Found someone who wants to buy my DC-X11. $400.00 trade-in, good riddance!
They are in the mail.

http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/conte ... Up-Program

i love my Zulu, to much rock&roll have left my ears less than perfect, now with the Zulu i have no trouble hearing ATC, for the first to months that I had them the Helena tower kept asking if i got new radios!!

Thanks a lot, T. I think you're about to cost me some money. $400 credit for my 20-3G's!!

We really like our Zulu's. If you ever have a problem with any of their products you will really appreciate how well they take care of their customers too.
Steve

I just recieved my Zulu's from the trade up program last week. Yesterday I wore them for 6 hours when I flew to the Log Cabin Fly-in. I am like pitman11....too much heavy metal in those younger years. Huh? what did you say? LOL
I traded in a Lightspeed 15XL that were nearly new. I also have a 20-3G that were my primary headset. The 15XL would give me a headache from the clamping pressure after less than an hour so I sent them off for the Zulu's. I am very happy with the Zulu's but I am probably just as pleased with the 20-3G's. The sound quality is not that much different to me, but the Zulu may be a tad more comfortable after wearing for an extended period of time. Maybe there is a setting I need to change in the Zulu because they don't sound the same as the 20-3G with my MP3 player plugged in. Can't say it is worse, just different.
The Zulu is constructed of a sturdier material (metal) than the others but I really haven't had any issues yet as far as that goes but I am extra careful on those below zero days with the "plastic" models.

Zane,
Personally, I would see if someone would let you try a pair for a few flights before spending the money on upgrading from your 20-3G's. You are younger and probably still have much better hearing then I, but I don't see that big of difference to warrant the exchange other than the Zulu is a nice looking and better constructed unit.
WW

WWHUNTER the factory settings is in Mono, for MP3 the DIP switches should be changed to Stereo the user guide will help you

I LOVE my zulu's and you cannot beat lightspeed for service. They set the bar for sure.

WWhunter - try the FRC button - it is kind of a dynamic sound EQ that helps for music.

Probably my favorite part about them (other than the sound) is the bluetooth. Phone calls are super clear - once did a biz conf. call while en route and no even knew I was in an airplane. And the sound for my ipod (bluetooth connected) is Sooo much better than when connected through my intercom.

Have owned all the Lightspeed models since they began making them. Early ones would crack in cold weather (though the factory always fixed them free). Now have 2 Zulu's. The clamping pressure is far better than previous models. Can't say enough good about them.
iphone sounds very nice through them also... music and phone calls via bluetooth. Trade in deal was a good motivator.

Zulu's arrived today. Setting in my chair, I pull them over my ears and flick the noise canceling switch, look over at my lovely wife.....lips are moving but no noise.....I need another set for my plane

nice addition!

I have been a longtime Lightspeed user 15xl, 30G, and now the Zulu. I LOVE the zulu-so lightweight, comfortable and quiet. You can actually fly 8 hours and not walk away with a ripping headache and/or ear-ache.

I think you will love these and never look back!

What's the difference between the Zulu and the Sierra (beside the price)?

Vick,
I looked at both the Zulu and Seirra and decided I want the few extra features and the lighter weight of the Zulu. 3 Oz. lighter can make a bit of difference....at least to me. Most headsets I have owned give me a severe headache in less than an hour. I wore the Zulu the other day for roughly 6 hours total flight time when I flew to the Log Cabin Fly-in. No headache!!!
Here is Lightspeeds web page. You can browse through there and compare the two. Basically it is made of different materials increasing weight and has a couple less features. The features weren't that big of deal to me...it was the weight that caused me to get the Zulu. The ANR is 120db for the Seirra and 125db for the Zulu.
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/conte ... cts/Sierra
WW

Thanks WW - I had skimmed their website to compare the two but I didn't pay enough attention to figure out the differences. Sounds like the weight and better attenuation are the main points, I could see that being worth the difference. My girlfriend gets headaches from the Lightspeeds I have now so I'm thinking this might be a good time to go for the upgrade.

I don't know what it is with me and Lightspeeds, but I've now been through 5 pairs of their headsets in 10 years. I really baby my stuff too. They just keep breaking for me. I haven't been able to keep one working for more than two seasons.

As of last weekend, we had one remaining functioning Lightspeed 20/3G head set, which my wife usually uses, but the mic stopped working on it as we taxied to the runway.

Oregon180, I'm wondering if you tried having any of those 5 pairs of headsets repaired?

I bought a refurb first generation 15K about 8 or 9 years ago when I was flying freight and still doing a bit of flight instruction. I think I paid $250 and they were supposed to only have a 90 day warranty. They held up ok in spite of me using them in several different airplanes. Eventually one of the stirrups broke and they sent me a new pair of stirrups for free. And a set of foam ear pads. Then a couple of years later they got a broken wire at the plug and they sent me a new cord assembly for free. And a set of ear pads. Then I let my dad borrow them and I guess he thought his head was bigger than it was because he stretched the headband out and ended up breaking some plastic piece that holds the the earcups in place, so I got a new headband. By this time the "K" series was no longer supported and the "XL" series was long gone and they were on to the "3G" series so I had to pay 10 or 15 bucks for the headband. And I had to pay for a set of ear pads. So at this point the only thing original is the ear cups with the electronics and it still works fine. It lives in the 170 now with a couple of ancient David Clamps that I give to my passengers/enemies, but if anything breaks again, I'll have to get a new one.

Being built mostly of lightweight plastic, they're not going to be as sturdy as a DC with all their metal gear and heavy plastic domes. They do however have excellent support, which is something that DC is famous for. I'm surprised DC hasn't tried to make a competing product. Sure they have ANR headsets, but you'll spend twice as much at your chiropractor.

I also have a Mach 1 with custom ear plugs that I use in the jet, and also sometimes in the 170 when I want to listen to music or talk on the phone (on the ground, of course. ) That's a pretty good passive headset if you don't mind having something in your ear. No problem with sunglasses or hats and you don't have "headset hair" when you get out of the plane if that's a concern for you.

you all might want to try some BOSE....best i have had for sure! lot of damn $, but worth it for sure...jo

I've used every model Bose has produced, except for the very latest model that just came out. I used the second generation Bose headsets in a 206 for a couple thousand hours, and they worked fine, but were VERY heavy, and very heavy clamping presssure.

The Bose X was much lighter, and much reduced hte clamping pressure, but they have VERY little passive noise cancelling capability. Also, the ear cups are very small on them, and they don't fit over and around my big ears very well. Passive noise cancelling is essential even in an ANR headset, because the ANR doesn't cancel ALL the noise at all frequency ranges. That's my big beef with the Bose headsets. It appears that the newest Bose headset is just a Bose X with bluetooth.

I've been using the Zulu headset since they first came out, and I won't go back to any other headset. Money aside, the Zulu is simply the best passive AND active noise cancelling headset around, in my opinion.

And, they're still a couple hundred cheaper than Bose. I just traded in my old Lightspeed 20 2G for another Zulu headset. Good company, great product.

MTV

Has anyone here flown with both the Sierras and Zulus that can provide a comparison of the two? I'll be upgrading the wife's headset and I'm leaning towards Sierra based the $200 savings. However, I'm hesitating thinking I should should just spoil her with Zulu's. Any suggestions based on actual use?

jomac wrote:you all might want to try some BOSE....best i have had for sure! lot of damn $, but worth it for sure...jo

You'll throw those Bose in the trash when you get your new Zulu's. I've had ANR David Clarks and the Bose X, but they don't compare to the Zulu's. In fact I've been trying to sell my Bose, but I might trade them in. I thought they were pretty comparable until I spent this last summer flying in the noisy ass TPE331 powered Skyvan. The batteries lasted less than 10 hours in the Bose and they were still unbearably noisy even with new batteries. The Zulu's batteries lasted over 30 hours and the noise from the turboprops was very comfortable. One of the best features for me on the Zulu's is the bluetooth, it's crystal clear talking to someone on the phone.

flying in the noisy ass TPE331 powered Skyvan

The 540 Bearhawk is noisy as hell, too although likey not near as bad as the skyvan. The choice was to use ANR's over adding sound deading foam when building. So far the co-pilot set is passive DC's and this cheap bastard (her words) is finally upgrading due to the guilt factor.