est8esq

My apologies for venting, but with all this technology, wireless capability and new inventions constantly driving markets is ANYONE able to explain why in the world there's no viable replacement yet for the antiquated Chatterbox system and student headset?

I love giving back to my passion, but between the squeaks, squeals, broken headsets or cushions each event that get ripped off or plain broken I can't buy enough of these stupid replacements?

Does anyone have a lead onto something better I'm not seeing??

ExMB

Are your students busting them? Not really surprised if that is the case. Had a couple of them myself with the "its not mine" attitude.

Matt Romanowski

Speedcom intercom. https://www.speedcomracing.com/intercom

est8esq

Just looked this up. It's exactly what I was looking for, THANK YOU!!
The intercom system looks identical to the Stilo setup which I purchased a few years ago, but those knuckleheads wouldn't build a single ear headset.
I tried calling them, but they're closed. Will try again first thing in the morning.
Many thanks again.

DER951

Matt Romanowski

It's easily hand holdable. I've been using a Peltor (that's not made anymore) for 2 years and it's great. My helmet is set up with IMSA radios, so I use 1 student headset. I've checked these out and talked to the owner of Speedcom - these are really good and the best available right now IMHO. No connection to them other than having looked at them and checked them out.

ALE

Agreed.
Linda @ Apex just hooked me up with a Trac-Com unit. It has a cable that plugs into my Roux helmet and a much more substantial student headset. The sound quality is also superior to Chatterbox.
https://apexperformance.net/shop/drivers/communications-racers/trac-com/

NaroEscape

We sell the Trac-Com units. Everyone we've sold them to agree they are definitely better than Chatterbox (which we sell too because some people keep trying!). Before we got Trac-Com, we personally probably went through 3 Chatterbox units.

https://naroescapemotorsports.com/pr...intercom-copy/

Give me a call if you're interested.

ApexPerformance

we have trac com and speedcom available and can explain pros and cons if each both much better than chatterbox though!

jscott82

I bought the speed om when it came out. Great unit, well made, and great sound quality... But the wires are stupid long, as a portable unit you have a mass of wire to deal with...

Blue Chip

I just had to purchase another Chatterbox control module because the switch broke on my last one. I've not had a single issue with my headsets over the last 2 years - I made sure to zip tie them so the wire can't pull - and I make sure to tell my students the correct way to remove the headsets.

That said - my next unit will be the Traqcom - it's just better all around and certainly more robust - but I haven't found the Chatterbox to be the hopeless disaster that people tend to describe it as.

Difool

Trac-com is great for Stilo to Stilo helmets. Really nothing more to be desired. Lasts a long time on a 9v.
It's less good w/ the student headset, although like always, it helps if the student positions it well. The student headset is robust.
It's really pretty weak when plugged into a retrofit wiring kit with an IMSA jack. So frustrating not to be heard or able to hear.

If I was only working with novice drivers I'd probably prefer the Trac-Com, since it's portable and fairly robust (weakest point is the tendancy for the volume ***** to come off = less weight!)
But working with solo drivers that have wired in their helmets can be really frustrating, so I'm picking up at SpeedCom this year, and probably selling the Trac-Com.

NaroEscape

I'm curious what issue you're having?
There is an adapter cable to plug into an IMSA jack helmet kit and into the Trac-Com. That's what we use ourselves and it works fine.
One of the other nice things about the TracCom is you can have an output cable to plug into a GoPro. That way, if the student has a gopro in their car, they can review it later and hear the instruction they got over the video. Very useful IMO.

RickBetterley

I love my Rosso

996_C4S

Totally agree re: Chatterbox being a sh%t product. My God, it's 2019 and there are 1,000 shops in China that can turn out a better product in quantity at a lower cost. Yet ... I'm on my second Chatterbox. When it (inevitably) dies, I guess it's back to yelling.