Hands free earphone and microphone comms for skipper and crew

[Bandit]

A while ago someone from warmer climes was extolling the virtue of wireless comms earphones on a headband with a microphone for wireless hands free communication with a crew member to avoid unseemly shouting, gesticulating and general grumpiness at misinterpreted commands, as well as avoiding Coventry situations.

Her indoors AKA first mates' telepathy skills are not good, let alone doing what I meant and not what I said.

Pointers to a cost effective solution would be appreciated.

 

[JerryC]

My first reply seems to have disappeared so will try again ... sorry if this post appears twice! Here you go - http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?364076-In-boat-communications Hurricane is good at this sort of thing. I copied the same setup, it works fine but looks a little clunky, but the professional setup is much pricier and covers both ears which can be a pain for the crew on the foredeck who may need to communicate with people on the quay.

 

[JerryC]

Sorry, I omitted to say on my repost, jump to post#38 on that thread.

 

[Plum]

A while ago someone from warmer climes was extolling the virtue of wireless comms earphones on a headband with a microphone for wireless hands free communication with a crew member to avoid unseemly shouting, gesticulating and general grumpiness at misinterpreted commands, as well as avoiding Coventry situations.

Her indoors AKA first mates' telepathy skills are not good, let alone doing what I meant and not what I said.

Pointers to a cost effective solution would be appreciated.

We use a Bluetooth handsfree clipon earpiece each paired to our phones. Phones can be left in the cabin and the Bluetooth range is just sufficient when going through locks even if partner is walking around the basin to open a gate. Once the first call has been made, subsequent calls need just a double press of the earpiece button to redial the last number. We found this a perfect low cost (£30 the pair) solution when going through the Thames locks, particularly when there are no lock-keepers on duty, which was often.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Hurricane]

We use a Bluetooth handsfree clipon earpiece each paired to our phones. Phones can be left in the cabin and the Bluetooth range is just sufficient when going through locks even if partner is walking around the basin to open a gate. Once the first call has been made, subsequent calls need just a double press of the earpiece button to redial the last number. We found this a perfect low cost (£30 the pair) solution when going through the Thames locks, particularly when there are no lock-keepers on duty, which was often.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I tried that solution
Wasn't workable due to a huge delay.
I think I read somewhere that the human brain can't cope with more than 300ms delay before it gets confused.
Also, when I was looking into a solution for this, I wanted something that wasn't dependant on external systems (the GSM network for example).

Anyway, back to the OP
You will see in the thread linked to above that I built a set of DIY headsets for a blind friend.
He found the DIY ones so useful that we both looked for a manufactured solution - indeed, he wanted me to help design something from the ground up!!
I helped him find the Senna ones and he decided to make a business - (buying them in bulk and selling them to mariners).
Since then, I believe this little project has been a great success for him.
I have no connection with his business - only that I now have a couple of Senna sets on board instead of my old DIY ones.
He was advertising in the boating mags but you should find him on http://sabreleisure.co.uk/
I believe he sells them in pairs.

The range is about 100m so you can use them for lots of jobs.
They are quite good for anchoring but we use them most for stern (Med style) berthing when we can't actually see each other.
One such place that they were helpful this year was when (just the two of us) were tied back to the rocks in Poroig, Ibiza. The plan was to leave early before any of the neighbouring boats woke up. We needed to wind in the anchor and at the same time let out at the stern. I remember having to drop the end of our shore line in the water and recover it later with the dinghy. By talking calmly to each other over the bluetooth headsets, as these things happen, you can take the drama out of a situation. SWMBO doesn't like "the unknown" so she loves these headsets.

EDIT
The most important thing for a solution to this problem is to have the headsets completely hands free and full duplex. It must be set up so that all you do is talk. Push To Talk or VOX operated radios and are completely useless for this application.

 

[Seastoke]

if nyou are having buy senner they are the best ,music phone or talk upto 4 peeps ,

 

[JerryC]

To quote Hurricane: "The most important thing for a solution to this problem is to have the headsets completely hands free and full duplex. It must be set up so that all you do is talk. Push To Talk or VOX operated radios and are completely useless for this application."

Abolutely. +100 likes

 

[Seastoke]

To quote Hurricane: "The most important thing for a solution to this problem is to have the headsets completely hands free and full duplex. It must be set up so that all you do is talk. Push To Talk or VOX operated radios and are completely useless for this application."

Abolutely. +100 likes

senner

 

[IDAMAY]

Another vote for Senna blue tooth headsets. They meet all the criteria but may be a tad pricey. Just about the best boating accessory we have ever bought.

 

[jmw]

Another vote for Senna blue tooth headsets. They meet all the criteria but may be a tad pricey. Just about the best boating accessory we have ever bought.

+1

 

[DougH]

Senna, Senna, Senna.

Every time we use them I say a little thank you prayer to Hurricane for finding this great product. Gets even better as your hearing fades.

I have a factory where we use forklifts under control of a loading supervisor to load the lorries and now have the drivers and supervisor in full contact by way of the Senna product.

 

[Piers]

Hi Bandit - Sena. Magnificent. If you want to try a pair, come on down to Play d'eau over the Christmas break.

 

[TK Blue MAX]

Another vote for senna,didn't think we needed them till we had them,one of the best investments we have made,delivered to the marina next day by super efficient sabre leisure.

 

[Piers]

We've been using our SENA headsets (SPH10) occasionally for about a year, but the battery life and operational range have decreased significantly. I've tried fully discharging and re-charging, but to no avail. I've also tried a firmware update but I can only presume the SPH10 doesn't work with the upgrade software.

Anyone help? Thank you.

 

[IDAMAY]

We've been using our SENA headsets (SPH10) occasionally for about a year, but the battery life and operational range have decreased significantly. I've tried fully discharging and re-charging, but to no avail. I've also tried a firmware update but I can only presume the SPH10 doesn't work with the upgrade software.

Anyone help? Thank you.

We haven't upgraded the Firmware, Piers and have no problems with battery life. They get used every few days but only on the boat so can't speak for distance. I assume you are using them off the boat at greater distances? We have an intermittent problem with audio in one ear only. Elvia says that Sena weren't that helpful when she contacted them about this. Overall though they still rank as a great purchase.

 

[derekbland]

A while ago someone from warmer climes was extolling the virtue of wireless comms earphones on a headband with a microphone for wireless hands free communication with a crew member to avoid unseemly shouting, gesticulating and general grumpiness at misinterpreted commands, as well as avoiding Coventry situations.

Her indoors AKA first mates' telepathy skills are not good, let alone doing what I meant and not what I said.

Pointers to a cost effective solution would be appreciated.

Not sure it's cost-effective but how about a new first mate?

 

[Piers]

We haven't upgraded the Firmware, Piers and have no problems with battery life. They get used every few days but only on the boat so can't speak for distance. I assume you are using them off the boat at greater distances? We have an intermittent problem with audio in one ear only. Elvia says that Sena weren't that helpful when she contacted them about this. Overall though they still rank as a great purchase.

In use, the range is OK on the boat, but it's the battery life that's being a pain. Interesting you mention audio in one ear only. Didn't realise it should work with both!

Coming back to battery life, do you fully discharge before recharging?

 

[markc]

As an alternative, we use these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-Motor...feree-Judge-/253668303809?hash=item3b0fcf23c1

 

[Hurricane]

As an alternative, we use these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-Motor...feree-Judge-/253668303809?hash=item3b0fcf23c1

The idea was to find a headset that didn't use any external wires.
Something that you could just pop onto your head and use.
The Senna ones seem to meet this requirement.

That said, we charged ours a couple of weeks ago with the idea of using them last week.
SWMBO usually prepares the headsets and hands me a set just before we need them.
We were entering Palma last week and she said that they weren't working.
We had extra crew on board and Palma is a really easy port to enter so we didn't really need the headsets and I didn't think any more about them - until I read Piers post a few minutes ago.
We are not out to the boat until next month but I will have a better look at them then.
I'll report any findings back here.

 

[fred247]

Mine are getting on a bit now, but don't have any battery issues, swithed off all winter turned them on and still charged. Charge them up and will still hold charge for weeks