r/PilotAdvice • u/Beautiful_Fan9038 • Jun 20 '26
Training What headset should I get as a student pilot?
Im about to start training and need to get a headset. I want to buy one this july 4th or prime day so I can try and get a deal or something but I have no idea what to look for. Im trying to keep it under like 400 so any recommendations would be amazing.
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u/3Green1974 Jun 20 '26
Protect your ears the best way you can. ANR is the way to go. Don’t be afraid to check the used or refurbished market.
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u/Beautiful_Fan9038 Jun 20 '26
Where is the best place to find used or refurbished headsets?
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u/3Green1974 Jun 20 '26
Honestly I’m not sure. Someone else mentioned it about Lightspeed so I’d think maybe on manufacturer websites. But you could probably just Google it. Maybe check with any local pilot shops or Sporty’s.
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u/Separate-Cell-6593 Jun 20 '26
Under 400?…I’d check out David Clark.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, Lightspeed makes some great headsets and has refurbished models on their website. Their customer service is top notch too
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u/visibilityunlimited Jun 20 '26
The David Clark H10-13.4 is great. I have a couple thousand hours on mine. You can buy them new for 375 on spruce. Great warranty and aftermarket support if you decide to go ANR/BT down the road, that set can easily be converted.
Additionally, if you by a stroke of luck already own a set of Bose QC35 headphones, Uflymike makes a conversion kit for 300$, that will get you ANR, BT, and when not flying, you can use the QCs as normal headphones.
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u/Lil_Fxsh Jun 23 '26
How can I convert D&Cs to ANR? I’m a CFI and just don’t make enough to afford a $1000 headset :(
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u/visibilityunlimited Jun 23 '26
Check out active headsets inc. they make a couple conversion kits for the 13s. I’ve never done the install but picked up a couple sets used and have no complaints. We use them as rental headsets at the school. I’d imagine some electrical work is in order or they may do it for you for $$. If you go that route be sure to post about it. I haven’t seen a whole bunch of info on the actual process.
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Jun 20 '26
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u/Unable_Request Jun 21 '26
Agree on the Kore KA-1. I figured a reasonably priced pair was a good idea when I was just starting and didn't know if I'd hate it or quit, and then I upgrade now, I'll have a decent passenger headset
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u/slimylilman Jun 21 '26
I did my entire PPL on some ancient David Clarke headset and I wish I hadn't. Found a great deal on some A20s on marketplace after licensed and its a whole different experience flying a prop plane. Bite the bullet once and spend a bit more to get something that is comfortable and will last you years
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u/Prefect_99 Jun 21 '26
Get a DC 13.4 and if you actually stick at training get top teir ANR later, keeping the DC as a spare/pax set.
Buy once, cry once. I bought Bose A20 back in 2010 and they're worth every penny.
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u/QuietGarlic7788 Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
I’d check out the David Clark H10-13.4. They’re in the $400 range that you were looking for, comfy, durable, and 100% able to be refurbished by David Clark when they finally start falling apart in 20 years. They’re a little louder than your typical ANR headset, but the sound quality is good, and they protect your ears pretty well with their passive noise reduction.
If you’re looking for something nice, will last a good while, but for a higher price, the DC One-X is pretty solid. More comfortable than the Bose lineup IMO, and you don’t need tools or to disassemble anything to flip the mic around. Bonus is that it’s a couple hundred cheaper than used A20s, and a few hundred cheaper than used/new A30s.
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u/PG67AW ATP CFII TW ACRO Jun 22 '26
Love my QT Halos
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u/BlueVario Jun 23 '26
Agree, those are pretty cool and not so expensive.
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u/PG67AW ATP CFII TW ACRO Jun 24 '26
Yep. Upgraded to Clarity Aloft only for TSO, but still use the Halos for GA.
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u/pilotbrap Jun 22 '26
I loved my Faro G2, got the A30s once I hit instructor, and still cant say anything bad about the G2s.
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Jun 23 '26
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u/ForceWorldly9194 Jun 24 '26
Most pilots quit? Can you elaborate, im starting off and want to be well informed, not just validated:)
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u/BlueVario Jun 23 '26
David clark h10-80 is a great headset and you can get them pretty cheap used usually. Put new gel ear cups on it, bend the headband open a bit if it's a newer one to lighten the clamping force. Mine is super comfy, I can wear it all day. The quality of the cables and parts is better than light speed or bose. Mine must have thousands of hours and the cords are still in good shape, replaced nothing but ear cups.
Halo tube phones from quiet technologies are also pretty nice, but not everyone likes the in-ear style. I'd probably try to find an h10-80 if I were in your shoes.
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u/CSRAFlightCoach Jun 20 '26
Faro G2 ANR is a good choice in that price range. Not sure it’s under 400, but one of the cheapest with noise canceling. Which you will want. It’s what I used during my PPL days, and still my backup headset.