Flycom, Lynx and Comtronics
I am trying to decide of what system to use for my new trike. In the past I have used Lynx system and loved it. But I want to know what do you prefer and why? I have the option of buying completely a new system. My trike comes with Comtronics helmets but it is not a complete system and I just wanted to find out if there is something better out there.
Regards,
Rizzy
Comments
Do you not have Microavionics over there???? Excellent quality kit...
Hi Rizzy. I have owned both Lynx system and now Flycom (with V10 radio) I always liked my Lynx but now that I have Flycom, I agree with Henry, it is a much better system for comfort and clarity.
the good thing about Lynx however was it was a pretty rugged system and I am told stands up pretty good in training environment. Downside, don't let battery run down without charging or you have to send the headset back to Lynx for overhaul. Learned that the hard way.
I also like the MGL V10 with Flycom combination helmet/headsets. It's all digital too which means excellent signal to noise discrimination, very lightweight and compact (only about 3" deep in the dash)-- excellent menu system for adjusting everything. I think you got to hear the music played through my system also when I was up there-- it's unbelievable how fast it dims the music for incoming signal-- I've never missed a word. Music very important on those long XC 4-stroke flights your gonna be doing now !!! ; )
Regarding the Fycom helmet/headsets in addition to comfort and quality is the extreme ease of use-- no charging, no fiddly little latch at the top of the face shield, no dropping the helmet or the headset because you can't carry both with one hand, etc. Less wind noise since the headset is internal to the helmet instead of wedged in on top of your head (which always kind of hurt my scalp) and around your ears.
The MGL is made to use in an open cockpit with gloved hands-- very easy few large push buttons. Quick programming and VERY easy to monitor two channels-- which, once you do, you won't want to fly without.
hi Rizzy, I Will not install Lynx or Commtronics, or Communica systems in any aircraft as I find them less than usless. The Flycom system works very well. I still don't use it in any of my aircraft. I do however use their helmets. Love them. I will depend on the radio you are using. The Flycom will work very well with any handheld radio, however if you are using a panel mounted radio they have there own intercom. and this will save you money and equipment in the future.
After unsatisfactory results with Comtronics I bought the AirZone in 2001 and loved it. I still use it. I guess they are out of business. I particularly like the full-face shield which I have since seen others copy. If they were still in business I’d buy another.
My helmet foam is rotted out and could use a whole new set.
Hi Rizzy,
There is a better system with more functions and featured and all at a good price and built to last. I have used almost everything out there over the years and was a dealer for several but there were from time to time little problems or faults that would emerge and not be taken care of as R&D progressed and I changed and adapted until I came across MicroAvionics. I quit selling everything else and only used and sold their stuff. They have a system to suit virtually every taste from separate headset and helmet to a fully integrated headset and helmet in one, like a helicopter type helmet/headset system.
The are more comfy and fit better than Lynx (and Lynx is a good system), they have more features and functions and better pricing. You can even integrate your phone through your headset intercom system if you wish and we now have wireless PTT on the bar, NO MORE CABLES to get in the way. We have a system to suit everything including PPG, GA, Helicopter/gyrocopter, trikes, Pitts Specials, you name it and we have a system for it.
They offer great after market service and customer care and have been in business for many, many years and are one of the largest suppliers to the car rallye crowd. Drop me an e-mail at lucianbphotography@hotmail.com and let me have your tel number I will talk you through everything. I've been flying trikes since the early 80s and have seen it, done it or tested most all of it. You won't be disappointed, and our system works like the Lynx system. You can even combine systems if you still have a few Lynx things, to help out people with compatibility issues who have some of this and a bit of that.
I like the bluetooth PTT idea, looks like the MicroAvionics hooks to a handheld? I currently have the Lynx - but hope to upgrade to one that monitors two channels one day since we fly around some pretty busy areas most of the time here in Vegas. I think the Lynx has the best intercom of any that I have used, but the repair costs on replacing headset batteries, and wire issues within the headsets are very high (including shipping to England). There are two alternatives so far that have caught my eye. Microair and MGL. I have no experience with the Microair, but have been a few trikes with the MGL. The MGL seems like a great system overall, Easy to use, built in intercom, and built in music throughput with automatic lowering of volume on radio traffic! There are a couple of strangeties that I experienced 1) the intercom isn't active until it hears a sound, so you need to drag out your first word or it doesn't get caught, 2) sometimes the intercom, and air to air sound a bit "digital" not a big deal, but it does make the person harder to understand, like they were transformed into a robot. I haven't heard much about the Microair other than I heard the buttons are hard to use with gloves.... anyone have experience with these?
Hi to all.
I have the simply Pilot system. Separate helmets, headsets and intercom with VOX. Im very satisfied. Now I order new MicroAvionics systems for my client. There is a radio interface for two radio freq, mobil phone, MP3 or voices recorder via Bluetooth, headsets with ANR and VOX. I must to test it before I sell it :) Maybe I will order next one for me too :)
Hi Rizzy,
I fly with Micro Avionics helmets/headset/intercom system. Very nice indeed. I prefer the one piece helmet as it is warmer in the winter and is much quieter. As a flight instructor it is extremely important for me to be able to hear my student very clearly and vise-versa. The helmets I use have the 6db noise cancellation feature that is very nice. I can also plug my mp3 player into the system for music and there’s an audio out for recording voice to video while flying. They also sell add-ons like the Bluetooth interface for cell phones, wireless PTT etc.
Tony Castillo with P&M Aviation is the USA dealer for MicroAvionics equipment. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Kind regards,
Gary
Ken, I have thought about a Bluetooth ptt, but then it would need a battery and that seems a little unreliable to me.
regards Bill
I don't have experience with Microavionics--- but saw a photo of the helmets today, very nice looking one piece units. For me, one piece is the way to go.
I installed a Microair M760 radio and it was not bad. I was having some noise generated by my old digital dash (now defunct company, no support) and couldn't suppress it anymore with the iCom handheld. The Microair worked well for a while in that regard, but as the old digital dash worsened eventually I couldn't overcome the noise with the dash unit (usually dash units are built heavier with better grounding and more power, etc). I knew that replacing the dash unit would be expensive and time consuming, so I sold the Microair used and bought the MGL. Since the MGL is digital, it did have a much better signal to noise ratio and suppressed the noise for a long while until finally the dash unit overcame that too. At that time I bit the bullet, pulled the old digital black & white dash and installed the MGL Enigma dash. So, I wouldn't have sold the Microair if it wasn't for that noise issue. I got a decent price for it used. I also sold my Lynx intercom when I got the trike for a good price (since they're so expensive I still got a lot of money for it-- and have never looked back on that one-- very glad to get rid of the complication, extra weight and wires that added nothing to the experience).
All of that above to explain that I did have a Microair in the past. When I sold the Microair M760 I noticed that they have model letters (currently I believe they are on model (Q) or version Q). So, if you buy a used one, be sure you know which version you are getting and which one you want. Earlier versions did not have dual channel monitoring and had less wattage. My version I sold did have dual channel monitoring, but it was hard to access (a several step process I'd forget & too difficult- so never used)-- The MGL has big push buttons, and by simply holding the flip-flop button for 1 second it toggles dual channel on & off- a quick push fli-flops the priority channel, a longer push monitors both-- Easy & makes sense. An ~2 sec push brings up the emergency/distress frequency. I use dual monitoring almost always- it is just so handy, and even more so if you fly with friends. The Microair has a couple of small rotary switches with combo push-in action. One rotary switch is inside the other. Scanning frequencies up/down is as quick as you can roll the dial, then you push in to set, then roll again, push again, etc. The scanning part is fast, but with gloves on (and even without if you are not looking closely) it is difficult and easy to bump it and select the wrong thing. The sound quality of the Microair was good, but the MGL was even better-- people frequently comment how great it sounds and how long range. Sounding good is the first step to other pilots and towers taking you seriously & treating you well-- having to repeat everything really gets them annoyed before you even have a chance to make a mistake ... I have made the MGL sound like a tin-can sometimes as Ken mentioned though by playing with the settings and getting it wrong. I haven't had any word clipping on either side of the MGL use-- sending or receiving other's transmissions. There are 3 different settings for microphone activation though, each with about 10 levels. There is also a setting for normal, non-voice activated mic. So, clipping really shouldn't happen. There are many many settings with easy menus and levels so that you can get the kind of sound and ambient noise suppression you want.
One additional advantage if you use a digital dash like the Enigma, is that you can use it to program your radio-- eg, Enigma will bring up a list of nearby airports and their various freqs- 1 button push pops any of those over to the Radio for instant use. Some other systems (such as some Garmin) may be able to use the programming system also.
I believe there is a USB port on the MGL that you can program it's internal memory with also. If I was doing this, I would leave a wire extension that I could pull down from behind the dash to hook up to the computer, then tuck back up when not needed. Nice to program local freqs when you go somewhere else and are staying in that area for a while. You can also assign simple names to the Freqs- manually or by computer download.
I want to thank each and everyone of you for your valuable input. This has given me a lot of good ideas to start my own research. All of you are awesome!
Ken in Vegas... You can keep your Lynx headsets and you can use our radio interface unit, it is compatible with the Lynx headset. This way you can have a radio interface that will allow you to have two different radios connected and monitoring both frequencies, as well as being ablemto listen to music if you wish. Contact me if you want more info at lucianbphotography (at) hotmail (dot) com.