling headsets as all that good.
The DC does have good static noise protection, not counting the noise cancellilng.

I also have 2 of the new Bose $1000 noise canceling ones. They are more comfortable, and the noise canceling is good, but when the electronics are off they have poor static ear protection.

I have once or twice used the Lightspeed ,and they seem ok, not great, but much cheaper than Bose.

[mjkahn]

I'm not sure if they are still running it, but Lightspeed had a trade in program for the Lightspeed Zulu 2 which I took advantage of a few months ago. I absolutely enjoy these headsets. I'm using an iPad with Foreflight and it works great, not only for GPS, but also for flight planing, filing, and weather (Foreflight also works on the iPhone, so that is a backup and I'm forever checking weather on it). There is also a new device available from Sporty's that users ADS B in for weather updates every few minutes and overlays it on the Foreflight charts using bluetooth.