Back in December of 2005, I wrote about my then new LightSpeed Mach1 headset. I have now flown several hundred hours with this headset and I have some observations to offer to those considering a new headset.
Overall, I think this headset is excellent for me. The headset is an in-ear, passive noise reduction design that can be used with a variety of ear tips. Initially, I found the blue foam tips to be the best and most comfortable fit. Yet when you wear the headset for a while, the blue foam tips absorb oil from your ears and begin to lose their shape. This reduces the noise blocking ability and, even worse, the ear piece that has the microphone boom, while very light weight, will begin to sag and the mic won't stay put. I found that after two weeks of daily use, I had to replace a pair of the blue tips.
The folks at LightSpeed were very helpful in providing more of the blue ear tips, but they also offer a custom ear mold option. For an additional $140, you can purchase a Sensaphonics custom ear mold kit. Sensaphonics is a well-known name to musicians and stage performers for their line of custom in-ear monitors and sound-dampening ear plugs, but they also provide custom ear products for NASA. The data on the LightSpeed web site claims a significant increase in noise reduction with the custom inserts, which I found appealing. But I also wanted better, longer-lasting support for the boom mic, so I decided to go for it.
After you purchase the Sensaphonics kit from LightSpeed, you'll be referred to an audiologist in your area who will make custom impressions of your ear canals. The audiologist will charge you an additional, separate fee, but I found the cost quite reasonable. I was referred to Musician's Hearing Service and the impression process took only a few minutes. The impressions are sent to Sensaphonics and within a couple of weeks, the custom tips are sent back to the audiologist.
I went back for the fitting appointment last Friday and flew with the custom ear tips for the first time yesterday. After two instructional flights lasting a total of 3.6 hours, I can say without a doubt that this is probably the quietest headset I've ever used. The custom tips extend quite far into your ear and since the ear canal bends, you have to kind of screw the plugs into your ear. It's not hard to do, but it takes a bit of practice. I was curious how comfortable the custom tips would be. I found I forgot I was wearing them. The custom tips definitely provide adequate support for the boom mic and the sound quality is even clearer than with the blue foam tips.
Another concern was that the tight fit of the custom tips would trap air in my ears and cause discomfort during changes in altitude. I didn't really notice any pressure build-up, except during rapid descents. But simply yawning like I normally would to clear my ears during changes in altitude was all I needed to do to equalize the pressure.
This headset has a host of hard-to-beat features: Very light weight, comfortable, cell-phone or MP3 interface, and excellent passive noise reduction. The MP3 & cellphone interfaces does require the use of an internal battery, but I incorrectly reported in my original review of this headset that there was no auto-shutoff feature. I was incorrect. There is an auto-shutoff feature that saves the battery when no external device is connected. The original lapel clip for the cords was a bit fragile, but LightSpeed recognized this early on and now provide a clip with a more sturdy design.
One drawback with the custom tips is that with them installed, the unit no longer fits into the foam cut-outs in the headset carrying case. LightSpeed recognized this shortcoming and has begun offering a leather carrying case. They even offered to provide one to me at no charge.
Is this headset for everyone? Perhaps not. I suspect that some people will find the idea of having something stuck in their ears to be unappealing. Just remember that even the best external, noise-canceling headset will put pressure on your head and around your ears. I find the in-ear design is much more comfortable when flying in hot weather in aircraft that aren't air-conditioned. And for those of us who like to wear a hat to protect their face (or in my case, scalp) from the sun, this headset is perfect. Combine all this with the top-notch customer support for which LightSpeed is known and you have a product that is hard to beat.
15 comments:
Great review, John! I've been thinking about buying a set of these for the 737. I currently wear a single custom-molded earpiece in my right ear. The reason for just the one is that the Boeing doesn't have a hot-mike intercom. Because airline pilots are lazy, we simply talk to each other through the air rather than over the intercom (which would require some switch-flipping and button pushing).
Some of us do use noise-cancelling headsets, such as Sennheiser's HMEC-25 KA. But many captains use the Bose Quiet Comfort 2 with an aftermarket accessory called the U-Fly-Mike. The advantages to this setup are obvious in that you can use it both as an aviation headset and as a normal headset as Bose intended.
I think I'll be going back to the Sennheisers I used while flying the RJ at my last airline. I need to send them back to have them modded to the stereo model so that I can turn the volume of each earcup down independently to enable me to hear the Captain.
A few things to note about earmolds (as told to me by the ear-guy who made my mold): First, they will loosen as the wearer ages, since ear cartilage doesn't stop growing. You'll probably have to buy new molds every three to five years to keep them snug. Second, ear molds tend to encourage ear infections when you wear them for long periods of time, so keep them (your ears and your earmolds) as clean as you can!
Thanks for the info!
I've just started taking lessons for my private pilot license, and I'm considering buying a headset.
My flight school rents David Clarks, but they can get pretty hot in our Cessna 172s.
I've had some ridiculous helmet-head hair after a flight, which makes it difficult to go into the office after a morning lesson!
So, I have two questions. Do you think the Mach 1's would work okay in rental 172s?
And, why did you choose the Mach 1 over the Lightspeed L1?
Thanks GC for the pointers on custom ear molds and ear infections. My audiologist just said to wipe them down with mild soap every week. If you're considering this headset, I say go for it. You can wear the boom mic in either your left or right ear, then just don't wear the other ear unit unless you want to listen to your iPod ...
Brian, this headset works fine in a 172 but the custom molds will help with the noise. I found the blue tips were fine when I flew the Caravan, but the noise level in the Van is pretty low at cruise settings - lower than a recip engine power aircraft.
I chose the Mach1 over the L1 because I wanted the cell phone interface, which I used a lot when flying the Van.
Excellent review.
I have stereo Clarks now, but have been looking for something a little more comfortable that interfaces with cell phone and mp3 player. I was about the pop for the Bose QC2's w/U-Fly-Mike...but now you've got me thinking.
A couple of questions for you:
1. Are the custom ear pieces more comfortable than something like Jabra ear gels? Those hurt my ears.
2. Would you mind sharing your total cost for the Mach1?
I would really like something that is cooler. Here in AZ, it gets a little uncomfortable with huge over the ear headsets.
Thanks
RJWB,
I've never worn Jabra ear gels, so I can't compare. Since the custom plugs are molded to fit the contours of your ears, I imagine they will be more comfortable.
In addition to the cost of the headset, the Sensaphonic's custom plug kit is $140 and the audiologist charge for consultation and fitting will vary. I paid about $60 for the impression process and the fitting combined. Your costs may vary.
Hope that helps ...
John
Regarding the Mach 1, I have read that there are problems with the mic boom "sagging" or being otherwise hard to keep in an optimal position and problems with gain levels to make an audible transmission with the mic. Any problems here? I'm trying to find a headset for the RJ, and this looks to be a good possibility. Thanks!
Nat
I was thinking the same thing as anonymous, about the micropohone being secure.
I'm wondering if the Clarity Alofts (which I'm leaning towards), or even the Lightspeed L1 would be more secure.
I find the mic is more secure with the custom ear molds than with the blue tips.
When I got the custom molds, I removed the clip that is supposed to go around the outside of your ear and find that this actually makes the mic positioning more secure since it reduces the weight of the unit.
John:
Do you have to put a thin lotion on the ear pieces for them to seat well in your ears?
Also, I have some old earpieces from a CAT headset I bought but no longer use becasue it was too difficult to put on right and ATC had trouble understanding transmissions from time to time. Do you know of those earpieces could be transferred over to a Mach 1?
Chris
Chris,
I don't use any lotion with the custom ear molds and I never did with the replacable blue tips, either. I don't know if the CAT earpieces would work with the Mach 1 or not, but you could call the folks at LightSpeed and ask them. I've found them to be very knowledeable and helpful.
Here's their number: 800-332-2421
I picked up a set of Mach1s at Oshkosh this year - included custom ear molds as a show special.
I first flew them with the blue foam ear pieces - this was in an Archer. Worked fine, and I could tell I'd love being able to ditch the heavy headset and headset hair. Pax claimed I sounded fine and ATC had no complaints.
Next flight was with the custom ear molds - this was in a 152. The custom ear molds provided more than adequate sound dampening, and I was able to ditch the annoying over-the-ear hook. Communications with ground control and the first approach control were fine. But, the next controller proclaimed me unintelligble - squawk VFR, frequency change approved. (I tried everything I could think of, even switching to the pax side jacks.)
I then landed at an uncontrolled field and asked the pilot of the plane that preceded me into the field how I sounded to him. He said he could just barely make out what I was saying.
Could it be that the mic is too sensitive for use in a noisy old 152? (I could swear I read about this issue on another site, but I can't find it now.) I'll call Lightspeed after the Labor Day holiday.
I doubt you'll read this comment in a year old post, but I thought I'd toss this in as an audio engineer, musician and wannabe pilot.
Custom made ear plugs are amazing. They preserve the sound around you, just attenuate it. They are comfortable, not like a normal ear plug. When I finally got mine after years of putting it off, it was an epiphany.
Couple that with an in ear monitoring sound system and it's pretty amazing. Anyone wanting to buy this system would do themselves a favor and get the custom made plugs.
I fly for a major airline and moved away from the Sennheisers. I initially liked the Mach 1 but found that after about 3 months, the custom earpiece won't stay on the Mach 1 post. I sent it back and 3 months later they provided another one. 3 months later, it fell off again. After a period of continous use, the plug won't stay on the post. Sensaphonics knows about the problem and says it is a Lightspeed problem. Lightspeed says it is a Sensaphonic problem. You are left holding the bag. Overall I enjoy the headset when it works. The standard plugs that come with it are uncomfortable after about 1 hour. The custom plugs are great but the headset doesn't work for an airline operation.
Anonymous,
I've had some issues with the custom ear molds, but they eventually got worked out.
I've been using the same ear molds for over 8 months and I sometimes experience what you describe. What I've found is that oil from my ears and skin are the culprit.
I soak my ear molds over night, once a week in a dilute mixture of warm water and Dawn dishwashing detergent. I also clean the Mach 1 posts with a cotton rag and isopropyl alcohol.
Try it and see if that helps. It works for me.
John
Hi bought this headset a few months ago, using it on a widebody airbus with an adapter from Marv Golden.
I was impressed by the overall package quality, however it did not take more than a couple of flights for the blue lightspeed logos to rub off the silver finish, not an issue really !
I initially used the headset with the Blue ear inserts and found them uncomfortable, they have a stiff plastic tube on the inside, that goes over the post on the ear pieces and they caused irritation against the side of my ear canal.
I opted for custom ear moulds. These are a vast improvement and quite comfortable. Previous reported issues on this blog about them falling off the post have been overcome by a re design. The custom moulds now go completely over the end of the earpieces so the can not fall off, its not the prettiest but works. I have also had no issues with the boom dropping with the molds fitted.
The aux cut out when using a mp3 or cell works very well, but be aware if you use an iphone you will need to buy an "Apple TTY adapter" to get the cell phone to work. Alas this does not seem to work with the aux mute on mp3, but if you use the standard cable it does with mp3 from the iphone -odd.
My other comments are, the wires from the box to the earpieces are far to inflexible and rigid.
Also, as for legendary Lightspeed customer service, I have found it virtually non existent !.
Overall happy with the headsets, the custom ear molds are a must though, so price them it. Its much better for me than a big Bose ANR.
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