Is Zulu available in an aircraft powered version to eliminate the need for AA batteries?
Yes. The Zulu: P is the aircraft powered version. It uses the most common aircraft powered ANR headset plug, the 6-pin LEMO. This plug is standard on all Cirrus and Cessna 350, and 400 series aircraft. Should you need it, the mating half of the connector is available from many pilot supply retail stores.
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What’s the difference between the 20-3G and the 30-3G?
The major difference between the two models is their amount of active cancellation. The 20-3G has a maximum of 24dB of active cancellation, the 30-3G tops out actively at 30dB. The difference in cancellation can be quite noticeable, depending on the noise environment. The louder the noise, the more noticeable the difference will be. Another difference between these two is the battery life. The 20-3G will operate up to 40 hours. The 30-3G will operate up to 30 hours. Both of these headsets are covered by a 5-year warranty.
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What’s the difference between the 15XLc and the 20XLc?
The major difference between the two models is the amount of active cancellation. The 15XLc has a maximum of 18dB of active cancellation and the 20XLc tops out actively at 24dB. Another difference is the passive attenuation. The 20XLc has 2dB more passive attenuation. The difference in cancellation can be quite noticeable, depending on the noise environment. The louder the noise, the more noticeable the difference will be. The ear seals are also different. The 15XLc has an ultra soft ear seal, while the 20XLc has the soft ear seal. This is the reason for the 2dB passive attenuation difference between the two. Both of these headsets are covered by a 3-year warranty and have the cell phone/music jack.
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What’s the difference between the 3G series and the XLc series?
Other than the obvious change in the color scheme, there are a few different features on the 3G that are not on the XLc. The 3G-battery box has a more ergonomic tear drop shape. The XLc battery box has a rectangular design. The battery box on the 3G also has a side tone equalizer (i.e. a bass and/or treble boost) that allows people to choose what sounds best to them. Another difference is the ear seal. On the 3G we have changed the outer coating to a leather-like material and increased the size of the ear opening. The internal foam remains the same as the XL, for that well-known comfortable fit. In the XLc series, we use a separate speaker for voice and the active noise reduction. The 3G series has a single speaker, dual driver system. With this system there is a noticeable upgrade in audio fidelity and intelligibility.
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What’s the difference between the XL, XL2 and XLc?
In the latter part of 1999, we launched the XL series of headsets. With this series we introduced the auto shut-off and a battery life of 50-plus hours on just 2-AA batteries. In 2002 we implemented an audio interface on the 20XL2, which allows the user to connect a CD player, MP3 player or similar device to the headset’s battery box. For safety reasons, we found it necessary to include a selectable soft mute. This feature will decrease the external audio source’s volume by 80%, giving communications priority. In 2003 we went a step further, making the audio interface cell phone compatible. This makes your aviation headset act as a hands-free headset.
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What kind, how many and how long do the batteries last?
All of our active headsets run on 2-AA batteries. They all have different battery lives. The 15XLc, 20XLc and the 20-3G will last up to 40 hours on their batteries. The XCc will operate for 25 hours. The 30-3G will last for up to 30 hours, depending on how noisy of an environment it is in.
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What happens if my batteries run out in flight?
If you lose power at any time, the headset will continue to perform as a passive headset. Our products utilize independent circuitry for Comm Audio and ANR cancellation to ensure this. It can be frustrating to lose your active performance while flying. All of our active headsets come standard with what we call a “Fuel Gage" that allows you to monitor the battery level at any time. We recommend you add checking your batteries on your preflight checklist. Of course, the 2-AA batteries can be replaced at any time even in flight. That is a big advantage over rechargeable systems that require downtime before their active system can work again.
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How does the ANR work?
The ANR microphone, located inside the dome, senses noise frequency and amplitude at an instant in time. The Active Noise electronics process that noise and relays it to the speaker driver. That speaker adds a signal that is 180 degrees out-of-phase with the initial noise sensed by the microphone. Those two signals sum to zero, canceling each other out. For more information on this subject, please refer to our tutorials.
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Do all ANR headsets work the same?
In general, they all utilize the same acoustic theory of 180 degrees out-of-phase signal to cancel engine noise. In truth, performance varies significantly among active headsets. It is important to compare them with technical specifications and in actual flight. Manufacturers make a variety of tradeoffs in dome cavity design, ANR mic position, electronics complexity, ear seal size and shape and materials in developing a product. Many are constrained by an existing passive design, leading to sub-optimized efficiency and effectiveness. Ultimately the headset delivers a curve of cancellation that can be characterized by: depth, breadth and position of cancellation. Manufacturers should be able to supply you with that information.
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With the ANR on can I still hear my engine?
The noises we’re canceling with the ANR circuitry are low frequency propeller, exhaust and wind noise that register at about 100Hz in the cockpit noise spectrum. True engine noise is higher up the spectrum, and believe it or not, you will more likely hear the engine better.
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Are LightSPEED headsets compatible with other headsets and intercoms used in general aviation?
Mechanically and electronically they are compatible. Our headsets use the standard 2-plug interface and have an electret, noise-canceling microphone. Keep in mind that various passive headsets sound different based on the speaker effectiveness and microphone sensitivity. That “sound" is further modified when the active circuitry is turned on since the audio levels and the signal-to-noise ratio are changed. It makes comparisons difficult. All of that is true about LightSPEED headsets. We even provide enhanced audio clarity, in the ANR mode, and elevated signal levels. Both provide additional clarity for easy listening and safe communications. The microphone frequency response was adjusted to preferentially emphasize the voice range. The sound profile and output level of the mic might be somewhat different from other headsets you have. Adjustments can be made in your intercom squelch setting and individual mic booms can be positioned for comfortable operation.
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