Thought I’d write a little something for a anyone looking for a ANR headset.

I’ve have had Zulus since the Z1, about 5,000hrs on them, from the Z1 to my current Z3, everything from champs, to my skywagon, helicopters and into the flight levels.

I have taken advantage of their trade in program where it’s $300 for the upgrade, my Zulu 1s got DESTROYED and they still took them in as trade .

Well my Z2s were great, but the cord would eventually get a split in the rubber casing, it would still work, and lightspeed would fix it no questions, but I decided I wanted the rope style cord on the Z3 so I decided to upgrade.

I called lightspeed with a idea, I wanted them to send me just some stripped ear cups, I was going to send them out to be hydro dipped and clear coated, after send the dipped cups to lightspeed with my z2 headset for the Z3 conversion, this way I would have a custom Z3….I didn’t know if light speed would be game to do all this, well not only were they game they thought it was a cool idea.



So here’s my new headset, also a link to the guy who dipped the ear cups.




https://www.atfhydrographics.com/


Ether way, was always a fan of light speed, them helping with this project for me just put them over the top IMO.

Great to hear. And great looking headsets! I also really like my LS headsets, I have a set of Z1, a set if Z2s, and 2 sets of Tangos. I am working in purchasing a helmet and as much as I want an Evo, I really wish I could get it with Z3 comms. May be worth a call to see if I can do a custom order that way...

I have a set of Z1's that I had bought second hand, they worked but were pretty beat up. I sent them to Lightspeed and they overhauled them to like new condition, I think it cost $100.

Shortly after I started a new job flying a caravan. On my first day, I jumped out of the caravan and my foot hooked the cord, ripping it out of the panel and rendering the headset useless.

I called lightspeed, explained what happened, and they said send it down and we'll repair it, but no cost estimate was given. Got it back two weeks later FREE of charge.

Customer for life.

I have several very positive stories about Lightspeed customer service. It’s a great company with great products and customer service.

MTV

I’m not as enthusiastic; I’ve had Z1’s since 2014 - the mike/headphone cable insulation and stress relief where the cables insert into the cups are all falling apart. Not to mention replacing the ear padding every couple years, again after falling apart. And the plastic coating on the control unit crumbling after a few years. For something as expensive, I’m not into planned obsolescence as a business model. FWIW, I’m going back to David Clarks.

jrc111 wrote:I’m not as enthusiastic; I’ve had Z1’s since 2014 - the mike/headphone cable insulation and stress relief where the cables insert into the cups are all falling apart. Not to mention replacing the ear padding every couple years, again after falling apart. And the plastic coating on the control unit crumbling after a few years. For something as expensive, I’m not into planned obsolescence as a business model. FWIW, I’m going back to David Clarks.

What’s the usage?

I never had the rubber coming off issue, I have seen some headsets that don’t get much usage and sit in the case that require that rubber finish to be rubbed off.

For me I don’t even have the cases anymore and they get used at least a few days a week, sometimes daily. They have also changed the finish on the new ones I think.

The cord, yeah, that was not the best, probably why they went with the rope style on the new ones, and I agree, my backup passive old (shiny cup) DCs never had a cord issue.

Per the pleather, that’s all the headsets, Bose too, that use the fake leather.

Overall, wearing them for work and operating in some areas where I have lots of comms to deal with, I just can’t go back to DCs after flying Zulu’s and Bose, and I prefer Zulu’s for loud aircraft or cold.

Just today, I had a comms issue in the helicopter, I was able to connect to my phone via Bluetooth and call tower, not a tool I use much, but something worth note.

NineThreeKilo wrote:

Those look awesome and great to hear they were accommodating.

Question- what is that cover for the headset control box, is that from lightspeed? Did you dip that as well? Is that just to protect the control box from damage or does it have another function? Just curious never seen one before.

I've got three pairs of Z1s and one pair of Z2s. I've had the same schmeg on the plastic, the air cups flaking, and the cables failing. I've had two sets of Z1s refurbished by Lightspeed, and each time they have said they weren't sure if they had the parts to fix them. They have been able to repair them both times, at a charge of perhaps $150 each time, and returned headsets that looked new other than the metal earcups and headband. I do agree with the sentiment that I'd like some longer term support and higher quality of wear parts for such an expensive item, but such is life.

jrc111 wrote:I’m not as enthusiastic; I’ve had Z1’s since 2014 - the mike/headphone cable insulation and stress relief where the cables insert into the cups are all falling apart. Not to mention replacing the ear padding every couple years, again after falling apart. And the plastic coating on the control unit crumbling after a few years. For something as expensive, I’m not into planned obsolescence as a business model. FWIW, I’m going back to David Clarks.

I started using Lightspeed with one of their early units. Headband was plastic.....mine was fine, and being used almost daily, but they announced that there was a free recall due to breakage of those plastic headbands. I waited till the dark of winter, and sent mine to them. A week later, it arrived, with a brand new metal headband and a new cord set. No charge.

When the next generation version came out, I upgraded by trading in an old (as in very old) DC passive set for a new Zulu. The older Lightspeed set went to the passenger seat.

So, I'd bet that if you send them that headset, it'll come back like new, with newer materials. In my experience, every generation of their headsets just gets better and better.

I flew with DC headsets for years before ANR. And, lost a lot of hearing. The DCs are bullet proof and as good as passive headsets get, and their customer service is second to none as well. When DC came out with an ANR headset, I ordered one to give it a try. Frankly, I was very disappointed. The quality of sound suppression was significantly inferior to the Lightspeed Zulus. I contacted DC customer service and told them the story, they took that headset back with a full refund, no questions asked, no argument.

I simply cannot wear the newer Bose headsets, since the size of the earcups are too small for my ears. One hour of wearing those for me would be a great way to torture me. I simply have to take them off.....but, the ANR is good.

So, Lightspeed has great ANR, very good passive noise reduction, great customer service and prices are competitive with high end ANR headsets.

What's not to like? Again, I'd send that headset in to Lightspeed, and let them know what's wrong. I'll bet they'll put a smile on your face.

MTV

mtv wrote:

jrc111 wrote:I’m not as enthusiastic; I’ve had Z1’s since 2014 - the mike/headphone cable insulation and stress relief where the cables insert into the cups are all falling apart. Not to mention replacing the ear padding every couple years, again after falling apart. And the plastic coating on the control unit crumbling after a few years. For something as expensive, I’m not into planned obsolescence as a business model. FWIW, I’m going back to David Clarks.

I started using Lightspeed with one of their early units. Headband was plastic.....mine was fine, and being used almost daily, but they announced that there was a free recall due to breakage of those plastic headbands. I waited till the dark of winter, and sent mine to them. A week later, it arrived, with a brand new metal headband and a new cord set. No charge.

When the next generation version came out, I upgraded by trading in an old (as in very old) DC passive set for a new Zulu. The older Lightspeed set went to the passenger seat.

So, I'd bet that if you send them that headset, it'll come back like new, with newer materials. In my experience, every generation of their headsets just gets better and better.

I flew with DC headsets for years before ANR. And, lost a lot of hearing. The DCs are bullet proof and as good as passive headsets get, and their customer service is second to none as well. When DC came out with an ANR headset, I ordered one to give it a try. Frankly, I was very disappointed. The quality of sound suppression was significantly inferior to the Lightspeed Zulus. I contacted DC customer service and told them the story, they took that headset back with a full refund, no questions asked, no argument.

I simply cannot wear the newer Bose headsets, since the size of the earcups are too small for my ears. One hour of wearing those for me would be a great way to torture me. I simply have to take them off.....but, the ANR is good.

So, Lightspeed has great ANR, very good passive noise reduction, great customer service and prices are competitive with high end ANR headsets.

What's not to like? Again, I'd send that headset in to Lightspeed, and let them know what's wrong. I'll bet they'll put a smile on your face.

MTV

FWIW, as great as there customer support is, they don't have earcups available for the Z1s anymore and won't fix the cords either. Basically they no longer support repairs for the Z1s. To bad.

corefile wrote:

NineThreeKilo wrote:

Those look awesome and great to hear they were accommodating.

Question- what is that cover for the headset control box, is that from lightspeed? Did you dip that as well? Is that just to protect the control box from damage or does it have another function? Just curious never seen one before.

Thanks!

The sleeve was stitched at the cleaners, it was made from a neck gater in a similar pattern (kryptek typhoon, vs the headset which is kryptek raid), I had a different version on all my Zulus, it’s both to protect but also keep the volume adjustments from getting bumped

A1Skinner wrote:

mtv wrote:

jrc111 wrote:I’m not as enthusiastic; I’ve had Z1’s since 2014 - the mike/headphone cable insulation and stress relief where the cables insert into the cups are all falling apart. Not to mention replacing the ear padding every couple years, again after falling apart. And the plastic coating on the control unit crumbling after a few years. For something as expensive, I’m not into planned obsolescence as a business model. FWIW, I’m going back to David Clarks.

I started using Lightspeed with one of their early units. Headband was plastic.....mine was fine, and being used almost daily, but they announced that there was a free recall due to breakage of those plastic headbands. I waited till the dark of winter, and sent mine to them. A week later, it arrived, with a brand new metal headband and a new cord set. No charge.

When the next generation version came out, I upgraded by trading in an old (as in very old) DC passive set for a new Zulu. The older Lightspeed set went to the passenger seat.

So, I'd bet that if you send them that headset, it'll come back like new, with newer materials. In my experience, every generation of their headsets just gets better and better.

I flew with DC headsets for years before ANR. And, lost a lot of hearing. The DCs are bullet proof and as good as passive headsets get, and their customer service is second to none as well. When DC came out with an ANR headset, I ordered one to give it a try. Frankly, I was very disappointed. The quality of sound suppression was significantly inferior to the Lightspeed Zulus. I contacted DC customer service and told them the story, they took that headset back with a full refund, no questions asked, no argument.

I simply cannot wear the newer Bose headsets, since the size of the earcups are too small for my ears. One hour of wearing those for me would be a great way to torture me. I simply have to take them off.....but, the ANR is good.

So, Lightspeed has great ANR, very good passive noise reduction, great customer service and prices are competitive with high end ANR headsets.

What's not to like? Again, I'd send that headset in to Lightspeed, and let them know what's wrong. I'll bet they'll put a smile on your face.

MTV

FWIW, as great as there customer support is, they don't have earcups available for the Z1s anymore and won't fix the cords either. Basically they no longer support repairs for the Z1s. To bad.

Maybe worth a shot if you didn’t want to swap to Z2s or 3s?

https://www.oregonaero.com/headset-kits ... -kit-83200

NineThreeKilo wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:

mtv wrote:

jrc111 wrote:I’m not as enthusiastic; I’ve had Z1’s since 2014 - the mike/headphone cable insulation and stress relief where the cables insert into the cups are all falling apart. Not to mention replacing the ear padding every couple years, again after falling apart. And the plastic coating on the control unit crumbling after a few years. For something as expensive, I’m not into planned obsolescence as a business model. FWIW, I’m going back to David Clarks.

I started using Lightspeed with one of their early units. Headband was plastic.....mine was fine, and being used almost daily, but they announced that there was a free recall due to breakage of those plastic headbands. I waited till the dark of winter, and sent mine to them. A week later, it arrived, with a brand new metal headband and a new cord set. No charge.

When the next generation version came out, I upgraded by trading in an old (as in very old) DC passive set for a new Zulu. The older Lightspeed set went to the passenger seat.

So, I'd bet that if you send them that headset, it'll come back like new, with newer materials. In my experience, every generation of their headsets just gets better and better.

I flew with DC headsets for years before ANR. And, lost a lot of hearing. The DCs are bullet proof and as good as passive headsets get, and their customer service is second to none as well. When DC came out with an ANR headset, I ordered one to give it a try. Frankly, I was very disappointed. The quality of sound suppression was significantly inferior to the Lightspeed Zulus. I contacted DC customer service and told them the story, they took that headset back with a full refund, no questions asked, no argument.

I simply cannot wear the newer Bose headsets, since the size of the earcups are too small for my ears. One hour of wearing those for me would be a great way to torture me. I simply have to take them off.....but, the ANR is good.

So, Lightspeed has great ANR, very good passive noise reduction, great customer service and prices are competitive with high end ANR headsets.

What's not to like? Again, I'd send that headset in to Lightspeed, and let them know what's wrong. I'll bet they'll put a smile on your face.

MTV

FWIW, as great as there customer support is, they don't have earcups available for the Z1s anymore and won't fix the cords either. Basically they no longer support repairs for the Z1s. To bad.

Maybe worth a shot if you didn’t want to swap to Z2s or 3s?

https://www.oregonaero.com/headset-kits ... -kit-83200

I know there is replacement ear cups made by places. My bigger concern is the fraying cord. I wish that could be replaced or upgraded to the newer style.

Not as good as the rope cords on the Z3, but a decent way to toughen up headset cords


https://www.amazon.com/Rancco-Lightning ... B01NCRM16T

Another Lightspeed fan.

The rope cords are absolutely bombproof, and the bluetooth and connectivity is excellent and intuitive. My customer service has always been awesome, for both headsets and helmet sets.

I don't like the speed at which things go obsolete, but I understand that most tech related companies can't stock everything for every model past and present, so I'll take obsolescence and progress, rather than neither. Usually if a product is that fantastic, an aftermarket supporter will step up and begin supporting, or there remains a used sales market for some time, to ease the upgrade cost.

The pleather sucks, but good anr depends on good ear seals, so I guess the flaking is a good reminder to replace them. I'm due for several replacements right now come to think of it

My only complaint with Lightspeed to date has been that they won't sell their helmet kits to the general public, but like the obsolescence thing, I understand their philosophy on it, and for them it probably makes more sense to ensure the masses are getting a properly installed / assembled kit, rather than cater to the handful that can handle getting it done themselves, and would rather forgo the down time and hassle associated with shipping their expensive helmet off to parts unknown.

IMHO for headsets there may be some alternatives similar to Lightspeed in terms of quality, but for the day in day out professional job requiring a real helmet, nothing else ticks all the boxes like a Lightspeed helmet kit . And it is worth noting,I am not talking about taking the headband off a set of Zulu's and putting them in a recreational helmet, I'm talking about their kit which is actually produced for flight helmets.

Take care, Rob