Wireless Headset

[bill j]

Looking to find a pair of wireless headsets so I can converse with the captain when deploying and pulling anchor. Any suggestions on where to find them and what to look for? Thanks - Bill

 

[Bruce Moore]

We have a pair of Eartec UL2S and love them. Very comfortable and secure. Good sound. It's nice to talk in a normal voice. The single over-the-ear design is our preference. We used to have a lighter set which were similar to this model that required a wired hub attached somewhere to your clothing, but much prefer the UL25.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Burlington]

We purchased a pair of Eartec UL2S last April. Best investment every! Excellent quality, great sound and agree - over the head with one ear coverage is the only way to go.
Scott

 

[Gin]

We are on our second set of Eartec headsets. Our first were the wired models -- wires ran from the headsets to wireless receivers that you had to wear on a belt or attach to you somehow. They worked reasonably well, but the wires were a bit of a pain. We now have the UL2S, which are fully wireless. A big improvement. They have proven more reliable (syncing up, etc) as well. I agree with the others -- they are great to have, and a worthy investment!

The Eartecs are kind of big and bulky, though. At the Seattle boat show, I saw bluetooth wireless headsets made by Sena on display. I had heard about them recently from a fellow local boater who got a pair for Christmas. He opted for them over the Eartecs. The Senas are smaller and lighter, which is appealing. I don't have any experience with them, though, and the Amazon reviews look less positive. Still, if I were purchasing anew today, before getting the Eartecs, I would want to check out the Senas as well because of the more compact size. The cost, off-hand, looks pretty comparable. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Sena-SPH10-10-Outdoor-Bluetooth-Intercom/dp/B0087NB2OU

 

[baz]

The Sena SPH10-10 units are half the price of the Eartec UL2S units.

 

[Gin]

The price on Amazon for the Sena (about $170) is for one headset only. So a pair would be $340. A pair of the Eartecs on Amazon are about $385, making for about a $45 difference.

But it’s always worth shopping around. Maybe both prices can be bettered. I know the Eartec price can be. Fisheries Supply sells a pair of them for $335. And if you have a Fisheries membership, they are $327.60. 😀. Either way, cheaper than the Senas. Fisheries Supply is great to deal with.

 

[rehurst]

We have the old flimsy Eartec models that we were always concerned would go swimming while docking. Have been looking at the dual headset ones because of the continuous noise in the cabin from the turbo (R-29C). Don't know how comfortable they would be for prolonged wearing. Also the battery time is only so-so if you are going on a long cruise.

 

[FlagShip]

We have a pair of the Sena Expands (current version of the SPH10?). Very happy with them, they wrap around the back of your head so you can still wear a hat (Ranger Tug hat of course). We've found them indispensable with docking and anchoring, no yelling, just clear communication.

 

[S@LTD]

We have the eartec’s and they work great. Some of the feedback was limited battery life but we are diligent about turning them off and removing battery packs when not in use. It’s been a non issue after a year. Wind noise is not an issue either and has a good range of about a 1/4 mile for coordinating with the truck around the ramp. We initially tried the Sena’s and they were not that durable for us (broke around the ear piece) so we returned them.

 

[knotflying]

Looking to find a pair of wireless headsets so I can converse with the captain when deploying and pulling anchor. Any suggestions on where to find them and what to look for? Thanks - Bill

Had headsets. We found that hand signals worked much better.

 

[TexasEye]

Yep, but some of those hand signals can be "Politically Incorrect"

 

[Connerkip]

I’ve been using Bluetooth earphones through our phones. Just call the other phone, answer with the headset, and leave the phone inside the boat. One Can talk through the headset, and hear.

At the helm, you wouldn’t need a headset, just put the phone on hands free speaker, no headset.

Very inexpensive solution.

 

[baz]

Looking to find a pair of wireless headsets so I can converse with the captain when deploying and pulling anchor. Any suggestions on where to find them and what to look for? Thanks - Bill

Had headsets. We found that hand signals worked much better.

I agree 'hand signals' can be useful and incur little expense, but given the following situation you can't beat a set of headsets such as the Eartec UL25.....

My grandchild is on the Command Bridge enjoying the view and acting as 'Lookout'.... and sees a large object straight ahead.... and barks out "Grandad... large object ahead... looks like a big log.... over.". Grandad at the helm acknowledges and takes evasive action to stee round the log. Grandad barks out.. "THANK YOU my Lookout. You earned your pocket money this week." 😀 :lol:

Grandkids like 'toys' and gives them added motivation.

Another example would be having 1st Mate in forward stateroom wanting some info from the helmsman on the Command Bridge. Having such as Eartec solves this communication problem. 😀

 

[knotflying]

The bigger boats can definitely benefit from the headset.

 

[nzfisher]

Bose sound sport through Bluetooth with iPhones. 50 per pair on amazon. Pretty darn good but there is a wire.

 

[Matty]

Interesting. These comments seem to imply that if I purchase the headset my wife will never yell at me again. Might be worth wearing around the house or in the car on long trips. 😀

 

[knotflying]

Interesting. These comments seem to imply that if I purchase the headset my wife will never yell at me again. Might be worth wearing around the house or in the car on long trips. 😀

When off the water ear plugs work better. :lol:

 

[johnsnow2kornar]

We are on our second set of Eartec headsets. Our first were the wired models -- wires ran from the pc headsets to wireless receivers that you had to wear on a belt or attach to you somehow. They worked reasonably well, but the wires were a bit of a pain. We now have the UL2S, which are fully wireless. A big improvement. They have proven more reliable (syncing up, etc) as well. I agree with the others -- they are great to have, and a worthy investment!

The Eartecs are kind of big and bulky, though. At the Seattle boat show, I saw bluetooth wireless headsets made by Sena on display. I had heard about them recently from a fellow local boater who got a pair for Christmas. He opted for them over the Eartecs. The Senas are smaller and lighter, which is appealing. I don't have any experience with them, though, and the Amazon reviews look less positive. Still, if I were purchasing anew today, before getting the Eartecs, I would want to check out the Senas as well because of the more compact size. The cost, off-hand, looks pretty comparable. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Sena-SPH10-10-Outdoor-Bluetooth-Intercom/dp/B0087NB2OU

Do you want to enjoy high quality music on the go with a comfortable and light weight headset?

 

[bluestreak]

We have the Sena SPH10-10.
On the CG Auxiliary patrol boat we used 4 together for all the crew to communicate.
Crew member on the bow can't hear the coxswains commands inside the cabin so these are very necessary.

 

[Chimo]

The bigger boats can definitely benefit from the headset.

I recall seeing these in use on a “real” tug docking in Bremerhaven and thought about them for our little boat. I asked the skipper how he felt about them. He told me they are a great back up for the hand signals.

I boat alone 90% of the time so I’ve got myself organized for anchoring (from the bow, working wheel and throttle through the window) and docking (first lines through the window and use the thruster remote). When the better half or others are on board I get them to stay seated and not get under my feet. It works 🙂