I'm looking recommendations for a set of full duplex wireless headsets -
preferably under $100 for the pair.  What are the latest recommendations from
from the group?

Dave Legrow

I'd second the recommendations on the cruising solutions headsets, we
bought ours when we got our trawler. They serve the purpose, they are
functional, inexpensive ($60) and have held up well. We have friends who
spent over $500 for the ones they clip on their belt with the high-end
headset, way overkill IMO.

Even more so since now that we have our routine established, we rarely
use our headsets any longer, they're reserved for really difficult
situations where our normal MO isn't applicable. If I need to
communicate something, I can use the loud hailer, and that is SO much
more authoritative, especially if the announcement is prefaced with "NOW
HEAR THIS...." <G>

OK, we all know if we'd ever use the hailer to relay a wish to the
admiral whilst she is on the bow handling lines that we would not eat
for a week, but you can't deny the impulse is there, that mic hanging
there just pleading with you...... use me, use me......

I blew the Kahlenberg's once unannounced. Uh, oh........ I guess there's
an impish streak in there somewhere.

steve sipe
Solo 4303 "Maerin"
Warderick Wells

We use the Cruising Solutions product.  We use them for every docking,
anchoring, mooring, and fuel filling situation.  They are especially
nice when fueling the boat because one of us can be in the engine room
monitoring the fill level to get it to the exact spot wanted.  No more
banging on the fuel tank and hoping the other person can hear.

They look a little funny.  I totally don't care.  I consider them one
of the most important safety devices that we have onboard - mostly
because they get a lot of use.  We have two pair (just in case one
stops working).  You have to be careful though because there are
different channels that pairs are configured for and getting a second
pair means making sure they're on the same channel as your other set
(you have to work with the dealer or just have some luck).

The biggest problem with them is that the On/Off switch can get turned
on by accident easily when moving them around.  We had it happen a few
times with dead battery results (9V standard battery).  We now put a
little piece of blue 3M tape over the switch and it hasn't been a
problem since.  We've been using the same pair for 5 years.  The other
pair have batteries and are tested but are still in the box.

We've been testing a variety of Bluetooth headset devices on our
boat.  Some are starting to come out with intercoms built-in.  The
Dragon V2 CallPod is a good example:
http://www.callpod.com/products/dragon

There's a nice advantage to them.  Push one button and you're
answering the phone tucked away at the helm (on the amp).  Press
another and you're talking to your partner.  That's the idea.  The
products aren't really "done" yet though.  They need more time in the
oven...

---===
Jeffrey Siegel
M/V aCappella
DeFever 53RPH
W1ACA/WDB4350
Castine, Maine

www.activecaptain.com
The Interactive Cruising Guidebook

..

We have used the Eartec and currently use the Dragon V2.  Discovered the
Eartec units don't float and the cord tends to get caught on hand rails etc.
The Dragon VS up-side includes:
Compact-no cords
Duplex
No
interferance from local radio, VHF etc.
Long battery life and rechargeable
Can also be used with cell phone but not required
Stays connected at
150-200 feet (Useful at the fuel dock etc)
Down side includes:
Pairing is
not intuitive
Needs to be shielded from wind by hood/parka

Very
pleased with the Eartec for years but the Dragon is better for us.  The
safety benefit of  being in contact with the spouse on deck is top of the
list.  Recently my wife was injured while leaving a very rough dock.  She will
be fine but  the injury would have been much worse if she had not alerted me
to the problem via the Dragon system.  Its a long story but we will not leave
or enter a dock without a headset of some type if at all possible.....

WORKNOT
GB46#105
Lying San Franciso Bay

----- Original Message ----
From: Jeffrey Siegel jeff@activecaptain.com
To: Trawlers-and-Trawlering
trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 8, 2009
5:31:40 AM
Subject: Re: T&T: Wireless Headsets for docking

We've been
testing a variety of Bluetooth headset devices on our boat.  Some are starting
to come out with intercoms built-in.  The Dragon V2 CallPod is a good example:
http://www.callpod.com/products/dragon

There's a nice advantage to them.
Push one button and you're answering the phone tucked away at the helm (on the
amp).  Press another and you're talking to your partner.  That's the idea.
The products aren't really "done" yet though.  They need more time in the
oven...

---===
Jeffrey Siegel
M/V aCappella
DeFever 53RPH
W1ACA/WDB4350
Castine, Maine

www.activecaptain.com
The
Interactive Cruising Guidebook

..

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