Backcountry Pilot

[patrol guy offline]

Several years ago I replaced my old DC’s with Light Speed’s 3G20’s (?) which were anc’s and I loved them. Over the years, I had some minor issues which they fixed fast and for free always.

Well today I tried a brand new pair of Light speed zulu’s that a buddy gave me to try. I had a 5 hour flight today and after 20 minutes; I was thinking they were no quieter then the old plastic 3G20 ones. Then, I put the back seat set of 3G20’s on and thought the switch was off. That is when I turned the switch off!!!Wow. I traded head sets back and forth several times.

My conclusion is that the new zulu’s are about as big a jump up, as the old 3G20's are when you turn the battery on and off. I think that’ll be my Xmas present to myself this year.

[dlhanst offline]

I did the trade up from the 20-3g to Zulus and am happy with the result.

[a64pilot offline]

I've been wanting a Zulu, just can't seem to pry the money out of my wallet. I'll have to spend some money on the house before I'm alowed a new headset.

[TrevDog offline]

So I've been wondering about the big difference between the the Zulu and the Bose X headset. I see they both have batteries and the zulu is a little cheaper so is it just user preference or is there some thing I've not heard about? What have you all seen?

[mtv offline]

Trevdog,

The Zulus have bluetooth capability to your cell phone, they have a connector to your IPod, and they are MUCH better passive AND active noise reduction than the Bose X headsets.

I've got a set, and I've used Bose headsets extensively, and I wouldn't use a BOse headset again unless my Zulu is broke.

MTV

[dlhanst offline]

I am a fan of Lightspeed because of their customer service policies and attitude which is outstanding.

[Nizina offline]

The Zulu head set has been discussed in depth on the Husky web site. The Husky --great plane that it is -- can be a bit noisy, so there is quite a bit of interest in a head set that performs well in that environment. For the reasons that Mike mentioned earlier, and noticeably because of their great customer support, I will step out on the limb and say that Zulu seems to be the head set of choice by Husky pilots (with maybe a couple of outliers for Bose).

My wife Patty and I have written our letters to the North Pole and are anticipating two new Zulu's under the tree this Christmas.

Nizina

[a64pilot offline]

Bose is cheap flimsy crap. May work OK in an executive aircraft, but too flimsy for anything else. They DO NOT support their product. I've got two broken ones, one new style and one old style. Bose won't fix either one. A lot of flash, and no quality.

[bumper offline]

Bose is cheap flimsy crap. May work OK in an executive aircraft, but too flimsy for anything else. They DO NOT support their product. I've got two broken ones, one new style and one old style. Bose won't fix either one. A lot of flash, and no quality.

I disagree. I have two Bose-X headsets that have served me well for perhaps 7 years. I did upgrade the battery box cords when those were offered. When the Bose-X came out, they were the best there was. They still *are* somewhat more comfortable than the Zulu in terms of clamping pressure, and at least for me, in ear fit in the cups.

That said, the Zulu's are a better deal, both in price, value and in features. Bose is stuck resting on their overpriced laurels.

I tried a friend's Zulu headset a couple of weeks ago in my Husky. ANR performance was much better on take off, and slightly better in cruise. I prefer the music performance of the Bose, and the comfort, but that's all. If I were buying new headsets now, it would be the Zulu's. However, I don't think they are so much better that I would through my Bose-X on the shelf and buy the Zulu's . . . I'd rather waste the money on a Garmin 696 or something.

bumper

[Zzz]

Bose is cheap flimsy crap.... They DO NOT support their product.... Bose won't fix either one.

On the flipside, Lightspeed has provided great customer service the one time my battery box gave up the ghost.

Since David Clark will inevitably be mentioned, there's another thread floating around here....

[Rob offline]

May work OK in an executive aircraft, but too flimsy for anything else.

I agree 100%.... Take a set of Bose and try flying something with a large round motor in it... The ANR will go tits up leaving you with the poorest passive in the industry to try and keep the noise out... You can put headsets inc, in your oldest DCs and have twice the performance at half the price, a set of OA ear seals and they are plenty comfy to boot.

I would like to try the Zulus or the latest Telex, but after wasting a ton of cash on a set of Bose I'm a little gun shy to bite into "high end" head sets again

[WWhunter offline]

I had my heart set on a Bose headset til a recent visit to all the headset booths at Oshkosh.....walked away with Lightspeed brand and couldn't be happier. I did have a minor mic issue which they glady fixed free of charge. Past experience with Bose is overly inflated repair charges. Granted this is with their home theater system not a headset, but $150 for a "cleaning" that required a capacitor (or was it LED) replaced. Their customer service SUCKS!!!
WW

[tcraft offline]

like I said before many times hooking up your iPod to a set of Zulus, has to be tried to be believed. when flying my new taylorcraft home from Phoenix Arizona a 10 1/2 hour flight it is the first time I have honestly forgot I was wearing a headset. also my experience with the company has been first class

[lancef53 offline]

I have the Bose, and love them. I have a little time with a friends zulu's, and was going to buy a set before I tried his. I will stick to the Bose and the XM on the 496.

I think you will be happy with either, mine work great in our 180 with a 88" prop, and in our old Champ. I get a small amount of reverb(or whatever you call it) on take off, but it lasts for just a couple seconds.

[TrevDog offline]

hmmm thanks for the input everyone, I didn't know the zulu had so many cool features. I'm not in a position to make a big head set buy but I'll be dreaming and drooling more closely now.

[als offline]

I am surprised that no one mentioned the Telex Stratus 50D, which is in the same price range as the Zulu. It's an extremely quiet headset and quite comfortable with its adjustable clamping pressure. I think if you're looking at a Zulu it's worth trying the Telex before plunking down your $800.

[LowAndSlow offline]

Something I don't think anyone has brought up about Lightspeed is their fantastic trade-up program. Any previously purchased headset is returnable for a credit towards a new Zulu. I think that's pretty incredible! I can send in my old beat up 15XL with over 1000 hours on it, and they'll give me $300 off the Zulu. That's better than I could get selling it on ebay!

I plan on taking advantage of that deal soon. My flying season is about to wrap up, but I'll be all set for next season with a new Zulu.

[mtv offline]

L & S,

Good point, and that's how I came to own a Lightspeed 30-3G (traded up from the 20), and then a Zulu headset, by trading in the 30=3G.

Go for it, you won't be sorry, but Lightspeed is going to have to REALLY come up with something special to get me to trade in this Zulu headset. It is simply the best headset I've used.

MTV

[Rhyppa offline]

I'll throw a monkey wrench into this thread. I own a set of Bose X, the Telex Stratus 50G, Peltor ANR, and an elcheapo Pilot USA ANR. I also had a set of Zulu's for the 30 day free trial period. All worn on the same head, in the same plane. For my round head and very bad hearing, the Telex are the best, and priced less than Bose and Zulu. The Bose are the most comfortable, but don't seal the best on my head. I had horrible results with my Zulu's in my plane. Very bad reverb on takeoff with the windows open, to the point I couldn't concentrate. Then, after a couple of hours use, the ANR quit completely. The mic was very weak, and my copilot couldn't hear me sometimes. When hooked to a cell phone I could hardly hear the incoming words but they could hear me. I called Lightspeed, and they claimed there was no problem, that it was probably the wiring in my plane. Well the other 4 sets all worked right. Then about a week later I see they had a recall on a bunch of Zulu's - funny they didn't tell me that. So my customer service experience was poor, and I was glad I sent them back. The Bose has always worked well in my very noisy plane, for the price it should have more features. they'll have to come down in price or add more features to compete with Zulu. The Peltor's fit the kids great, and the Pilot USA are damn good for the money, but don't fit a lot of heads. The Telex have nice input for cell and music (no Bluetooth), have amazing passive protection, and good active. A friend bought the Stratus 30's and he loves those. I've owned them all, for my money and head I'd buy another set of the Telex. Another friend owns the 50's and has had mic problems, so I guess everyone's experience varies. Russ

[Juan80 offline]

I have a set of first generation bose headsets,and I really love them.
The only complaint I have is the power cord is not run off of a battery,so the set has to be pluged into a cigerete lighter.Not that convenient.

As far as the trade up,when I was at oskosh in 05 ,they were offering me $400 to a new set.Not bad for a set with 10years plus and 1000hrs time.Give or take.

The price sucks,but so does zulus price.
My 2cents.