CHRIS CLARK Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 Am seeing an increase in their use and am considering a pair for myself & Suzi Seven. Baaa Baaa, Baaa Opinions as to which set up is best would be gratefully received. I want to use headsets as this would save my tendancy to go earplugless (as at present) leading to hearing loss!!!!!!!!!! So, what makes are best (efficiency/value)? And, where is best to get 'em? T.I.A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted June 15, 2002 Share Posted June 15, 2002 Chris, Miss Mav an I use the OMP Kit on P135 of current M/Sport catalogue from DT. Item 3, and the practice headsets (item 1). All hearing still working fine. This system uses 2 9V PP3 type batteries, and they have not needed replacement yet, despite extensive usage (6k miles). Regards, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelspeed Posted June 15, 2002 Share Posted June 15, 2002 The best is Peltor, no doubt about that. But they're also a lot more expensive than the competition. We use one in a historic stage rally mini with straight cut everything and no interior, the peltor intercom in helmets work really well on the stage and the headsets make road sections almost pleasant. Not used one in a seven but I'm sure it would work equally well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted June 15, 2002 Share Posted June 15, 2002 Can you use CD players (portable) with these system? Ta! Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miraz Posted June 15, 2002 Share Posted June 15, 2002 I have an autocom system that allows you to connect a stereo music source, a cell phone and two-way radio to the intercom. It switches and mutes the various signals automatically, which can be a little wierd until you get used to it. It's aimed at bikers and works very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted June 15, 2002 Share Posted June 15, 2002 Miraz, Can you shed some more light on model / costs etc ... Sounds ideal as I'd like to lisen to music, and I'd like to hear my mobile ring for once when in the car. Ta. Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted June 16, 2002 Author Share Posted June 16, 2002 Thanks for info., but the thought of music & (oh no) the mobile phone being connected fill me with horror. I spend all the working week driving/listening to music/mobile phone etc. The Seven is to get away from it all!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 I agree with Chris on this... I've been thinking about building my own intercom for a while, with all the inputs and outputs to sastisfy CD players, phones and 2-way radios, but when I get into V7 (with earplugs I hasten to add) I just feel like I'm away from all that and enjoy the moment more. I've tried headsets but they restrict your head-movement slightly, but it was a significant "slightly" and made me feel less like I was actually part of the experience. I also noticed recently that I could use a phone reasonably successfully when wearing earplugs. The plugs seem to reduce the car noise and if you press the phone against the plug it transmitted a very audible sound through to my ear. Of course I was stationary at the time. I wouldn't advocate the use of a phone when driving without a hands-free kit and I simply can't hear a thing from the hands-free kit in V7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miraz Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 I'm using the Pro-M1 which was about £130 for the intercom unit. I use the music input occasionally, usually when I'm on a long, boring motorway run, although I have a bad habit of listening to dance music when driving quickly along more exciting roads, which can lead to an excess of enthusiasm over talent. The cell phone is rarely turned on when I'm in the car, but proved useful on the Haggis II tour and over the last couple of weeks as the seven has been used as daily transport around Edinburgh. Phone calls at fast motorway speeds are reasonably clear - about the same quality as a hands-free kit in a tintop. Miraz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 Chris, I use Peltor headsets with the amplifier permanently fitted to the car and connected through the ignition switch via fuse and separate switch. Just used them to and fro' Le Mans and, whilst expensive, I can't recommend them highly enough. They cut out all the wind buffeting around the ear'ole region and you can carry on a conversation, as I discovered yesterday, whilst trying to keep up with the infamous Mr Webb at 120 mph+. (I failed, by the way, or if the truth be told 'bottled it' big time)teeth.gif Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsharland Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 are they legal to use on the road ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 I really struggle to understand this constant worry about whether this or that is "legal". I would much more worry about whether they are sensible because most law enforcement agents in the civilised world (don't know if that includes France) have better things to do than nitpick and they use their discretion. Are full harnesses legal? Don't care cos they are obviously a better solution than anything else. Are aeroscreens legal? Don't care because forward visibility is better and there is less turbulence. Is wearing a helmet legal? Don't care because it obviously makes sense. Is wearing earplugs legal? Don't care because without them I'd go deaf. Is an intercom legal? Don't care because if it means I can talk to a navigator I stand more chance of hearing them say "next left" and won't be farting around trying to work out where we are heading. Is using a mobile phone legal? Ummm.... Peterid=teal> 253 BHP K-seriesteeth.gif, no gearboxbum.gifid=red> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 I see no earthly reason why they shouldn't be legal. It is, after all, no different to simply chatting to your passenger in a tin top at, ahem, the aforementioned speed. Now THAT definitely was NOT legal! Like Peter, I don't understand the concerns over is it or isn't it legal. To me it is simple good sense to protect my hearing and be able to hear my passengers map reading directions. I have heard the argument that they can't be legal because you can't hear horns or screeching tyres etc around you thus reducing your road awareness. But what about 'Jack the lad' with his I.C.E. turned up to max and tooling along totally oblivious to his surroundings? No one has suggested that 'in car' radio should be illegal. Excessive noise is VERY tiring and as such is, I would suggest, potentially more dangerous. As an experienced driver, and particularly so when driving the 7, I try to be aware of what is going on around me at all times with constant use of mirrors and observation. I honestly believe that wearing the headsets when I have a passenger simply enhances that. If I'm on my own then I generally wear ear plugs:- a) because I have nobody to talk to and:- b) because it saves having to take the headsets with you when you leave the car. Bad enough that I have to take the steering wheel but the headsets simply add to the burden if I have no help to carry. JMO Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agbucks Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 i bought a pro-set of headsets and amp from graytronics recently and used them for the drive to le mans. absolutely brilliant! the quality was excellent with little background/wind noise. the graytronics practice headsets were very comfortable and are manufactured by peltor! the pro-amp takes a 9v battery or can be connected to your 12v system. i used a 9v battery which was still working well after 12hrs usage. the pro-amp also has a cd input available. you can order direct from graytronics or via their uk distributor, EARS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_g Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 We've been using Peltor 'practice' headsets for around four years and they really are excellent. Hugely expensive from DT, but well worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted June 20, 2002 Author Share Posted June 20, 2002 Have contacted a few of the suggested people. Thanks Guys! How about the motorcycle type though which 'Maplins' are now doing on special offer? Was 19.95, now 9.95!!! This has the amplifier, two 'headsets' (microphone on a boom from a clip that goes on the helmet rim [ooh err!]+ two ear pieces on each 'headset'). May be worth a try as cheap it sure is!!!!!!!!! Their order code number is YE23A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 You cheapskate Clark! Do it properly man and go for the Peltors, you know it makes sense teeth.gif Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Chris, I haven't had a chance to try the Maplin's ones yet. Hope to give them a go this weekend, and I'll let you know. Dave H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Elkin Posted June 23, 2002 Share Posted June 23, 2002 I've got a system from Autocom. Expensive, but not as much as the Peltor system and extremely good quality. The best bet I reckon!thumbsup.gif If you liked my choice in hats Chris...wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted June 23, 2002 Author Share Posted June 23, 2002 Brent. You have to explore all options! Dave H. Please let me know the results! Adrian E. I may like your choice of hats, but I temper that with your choice of cars until recently; ummm, very suspect!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason1 Posted June 23, 2002 Share Posted June 23, 2002 Chris,where abouts is maplins,is it in Canterbury? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted June 23, 2002 Author Share Posted June 23, 2002 Jason1. There is a Maplins in Maidstone 79-85 Week Street, Kent ME14 1QX (as well as many other places!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 Chris, Had a play with the cheap intercom in the Seven over the weekend. No noise suppression, so when the microphone is in the airstream, it picks up a fair bit of wind noise. If driver and passenger are wearing helmets, then the system works OK, but you need to make sure the microphone is inside the helmet. Having said all that, Matthew and I managed to hold a conversation at about 60mph with me wearing full face, and him not, that's a first, as normally I can't hear him from about 40 upwards...teeth.gif Dave H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 Chris - I've had the Maplins job for a while (it was on special ages ago too - which probably makes this the first time that I've not paid more for something than you! Hoorah!). Works fine IMO. I rarely travel 2 up though so it hasn't had much use. When I finally go aeroscreened I suspect I'll use it much more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 Heading back to legality for a second, according to a policeman in the traffic law dept at New Scotland Yard there is no law against them (or at least there wasn't 7 years ago) and as you may drive a car whilst being deaf - so an intercom is no problem. However, if you then put a personal stereo through the intercom; then you'll fall foul of the law! This was tested a couple of years ago whilst caught in traffic behind White Hart Lane on a Saturday afternoon, and a mounted policeman called down asking if we had music coming through the headsets. The fact that I heard him and replied that it was just an intercom without having to remove the headsets seemed to passify him. Whilst things may make sense, it does not help if you go out of your way to attract the attention of the law. Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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