RickBetterley

I have yet again damaged my student communicator; it must be me, but I need something more substantial. These things are too darn delicate for hopping in and out of student cars, dealing with 6-point harnesses, HANS devices, glasses, and my helmet.
I will never be able to pay for my tow vehicle repair if I have to keep shelling out $30 every few events.
Is there a better instructor/student communicator out there?

PJorgen

Chatterbox is the best I've found. Way better than the POS Nady brand, they crap out without any help just sitting there.

I use an open face helmet and have my communicator mounted on the helmet. Less likley to be damaged. I ask the student to remove his/her helmet and let their headset just fall out. That avoids pulling on the microphone stalk which is death to the headset.

Renn 951

Absolutely correct. I don't make them remove the helmet, but I tell them to grab it by the earpiece and not the mic stalk.

mhm993

Rick, did Mindy give you back the foam thingie for the chatterbox mike that I found in the car?

MHM

RickBetterley

She did - that was chapter 1 in my loss; damn thing came off again with student, was never seen again.
Maybe I shouldn't have signed him off until it was found (actually, he was a really good student and deserving of a sign off).
I'd love to ride with you again; hope you both had a good drive home. See you soon.

lawjdc

I haven't found anything better than the chatterbox, but I wish the manufacturer would jump into the 21st century and do a bluetooth or other wireless setup!

paradisenb

Here! Here! on the Bluetooth version. I bought a Chatterbox after my first instructor did not have one, my second did and WOW what a difference the experience was for me with it. I hard wired my helmet. I place the unit in the center and offer the instructor a slip in or they can plug in their own.

Rick,
I assume your are not having trouble with the electronics box, just thestudent's ear peice. The trick is being gentle when slipping in and out. I have had the foam covers pulled off and almost lost but no damage. Of course mine probably does not see the amount of use as yours.

Marc Shaw

I have been instructed with and without one and it does make a huge difference to be able to hear.

Oh well, like Randy, I bought my own and will hard wire it into my helmet so I'll be ready if the instructor does not have one.

Marc

TR6

I agree completely. When one instructor I was with didn't have one, all I can remember making out clearly above the roar of the engine and screeching of tires was something like "We're gonna die!"....

Dan in Florida

Chatterbox is the best available for now, but no bluetooth. They obviously need some competition; the market is wide open.

paradisenb

Marc Use industrial or heavy duty velcro to secure pieces in your helmet. The factory stuff did not work for me. Too weak.

MJSpeed

A bit OT but nto really Schuberth has Bluetooth helmets...it's coming...

RickBetterley

OK, this is the answer - I will let the students bring their own!
Actually, I am impressed with your dedication to learning. But, you shouldn't have to bring your own; us instructors should all have them with us.

mnorek

Rick, I would be interested to see if someone has run across a better inexpensive solution. The ultimate solution would be to take an Autocom intercom system, install one headset in your helmet permanently and use a donor boom from one of your junk chatterbox systems to create a 2nd, moveable headset for your students.

The Autocom system is the best I have ever used and I have tested it at 160 mph on a motorcycle--it is amazing. Added benefits are that you can listen to a nice background playlist from an ipod or XM radio (music turns down/off when you speak) or take bluetooth telephone calls while instructing.

I have an Autocom system but given my fear of forgetting to collect the $115 headset from a student, I just use a chatterbox.

Michael

mrbill_fl

I agree, Chatterbox best so far...

I tried some FRS radios w/VOX but the delay didn't work well, and the nady has same weakness as the chatterbox student unit. the cord...

FWIW, I added some self vulcanizing tape (sailing rigging tape), to help beef up the connections on the chatterbox and nandy's.


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