Pilot Products: The quiet, comfortable ONE-X

I received one of the early production units in April and promptly handed it over to a friend and fellow pilot who spends a lot more time in airplanes than I do: Terry Keller Jr., chief instructor at Premier Flight Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

More than 70 hours of use revealed no problems, no knocks, nothing worthy of even a minor complaint. “It is probably the quietest headset I have ever found,” Keller said. Another pilot borrowed the ONE-X and told Keller it was so comfortable he “forgot he was wearing it.” Sunglasses with thin frames fit comfortably under the earcups, the pads of which are soft and supple and maintain a solid seal without trapping hot air and provoking perspiration.

Keller said the noise reduction was excellent without blocking sounds a pilot might actually want to hear. “It’s just like turning the volume down on a stereo,” Keller said. “You hear all the sounds, there’s just a lot less noise in your world.”

That sounds right to me based on my own experience. A fresh pair of AA batteries lasted 55 hours, although that was without use of the Bluetooth capability built into the control unit, which is just a bit larger than a fat cigar. The company advertises an expected battery life of 50 hours. (With the batteries removed, Bluetooth connections and the independent volume control become inoperative.)

I found it very easy, even without consulting the instruction manual, to connect an Android phone and an iPad using the Bluetooth. The external audio performed as it should, cutting out for radio or intercom transmissions.

The ONE-X retails for $895, a bit less than some comparable models with similar features. “Our objective was to introduce a headset that would offer durability, comfort and formidable noise reduction for the GA market while also appealing to the commercial sector, where lighter weight and comfort are key factors,” David Clark Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mark Gardell wrote in an email, referring to the PRO-X introduction in 2013. “Prior to this, DC did not offer a headset for commercial pilots. “

Folded, the ONE-X occupies about half of a flight bag pocket made for an older David Clark. The headpad material dubbed “Outlast” is also designed to enhance comfort by reducing skin temperature. The ONE-X will soon be available in a helicopter version (the ONE-XH) and a military version (ONE-XM).

Email [email protected]