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The new Telex 4105 ANR (active noise reduction) headset is the best yet from this leading manufacturer of high-quality headsets. The 4105 is lighter, has better earcup cushions, more earcup agility and an improved ANR circuit compared to the 4100.
The most obvious feature of the 4105 is the thickness of the earcup and headband cushions. They are not as large as the outsized cushions on some other headsets but are certainly more plush than I'm used to seeing from Telex. The cushions make the 4105 look big, but it weighs only 18 ounces, about as light as any TSO'd full-cushion headset with electronic noise reduction.
The range of movement of the earcups on the 4105 has been increased so they can swivel and rotate to adjust to almost any size and shape of head. The 4105 has Telex's patented headband pressure adjustment system to give you the squeeze pressure you want and need for optimum performance. My wife, Stancie, who is constantly trying headsets to find the one with the greatest range of adjustment, was able to get the 4105 set just right in terms of headband length and earcup pressure. That's a first.
The 4105 ANR circuitry is flawless to my ear, reducing the din of a Baron down to the hum of a turbofan. Richard Collins tried the 4105 in his Cessna P-210 with excellent results, and he's a tough ANR critic. A total of four pilots tried the 4105, all with good results, and that's important because electronic noise canceling is very subjective. The 4105 ANR performance is so good that I often take off without ANR activated because the silence is almost spooky when the engines come up to full power. Once I am up and away and everything is operating normally I plug in the ANR and revel in the silence.
The 4105 is powered by a nine-volt battery that lasts at least 40 hours. Normal communications operation is assured with or without the battery connected or the ANR circuit functioning. For another $100 you can get an aircraft power adapter that can be wired to the aircraft electrical system directly or plugged into a cigarette lighter.
The full list price of the 4105 is $550, but it is available for around $500. The headset is backed by a five-year guarantee. For more information, contact Telex at 877/863-4168, 952/887-5510; www.telex.com/aircraft.
