Opinions needed......What is the best communications helmet setup?
Last updated by Dave G Comments (12)
Categories: Tech, Equipment, ATC & Communication, Manufacturers / Sales / Industry Pros
Please chime in and let me know what you feel the best communications setup is......What kind should I stay away from?......makes and reliability.......those of you that have had a few different kinds, why the change, was it a change for the better? I'd love to hear from you.........yes even the lurkers!:)
Comments
Hi Dave, I tried some cheaper solutions as a motorcycle intercom or hommade headsets and intercoms. But I havent good solution. One works good to radio, but it doesnt work with a intercom and back... Then I bought the Pilot intercom PA200 and two headsets and two Pilots (MIcro Avionics) helmets. And my throuble was out. I still use it. Now I began a Micro Avionics dealer here and I sold some MA helmets and intercoms to my clients. They works BEAUTIFUL! With ANR and VOX systems, bluetooth connection to mobile phone and more more good things :) My new communication system will be MA.
Others will disagree, and that's fine, but you asked for opinion and so ... in my opinion the Lynx system completely SUCKS compared to the Flycom system.
Flycom Lynx
That means: Quieter Wind/noise leaks between helmet/headset gap
Comfortable Headset strap has to fit between helmet & your skull
Easy to put on Have to fit headset, then helmet, then stretch
rope-like thingy over & around ear pieces.
Clip chin strap ?Doesn't Lynx still have that style you have to thread
left strap between the D-Rings on right? Stronger!
Easy to carry 4 hands needed to carry two helmets & two headsets
Easy to hang UNIT on D-Bars Easy to drop one or the other, not easy to hang all 4
very rarely flips open if looking backward flips open if you got latch wrong
*1 No complex intercom box / mixer *1 when used with a modern radio (such as MGL) which has built in intercom / mic system anyway. With Lynx, even if you have a modern radio, you still have to add that damn box (expensive) and all that wiring (pain in the butt, failure point, extra weight). Flycom will wire the connector end up to the specs of your system- no silly box needed. Lynx needs silly box.
So ... that's my pretty strong negative opinion of Lynx these days-- a very expensive and outdated complex system. My used trike came with a Lynx system and I was very happy to sell it on eBay for a good amount of money (Lynx is expensive, even used you get a lot of $$ for it)-- not that Flycoms are cheap, but Flycom is modern and has so many advantages in my opinion. I've been out on several flights with people who have lost comm on Lynx because of batteries / charging issues, and my response is always, why don't you sell that dinosaur comm system?
I haven't tried MicroAvionics, but have heard good things about them .... anything but Lynx!!! ;)
WOW....This is great feedback guys.....thank you so much.....XC you need to not be so shy......tell us how you Really feel.......I love it!
So far flycom seems to have the same type of com setup as microavionics but is less expensive.
Flycom is winning so far.........any other competitors? (That anyone has an opinion about)
Maybe that was a bit strong ... Lynx does have good sound quality (excepting wind noise) and has a bigger foam thing on the mic (if that's good or not?). They work fine and are durable, though the batteries eventually need replacing (I think you have to ship back to factory for that). From what I've seen in the US, Lynx is the most common system- kind of a legacy system. I just don't want anyone buying a new system to get a Lynx just because that's what everyone else is using-- there's some great reasons to look at more modern systems. If Lynx was cheaper than the rest, I'd understand the draw as well, but ...
As I said, my used trike came with the Lynx com box and wires, but no helmets. So ... for me it was either buy Lynx helmets to go with the intercom box, or break free, sell the box and get one-piece Flycom helmet/headsets.
Dave G, you tried them on in our flight out of Elk River. What did you think? Easy to use, nice sound, comfortable?
So when XC says flycom or Lynx that is only half of the story. This refers to the helmets/headsets, but those must also hook to a radio somewhere. I'm currently migrating from lynx headsets and helmets hooked to an ICOM radio to flycom hooked to an MGL radio. The MGL does its own intercom, ptt, audio in/out etc, which makes an interface like the lynx box un necessary. I do think flycom also has a com box that can be used to adapt to other radios, I have never used one, so I cant say if they are better than the lynx setup or not.
The lynx bit is expensive, but allows mating with a cheaper radio to provide pretty good function. E.g. I use an Icom AC22 that is probably a decade old, can be purchased for $120, and have a system that has full intercom, audio input etc. My lynx came with the trike, so I didn't have to front out for that equipment. Lynx are expensive to repair, and can only be done at the mothership in England. Sound quality is great, I have no issues with wind noise excepting when the passenger turns their head sideways, which could be overcome by attaching a chin protector like the flycom helmets have. The batteries in the headsets are only used when either hooking headset to headset for direct com, or using a powerless box (which can make a Part 103 trike with no battery a fully radio capable machine. Both cool features that I think are not available using the flycom helmets, but that being said I have only used that feature once. if the batteries go out, the only recourse is a pricey trip to the mothership.
The flycoms are exceptionally comfortable, and provide a very good fit and wow they are quiet! I had my maiden voyage today and was really impressed. I can see how they might get hot though, and I know a couple of guys that like to fly headsets only in the summer, the lynx system can do this, the flycom not so much. I like to have a full on helmet, and the flycom really gives a secure feel, like a motorcycle helmet would. Feels very safe! and did I mention comfortable?!!
I sure did.....I used Henrys second helmet(Flycom)....Im not sure what size it was but it was a bit tight on my oversized melon , but non the less it gave me a good idea of the sound quality. I dont have much to compare it to other than what I have been using for training which is earphones/mic combo and separate helmet. It was great, clear on both intercom and radio and I could only imagine that AC/DC over the intercom would loud and clear.
With the Flycom system are you able to run your cell phone through it hard wired or bluetooth?
If I remember correctly you have an in-dash radio system dont you? I would imagine that you could buy any adaptors that you needed thru Flycom if I were to use a handheld.....such as an I-Com A14.
The 2nd half to Ken's half is that our friend Jim C has a big Airborne XT 912 (read: has electrical system) and still uses the Lynx battery system for some reason (though apparently could set it up to charge in trike, he never has.)-- even with his MGL radio (the Lynx were legacy for him, so rather than buy new helmets, he patched the silly box into the MGL). His batteries have gone out on our flights at LEAST 4 times. Other guys have had the same issue. It's one extra needless worry on a big XC trip. Dave S's Lynx are currently back to the mothership for batteries (hence he is borrowing Ken's Lynx during the repair, while Ken flies his new Flycoms).
The title of this post said "opinons ... best ... helmet setup?" so I focussed on the helmet/headphones. ;)
Hey wait, didn't a certain someone I know only last week when flying from Vegas to El Mirage cease being able to communicate with said airport just as he got into their pattern? Proceeding to relay to me said harrowing story of coming in even though he wasn't sure they could hear him? ..... Lynx system!!!!
As a backup system, I do carry a small non-powered / simple box as a direct connect stand alone PTT/intercom connecting a hand held Icom and my Flycom helmets - got it from Flycom. You could use this as a primary connection if desired (still no silly powered/battery operated Lynx box). Highly advise that everyone have backup plans for their comm-- comm systems and especially PTT's often fail right on that important big XC trip !! ;(
The Flycom helmet itself is just a passive helmet (non-powered, thank god), so as Ken says, hooking up a phone is more a function of the intercom system. In my case an MGL radio. Very easy to pipe in music. I did try a wired in phone connection, it didn't work so well. I unfortunately think I am going to go with that expensive ($250+) Blulink system- and would really like to get opinions on it or alternatives. Currently, I can hear a phone call (voice mail) via the same audio plug that pipes music from my iPhone to the in dash MGL radio-- I can't talk during emergencies though and that could be very useful on a long XC with weather / etc in the way. Also, currently since I no longer take a camera with me, just the iPhone (which gives weather, backup maps/sectionals, AF/D, music) I have to unplug the audio cable to take an inflight photo and the music stops, then plug it back in- a little bit of a pain. I'd like to fiddle less and take more photos. Am hoping something (cheaper than) the Blulink could eliminate physical connections altogether.
Ken flies in the Vegas desert-- it does get HOT there! Put the helmet on last, wear shorts, and for the girls, I recommend a wet T-shirt.... plenty of volunteer models in Vegas.
Speaking of the MGL radio/intercom-- the music system is especially awesome because it dims the music so instantaneously when incoming radio transmissions or person-to-pax talk occurs you'd think it happened before the transmission. You never miss a word!!! Then the rock comes back on!!!
We played AC/DC loud over my intercom!! Wadaya mean?!!
Third half of the story, MGL V6 radio locked up in flight today. Hard to tell what was going on, on the face everything looked normal, but couldn't hear my friend on the chat channel, and the usually buzzing local airport had no transmissions all of the sudden. Called and called for radio checks on either channel and nothing. Landed on a dry lake 30 min into our XC flight and couldn't communicate there either, even with the second trike right next to me. Also couldn't hear a hand held, but my friend with a Lynx and an A22 could. Finally thought what if I turned it off and then back on again? Presto, up she came, and worked perfectly for the rest of the flight, and back. So there you go, just another piece of information for those interested.
OK thats just a little freaky........you dont want to be re-booting your comms when youre in the thick of it.
I mean you will always do what it takes to make it work but gees.
Your radio is new right? if it were to happen again, you may have a warranty claim.
Thanks for sharing Ken.
That radio / comm system was just installed (I don't want to take Ken's words, but this was like the 2nd flight with that com system). I'd look for a loose connection somewhere.
I love the MGL radio system! We used it last night and the dual channels so easy, with gloves in the dark-- rocked out to music the whole way. Everyone I recommend the MGL has really liked the radio, except YFT. It's fully digital (excellent signal discrimination trans & receive), very lightweight and compact (easy to fit in trike dash), very powerful, lot's of adjustability / customization, very easy to pipe music into and the music is dimmed SO FAST SO SMOOTHLY I've literally never missed a word of transmission. If you have one, the Enigma EFIS (& others) will program it (ie ask the Enigma for the nearest airports, and a list of frequencies will pop up, choose any frequency with one button & BOINK the radio is set). Manufacturer service is great.
Anyway, I've tried several radios in this trike (ICom, Microair & MGL)- I had to switch to the MGL for the digital discrimination because a failing old EFIS that was original to the trike was generating increasing RF noise. The MGL could discriminate because of it's digital nature. The dual channel monitoring, and just operation in general is WAY easier and was designed for open cockpit with gloves. I get compliments on the radio sound quality & distance all the time. That helps a lot when flying in to airports-- if you've already pissed them off 12 miles out, then they see your an ULTRALIGHT !!!??? (Gasp, Horror :) ......
Maybe a one time issue for Ken, I have over 450 hours on mine & that never happened. My Garmin 396 GPS hiccups about once every 4 months, I have to reboot it-- scared me the first time. Navigate without GPS !!! NOOOOOOO!!!! ;) ... but since Ken's radio is such a new installation, I'd check the connections. I really recommended that radio for him and stand behind that opinion 100 percent ;)
Flying XC with friends who can do 2-channel monitor is SOOOO helpful-- I could go on and on about why that's so great. Flight of two on tower frequency? --> you can still communicate on the back channel (Dude!! you're way too low/left/right, or watch out for....! Without that second channel, it's just nail biting not able to say anything to your buddy, or vice versa...). XC in complex airspace?--> two guys flying like this can cover 3-4 frequencies simultaneously. I'll stick with Flight following, you get ATIS for the airport coming up, we'll stay on the chat freq on #2. Flying in a group and someone switches to wrong freq?--> much easier to find him when you can monitor two freqs. Flying at a towered airport alone- monitor both ground & tower at same time- know what they're up to before they announce (yeah I heard that airplane taxi up to the hold-short, I already knew he was going to take off, so adjusted my pattern already). Know when not to bother calling the tower if the same guy is busy operating the ground freq (1 man tower ops). Did I say I could go on and on about dual channel capability? ;) The MGL only takes one button press to turn dual monitor on / off !!! Easiest I've seen.
I wouldn't have any other radio!
Thanks XC......I love the way that you get into complete and thorough explanations of not only how but why.
And without any sarcasm I find it very helpful.......I feel like I'm taking a piggy-back ride on your experience.
I should say not just yours, but to all who contribute. THANKS!
Don't get me wrong guys, I'm loving the MGL, especially the two channel capability. My friend never knew I was talking with each airport we passed along the way making sure we knew we were there. I spoke with Matt at MGL, great service from him. He recommends resetting factory defaults. Connections are all good. The only thing I did differently along the way was adjust the squelch due to some feedback going over a power substation. Right after that the coms locked up. No other problems the rest of the flight, and the Flycom helmets were excellent!