Instructors: What in-car communicator to buy?

bigjae1976 · 03-03-2014, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admranger

I have found that the foam on the microphone helps mute wind noise on students with open face helmets.

I didn't think about that. Thanks...that would have sucked for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

Hooker??... Why was bigjae routing his microphone to the trunk?

I don't drive a camaro...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estoril Blue

This is how I have done it. 3 tie-wraps. Note the strain relief slack above the top tie wrap. They need to be snug for this to work.

And I tie-wrap the microphone foam too. Otherwise it will be gone in a flash.

Yes, like this. 1 year later...my headset still works.

Sleeper519 · 03-04-2014, 09:11 PM

Thanks all for the great feedback. I went and bought a Chatterbox Tandem Pro 2 from fellow forum-ite dcgolfdr.

WarrantyTracker · 03-10-2014, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jml

The Pro 2 works pretty well in a relatively quiet environment, but it's not very good in a race-car/open exhaust. The input sensitivity is set too high, and the signal clips big time. The old Pro unit did not do this as much. but are not available anymore. Overall it works well enough, but I'm not thrilled with it.

Man you're not kidding. I ran into one of these the first time last weekend. The mic gain was so high that the instructor's voice was frequently just a series of clipped signals at 80 db right in my brain, not words.

USCTrojanMan29 · 03-10-2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Esq.

You better be f@cking fast if you rock that look.

mid-corner fun · 03-23-2014, 09:10 AM

the mic on the instructor in-helmet set seems too sensitive, too unbalanced compared to the standard student headset. any tips getting them balanced? (or just use 2 student sets?)

bigjae1976 · 03-24-2014, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mid-corner fun

the mic on the instructor in-helmet set seems too sensitive, too unbalanced compared to the standard student headset. any tips getting them balanced? (or just use 2 student sets?)

Mine seems fine. I think the plugs sometimes need a little wiggle.

RickyBobby · 03-25-2014, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mid-corner fun

the mic on the instructor in-helmet set seems too sensitive, too unbalanced compared to the standard student headset. any tips getting them balanced? (or just use 2 student sets?)

I ditched my in helmet mic for this reason. I could never get the volume to match the open face mic.

LiM3y · 03-31-2014, 09:40 AM

Don't make the same mistake I made...you'll need an "extension" cord for the in helmet set, as set only gives a few inches of dangle.
In a test run, using the short cable, I had to bend sharply to my right until my head rested on the handbrake to maintain a good electrical connection. In this position, I made some fantastically precise gear changes, but my driving line sucked. However, judging by the loud screams from my instructor, he was having a wild time himself! The choice is yours. [You'll need to book a chiropractor too for the next day]

mid-corner fun · 03-31-2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Mine seems fine. I think the plugs sometimes need a little wiggle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

I ditched my in helmet mic for this reason. I could never get the volume to match the open face mic.

I ended up embedding an open face headset in my helmet, including all the wire, worked out great this past weekend.

93viperrt10 · 04-27-2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcgolfdr

I bought a chatterbox and headsets last year and used them one time and no longer have a need for them. If you want them I can send them to you.

I have an interest in your communicator if you still have it. I will PM you.

WarrantyTracker · 04-28-2014, 12:19 PM

So this weekend I tried the Tandem Pro 2 in-helmet earpieces and microphone combo (part number CBDUOUHS) with the older Chatterbox Tandem (CB-50) communicator, using the DIN converter cable and the coil extension cord.

All we got was oscillation/squeal.

I called Chatterbox and they were very cool about it. They explained that there has been the occasional dud cord -- some of the DIN converter pigtails are duds, and some of the coiled extensions have been duds. They are exchanging them for free (even though I bought them through and AD, not direct) and that should clear it up.

So, I'll try again at my next event in May with the new cords and see how I do. There are still a lot of instructors with CB-50s out there.

Estoril Blue · 04-28-2014, 08:23 PM

Once you get the new DIN convertor cable, make sure to duct tape the connection securely together. It has a habit of becoming intermittent at the wrong moment as it slightly works it way apart.

WarrantyTracker · 04-29-2014, 09:21 AM

Thanks - you mean tape it to the coil extension cord, not the CB-50, right?

dmw16 · 04-29-2014, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

You better be f@cking fast if you rock that look.

You have it backwards...rocking that look will make you fast

Estoril Blue · 04-29-2014, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrantyTracker

Thanks - you mean tape it to the coil extension cord, not the CB-50, right?

Tape the female cable connector and the male plug connector tightly together (correct - not at the Chatterbox itself). I tried heatshrink - but that right angle connector just wouldn't cooperate with it. So I used duct tape in such a way at to put them under tension together and then wrapped once to secure it. Then tucked the connection under the helmet liner.

WarrantyTracker · 06-18-2014, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrantyTracker

So this weekend I tried the Tandem Pro 2 in-helmet earpieces and microphone combo (part number CBDUOUHS) with the older Chatterbox Tandem (CB-50) communicator, using the DIN converter cable and the coil extension cord.

All we got was oscillation/squeal.

I called Chatterbox and they were very cool about it. They explained that there has been the occasional dud cord -- some of the DIN converter pigtails are duds, and some of the coiled extensions have been duds. They are exchanging them for free (even though I bought them through and AD, not direct) and that should clear it up.

So, I'll try again at my next event in May with the new cords and see how I do. There are still a lot of instructors with CB-50s out there.

Chatterbox guys sent me the replacement cables, as they promised. Took a few weeks, but they knew when my next track weekend was, and they got it to me on time.

The new cables did the trick. Volume both ways was just about perfect; maybe a touch low on the long straight where the wind noise got really high at 140. I may need to fiddle with the positioning of my earpiece; I'm not sure if I got it right over my ear.

Next time I have an instructor with one of the "new" TandemPros, I will try to remember to come back and post results.

WarrantyTracker · 07-23-2014, 02:02 PM

More info: Not all is well trying to use this in-helmet hardware with older Chatterbox Tandems.

I'm not sure why, but I had a different instructor this weekend, and he of course had his own Chatterbox. Any time we set the volume high enough so I could hear him, I was absolutely blowing him out on his headset.

I can't wait to see what happens with the next instructor.

03-04-2014, 09:11 PM	#24
Sleeper519 Captain 68 Rep 869 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Thanks all for the great feedback. I went and bought a Chatterbox Tandem Pro 2 from fellow forum-ite dcgolfdr. __________________ 2008 M3 Coupe / DCT // StopTech BBK 380/355 / Pagid RS29 / Motul / Apex Arc-8 / BFG R1S / Ground Control / MS filter / Performance spoiler / BPM tune // Road Atlanta 1:39.70 / VIR Full 2:10.87 / Barber 1:42.20
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03-23-2014, 09:10 AM	#27
mid-corner fun Lieutenant Colonel 81 Rep 1,510 Posts Drives: F80 M3, '22 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NJ iTrader: (5)	the mic on the instructor in-helmet set seems too sensitive, too unbalanced compared to the standard student headset. any tips getting them balanced? (or just use 2 student sets?) Last edited by mid-corner fun; 03-23-2014 at 09:39 AM..
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03-31-2014, 09:40 AM	#30
LiM3y Major 70 Rep 1,339 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (5)	Don't make the same mistake I made...you'll need an "extension" cord for the in helmet set, as set only gives a few inches of dangle. In a test run, using the short cable, I had to bend sharply to my right until my head rested on the handbrake to maintain a good electrical connection. In this position, I made some fantastically precise gear changes, but my driving line sucked. However, judging by the loud screams from my instructor, he was having a wild time himself! The choice is yours. [You'll need to book a chiropractor too for the next day] __________________
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04-28-2014, 12:19 PM	#33
WarrantyTracker Track? What Track? I was just riding along . . . 46 Rep 694 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: An Undisclosed Location iTrader: (1)	So this weekend I tried the Tandem Pro 2 in-helmet earpieces and microphone combo (part number CBDUOUHS) with the older Chatterbox Tandem (CB-50) communicator, using the DIN converter cable and the coil extension cord. All we got was oscillation/squeal. I called Chatterbox and they were very cool about it. They explained that there has been the occasional dud cord -- some of the DIN converter pigtails are duds, and some of the coiled extensions have been duds. They are exchanging them for free (even though I bought them through and AD, not direct) and that should clear it up. So, I'll try again at my next event in May with the new cords and see how I do. There are still a lot of instructors with CB-50s out there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-28-2014, 08:23 PM	#34
Estoril Blue First Lieutenant 74 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 2006 M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Once you get the new DIN convertor cable, make sure to duct tape the connection securely together. It has a habit of becoming intermittent at the wrong moment as it slightly works it way apart.
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04-29-2014, 09:21 AM	#35
WarrantyTracker Track? What Track? I was just riding along . . . 46 Rep 694 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: An Undisclosed Location iTrader: (1)	Thanks - you mean tape it to the coil extension cord, not the CB-50, right?
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07-23-2014, 02:02 PM	#39
WarrantyTracker Track? What Track? I was just riding along . . . 46 Rep 694 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: An Undisclosed Location iTrader: (1)	More info: Not all is well trying to use this in-helmet hardware with older Chatterbox Tandems. I'm not sure why, but I had a different instructor this weekend, and he of course had his own Chatterbox. Any time we set the volume high enough so I could hear him, I was absolutely blowing him out on his headset. I can't wait to see what happens with the next instructor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote