So I ended up buying the Peltor helmet that GBflyer advertised here a short while back. I looked for that thread, but it seems to be gone.

Anyway, I don't mind making it known here that it was a totally straight-up transaction, the new lid is exactly as described (even better, actually), arrived quickly with great packaging, and if this was eBay, he'd be getting glowing feedback from me. Just wanted to give credit where it is due.

This new thread relates to the possibility of upgrading the earcups/ electronics. The installed ones are passive attenuation. I happen to have a set of Flightcom Classic ANR, with decent sound, that I'm thinking of parting out and swapping into the helmet. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any do's or don'ts to know about? Is this done commercially by any shop we know of?

As is, it's perfectly fine and serviceable, but ANR would be the cat's ass.

Thanks,

-DP

I have swapped two Peltors out to ANR but used Headsets inc on both. The Peltor ear cup is pretty small so it's a tight fit, but it will work. Remeber ANR headsets have two speakers in each earcup... I have 40 something ears, so I also use oregon aero fattys for ear seals. This take a bit away from the ANR, but not much, and the payback in comfort is worth it. I also ditched the Peltor mics in favor of a wire mic boom and a better noise canceling mic, but I tend to operate louder than norm aircraft...

The Peltor with ANR is quite possibly the quietest helmet you'll ever wear, and a pretty good bang for the buck.


Take care, Rob

Wow! gotta love the pooled resources on this site!

Thanks for the spot-on answer, Rob. Incidentally, my mike boom looks just like the one in your photos.

I just went to Headsets Inc. and found a great tutorial video. I will be visiting their booth at the Alaska Airmen's trade show and seeing what they have to offer. Thanks for the tip.

-DP

Personally, if you don't fly a helo or ag, I would ditch the helo end. The less connectors the less noise interference...

Take care, Rob

Rob, many thanks for the great advice. I called Headsets Inc, and talked with a really helpful guy named Richard. He said that the Peltor install can be harder than some of the other swap-outs, and I chose to take him at his word and let them perform the conversion.

Upshot, we met up at the Alaska Airmen's Trade Show, and he received my helmet and shipped it back with his booth display for no charge. I got their ANR with an auto shutoff battery box, and the one-piece civilian AMP cables. Just flew it tonight, and it performed every bit as well (or better) than I had hoped it would. Satisfied customer! Thanks again for the tip!

One observation, the fit does now seem to be narrower. The new ear cups do seem to reduce the space between, but in my case it still works.

WOW Rob good looking "skid Lid" Re: Earphone swap-out on a helmet

"New postby Rob » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:06 pm
I have swapped two Peltors out to ANR but used Headsets inc on both. The Peltor ear cup is pretty small so it's a tight fit, but it will work. Remeber ANR headsets have two speakers in each earcup... I have 40 something ears, so I also use oregon aero fattys for ear seals. This take a bit away from the ANR, but not much, and the payback in comfort is worth it. I also ditched the Peltor mics in favor of a wire mic boom and a better noise canceling mic, but I tend to operate louder than norm aircraft..."

I wore Gov't issue OD green SPH-3,4 and 7's while lifting the collective. This helmet looks more like my kid had for motocross . Military Issue is painfully lacking on noise suppression and comfort. Mic's and mic cords don't last very long and are scratchy at best . Ear pieces stick to your ears after getting hot . Some guys got a "sock" to go over ear cups to keep from sticking ear to speaker foam . I do have several old helmets and there civilian radio converters -- and once or twice a year I break out my old SPH-4 and go for a flight .They are slightly restrictive in side vision so I just tend to wear my Noise Canceling Headphones .