Headset

[hoki1185]

Any suggestions for a headset or audio setup for this new flight simmer?

[Adamski]

QUOTE (hoki1185 @ Dec 6 2008, 12:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Any suggestions for a headset or audio setup for this new flight simmer?

No need for a fancy sound card - on-board is pretty good these days! Plenty good enough for a *sim*, I'd have thought!

I have one of those (fairly cheap) bass boom box + satellites combinations - and a pair of wireless headphones. I just keep recharging/swapping 2 sets of batteries for them. The other thing I use is a little gizmo that has a combined volume control and switch - to flip between speaker sound and headset sound. Saves all that fiddling around with cables.

For online sessions, I switch to a standard mike/headset that I got from the $2 shop! Again - using that gizmo, I just flip a switch.

At one stage - for multiplayer LAN sessions (Falcon4 etc.) - we used to run with multiple sound cards, so we could have game sound separated from voice, but it was a bit of a mission.

[creator2003]

Logitech wrap arounds are sweet ive stood on them pulled on them bent you name it and they still live ,longest pair ive ever had last

[Alex]

Yea, it's hard to go wrong with Logitech. Also, with a USB headset you can set-up comms over the headset and engine (and atmosphere) sounds over the speakers which can be neat.

Alex

[SUBS17]

Yeah its cool how FS does the voice channels through the headset and ingame sounds on the external speakers its also good for ventrillo as the ingame alarms and engine noises can make it difficult to hear people talking if its all through the headset.

[Timmo]

QUOTE

The other thing I use is a little gizmo that has a combined volume control and switch[/quote]

Was this an off the shelf item or did you make it? Id quite like to find a device which will place another input jack in an easier to get to place with the ability to switch between the inputs. Its a real PITA shuffling around at the back of my computer in order to run my Mp3 player through my speakers.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Dec 8 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was this an off the shelf item or did you make it? Id quite like to find a device which will place another input jack in an easier to get to place with the ability to switch between the inputs. Its a real PITA shuffling around at the back of my computer in order to run my Mp3 player through my speakers.

Off the shelf. Here's pic:


1) Output to woofer+satellite speakers
2) Mike input from (online) headset
3) Output to (online) headset
4) Output also goes to my cordless headset

The cable at the right is combined speaker+mic and just plugs into your sound card.

I've never used the "handsfree" function - don't even know what it does!

It cost me around $14 I think - from www.firstin.co.nz. This is a site that sends you a daily email of "bargains". Not particularly brilliant on price, but I've bought the odd gizmo like this off them that I haven't seen anywhere else. I don't think they hold stock as such - it just comes and goes on a day-to-day basis. May be worth contacting them - though you may be able to find it elsewhere, now you have the details. I've got it stuck down so I couldn't read off any serial number or anything.

It's quite handy - as I can switch from full (external) speaker sound to headphones easily. I have independent volume controls on everything, so that rotary control on the unit stays on maximum. I have that phono splitter so I can have my online headset and local (cordless) headset plugged in at once. They're both "live" (when switched to) - I just pick up which one I need at the time.

UPDATE: I managed to find an old email from Firstin that had a link to the item. They're called an "Audio Switching Hub" and the brand name is "Manhattan" apparently. $14.80. I tried following the link back to FirstIn, but it didn't work (as is often the case after stock has sold). Following that info, I found this.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: A bit of Googling ... and it turns out I didn't get a bargain after all ... see the item on PBTech - $10.38 inc GST. I may get another one - for my "work" PC - so may pop up to Wairau Road .... want me to get you one while I'm at it?

[Timmo]

Nah its cool- Ill pop into the Queen St store after work....Might buy a new SATA HDD for FSX/games too

[pilot.masman]

i swear by my Logitech wrap-around... cheap ($100) but useful, i use it for Comms and i use my speakers for ambient FSX sounds etc