Gecko comms - Page 2

Simon B · 03 February 2011, 13:13

Bruce,

Any results yet?

BruceB · 03 February 2011, 17:10

Not been out this year, bearing in mid the weather so far its not really surprising.
I am sitting here hoping the boat isn't going to take off in the winds we have at the mo...

kedzior · 04 July 2011, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

Not been out this year, bearing in mid the weather so far its not really surprising.
I am sitting here hoping the boat isn't going to take off in the winds we have at the mo...

I've just been looking for the same, and found exactly same solution. I wonder if you tested it already. If it works as I think it should. I have some ideas to make it more waterproof. A bit of silicone around mini jack and food foil (that one that shrinks when heated) on speakers. No idea on mic yet.
If not there is a company that sells waterproof headsets for geckos with minijack at the end. They were for about 140 quid
Regards,
Bart

wavelength · 05 July 2011, 09:06

Bruce .... does it work?

kedzior · 05 July 2011, 15:16

I hope I'll able to pair it with my BT Std Horizon handheld as well. Anyone tested? Does anyone knows some kind of BT adapter that you can connect to fixed VHF or model with built in one?

martini · 05 July 2011, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Probably not what you're looking for but I'll soon be fitting a system that DS Developments made for me earlier in the year.

2 headsets with throat mics that plug into the dash with a volume control. PTT button on dash so both crew can operate vhf, intercom continuously open between sets, audio in from the stereo system and also audio out to my video recorder so I can record vhf and intercom audio alongside the a-frame camera as opposed to just engine and wind noise.

I'll be posting my findings as it goes in but looking forward to seeing how it all works.

I've had nothing but problems with mine since fitted, I'm getting interference from most engine circuits, trim, starter, fuel pump, ignition etc and from the nmea0183. Fitted chokes and ferrite rings everywhere but not even an improvement

kedzior · 06 July 2011, 02:10

No news from BruceB... I'll have to risk and try it on my own anyway.

kedzior · 06 July 2011, 15:27

Just purchased Interphone F3... 117 quid for a pair... sounds like bargaing comparing to DSDev ones. They looks solid and are IP67 so until you go deep in to the water they should survive (hope so).
I should be back home on the beginning of the August and will test them at the first opportunity. Will let you know asap.

kedzior · 02 August 2011, 22:41

Just installed. Interphone F3.
Hopefully will test tomorrow. Will post some pics soon. Unfortunately won't pair with Standard Horizon BT handheld VHF but works as intercom and with mobile phone. Tested @ home, but will need Real Trials.

Do you think we should ask Std Horizon - as a community - for BT headset which fits into Gecko 'earplug'? That would be bestseller...

kedzior · 03 August 2011, 08:25

some pics

kedzior · 22 August 2011, 10:54

Worked fine. Not too silent even with one speaker, but will put another one as well i think...

jambo · 22 August 2011, 21:27

HI Bruce how are you?
How did your BT intercoms go in your trial are they worth £65?

B

tony t · 25 August 2011, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

HI Bruce how are you?
How did your BT intercoms go in your trial are they worth £65?

B

well bruce any news ?

Mike B · 07 September 2011, 15:21

I have just fitted the same units as Bruce and tried them out last weekend.

All in all, for the price, I think they were very good. Some wind noise at speed but it is possible to reduce this by tucking the microphone under the visor (NB ours are only half visors, with full they would be covered)

Not been able to test battery life fully yet. Once paired either unit can initiate a "call" my pressing a button it then takes a couple of seconds to connect and you have full duplex speech.

Most of the time we just left them connected, but the wind noise can get a bit annoying so the option to disconnect is good.

The other benefit with the bluetooth is when recovering to the trailer or after dropping a team member on a beach you can still communicate from quite a distance.

I have a wired Autocom system on my motorbike which has better quality mics / speakers and is voice activated, this is great for the bike but the flexibility of the bluetooth and the lower cost of these, I would say, makes them the better option for the Gecko.

Mike

wavelength · 07 September 2011, 15:28

really useful info Mike-thanx

Be interested to see how the battery life goes for you.

Mike B · 07 September 2011, 22:28

Well I did accidently leave one switched on but not connected and it was still powered up 2 days later. Sure when connected it will be shorter. Ie talk time / standby time.

We are on the Thames next weekend for the Great River Race so they should get a good workout then. Will let you know.

Mike

wavelength · 06 October 2011, 22:22

Quote:

We are on the Thames next weekend for the Great River Race so they should get a good workout then. Will let you know.

still happy with them??

Mike B · 08 October 2011, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

still happy with them??

Yep, sorry forgot to put an update.

Very happy, battery lasted all day with some connecting disconnecting, I would say added up at least 3 hours continuous talk, and still working.

Following a heavy rainburst the units got soaked but kept working with no issues.

At one point later in the day there was an issue with some digital interferance that gave both parties a very entertaining dalek voice but disconnecting and reconnecting cleared this.

All things considered very happy so far.

Mike

wavelength · 09 October 2011, 15:46

thanks bud

tony t · 28 October 2011, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

HI Bruce how are you?
How did your BT intercoms go in your trial are they worth £65?

B

yes worth the money