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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => SR Forum Archives => The Basement FUD Forum Archive => Topic started by: crain on May 28, 2004, 10:57:14 AM
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Has anyone ran across the Eartec wireless stuff? It looks too good to be true. It seems like if the ClearCom/Telex stuff is gonna cost $4000, that this stuff for $300 is worth a look. I'm just wondering if someone has given it a try or has seen it anywhere.
http://www.eartec.com/td900.html#td901
I think it was in the newest FOH magazine.
And I understand that its only two sets full duplex and the rest are listen only, but that may be all I need.
I'm still not sure just how compatable it actually is with ClearCom, like if you have to use their headsets.
peace
jon
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I saw Eartec at the NSCA show. I was very impressed with a few of their products. They make a few things that would be of interest to those in our industry.
The first is quality "Clear Com" compatible headsets. They have a large range of headsets from a small earclip (behind the ear) style, to regular single and double muff style, to heavy duty and noise canceling styles. Prices range from $60 bucks for the lightweight styles, to $195 for the heavy duty noise canceling styles. A very good bargain!
The next thing that Eartec makes that might come in handy is called the Drama Con. This is a wired production intercom system. Its main drawback to me is the fact that you can't "daisy-chain" from station to station. You either have to home-run headsets back to the power supply or use their cable splitter boxes. For a small theatre with permanent install, or a small portable system (like from FOH to Mon world) this would not be a problem.
The other thing that Eartec makes that looks interesting is their RADIO systems for intercom. They make a headset that will interface with the Kenwood FRS radios, that basically turns those radios into a small com system. They also make their own radio systems called the Digicom, which allows up to four people to talk simultaneously. These systems use spread spectrum technology and can be used for up to 1 mile!
The system most interesting to me is their TD 900 radio system. This is an inexpensive system that uses a beltpack sized radio transceiver with a choice of production style headsets. Headsets can be had in very lightweight styles up to single and double muff heavy duty styles. The beltpack radio serves multiple functions. The first is that two of them can be used as a simple 2 station system, with full duplex operation. The next function is that you can add as many stations as you want, but they will be receive only.
BUT, the best thing about the system is that you can use the system to interface with a WIRED Clear Com style system, and make a headset wireless for under $600! This requires the use of two of the beltpack radios. One is for your belt, and the other is for the "master" that will connect to the wired system. Then you need to add a TDXINT Interface assembly to the Master radio and connect it to your wired intercom. After that, simply walk anywhere you want with your beltpack and headset and hear the intercom, and push you button to talk just like you were wired!
I used the system on the floor at NSCA and was impressed! The beltpak is made of a rugged plastic and is very small and lightweight. It has channel selection switches as well as a small "rubber ducky" antenna and a vol control. They are also rechargeable. Operation is in the upper 800 Mhz and lower 900 MHz bands. The headsets range in price from $60 to $145 and the beltpack transceivers cost $125. The Interface module to connect to a wired station costs $225.
I have a bunch of shows in the fall where I will be the Tech Director and I plan on buying a TD900 system so I can have a wireless headset for myself. Way cheaper than spending a few thousand for a Telex or RTS wireless system!
Craig