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The LightSPEED ANR headsets have been in the general aviation arena for five or six years now and they sell just as good today as they did when they first were placed on the market.  When the LightSPEED ANR series came out I questioned their wisdom competing against the headset giants such as BOSE and David Clark.

 But LightSPEED has found the “Blend of Success” when they introduced the first “20” generation ANR headset and that was “A great product at a fair price and excellent after the sale service”. Instantly the 20 ANR was a huge success. Later the "XL" series was introduced and at that time I called the LightSPEED 20XL the "Ultimate Headset".  Now LightSPEED has added the new "3G" series to their arsonal that have some new features.  Do these new features work and are they worth the extra cost?  After giving the top-end Thirty 3G a thrashing, here's what I found.

The all new "3G" series comes packed with some nice features. The first thing I noted different was the teardrop control box. This control box is somewhat larger than the older "XL" series but it contains a lot of nice features. First, lets install the supplied two AA batteries. Simply slide off the back of the control box and install the batteries as noted on the legend. The batteries will last around 40 hours; depending on the noise level of the environment the headset is used in and the brand of battery. To turn on the ANR portion of the Thirty 3G, simply press the "Power" button on the control box. Notice "Power" legend now flashes green, which means the ANR is turned on and the two AA batteries are up to speed. Once the batteries start getting weak the green flash will turn into a red flash. I found my Thirty 3G headset would continue to operate for five hours once the control box started flashing red. As with all ANR headsets, the mic and passive portions of the Thirty 3G will continue to operate even if the batteries die. Rest assured, you’ll notice when the ANR quits working. The Thirty 3G is one of the quietest headsets I’ve ever tested. LightSPEED recommends using only alkaline batteries, not rechargeables due to the fact rechargeable batteries only last 40-70% as long as alkaline types. There are two volume controls located on the control box; one for each ear. Simply slide the volume levers to a position that suits your fancy.

Next comes the "MO/ST" switch located at the bottom of the control box. LightSPEED was one of the first to manufacture an ANR headset that would work in both, stereo and mono applications. You see, not audio panels have stereo outputs and mono audio panels only have one wire going to the headset. If the headset is placed in the Stereo position, only one earpiece will produce audio. If you run into this situation, simply place the Thirty 3G in the Mono position and you’ll hear out of both sides of the headset. The beauty of a headset such as the Thirty 3G is that it will work in any aircraft; mono or stereo, it doesn’t matter.

Here’s something new, the "Tone Selection" switch. Basically what this switch does is boost either bass, triple, both or not boost at all. To change the boost setting, press the "EQ" button once and notice which light comes on. If the "BB" lamp illuminates, then the Base Boost is turned on. Press "EQ" button again and the next choice will illuminate. If you selected only the "TB" then the tremble frequencies will be enhanced. Keep pressing the "EQ" button and you’ll get both lamps on indicating both Bass and treble have been enhanced. If you continue to cycle this feature, both lamps will extinguish meaning neither the bass nr treble are enhanced. I found this feature worked fine during my flight-testing but I’m glad LightSPEED added more features to the Thirty 3G than just Tone Selection. Pilots that have good ear for music will enjoy the Tone Selection feature more than I do.

To date, only the 3G series LightSPEED ANR headsets have an auxiliary audio input jack and this feature alone is worth the extra cost of the headset if you plan on listening to your personal CD or MP3 player. The Thirty 3G allows you to interface with either a cell phone (some models) OR a personal music device such as CD player. Another nice feature is the personal music device will mute down 80% if ATC talks or someone on the intercom speaks. To turn on the mute feature (LightSPEED calls it Comm Priority) simply press the "EQ" button for five seconds. Should you desire not to mute the music input, then don’t press the "EQ" button for five seconds. Other headsets can also enjoy personal music via the MUSE made by PS-Engineering but you wont need it with the Thirty 3G, it’s all built-in. Your music device controls the music audio level, not the volume controls located on the headset. Be sure the music level isn’t turned too high when plugged into the Thirty 3G; if so, your ears will suffer. The Tone Control mentioned above is utilized in all modes of operation including the music input. Included with the headset is a cable that attaches to your personal music device and the headset, LightSPEED gives you everything you’ll need including a three-year warranty. LightSPEED claims 12-22 dB of passive and 28-30dB of active noise canceling. The Thirty 3G is quite heavy, weighing in at 16 ounces.

Interfacing with your Cell Phone. If you’ve read some of my articles in the past you know I don’t believe in using a Cell Phone when airborne. Not only are cell phones illegal to use airborne they can be difficult to interface with aircraft electronics. Having said that, the LightSPEED Thirty 3G will interface with "some" Cell Phones. The company supplies a cable that runs from the headset to the Cell Phone. Be advised you may need some type of adapter to work with your model cell phone; you’ll have to find the adapter at an electronics store that carries Cell Phone accessories. Just for fun I tried the Thirty 3G with my dinosaur vintage Nokia Model 2162 and the headset would not work with this phone.  If you have Cell Phone questions please give LightSPEED a call at 800-332-2421, I don’t do Cell Phone questions.

Just like the "XL" series the Thirty 3G shuts off should you forget to do so, thus saving the batteries. If the 3G doesn’t hear any activity from the mic for five minutes the ANR portion of the headset will shut down. To get things going again, simply press the "Power" button and the headset wakes up again. Chances are you’ll only change the batteries one or twice a year, due to long battery life and the nice auto-shutoff feature.

Another thing the XL and 3G have in common is there both very comfortable. The cushions on the ear pieces are different from the XL series. They are not as thick and are larger inside verses the "XL" series which are very thick and triangle in shape. If you’ve owned a "XL" series in the past, it will take some time getting used to the new-style ear cushions. At first I didn’t think I’d ever like the new ear cushions but after about two hours of flying with my new 3G, I found that I did in fact like the 3G’s cushion design. A pilot that has never owned a LightSPEED headset will like them right from the start. In my opinion, the new cushion design does feel and wear better than the prior generation of LightSPEED ANR’s (now that I’ve flown with them). LightSPEED headsets out sell all other ANR headsets by a ratio of nearly 9:1 (in our shop). People purchase LightSPEEDs because they are very comfortable and the new 3G series carries on that tradition. I can fly for hours with my LightSPEED and my head never feels like it’s in a vice; there are only a few brands that can compete with the comfort of the LightSPEED Thirty 3G. The headband is adjustable and the top is padded well to insure comfort on those long flights. The cord comes out of the left earpiece; the cord cannot be placed on the right ear. The headset is mainly plastic but breakage has not been a problem. Out of the thousands of LightSPEED headsets we’ve sold, only a few have been returned broken; those were repaired under warranty even though it was obvious that someone had sat on them. LightSPEED commitment to customer satisfaction is second to none, these folks want you to be happy with their product and customer satisfaction is top on their list.

Now it’s time to fly with the LightSPEED the Thirty 3G. My first trip using this headset was a mere 250 mile cross country in a Cessna T210. I started the aircraft with the ANR turned off, picked up ATIS, contacted ground and taxied out to the run up area. Once there, I turned on the ANR portion of the Thirty 3G; that’s when I discovered a popping noise. Shut the ANR off and the popping noise would disappear. It didn’t seem to matter what RPM the engine was running, cabin windows open or closed, the popping continued. In fact, the noise was so bad that I had to shut off the ANR portion of the headset in order to receive my takeoff clearance. Other ANR headsets often produce a popping noise with the engine run up and the windows open but stop with the windows are closed. Once I was blasting down the runway I turned the ANR portion back on and sure enough, the popping sound was still present. Once the Cessna reached around 70 knots, the noise disappeared and the Thirty 3G worked, as it should. After the aircraft was up and going, I slowly lowered the output power of the engine until it was down to an idle and no popping was heard; at that point I thought maybe the popping noise was a fluke. During the trip the Thirty 3G performance was outstanding. Unlike some other ANR headsets that I’ve flown with, the Thirty 3G didn’t break into oscillations when I sharply turned my head. Even when the old ears were sweaty, the new LightSPEED stayed secured to my head. The comfort level was excellent, just like my old friend the 20XL. No doubt the Thirty 3G is somewhat quieter than my faithful 20XL and just as comfortable once I got used to the new-style ear seals. I did notice a little white noise when the ANR was activated but only slightly more than the 20XL that I often use. With the large amount of ANR attenuation (28-30 dB) the Thirty 3G produces, you are going to get some "White Noise". There was a small problem with the Battery Control Box. When I stuffed it inside the storage area located on the lower kick panels on the Cessna, at times the unit would turn off due to the fact the on/off button would push in due to the pressure of this pocket. I wish LightSPEED had recessed the on/off switch. During my return trip, I laid the Battery Control Box on my lap and of course the problem disappeared. The point is; don’t let anything lay on or press up against the Battery Control Box or you stand a chance of the unit turning itself off. The Thirty 3G was quiet until just prior to touchdown then the popping noise returned. This noise continued until I shut down the engine but didn’t’ seem to be related to engine nose; in other words the intensity or frequency didn’t change with RPM changes. Other than the popping noise the two items mentioned here; I was very pleased with the performance and comfort of the Thirty 3G. A couple of days later I had the chance to test this headset in a Piper PA28-236, thinking maybe the Cessna was culprit causing the popping noise but that wasn’t the case. The popping noise was present whenever the aircraft was on the ground, at any RPM, cabin door open or closed. Once airborne, the Thirty 3G worked fine, until I landed again and then the popping returned. I tried to isolate the culprit that caused the noise but couldn’t.

While Kathi wasn’t looking I grabbed another Thirty 3G to see what would happen. Good news, no popping what so ever during any portion of the flight; thus it appeared that I had a defective headset (a short time later a customer called and said his new Thirty 3G was popping under the same conditions mine was). Now it was time to call LightSPEED and quiz them about my findings. LightSPEED said they had received several complaints of a popping noise just as I had mentioned above. LightSPEED estimates about 5% of the units are having problems. They were very honest and said at the present they don’t know what was causing the problem but their engineers were working on the issue as we spoke. I then asked LightSPEED how would the fix be handled and there response was "Rest assured any problems found with this product would be covered under warranty". I mentioned to LightSPEED I was writing an article about the Thirty 3G and had to mention what I found. Their answer was "Good or bad, please write exactly what you find" which I would have anyway. I was impressed with their attitude and honesty. While there may be a problem with a few of the new Thirty 3G’s I’m convinced LightSPEED will find a cure and fix the few headsets that present the problem.  

In summary, the LightSPEED Thirty 3G has a lot of value. Just the personal stereo interface alone would cost over $125.00 if you purchased one from another vendor; some of you may be excited about the limited cell phone capability also. Factor in comfort, the equalizer, automatic battery shut-off feature, three-year warranty and a host of other nice features and you’ll find the Thirty 3G is good choice. I was chagrined that LightSPEED crossed over the $600.00 mark for the product. That places the headset in what I call "No Man’s Land", headsets costing above the $600.00 mark are very difficult to sell. 
 

LightSPEED Thirty 3G	MAP $595.00