paulears Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I need a headset or possibly a throat mic for a motorola radio for a specific project. The location is in a factory where hearing protection is mandatory, and I've seen a couple of affordable import devices on ebay. One is a fairly standard headset, the other uses a throat mic. A friend in the forces tells me their throat mics are quite difficult to understand - due to the absence of top end from the mouth. Has anyone had experience of the success of these things? headsethttp://pic.radioshop888.com/radiofactory/EBAYpicture1251114/4-080B.jpgthroat michttp://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/0/5/2/3/3/3/webimg/262429511_o.jpg This could have the earpiece inside the normal ear defenders. The headset doesn't appear to have a noise cancelling mic, but is placed right on the lips. It looks a bit on the heavy side. Any tips or comments would be handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Andy Lenthall of the PSA and I came across a headset specifically for use in the pit by security staff which was mightily impressive. If you email him I believe he still may have the item concerned or at least know the makers who are a UK firm. Yes, noise cancelling but also the ability to hear localised speech in the loudest of environments. They weren't cheap but this was a few years back and they were utterly mind boggling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerbertech Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 We use these for our pit crews and key staff working in front of a large PA system. They give very clear and intelegible comms even when speaking in very high SPL areas. http://www.radiohire.com/gphh.htm NRB are a friendly bunch with superb hire service, they courier kit out to us around the country with ease. Would suggest giving them a call if hire is an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfmonk Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 + 1 For hiring from the NRB. I've used those headsets when standing quite literally in front of a PA stack being vibrated like hell but still able to hear and be heard. If you're looking for the proper snazzy solution, both lightweight and hugely effective then you want to be looking at a Genesis Headset with custom moulded ear pieces which we use in the SJA Medical Response Team in London. Not cheap though... Cheers, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_h Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I'll add a less positive note. Don't use the throat vibration mics unless you want to repeat yourself a half dozen times, they are just as your friend describes. This is of course compounded when the receiver is also in a noisy environment and can't hear particularly well either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Thanks Matt - my friend used them because he had to, but said pretty much the same thing. I'll take the backup of his comment as evidence of the dodgy performance - cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pritch Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I also have it on good authority from my ex-RAF uncle, that there's no worse sound in the world than that of someone throwing up whilst using a throat mic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Might be a red herring but... if their use is mandatory then wouldn't the ear protection part need to comply with the relevant EN standard? And can you get comms headsets which meet that standard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 What do they use currently ? Surely there is some form of communication system in place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjadingle Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 An alternative is to use an active ear defender with an audio input - I have a set of Peltor Sportacs that I used to use when shooting - they have an (optional) cable that terminates in a 3.5mm jack so you can play iPod etc through them. Could this be connected to your radio and use an external mic? (I know some fist mics have a 3.5mm jack for an earpiece...) If you say hearing protection is mandatory then the solution you use will have to conform to a BS rating of some description (or other alternative) I would have thought? Something like the NRB link looks good as I'm sure they will be able to provide you with such details, not so much the Hong Kong fleabay specials! Also consider if you're planning on running an earpiece into the ear defenders this will affect the sealing of the ear defs to the head, reducing effectiveness (you might think ok for a one off, but I know people who have successfully sued their previous employers for hearing loss. Something to think about?) EDIT - Brian beat me to it - great minds and all that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emsgeorge Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 also depends on the radios used - the DP series of digital units have stunning noice cancellation built in, and when used with an otto 'ear defender' headset (or the genuine motorola ones, which I suspect are the same) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Ear protection is mandatory - but the staff do not speak to each other in the noisy areas. They seem to use hand signals. My problem is that I need to have two people who can communicate with each other in that area - so the need for comms is mine rather then theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Peltor do some rated headsets with noise cancelling mics and really good isolating earpieces and they get used in helicopters a lot. Where you can hire or borrow I don't know but Anchor supplies in Nottingham or Ripley (ring both as they are competitive) May just have some ex forces surplus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtheenchanteruk Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 http://www.studiospares.com/headsets/beyer-dt790-headset-bare-ended/invt/430550/?htxt=%2FUvRjc0xAaKk26JwgsxcsV6E2gjpK53ITJCPcypNRrR6jhjYX3SDlEUFWaOdTpLU0xVcTayKYYOc%0Aw4t9gBa9qg%3D%3D do a headset for "very loud environments" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerbertech Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Might be a red herring but... if their use is mandatory then wouldn't the ear protection part need to comply with the relevant EN standard? And can you get comms headsets which meet that standard? Good point, I don't have the info to hand for the NRB link I posted but I know they were passed by our external Health and Safety advisors for our use. Mike at NRB should know suggest giving him a ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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