Hi everyone,I was just wondering if anyone could suggest a decent quality, but not too expensive microphone/headset or whatever is needed to communicate with online flyers in FSX multiplayer. In case it makes a difference, I have Windows XP and an Intellistation Pro Z computer.Thanks for the suggestions!Airindia16

Edited January 13, 201115 yr by airindia16

Hi Airindia,Logitech has some good headsets that arent too expensive:http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&source=hp&biw=1916&bih=907&q=logitech+clearchat&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=42c33c885e5e233Are you planning to use speech recognition, because Winxp requires some downloading and setting up to get going.Thanks.David Ranieri

I use an Alba HS-820USB Headset/Mike which I think I got from Amazon. It is cheap and cheerful but works well. The volume control switch has an annoying blue flashing light which can be blanked out with a piece of sticky tape.

Normally any Logitech or Microsoft headset around the 40.00 range will do a good job.As with most things, the more expensive the headset, the better the microphone, background noise reduction, etc.

Creative Fatal1ty HS800 is a good headset. Good rich sound with good base, and a detachable microphone as well. EDIT: Or the new HS1000 for that matter...

Plantronics makes a line of headsets that are cheap and work well, I've been using them for years.

Hi Airindia,Logitech has some good headsets that arent too expensive:http://www.google.co...42c33c885e5e233Are you planning to use speech recognition, because Winxp requires some downloading and setting up to get going.Thanks.David Ranieri

I'm sorry, what is speech recognition? And I take it that in order to transmit in FSX, you have to hold down a particular key. I think it was shift+control, something like that.... There is no other way to transmit, right?Thanks!

Define "not too expensive"...For what it is and does, my Sennheiser PC350 headset was "not too expensive". I've had people tell me that it is the clearest mic they have ever heard online. I got mine when it was on a really good sale though. I like the senns so much I'm going to be picking up a pair of HD380's for listening to music. Those are expensive...Avoid Logitech headsets like the plague. They are garbage.I'd suggest these for 50 dollars if a nice pair like the Sennheisers are too much. They were quite nice before I accidentally destroyed them... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826158082

I'd suggest these for 50 dollars if a nice pair like the Sennheisers are too much. They were quite nice before I accidentally destroyed them... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826158082

I also like my pair of Sennheisers... they are an older model but work fine. Used to use them with Creative X-fi and Battlefield 2. Now only just flight sim X and the boom mic is used on vatsim. Mine was an older version of this one:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106158

I'm sorry, what is speech recognition?

The speech recognition or voice recognition will allow you to give control commands to the aircraft just by saying what you want e.g. gear up or flaps down. Almost as though you had a copilot with you and you were telling him what to do. You probably dont want that just yet i imagine, so for normal communication with other people online, im sure any headset will do. get the best you can afford of course :( but I can say the $30 logitech are okay for me, but im not a real big sound person :( Good LuckDavid.

The speech recognition or voice recognition will allow you to give control commands to the aircraft just by saying what you want e.g. gear up or flaps down. Almost as though you had a copilot with you and you were telling him what to do. You probably dont want that just yet i imagine, so for normal communication with other people online, im sure any headset will do. get the best you can afford of course :( but I can say the $30 logitech are okay for me, but im not a real big sound person :( Good LuckDavid.

So for a newbie like me a 30 dollars one is fine? I mean, I am really just interested in being able to communicate with other players in multiplayer... Other than that all other details are welcome, but not needed, really. And what does noise reduction do? Reduces engine noise?Thanks a lot. It's great to get such quick help from Avsim.

If you have existing speakers, may I recommend getting a desk microphone? They are very cheap. Something like this would be fine:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Analog-Desktop-Stick-Microphone/dp/B00097HPHK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1295084972&sr=8-4However, if you are wanting a headset and microphone, but still want to hear FSX through your computer speakers then you will need to buy a headset without noise reduction, as noise reduction reduces outside noise when you are wearing the headset and so you will not be able to hear your speakers very well. Something like this would be good:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plantronics-Audio-310-Monaural-Headset/dp/B000GET9P2/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1295085196&sr=1-3Or, if you want to get a more decent headset and listen to everything through the headset itself then you can think about some of the suggestions that people have given above, and if you can you should spend as much as possible.

and if you can you should spend as much as possible.

No doubts there! I got my new headphones today. Went with the Sennheiser HD25-1 II's instead of the HD380's. They sound every bit as good as 200 dollar headphones should. I am hearing things even in my MP3 files that I've never heard before. They sound even better with my X-fi Titanium Fatal1ty sound card playing off CD's. The music file itself is definitely the limiting factor now.Where's the turntable?! I'm becoming an audiophile! Sigh, another expensive hobby, just what I needed (as if FS and photography weren't bad enough!)... :( :(

Some good points have popped up there. How do you listen to fsx sound at present, and do you want to keep it that way? Because...... using a headset is going to bring all your sound through the headset, so whatever speaker system you have setup is going to be wasted. If you do want all of your fsx sound through the headset, you wont be able to hear your voice when you speak, which will be a little off putting. A desktop microphone would be good, again a simple logitech job will do the trick. If you plan on becoming a headset person and playing all your games with them, then go for something good, like the Sennheiser's.David.

If you have existing speakers, may I recommend getting a desk microphone? They are very cheap. Something like this would be fine:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Analog-Desktop-Stick-Microphone/dp/B00097HPHK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1295084972&sr=8-4However, if you are wanting a headset and microphone, but still want to hear FSX through your computer speakers then you will need to buy a headset without noise reduction, as noise reduction reduces outside noise when you are wearing the headset and so you will not be able to hear your speakers very well. Something like this would be good:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plantronics-Audio-310-Monaural-Headset/dp/B000GET9P2/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1295085196&sr=1-3Or, if you want to get a more decent headset and listen to everything through the headset itself then you can think about some of the suggestions that people have given above, and if you can you should spend as much as possible.

Based on experience, I wouldn't recommend a desktop mic as they're generally more susceptible to picking up background noise from your speakers (generally speaking). This can cause issues, especially if using speech recognition programs.I'd go with a USB headset. You can get a good one for about $20.If money is no object, you can try a noise canceling one, but that's a bit overkill in my view.Best,