We have some crew with hearing difficulty including bowman and helmsman and are once again thinking headset intercoms. We have tried them in the past but they fall out of/off of the ears during racing maneuvers. Anyone have a rec for ones that really don’t fall out of your ear? Over the ear seems like a non starter for the same reason, can’t keep them on your head.
Headsets that don’t fall off during racing?
- Thread starter Alaris
- Start date
Is the mast man hard of hearing?
Maybe make him the relay.
We often had a hearing impaired bowman that would visit fantasyland and confirm the thinking for the next big manoeuvre it wasn’t a big long distracting convo more like “What’s the thinking at the top? Bear away or Gybe set? Ok I’ll set up for…a.
The bowman does not need or want incessant chatter in his ear there is shit to do and he or she are doing it just as fast as they can.
Captains should do bow once every three months they would learn a lot about anticipation and timing in the foredeck waltz.
Maybe make him the relay.
We often had a hearing impaired bowman that would visit fantasyland and confirm the thinking for the next big manoeuvre it wasn’t a big long distracting convo more like “What’s the thinking at the top? Bear away or Gybe set? Ok I’ll set up for…a.
The bowman does not need or want incessant chatter in his ear there is shit to do and he or she are doing it just as fast as they can.
Captains should do bow once every three months they would learn a lot about anticipation and timing in the foredeck waltz.
There was a Kiwi that did a Volvo had waterproof hearing aids, believe the company went on to assist on board coms at ETNZ level, Phonak was its name you could try them.
Current NZD/USD exchange rates could help.
martin 'hoff
Super Anarchist
BBTalkin'. Expensive, but good. Come with hats. Loud enough. Super really super waterproof.
Similar cheaper kits if the boat is splashy but not underwater if you shop for headset kits for motorcycles.
Similar cheaper kits if the boat is splashy but not underwater if you shop for headset kits for motorcycles.
steele
Super Anarchist
We use headsets for challenging docking and anchoring situations. Even though it is less demanding than racing I still have knocked them off my head at times. We now use a lanyard around the neck clipped to the headset to keep them from swimming.
Those BBTalkin units look great but are too pricey for something that is at constant risk of getting lost overboard. Having said that the helmet mounted one would be very secure and not a bad idea for the foredeck.
I have Sena brand headsets but they are fussy to set up and pair, especially if you have to do it several times in one use because you banged a button on the sheets or headstay and they shut off. Eartecks are supposed to be simpler with longer range so will be trying them next.
Those BBTalkin units look great but are too pricey for something that is at constant risk of getting lost overboard. Having said that the helmet mounted one would be very secure and not a bad idea for the foredeck.
I have Sena brand headsets but they are fussy to set up and pair, especially if you have to do it several times in one use because you banged a button on the sheets or headstay and they shut off. Eartecks are supposed to be simpler with longer range so will be trying them next.
martin 'hoff
Super Anarchist
These headsets are all bluetooth-based, so they are all fiddly to pair, and if you press the wrong button they might unpair. The upside is that – at least in theory – you can pair across brands, and you can pair with other gear (ie: GoPro camera – to capture your coaching advise).
BBT vs Sena, I think the difference will be in the waterproofing, and BBT literally sells them attached to a helmet or a hat, both with a chin strap. Yes, lots of things can happen, but we use these on small foiling boats where we routinely pitchpole and capsize violently at 20+ knots. I've broken ribs, masts, major boat parts, seen broken noses, etc, but haven't lost one of these.
Pricewise, I think BBT/Sena/Eartec are... roughly same. BBT sells you the 2 hat bundle or 2 helmet bundle, and the total price is higher, but you can buy it without hat and pricing is fairly close.
BBT vs Sena, I think the difference will be in the waterproofing, and BBT literally sells them attached to a helmet or a hat, both with a chin strap. Yes, lots of things can happen, but we use these on small foiling boats where we routinely pitchpole and capsize violently at 20+ knots. I've broken ribs, masts, major boat parts, seen broken noses, etc, but haven't lost one of these.
Pricewise, I think BBT/Sena/Eartec are... roughly same. BBT sells you the 2 hat bundle or 2 helmet bundle, and the total price is higher, but you can buy it without hat and pricing is fairly close.
steele
Super Anarchist
I agree the BBT headsets look good, I mistakenly thought the prices on their site were for one, not a pair. This puts them just a bit more expensive than the rest, probably worth it since they are waterproof and look more rugged. I may try them instead of the eartecs.
