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  • Salanis

    March 19, 2009 8:16 p.m. Salanis UltraDork

    So, apparently my girlfriend does not appreciate it when we're at the track, and I stick three fingers out and try to shout "Third!" at her. It turns out that's not the clearest way to convey that she needs to downshift the car into third for the upcoming turn. She likes it much better when she gets an instructor with a helmet intercom system, and thinks that maybe we should pick one up for future events.

    So, does anyone have any suggestions on where to get an affordable intercom system, and which ones are worth while?

  • ww

    March 19, 2009 8:53 p.m. ww Dork

    Make sure you get one with 2 headsets!

    http://www.google.com/products?q=chatterbox+cb50&hl=en&scoring=p&lnk=p...

  • ddavidv

    March 19, 2009 9:04 p.m. ddavidv UltraDork

    Chatterbox is generally the brand most instructors recommend.

  • Keith

    March 19, 2009 10:20 p.m. Keith UberDork

    Never tried the chatterbox, although you rarely see them in rally cars. That must mean something. Still, if it's a de facto standard for track days, it's the one to have.

    My Peltor system is probably out of the reach of most people's budgets unless you spend a lot of time cruising UK rally sites - but the Terratalk is a good option. Figure $200 for the intercom and two helmet sets.

    Having the intercom is great for coaching.

  • ww

    March 19, 2009 10:43 p.m. ww Dork

    Unless you're doing real stage rally's the Chatterbox IS the "affordable" standard at $65 for the main unit and $29.95 for each headset, it's hard to beat for the price, although I know a few people that have found generic Chatterbox "knock-offs" on eBay for half the price.

    Yes, a real race team also uses a $1000 to $5000 racing communications "system", but our 24hrs of Lemons team gets by just fine with the Chatterbox GMRS-X1 for all of $280 and it can be used with any GMRS radio.

  • oldopelguy

    March 19, 2009 10:48 p.m. oldopelguy HalfDork

    Newegg has a bluetooth helmet headset on for @$130, and it can pair up with another set without a phone if you buy two of them or with a phone if you only have one. Great reviews and they go on sale for @100 once in a while. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875995022

    That or the two of you can just get in-ear corded headsets for your cell phones and call each other.

  • ww

    March 19, 2009 10:57 p.m. ww Dork

    The problem we had with cell phones was the battery "talk-time" and the cell tower coverage at Thunderhill is pretty poor. In this case (G)FRS radios are the way to go.

  • Strizzo

    March 19, 2009 11:35 p.m. Strizzo Dork

    technically, a GMRS radio requires a license, but you're unlikely to get anything but griped at by actual licensed gmrs radio operators, if you happen to come across any of them

  • Salanis

    March 20, 2009 12:00 a.m. Salanis UltraDork

    Hmm... but nothing truly cheap for people who are on a really tight budget, and just want a simple 2-way system?

    I think I'll talk with my dad, who's a major Ham, and see if he doesn't have some good suggestions.

  • Keith

    March 20, 2009 12:44 a.m. Keith UberDork

    ww's quoted $130 for an in-car intercom system isn't truly cheap? Break out the soldering iron then.

  • Strizzo

    March 20, 2009 12:48 a.m. Strizzo Dork

    the chatterbox for $65 doesn't sound like a bad deal and doesn't require any radio, my instructor at NASA HPDE had one and it was great, no yelling required

  • Salanis

    March 20, 2009 12:52 a.m. Salanis UltraDork

    Keith wrote:

    ww's quoted $130 for an in-car intercom system isn't truly cheap? Break out the soldering iron then.

    Unfortunately, not for me at the moment. I think I will have to bust out the soldering iron and cannibalize some equipment.

    Strizzo wrote:

    the chatterbox for $65 doesn't sound like a bad deal and doesn't require any radio, my instructor at NASA HPDE had one and it was great, no yelling required

    That $65 doesn't include the headsets, which are another $25 each. So it's more like $120.

  • John Brown

    March 20, 2009 6:49 a.m. John Brown MegaDork

    Not to offend but if you are worried about spending $150.00 on the com system SHE demands maybe taking her to the track should be held off until SHE buys the com set.

    BTW, you can use them in more places than just the car... think about strapping the helmets on in the bedroom and going "Rallycrossing"... that will sell her on it

  • 44Dwarf

    March 20, 2009 7:18 a.m. 44Dwarf Reader

    Years ago i bought 10 of the MAXON 49-FX units. At the time there were conceded one of the best. Yes there only 49mhz but they do have 5 channels. small ear bud with flex lip rubber stays in well. I got ten to get a good price the wife and i still use a set when riding the bikes . The ear bud is also the mic! so les engine noise etc. I still have 2 spare sets to loan out to Friends on a big ride that have never been opened.

    44 http://www.rfwiz.com/Maxon/Portables/Maxon_49-FX.htm

  • Opus

    March 20, 2009 1:15 p.m. Opus HalfDork

    John Brown wrote:

    BTW, you can use them in more places than just the car... think about strapping the helmets on in the bedroom and going "Rallycrossing"... that will sell her on it

    Thank you for sharing ideas of Safe sex.

  • John Brown

    March 20, 2009 1:16 p.m. John Brown MegaDork

    The hard part is anchoring the HANS device

 

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