Two way intercom for use on boat

J

john_morris_uk

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Has anyone any recommendation for a two-way intercom for use on board the boat. Ideally, it needs to be fully duplex with lightweight headsets and also turn ideally all contained within the headset. I can’t believe that something hasn’t been made at a reasonable price that would achieve what we’re trying to achieve. It will be used for communication between helm and the fore deck and vice versa when anchoring or approaching a mooring. Avoids raised voices when trying to communicate in windy and noisy conditions.
 
john_morris_uk said:
Has anyone any recommendation for a two-way intercom for use on board the boat. Ideally, it needs to be fully duplex with lightweight headsets and also turn ideally all contained within the headset. I can’t believe that something hasn’t been made at a reasonable price that would achieve what we’re trying to achieve. It will be used for communication between helm and the fore deck and vice versa when anchoring or approaching a mooring. Avoids raised voices when trying to communicate in windy and noisy conditions.
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John,

we have these: Sena Expand Boom Bluetooth Communication System - buy cheap ▷ FC-Moto

They‘re fabulous, highly recommended. We’ve had so many people ask us what they are once they’ve seen us using them in action. Wouldn’t be without them now.
 
The headsets that people like Cadoha use are mega expensive. You can buy a bluetooth headset (or wired headset if your phone has a compatible socket) for about £20-25 a set on Amazon. Two sets of those and your own phones are a lot cheaper than the standalone units. I wouldn't trust an over the ear type but the ones with the headband look like they won't easily fall off into the water.
 
john_morris_uk said:
Has anyone any recommendation for a two-way intercom for use on board the boat. Ideally, it needs to be fully duplex with lightweight headsets and also turn ideally all contained within the headset. I can’t believe that something hasn’t been made at a reasonable price that would achieve what we’re trying to achieve. It will be used for communication between helm and the fore deck and vice versa when anchoring or approaching a mooring. Avoids raised voices when trying to communicate in windy and noisy conditions.
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Sena SPH10

Transformational when mooring or anchoring.
We have just added a third set.

If ever we have left them on and they are flat, everything seems so much harder.

Works ship to shore too if going separately in the tender.
 
wonkywinch said:
The headsets that people like Cadoha use are mega expensive. You can buy a bluetooth headset (or wired headset if your phone has a compatible socket) for about £20-25 a set on Amazon. Two sets of those and your own phones are a lot cheaper than the standalone units. I wouldn't trust an over the ear type but the ones with the headband look like they won't easily fall off into the water.
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Too much mucking around. The dedicated headsets are light, you pick them up, switch them on and they just work.

I want to be thinking about wind and tide not headsets. Cheapest is not best value.
 
Elessar said:
Too much mucking around. The dedicated headsets are light, you pick them up, switch them on and they just work.

I want to be thinking about wind and tide not headsets. Cheapest is not best value.
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Understood. We don't use any tech to communicate, Mrs Winch has her own set of hand signals and gestures which get her message across swiftly.
 
If you have a mobile phone service, or just a “roam like home service“ where you can call U.K. phone numbers
- buy two pairs of Shokz lightweight bone conducting headphones
- set up,a call and talk using the headsets
 
LiftyK said:
If you have a mobile phone service, or just a “roam like home service“ where you can call U.K. phone numbers
- buy two pairs of Shokz lightweight bone conducting headphones
- set up,a call and talk using the headsets
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The problem is that we’re in the Caribbean atm. Phone signal can prove costly. If we bought two local SIM cards, there’s a strong possibility they won’t work on the next island.
 
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You can get children's walkie talkies that are a form of headset with Mike or any other cheap ones.
The best ones use voice to transmit but there is a slight delay so you end up saying hello hello to get all the message across.
 
We manage fine just with a nod, and so many fingers held up to show the depth.
If it's such a problem you could downsize.
 
NormanS said:
We manage fine just with a nod, and so many fingers held up to show the depth.
If it's such a problem you could downsize.
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I note that a true YBW form all the nay sayers don’t have a set.

We had no headsets for years. It isn’t a problem without them.

I was given a set for my birthday last February.

They are transformational. We can whisper to each other little details about distances, the view, the mains lead and whether the kettle is on yet - stuff you’d not think is useful. It’s like being sat side by side.

I could live without them for sure. But they are very high up on my list of luxury items.

A cheap solution that involves mucking around won’t be used. Grab and go is essential.
 
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