I was a Quality Professional for thirty years in the semiconductor Industry so I know something about electronic Quality Engineering and customer service.

I sent my H10-13XL back to David Clark for repair after doing the unbelievable.
After securing my aircraft I took that one last look and seen a strap not secure. So I placed my flight bag next to the shotgun door of the corvette and secured the strap. Jumped into the vette and backed up a little and then proceeded to run over my flight bag.

As it turned out I only caught the end of the bag where the headset was stored. All things considering very lucky since I had a Garmin 296,396, Zoan TCAS, SPOT, CO2 alarm, and another headset at the other end of the bag.

I sent the mangled headset to David Clark for repair on the 9/3/08. It was returned today and it appears that they have sent me a new one or replaced all the parts. In the semiconductor business this was SOP to send the customer a new part(s). Needless to say I am very impressed with David Clark. I had considered looking at the ZuLu because of the bells and whistles but David Clark has won me over as a lifetime customer. I have no idea if David Clark's competitors have the same policy but I have heard good things about David Clark and they have come true for me. Looks brand spanking new!! either way I am a happy camper!

BTW there was no charge for the repair. I believe if the set has some years on it there is a $25.00 upgrade fee.

Same experience here. Bought 2 sets around 1980 when i was 18. 3 years ago they were pretty beat up after being abused in cubs, 180's ,maules and many other craft. My old lady sent them in and after a call they shipped them back. 2 brand new headsets for 25.00 bucks a piece. They upgraded the headsets at that price with newer style mics, gel earseals and other stuff. What i got back, was way better than what was shipped. I really like DC.

I own multiple DC's for the same reason.

A few years back, my girlie friend at the time slammed my DC's connectors in the car door and mangled them up pretty good. I sent it back and 7 days later it was at my door, completely fixed. Can't beat that.

I wrote them a nice letter, and even got a hand signed letter back from a VP thanking me!

Chris

Mauleaviator wrote:I have no idea if David Clark's competitors have the same policy but I have heard good things about David Clark and they have come true for me. Looks brand spanking new!! either way I am a happy camper!

Glad to hear. Just an FYI about the competition; I ran over my lightspeed headset with a Pawnee a couple years ago and crushed the thing pretty good. I sent the headset back and the fixed it right up just like new. All for free!

John

I still have several versions of the DCs, including the X11 or whatever that latest one is. I also have Lightspeed 30Gs, they fit my big head better. Had to file out the slot in the earlier DCs in order to stretch them out long enough. Have tried the Bose, but they did not fit well enough to seal out the noise.

Have had similar, (EXCELLENT), results with Customer service from both.

Recently bought a ZULU set and am hooked on em.

First time I used them I thought they were pretty much as good as others until I realized that I had not even turned on the ANR part. WOW!

FYI Yes I am hard of hearing to the point that I use hearing aids for general conversation, but do not use them whith headsets on.

So far the Zulus are it for me.
Still have the 60Gs and the DCs as back up units.

Reminds me of all the posts I see on av forums..

"Lightspeed has such excellent customer service. Why, I sent my Lightspeeds in for service three times last year, and they treated me right every time!"



After eight years of using DC's in planes, boats and in fire engines, I still have no idea how their customer service is

I've had my DC since 1989, the only one I use. Never has had a problem.

Except I've chewd the mic muff up a couple times.

C ya, Bub

I have 2 pairs of Lightspeed 20-3G's and they've been great. I did have the battery box replaced on one, which Lightspeed took care of very quickly and for free.

They're ultra comfy. I also like them because they're a Portland company, which means I can run them over to their shop if I need to.

As for DC, I've only used passive versions a few times in the past. They seemed like good quality, but I've grown so used to the soft earcups on the Lightspeeds that everything else seems too firm.

All in all, these are 2 great companies that realize their main value among grumpy old men is customer service, and they're doing a great job on that.

I've used Lightspeeds for a decade, but recently switched to a pair of David Clark passives with the Oregon Aero ear seal upgrade. Super comfy. Could wear them all day.

I have a pair of DC's that are 28 years old. Mic went bad at 25 and got a overhaul for $25.00. Broke a plastic part on Telex 850's and they wanted
$135.00 for a part the size of a quarter. Wrote a letter to Telex comparing
my experience with DC and they knocked the repair down to $75.00.
Dave

I've got two busted Bose's. One they no longer support, the newer one they pretty much say tough. I didn't but either one and won't buy a Bose anything from this experience. Too bad because I like the old one.

like I have said before, I love my Zulu you can hit a tree 10 feet off the ground, and they don't even get scratched

I have had my DC's for 22 years and not a moment's problems. My daughter has had hers even longer (birthday gift from me when she got her commercial cert). No problems. I'm a DC customer for life but they make their stuff so good not much opportunity for repeat business.