Hearing that there’s an ANR headset that only costs $390 made me inclined to think that there must be some sort of catch. After all,
18 March 2016
From $390
Low cost
Comfortable
Anti-noise reduction works well
Tinny sound
No auto ‘off’ function
Thumb screws to adjust headset band
Hearing that there’s an ANR headset that only costs $390 made me inclined to think that there must be some sort of catch. After all, with some of the premium ANR headsets coming in at nearly three times that, it would surely be wrong to expect high-spec capabilities on budget money? So it was with a healthy dose of scepticism that I unboxed the G2 ANR from Faro and added a couple of AA batteries.
Based on a conventional steel band and plastic ear-cup design, and warranted for three years,the G2 seems adequately put together. There’s no particular feeling of flimsy or cheap, with the important bits like the ear seals and headpad – those points of interaction – being quite pleasant, soft-feel items.
Audio jack on the side of the earcup.
The mic boom, which can be worn on either side of your head, folds up and down with a strong ratchet action, but also bends for fine adjustment. There are dual volume knobs, allowing independent adjustment, and you’ll also find a 3.5mm audio jack on the too if you want to connect a portable audio device on the back of the left ear cup.
The headband slides to adjust for head size and locks using thumb screws; it’s not the best mechanical interaction, but it works. At 540gm, they’re not the lightest, but are comfortable to wear. I had read that some users had found they clamped tightly, but that wasn’t my experience, with hour-long stints showing no particular issues.
Head band and ear seals are comfortable.
Battery box and on-off switch for the ANR function.
My benchmark for passive noise attenuation is my non-ANR David Clark H10-60s, and these G2s weren’t that good, but then they don’t clamp as tightly. Flick the switch on the battery box (beware, there’s no auto switch-off) and you’ll find the G2’s ANR is actually pretty good. Audio quality is pretty tinny though – and that was the one word used by four other pilots. Looks like we might have found the biggest price compromise.
As with any equipment purchase, you have to calibrate your expectations to your spending. The G2 sits somewhere below the Sierra from Lightspeed, but delivers more than something like a David Clark H10-13.4. The bottom line is, if you’re not a ‘best that money can buy’ kind of aviator, or you want a couple of occasional use ANR headsets for back-seaters, then the G2 could be the low-cost, modest performer you’ve been looking for. – Ed Hicks
If you’re not a ‘best that money can buy’ kind of aviator, or you want a couple of occasional use ANR headsets for back-seaters, then the G2 could be the low-cost, modest performer you’ve been looking for
