U-Fly-Mike Review
NOTE: At the end is a link to an update on the U Fly Mike after 30 months of heavy use.
After 25 hours with my new Bose® QuietComfort 2 headphones and U-Fly-Mike adapter, all I can say is, "WOW"!
Comfort: Compared to my David Clark® headset, there is absolutely no comparison. They are much lighter. I have worn them for 4 hours continuously without any discomfort. The mic is extremely easy to position and, unlike other headset mics, doesn't need to be eaten to be effective. It works for me 1/4-1/3" away from my mouth without having to adjust the squelch.
Ease of Use: The QC2's come in a nice case with a space for extra batteries and there's room for the U-Fly-Mike. I never forget to turn them off, because the power light and switch is right in front of you when you put them away. The U-Fly-Mike plugs in easily, yet firmly into the 3.5mm headset receptacle and comes with an extra o-ring to ensure a tight fit for heavy users.
ANC effectiveness: The QC2 headphones are easily quieter than my David Clark® H10-13S at nearly half the weight. I have tried a friend's Aviation X headset and would say that the QC2/U-Fly-Mike combo is about 95% as effective.
Overall: This is an excellent buy. For under $500, you get nearly the same performance as the Aviation X headset, with excellent Bose® ANC. As an added bonus, they are multi purpose. I can take them with me on business trips and use them with my iPod. How cool is that? I got about 15 hours out of the first AAA, which was off-brand and supplied by Bose® . That is a little less than half the advertised battery life when using them strictly as headphones. There is a small mesh pouch that holds 4-5 AAA batteries in the case. I'm sure that the Duracell batteries will last longer and there might be longer life in a quieter, pressurized cockpit.
The only possible down-side I see is that they are not as sturdy as purpose-built aviation headsets. If you put them in the case after every use and don't throw them in a flight bag, it probably won't be an issue.
One more thing: They U-Fly-Mike adapter also has a 3.5mm input jack so you can hook up a portable music device to your headset. I haven't used it yet because I'm either flying with an instructor or through highly congested airspace.
To see how it's held up over the last 2 1/2 years, click on this U Fly Mike Update
