Full duplex headsets

FootballFan

Well-Known Member
Jun 20, 2012
3,567
Florida
Boat Info
Marquis 59
Engines
MTU Series 60
Considering ordering a pair of full duplex headset/microphone.

Anyone have any recommendations, experience with specific brands/models.

Thanks in advance,

Mark
 
We bought ours off of an RV site but he has since changed the design and tripled the price.... But we use them every time and they are worth their weight in gold...
 
After some research - leaning towards either Eartech or Sena. They both have a pretty good reputation on forums.

Wondering if anyone had used either?
 
I'll offer up another potential solution for you… My wife and I simply use our Bose Bluetooth ear pieces that we already have for our cell phones. I just call her number and we are instantly connected during docking and anchoring procedures. It saves having to have another complete set of gear, additional batteries to charge, etc. Plus you don't have to look like you're wearing a NASA headset while conducting a lunar landing.
 
Honestly I'm not sure what delay you're referring to. It's just normal talking on the phone - no problems whatsoever.
 
I'll offer up another potential solution for you… My wife and I simply use our Bose Bluetooth ear pieces that we already have for our cell phones. I just call her number and we are instantly connected during docking and anchoring procedures. It saves having to have another complete set of gear, additional batteries to charge, etc. Plus you don't have to look like you're wearing a NASA headset while conducting a lunar landing.

That's an idea we kicked around. However not sure how well cell phones will perform in the Bahamas - sure that others can chime in with experience.

I would require both cell phones activated for service instead of just one I am thinking.

Admiral is having real problems with the "NASA Headset" appearance. Her comment was - we are docking a boat, not landing a plane. Having to pull a bit on her with the concept.

Mark
 
This may not be on point to your investigation, but one of the boats I frequently run is a 61 Viking Convertible. The owner is a pilot and uses ElectroVoice head sets in his Beech Baron…..yep space shuttle look, but his are noise canceling and work extremely well.

He recently bought an intercom system for the Viking to use with his wife who isn't good at thinking ahead and adjusting her deck duties to conditions encountered. I forget the brand because we don't need them, but they are much smaller and light weight, are voice activated but but are not noise canceling. The one time I used the intercom system, I had real problems with wind noise. When the system was activated by someone's voice, the sound of a 20-25 kt wind was defining and made the intercom system almost useless.
 
That's good feedback. One set I am considering is the Sena. I know they list noise cancelling. They are popular with motorcyclist, so thinking they could handle wind noise.

Not sure about the EarTech - but will dig around on those a bit.

Thanks

Mark
 
We were going to buy the $300 eartechs and then I saw a pair of walkie talkies from TMart.com. $24. they have earpieces and so far they work great. You do have a press to talk button on the earpiece wire - Susan has fun playing "Below Deck" with me when I'm on the bridge and she's on the deck: "Carter, Carter, Susan" LMAO!

Straight from China and for that price they even have a flashlight...
 
Mark - did you get a new boat, or are you chartering?....

Under contract, waiting on survey's. So I guess you could say we have bought the boat, but don't own it yet.

It is a step up in size from the previous 47DB, that's what is driving the communication question.

Mark
 
We were going to buy the $300 eartechs and then I saw a pair of walkie talkies from TMart.com. $24. they have earpieces and so far they work great. You do have a press to talk button on the earpiece wire - Susan has fun playing "Below Deck" with me when I'm on the bridge and she's on the deck: "Carter, Carter, Susan" LMAO!

Straight from China and for that price they even have a flashlight...

Too Funny!! When you coming down?
 
After some research - leaning towards either Eartech or Sena. They both have a pretty good reputation on forums.

Wondering if anyone had used either?
The ones I linked to in my previous post are the Sena headsets. And a cool feature is they can also connect a regular Bluetooth earpiece so everyone doesn't have to have the large headset on. Admirals like this.
 
Thought I would post a follow up - in case anyone searches and finds this thread in the future.

We purchased the Eartech's from Amazon.

Probably one of the best boating purchases we have ever made.

Admiral who was so resistive of the idea of the "Airplane" looking headsets is now in love with them.

We wish we had bought them back when we had the 47DB.

We chose Eartech based on reviews on forums.

Did not want anything that required a phone - or required wearing a unit on our belt. They had to be self contained, noise cancelling, and full duplex.

The only downside of the Eartech product we knew in advance from reviews. The slave unit(s) on/off switch is difficult to make sure it is off. We solved that by popping the batteries out and putting back on the charger at the helm where we keep them.

On our previous boat (47DB) we struggled with communication at times. With her down on the bow or cockpit it was difficult. This led to stress, she wasn't doing what I wanted her to - and she had no idea what I wanted her to do.

Now we pop the headsets on - and it is a natural conversation. Both hands free for both of us. Not relying on hand gestures or guessing. We are cracking jokes with each other while docking.

If the dockhand is telling her something - she can relay to me. I can let her know in advance what I am going to do with the boat.

This boat is more involved when it comes to docking, more lines, and very limited visibility from the helm. My biggest naysayer was the wife - and now after using them for 9 or 10 days of cruising, she would be without them.

Strong yes to anyone considering headsets.

Mark
 

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