Lightspeed Headsets

[[email protected]]

Hi,

I have just started my CPL training with the C172, and was looking for
a low-priced ANR headset, or a good passive headset.

I'm presently using a Flightcom 4DX, but was looking to invest in
something better. My options are Peltors Passive, or the Lightspeed
ANRs, 20XL or QFR Crosscountry.

I have read some problems with the QC of the Lightspeed headsets a few
years back. How is the situation now? Problems? I rather not deal with
any downtime to repair something.

Lastly, any insights to the better headset in a C172, 20XL or QFR or
something else?

Thanks!
Derek

[Jay Honeck]

> I have read some problems with the QC of the Lightspeed headsets a few
> years back. How is the situation now? Problems? I rather not deal with
> any downtime to repair something.
>
> Lastly, any insights to the better headset in a C172, 20XL or QFR or
> something else?

I have owned LightSpeed headsets from their infancy. In fact, I've now
owned (I think) seven sets of them, ranging from the earliest 15s to
the latest Twenty 3 Gs.

We currently fly with four sets of Twenty 3 Gs, and are very satisied
with them. They are durable, sturdy, lightweight, comfortable (on even
the longest flights), have switchable bass and treble boost (which is
great with XM radio and CDs), and the built-in cell phone input
adaptor. The ANR is fantastic, the battery life acceptable, the auto
shut-off feature is great, and we simply couldn't be happier with them.


But it's been a long road getting to this point. In my opinion, you
should steer clear of their older models, as they simply were not built
to withstand steady usage. The 20XLs we had were sent back to
LightSpeed multiple times for repairs and -- although they always fixed
them cheerfully and for free, and they were great when they worked --
they simply were not a good product.

I have no personal experience with the QFRs, so perhaps someone else
can chime in about them?

My advice: Grit your teeth and spend the money to get the Twenty 3Gs.
You won't regret it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the feedback. I will be flying almost every other day, so
durabilty is of utmost concern. I'm afraid the Twenty 3G is priced out
of league at the moment.

Hopefully someone can chim in on the QFR, since they should be newer. I
wear glasses too.

Thanks,
Jay Honeck wrote:

> > I have read some problems with the QC of the Lightspeed headsets a few
> > years back. How is the situation now? Problems? I rather not deal with
> > any downtime to repair something.
> >
> > Lastly, any insights to the better headset in a C172, 20XL or QFR or
> > something else?
>
> I have owned LightSpeed headsets from their infancy. In fact, I've now
> owned (I think) seven sets of them, ranging from the earliest 15s to
> the latest Twenty 3 Gs.
>
> We currently fly with four sets of Twenty 3 Gs, and are very satisied
> with them. They are durable, sturdy, lightweight, comfortable (on even
> the longest flights), have switchable bass and treble boost (which is
> great with XM radio and CDs), and the built-in cell phone input
> adaptor. The ANR is fantastic, the battery life acceptable, the auto
> shut-off feature is great, and we simply couldn't be happier with them.
>
>
> But it's been a long road getting to this point. In my opinion, you
> should steer clear of their older models, as they simply were not built
> to withstand steady usage. The 20XLs we had were sent back to
> LightSpeed multiple times for repairs and -- although they always fixed
> them cheerfully and for free, and they were great when they worked --
> they simply were not a good product.
>
> I have no personal experience with the QFRs, so perhaps someone else
> can chime in about them?
>
> My advice: Grit your teeth and spend the money to get the Twenty 3Gs.
> You won't regret it.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[Jim[_11_]]

Don't forget to check ebay. I picked up 2 pair of like new 20-3Gs last
month. I saved over $100 on each pair over new prices.
Jim

[ktbr]

wrote:
> Thanks for the feedback. I will be flying almost every other day, so
> durabilty is of utmost concern. I'm afraid the Twenty 3G is priced out
> of league at the moment.

The reality is that its gonna be hard to find any really
good (i.e. quality & comfort) headset for anything less
than what the 3G costs. You get what you pay for.

Maybe you can find something used on Epay.

[Newps]

wrote:

> Thanks for the feedback. I will be flying almost every other day, so
> durabilty is of utmost concern. I'm afraid the Twenty 3G is priced out
> of league at the moment.
>
> Hopefully someone can chim in on the QFR, since they should be newer. I
> wear glasses too.


I have had several sets of the Lightspeed. The best I've found are the
QFR XCc. They've recently changed the headband and it is much more
comfortable now. It's got all the features...auto off, cell/music
interface, etc. Batteries last forever. Looks like $320 is the going
price.

[Thomas Borchert]

AFAIK, the current 20XLc has been redesigned to be sturdier than the
older 25XLs Jay is talking about, too. So I'd go for those. The QFRs
are Peltor style, with a wire frame. Their ANR is not nearly as
effective as the 20XLc. Also, if you decide to go for the QFRs, don't
get the Lightspeed branded ones, but rather the much cheaper, but
completely similar models branded to a pilot shop (Marv Golden, Avshop
et cetera). The only difference is a polished earcup.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[[email protected]]

Since my main use will be on the C172, how much of any advantage will
the 20XL be over the QFRs? What would be the main difference btw the
20XLs, and anyway to tell if they are of the newer type?

I'm just wondering if the 20XL are worth the $$ over the QFRs? Are gel
seals available for the QFRs?

Thanks for the help!
Thomas Borchert wrote:

> AFAIK, the current 20XLc has been redesigned to be sturdier than the
> older 25XLs Jay is talking about, too. So I'd go for those. The QFRs
> are Peltor style, with a wire frame. Their ANR is not nearly as
> effective as the 20XLc. Also, if you decide to go for the QFRs, don't
> get the Lightspeed branded ones, but rather the much cheaper, but
> completely similar models branded to a pilot shop (Marv Golden, Avshop
> et cetera). The only difference is a polished earcup.
>
> --
> Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Newps]

wrote:

> Since my main use will be on the C172, how much of any advantage will
> the 20XL be over the QFRs? What would be the main difference btw the
> 20XLs, and anyway to tell if they are of the newer type?

The main thing I didn't like about the XL's was that god awful huge ear
cup. The headband is alwfully thick too. You will be constantly
banging your earcups into the aircraft.


>
> I'm just wondering if the 20XL are worth the $$ over the QFRs?

No. And the QFr's work great with my sunglasses.



Are gel
> seals available for the QFRs?

Yes, I have them.

[Bravo Two Zero]

www.gulf-coast-avionics.com has them for $299

"Newps" > wrote in message
. ..
>
>
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the feedback. I will be flying almost every other day, so
>> durabilty is of utmost concern. I'm afraid the Twenty 3G is priced out
>> of league at the moment.
>>
>> Hopefully someone can chim in on the QFR, since they should be newer. I
>> wear glasses too.
>
>
> I have had several sets of the Lightspeed. The best I've found are the
> QFR XCc. They've recently changed the headband and it is much more
> comfortable now. It's got all the features...auto off, cell/music
> interface, etc. Batteries last forever. Looks like $320 is the going
> price.

[[email protected]]

Looks like I'm pretty set on the QFR CrossCountry ANR headset. Does
anyone recommend any accessories to go along with it?

Could someone tell me how much difference there is for the QFRs with
and without ANR in a Cessna? I'm curious in case I run out of battery
on a Nav flight, would it be disturbing, or as good as any passive DC
headset?

Thanks a lot guys!
Bravo Two Zero wrote:

> www.gulf-coast-avionics.com has them for $299
>
> "Newps" > wrote in message
> . ..
> >
> >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks for the feedback. I will be flying almost every other day, so
> >> durabilty is of utmost concern. I'm afraid the Twenty 3G is priced out
> >> of league at the moment.
> >>
> >> Hopefully someone can chim in on the QFR, since they should be newer. I
> >> wear glasses too.
> >
> >
> > I have had several sets of the Lightspeed. The best I've found are the
> > QFR XCc. They've recently changed the headband and it is much more
> > comfortable now. It's got all the features...auto off, cell/music
> > interface, etc. Batteries last forever. Looks like $320 is the going
> > price.

[Thomas Borchert]

> Since my main use will be on the C172, how much of any advantage will
> the 20XL be over the QFRs? What would be the main difference btw the
> 20XLs, and anyway to tell if they are of the newer type?
>

The difference will be clearly noticable. The older ones are not sold
anymore. I think they are well worth the extra money, but as you can
see even in this thread, others differ - and only you can find out for
yourself. That's what money-back guarantees are made for. Or a local
pilot shop.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Newps]

wrote:

> Looks like I'm pretty set on the QFR CrossCountry ANR headset. Does
> anyone recommend any accessories to go along with it?


I didn't know they offered any. What did you have in mind?


>
> Could someone tell me how much difference there is for the QFRs with
> and without ANR in a Cessna?


It's huge.



I'm curious in case I run out of battery
> on a Nav flight, would it be disturbing, or as good as any passive DC
> headset?

Not quite as good as a regular non ANR but you won't run out. The
little red light will come on with at least 10 hours of battery life left.

[Ron Lee]

wrote:

>Looks like I'm pretty set on the QFR CrossCountry ANR headset. Does
>anyone recommend any accessories to go along with it?

Take extra batterires.

Ron Lee

[[email protected]]

It seems that the Raven XS are the cheapest of the Lightspeed OEMs. If
only there were OEMs of the 3G series...

I'm looking for leatherette or gel seals options? And is any additional
head padding required?
Newps wrote:

> wrote:
>
> > Looks like I'm pretty set on the QFR CrossCountry ANR headset. Does
> > anyone recommend any accessories to go along with it?
>
>
> I didn't know they offered any. What did you have in mind?
>
>
> >
> > Could someone tell me how much difference there is for the QFRs with
> > and without ANR in a Cessna?
>
>
> It's huge.
>
>
>
> I'm curious in case I run out of battery
> > on a Nav flight, would it be disturbing, or as good as any passive DC
> > headset?
>
> Not quite as good as a regular non ANR but you won't run out. The
> little red light will come on with at least 10 hours of battery life left.

[Owen[_4_]]

Jay Honeck wrote:

> > I have read some problems with the QC of the Lightspeed headsets a few
> > years back. How is the situation now? Problems? I rather not deal with
> > any downtime to repair something.
> >
> > Lastly, any insights to the better headset in a C172, 20XL or QFR or
> > something else?
>
> I have owned LightSpeed headsets from their infancy. In fact, I've now
> owned (I think) seven sets of them, ranging from the earliest 15s to
> the latest Twenty 3 Gs.

Second the recommendation for the 20 3G. All in all, a pretty good value.
It's a sturdy headset, has lots of useful features, and most importantly has
very good noise reduction. It is comfortable and very easy on the
batteries. With alkaline batteries, I flew many hours before the light
turned red and I had 1-3 hours left. I now use NiMH batteries that don't
provide as much warning, but that's due to the battery characteristics. I
just charge them up once a month or so.

For me the main disadvantage is that it is made in China and not in USA, but
that's the way things are now, I guess. Also it is easy to lose the
separate mobile phone and audio device cords. It would be nice if only one
cord was needed and the little pouch in the bag had velcro to keep it
closed, but that's easily fixed.

Lightspeed may offer a rebate during the next big GA get-together (Sun n Fun
?) The Airways FBO at LNS also often has good prices, and many vendors
reduce prices during the big GA events, even for Internet/mail orders. If
there is a decent pilot shop near you, ask them to let you try one.

I'm sure the 30 3G is good too, but has a lower value ratio.

[Al[_2_]]

I like my 15xl headset. The best feature: The auto shut-off. It turns
off after a while if there is no audio. Saves batteries. In 2 years
and 100 hours, I've replaced the batteries once.

Al
1964 Skyhawk
Spokane, WA

[[email protected]]

Hi all,

I'm still having a problem deciding if I should wait a little while,
save up for the 20XLc, or just get the OEMs QFRs. While the figures
point at the QFR having half the active cancellation compared to the
20XLc, it seems reality is a bit different?

I however so some Flightcom Denali ANRs on Ebay, and was wondering if
anyone has comparision of it against the Lightspeeds.

Sorry for appearing so fickle on this, but cash flow is a little tight,
and I do not have the liberty of personally trying out the headsets.
The 30day option is a little tough too, since I'm in Australia.

Many Thanks n it's much appreciated.

[Thomas Borchert]

> I however so some Flightcom Denali ANRs on Ebay, and was wondering if
> anyone has comparision of it against the Lightspeeds.
>

Are those the ones with a built-in rechargable battery? Run, don't
walk...

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)