THSCC Forums

Looking for some advice on purchasing a communicator for instructing ...

This Chatterbox seems to be almost the de facto standard:

http://www.chatterboxusa.com/cb_50.html

Chatterbox now makes a bluetooth enabled version:

http://www.chatterboxusa.com/xbi.html

Yea, it costs a bit more, especially since you need to buy two. There are certainly advantages to not having wires although I guess some folks already have headsets mounted in their helmets for the "standard" plug.

Any experiences here with the bluetooth device? Thoughts?

Thanks,
Frank

FRank, the HJC-50 is a good reliable unit, just don't use the bracket that comes with it. That bracket put mine in a bind and cracked the circuit board...thus I had to buy another this past weekend from CDOC at VIR. I plan to attach the com unit to my helmet with just velcro this time.

Also I'd go ahead and spring for the stereo headset which is made to stay in your helmet. That way you can just hand the remote headset to your student and yours is always in place.

_________________
Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I just want someone to make an adapter for the Chatterbox wired unit so that I can plug my already wired helmet into it. Something that adds a PTT button and let's me use the standard motorola radio connection.


--Donnie

You can always use the "Blue in the Face" model which means you yell at the top of your lungs at the student all your instructions

Or, be like my first PCA instuctor who used hand motions! This was the same guy that said "if I puke we have to come in"!

_________________
2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

Sometimes hand motions are a necessity.. ask anyone who's ridden with/near Brian Smith (in the burgandy fox-body Mustang that ran with us a few times.)

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Stacy King
Midlife Crisis Participant

Hey,

Hand motions? Was that in the instructor classroom lecture? Did I forget already?



Frank

Are the cables on the student headsets long enough or are extension cables needed?

You'll need an extension cable for your student. Pretty sure the standard main unit comes with one.


Frank

How long does it take to charge?

Santa brought one, but the elves neglected to mention how long these babies need to charge in the documentation.

Overnight is fine Matt. If you don't forget to turn it off after each use, a single charge last a remarkably long time.

_________________
Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

After three years of extensive use my JC-50's battery finally ran out of charge cycles. Replacement Ni Cads batteries are available for $12.

I tie wrap the cable to the mike boom near the ear piece.
It is possible to pull the cable out of the earpiece and this will help
prevent that. The only negative I found is that its possible to break
the mounting bracket.

_________________
Mark Vitacco
THSCC TT Chairman
mvitacco@bellsouth.net

Had two Chatters...

One head set had horrid terminal feedback at ~20% volume.

Box had faulty DIN jack... plug would not stay in, and you couldn't even hold it in place and get consistent connectivity.

Replacement headset ok.

Replacement box had same problem as the first...

The supplier, OG Racing, gave excellent service trying to resolve the issue, even making sure I received the replacement the next day in time for HPDE the following day.

Afterwards in an attempt to find a working replacement they checked all they had in stock and all had same issue. One of their employees who used one said, 'Oh yeah, they're like that.'

In addition to the jack problems I found the 'thick' ear speaker to be very uncomfortable.

Went with Nady... and yes it has the well known issues re delicate wiring and some RF interference problems. However, with some simple mods I've resolved most of the weaknesses in the wiring. Only had one set whose wiring got broken and that took the student some doing to accomplish.

Believe it or not, and I didn't at first, the manual's bold red letter admonition to Keep the Plugs Clean does make a difference. They sure as heck don't look dirty and I've never had problems with similar jacks in the past, even a small amount of oil, etc. from ones fingers or some such can actually cause some static issues. When the problem begins, cleaning with denatured alcohol seems to work. I use a 3M Scouring pad for this.

I also find the 'thinner' ear speaker considerably more comfortable. And the price helps putting up with the cons. I also prefer regular batteries to rechargeables, and they last quite awhile when turned off while not in use. I think the last time I changed them was early last year with ~15 events since then. Cheap ones at that.

FWIW my set has worked quite well over the past year and up through my last event this past weekend. Problems with hearing volume can usually be traced to not having the small speaker openings directly over the ear canal. And of course this OF's ol age hearing loss.

If you've actually read this far, save all the 'I ain't had any problems and love my Chatter Box' refrains as I'm quite aware that my situation is not typical of the CB's performance and reliability. I just got fed up and after working with the Nady to get it acceptable, I'll stick with it for now, thank you very much. I would add that Chin MS uses Nadys for their rental units and if they were consistently real crappy I'd bet that'd get changed in a hurry.

I might also add that this kind of thing with crap not working for me is typical. Can you say Joe Btfsplk.

Steve 'who got talked into the CB he couldn't afford and paid the price...' Coleman

_________________
See nothing... Know everything.
'ol corps rac'r...

For those instructors that use a Chatterbox while instructing who also have a 2-way radio system, I've got an adapter that connects the two.

So, you can hook up your 2-way radio ear buds/ built in helmet mic directly to the Chatterbox. It works great and is so much more convenient that sliding the crappy Chatterbox mic/ear boom under your helmet. Plus, the sound quality is much clearer.

If interested, please email me at dbbmwm3(at)yahoo(dot)com

-Denis

Wish I'd thought of that earlier. Been trying to figure out a way to use 'ear buds' v head set speaker.

Don't know for sure if it'll work with the Nady, but it does have 2-way and cell phone jacks IIRC. I think you're speaking of a diff deal; not sure. If you're specking of a typical cell phone hands free set up, I'd thought of that but with an open face helmet couldn't figure out a good way to use the in-line mic.

I'm going to check this ear bud deal out, with the ear buds plugged into one jack and still use the head set for the mic.
If I can't make something work I'll probably get up with you for more info.

One question... not sure where the 'adapter' you mention fits in, unless it's due to jack size. IIRC the jacks for cell phones are typ. the smaller dia. So, more info would be appreciated.

TIA,

_________________
See nothing... Know everything.
'ol corps rac'r...