In boat communications

+1 for the Sena SPH10 sets.

Yes not cheap but worth every penny to ensure harmony on the boat.

Both swimbo and myself are getting the start of hearing problems and these units overcome the problem completely.:encouragement:
 
dodfisher said:
Same here - now SWMBO can definitely hear me when I shout at her! :)
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You're a very brave man:encouragement:

Last season we were using 2 x Icon restricted radio units and were reversing into our berth and of course the large crowd of onlooker had gathered.

Once in and stern lines on I go down to the bow to do the bow lines.

Giving my instructions to slacken the stern lines and getting no response I commenced repeating myself in ever louder voice.

After a little while a raging ball of fury called a swimbo came flying down the side deck yelling 'turn your f"""""g radio on.

I've never forgotten since:o
 
DougH said:
+1 for the Sena SPH10 sets.

Yes not cheap but worth every penny to ensure harmony on the boat.

Both swimbo and myself are getting the start of hearing problems and these units overcome the problem completely.:encouragement:
Click to expand...

I suggested the Sena SPH10 sets in a report that I wrote in MBY.
So far, I've only used my DIY solution - I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money and find that we didn't use them.
The DIY ones have been so good that I will probably buy some Sena ones for next year.
The DIY solution works well but the batteries don't last that long and they are probably not as robust as the Sena ones.

People reading this should try this type of wireless headsets.
Once you have experienced how well they work, you will definitely want some.
 
Piers said:
A friend of mine in the USA sent this to me:

"We have had the EarTec 24G devices for many years. Lately, we have had problems with them and were frustrated. Today, I went online to research an alternate...Motorola or Sena... While searching I thought ... Why can't I do this with Bluetooth on our iPhones using the ear buds with mike that came with my iPhone. I found a solution that works like a gem! No need to make a call or use Internet! Yes, it is as easy as down loading a free app and then purchasing the .99 cent hands free option. It works better then I ever could have imagined. I even walked way down the dock, 100 yards, and it worked real well. Not using Internet, just Bluetooth! It took about 5 minutes to get the whole thing set up with both iPhones.

The app is called Walkie Talkie - WiFi & Bluetooth by Porchlight. Down load the app on both phones. Touch the hands free button and then purchase the .99 cent option. Turn on the Bluetooth under settings on your phone. Then go back to the app and both phone will look for the other...and connect. If other phones in the area are using this app, just chose the Bluetooth phone you want and it will connect. Put your phone in your pocket and start talking...no more yelling!!!

So, for under two dollars you can have the BEST two way communication! The only suggestion I have is to get holster or pouch for your iPhone...You don't want to drop it in the water!

Piers
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When I tried that technique, I found that there was an unacceptable delay.
The Walkie Talkie apps I tried "stream" the communication so they have to buffer - consequently causing delays.
Some delayed as long as 1 second - definitely unacceptable.
 
Hurricane said:
I suggested the Sena SPH10 sets in a report that I wrote in MBY.
So far, I've only used my DIY solution - I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money and find that we didn't use them.
The DIY ones have been so good that I will probably buy some Sena ones for next year.
The DIY solution works well but the batteries don't last that long and they are probably not as robust as the Sena ones.

People reading this should try this type of wireless headsets.
Once you have experienced how well they work, you will definitely want some.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

It was as a result of reading your report that I purchased 4 sets from Amazon and now the whole crew can hear what is being said at any one time.
1st class product that works better than I expected.
A good aspect of the design is that it fits behind the neck and over the ears so there is a greatly reduced risk of the set falling overboard.
Many thanks to you for bringing harmony to the boat during mooring activities.:encouragement:

Downside, when swimbo is getting the fenders in or sorting out ropes etc you can hear all the grunting and groaning going on. She also swears a lot because she forgets that I can hear her at all times.:disgust:
 
DougH said:
Downside, when swimbo is getting the fenders in or sorting out ropes etc you can hear all the grunting and groaning going on. She also swears a lot because she forgets that I can hear her at all times.:disgust:
Click to expand...

Yep - you've got it.
I get comments like "whoever put this rope away in MY locker needs to be shot"
And as you say, you get all the grunting but - think about it - whilst she's talking she's ok
 
Must get a set, I can't see the stern of my F43 without turning my head 90 degrees, blast I must look at that reversing camera one day; it will save SWMBO shouting: 'over to Starboard, no Port, no Starboard, aaaaarh abandon ship, we're all going to die.....':cool:
 
Hurricane said:
Whoops - there goes another pontoon power supply.
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;) You just have to blame the crew....... Mind you, I am told Keith took out a power pole with his F43 not so long ago, which cost him a few pounds to repair and he can't blame the Tender..! Now I am just trying to remember where else I saw some minor GRP repairs going on in the marina recently.....;)
 
Old thread

I've just received this email from Nigel who sells the Sena Headsets.
Not sure that I agree with the logic but I said I would pass the message on.

Dear Mike,
I have just had a conversation with the technical chap at Sena regarding how to extend the life of the batteries.
They feel one of the principle problems which have been surfacing in the recent past is the plug rating people are using. Originally they were content to recommend that people could use the same USB plug as people were using for their mobile phones, however the rating of these plugs has been increasing especially those with a quick charge option.
The ideal rating should be between 500 and 1000 ma. The rating on some plugs has increased to between 3000 and 5000 ma; this will certainly damage the battery if not destroy it.

One other cautionary note is to make sure that people avoid leaving their headsets sitting in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time which can cause the suggested margins for their operation are considerably exceeded; i.e. the system is cooked!
I do not know whether you wanted to pass this information on?
Kind regards
Nigel
 
Hurricane said:
Old thread

I've just received this email from Nigel who sells the Sena Headsets.
Not sure that I agree with the logic but I said I would pass the message on.

Dear Mike,
I have just had a conversation with the technical chap at Sena regarding how to extend the life of the batteries.
They feel one of the principle problems which have been surfacing in the recent past is the plug rating people are using. Originally they were content to recommend that people could use the same USB plug as people were using for their mobile phones, however the rating of these plugs has been increasing especially those with a quick charge option.
The ideal rating should be between 500 and 1000 ma. The rating on some plugs has increased to between 3000 and 5000 ma; this will certainly damage the battery if not destroy it.

One other cautionary note is to make sure that people avoid leaving their headsets sitting in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time which can cause the suggested margins for their operation are considerably exceeded; i.e. the system is cooked!
I do not know whether you wanted to pass this information on?
Kind regards
Nigel
Click to expand...

Hmmm. I bought a couple of the SENA headsets and after one season of not too much use, the battery life has become poor, especially on one of the headsets. The issue is that although it seems a reasonably OK task to change the batteries (see: ) SENA will not give the details of the battery make/model. Hence, Nigel isn't able to help unless the sets are returned. Seems a weakness in the construction to me.

However, for the last month, I've been charging and discharging from one extreme to the other in the hope of killing any 'memory' and will see what they are like on our next cruise.

BTW, I use a mains charger, not the USB charge points.

I think that if I have to change, I'll try another make.
 
Piers said:
I think that if I have to change, I'll try another make.
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I'm not sure that there is much to choose from, Piers.
Have a look back in this thread (#38) and you will see how it all started.
I was looking for a solution and the only way I could do it at the time was to build my own.
Having said, I think there has been an alternative but when I looked, it didn't do what I wanted.

We are going out to the boat later this week so I will charge our Sena ones and see how long the batteries last.
I'm sure it is possible to change the batteries if they have failed.
I was out on a boat with Nigel last week - if there is a problem, I'm sure he will help.
 
Hurricane said:
I was out on a boat with Nigel last week - if there is a problem, I'm sure he will help.
Click to expand...

Nigel has been as helpful as he can be but he cannot ascertain the battery details from SENA for the SPH10. Such a nuisance, and to have to send them them back for a battery replacement isn't on. I've tried to find the battery detail and the closest I've come is here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-rushmore-models/1050539-sena-headset-battery-replacement.html but I haven't a reply, yet.
 
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