mph Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 I installed Zello to test it out David, but had no mates to test it with. So didn't I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has used it successfully… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Previous mentions of and experiences with Zello.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Up Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 I did this on a set of ear defenders, works ok. Big tip: careful of connecting both sets to a phone, for some reason they produce a dangerously loud beep regularly (or at least mine do). Solved by only using one set connected to a phone (for music, nav etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mph Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Nice one Jonathan! Thank you as ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic.day Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 So I have now updated my old units to a pair of Cardo Freecom 4X motorbike intercomsThey are really good, the sound quality is amazing as they have JBL speakers and both my wife and myself can listen to one music source shared over both headsets and have the intercom active at the same time, plus as I use the phone for music AND satnav, I get the voice directions as well all in one place.Really happy with the installation and being wireless I can use one set when I am out on my own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 10, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted January 10, 2023 Nice work Nic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Up Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Hopefully these photos work ok!Quick report on the Stihl Advance ProCOM headsets. I paid £280/set, so £560 for the pair. Units arrived in nice packaging and very easy to set up:- updating the firmware (via a downloadable app on my mac)- phone app for on the move adjustment of certain features (see below) - both bluetooth connection to a phone and bluetooth connection to each other, which is automatic when both (or multiple) pairs switched onThe sound proofing is excellent, music quality good and speaking to each other really good as the microphone has difference sensitivity settings (adjustable via the phone app) which is very useful for a Caterham. Stihl claim a 600M range, I haven't tested this yet, as purchased to use for me and the better half in the same car.A very useful function is being able to mute the microphone, and over ride this by pressing a 'push to talk button'. Alternatively the microphone can be left 'always on' and controlled by the aforementioned sensitivity function. Buttons are very easy to use, even wearing gloves and the unit is very well padded and comfortable for long term use.For me wanting a) no cables b) to listen to music c) leave Waze on for navigation d) take phone calls and use Siri e) talk to my passenger, these offer best value on the market with excellent support online (firmware updating, how to use etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mph Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Did you buy directly from Stihl 7up, or find them for a better price somewhere online? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan R Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 These look very good, and a reasonable price too. I wonder which base technology this is based on,.... Peltor perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Up Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 I just googled and found them at a mower shop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mph Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 Ha! Brilliant! I think I just found the same place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R400svn Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 These sound the perfect setup for within 1 car between driver and passenger. Would be ideal if they could be connected to a radio for decent car to car communication also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 21, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted January 21, 2023 #37. Assuming they'll handle another BT device, connecting them to a Sena SR10 or similar will enable using a PMR radio such as a Kenwood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7_Malc Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 Reading the tech specs on the Sthil website, the sets create a Mesh network using Bluetooth, with a claimed range of 600mtres. They were designed to keep logging crews in communication around a forest site, so if the Mesh (relay) works well enough you should be able to add multiple headsets and remain in contact if driving in close convoy.... maybe. Sthil does warn against compatibility with other Mesh systems - Sena being one - but that could be brand protection work. A real-world test with multiple units / brands might reveal different results.There are a few similar products designed for motorcycle riders - with in-helmet Comms using a similar Bluetooth mesh network. These are also reputed to refuse to play nicely with other brands.... the motorcycle press reviews recommend groups stick with one system for guaranteed connectivity, so I would expect Seven owners would suffer the same.Happy to be proved wrong here - live chat while blating as a group would be an interesting addition, but it currently requires costly hardware and a coordinated effort by all involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 21, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted January 21, 2023 Mesh BT comms should really be the way to go but potentially due to the number of different systems and compatability there's still mileage in using a PMR radio. Full BT mesh is coming though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ID_7even_Two Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 Hey Nic, great work.can I ask a few questions about how you did it?Were the Peltors originally just ear protection or were they already a coms set? I'm just wondering about the mic and if you channeled the wire throughor if it was already there. I'm guessing the hybrid mic that comes with the Cardo has an adhesive part to it?? Any more info about the hack would be fab.Can't bring myself to spend £500-800 for these other systems. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic.day Posted February 8, 2023 Author Share Posted February 8, 2023 Hey, no worries on the questions either. My first set up was cheap too because I could not justify the cost just to talk to the wife!so I had a pair of old ear defenders and just popped them apart and stuck, ran wires and clipped the motorbike intercom in. But this set were the big ear defenders and they were to bulky for my taste. So changed to these basic peltor ear defenders. Again took them apart and added in the intercom. I used a dremmel to cut a couple of reliefs in the shell to allow the mic boom and wires to exit and clipped them back together. A couple of cable ties and all done.The motorbike kit came with Velcro for the mic (remember they are designed to stick in side a helmet) and Velcro for the speakers. I am going to sell my old pair of motorbike intercoms that I removed from the peltors to upgrade to the new ones. They work well for Bluetooth music, satnav etc. plus you can talk to your passenger as well. But just not at the same time as the music and satnav.shout if you want any more answers or photos etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mph Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 Did the boom come with the Cardo intercom too Nic? Nice job on the Peltor mods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic.day Posted February 8, 2023 Author Share Posted February 8, 2023 Yes the boom mic was all part of the Cardo pack - They actually come with two different mics - one boom and one wire one. So very easy to do.And thank you - I am please with how this pair came together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mph Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 Nic, you're a genius!Ordered some bits off Amazon this week — Cardo Freecom 2x (single; the wife refuses to join me in the Caterham ) for £160, and some 3M Peltor Optime III Earmuffs for £23. I bit of drilling, cutting and filing this morning, et voila!Very happy with the relatively cheap solution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic.day Posted February 11, 2023 Author Share Posted February 11, 2023 Nicely done, they are so simple to make! they look really good. How are you finding the cardo system?I have had phone calls on the M1 and the sound and mic works so well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ID_7even_Two Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 These look great, I shall be making some too. Quick question did you find you had to cut away any foam to mount the speakers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mph Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 I've not tested it in the car yet, but wandering around the house it works great I love how you can set a speed dial from your contacts, and a double press of a button calls it. Have tested that out with calling the wife, and it works well. Tested music and podcasts too - all good. The "interface" (buttons) for Cardo work well. Once one has remembered the combinations of one or two presses and stops calling the wife when one meant to use Siri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mph Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 No foam cutting required. The speakers just sit with their Velcro on top of the foam nicely. There's plenty of room from there to your ears. It was just a bit of cutting of the red "spacer" section. I filed the inner grey bit down by only a mm or two for the boom, just so I could position it a little better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic.day Posted February 12, 2023 Author Share Posted February 12, 2023 Just cut away the plastic of the peltors and everything else stayed the same. Myself and the wife were sitting on the sofa chatting in ours, listening to music and talking to each other!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now