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BOATING COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS COMPARISON

Boating Communication Systems:

(latest update: 01/31/2021 - Added the 2Talk My Team Talks Headset system; previous update: 08/07/2019)

Have you ever wished there was a better way to communicate with each other or with multiple people while on your boat?  A hands-free way to communicate while docking, anchoring, or mooring can make boating much less stressful.  Imagine no more yelling over the wind/engine noise or using hand signals to communicate on your boat.  A full-duplex system is where each person can speak simultaneously, and everyone can speak and hear each other at the same time.  For a two-way system, it is like talking on the telephone.  Each person can speak and understand the other person at the same time.

There are communication systems designed specifically for the boating environment with great features. A headset band that wraps around your head/neck will prevent the headset from falling into the water or crashing onto the deck while leaning over working with a line. There are noise-canceling headsets for powerboats or other noisy boating environments.  A system can be designed depending on what your needs are to accommodate your specific requirements.

Here is a Summary table that describes some different communication systems that make boating more enjoyable and less stressful.

Below the table, you will find a paragraph describing each of the different Headset Systems in detail.

 

Company / Detailed Description	Model	Full Duplex	Range	Battery Information	Belt Pack	Wind Noise	Interference	Headset Options	Warranty
My Team Talks / 2Talk paragraph	2Talk My Team Talks NEW 2/1/2021 (made by Sena exclusively for My Team Talks) - similar to Sena Expand, except it has a boom microphone.	Full Duplex up to a 4-way system	800 meters / 875 yards in open terrain (line of sight)	Battery Lasts: 10 hours, 7 days on Standby; Battery Type: Lithium polymer battery Charge Time: 2.5 hrs via USB cable	NO Belt Pack required	Boom mic position can be adjusted,  built-in noise cancellation and wind noise reduction	It uses Bluetooth 3.0, so no interference	Single lightweight headset design (wraps around the back of your head/neck)	2-year limited warranty
My Team Talks / My Team Talks paragraph	My Team Talks (Sena SPH10)	Full Duplex up to a 4-way system	900 meters / 980 yards in open terrain	Battery Lasts: 10 hours, 7 days on Standby; Battery Type: Lithium polymer battery Charge Time: 2.5 hrs via USB cable	NO Belt Pack required	Boom mic position can be adjusted, a mini mic also included, built-in noise cancellation and wind noise reduction	It uses Bluetooth 3.0, so no interference	Single lightweight headset design (wraps around the back of your head/neck)	2-year limited warranty
Sena / Sena Expand paragraph	Sena Expand-02	Full Duplex up to a 4-way system	900 meters / 980 yards in open terrain	Battery Lasts: 10 hours, 7 days on Standby; Battery Type: Lithium polymer battery Charge Time: 2.5 hrs via USB cable	NO Belt Pack required	Built-in Fixed Microphone located on the side, built-in noise cancellation and wind noise reduction	It uses Bluetooth 3.0, so no interference	Single lightweight headset design (wraps around the back of your head/neck)	2-year limited warranty
Eartec / Eartec UltraLITE paragraph	UltraLITE Full Duplex  NEW as of 10/26/2016 Replaced the Simultalk 24G System	Full Duplex for a 2, 3, or 4-Way system	Up to 400 yards	Battery Lasts: 6.0 Hrs Battery Type: Li-ion 3.7 V 800 mAh 3.0 Wh Charge Time: 3 hrs to gain a full charge	NO Belt Pack required; Electronics are in the headset.	Noise-canceling microphone	None experienced	2 different headsets to choose from	Headsets: 1-year Batteries: 30 days;
Eartec	Simultalk 24G - Eartec Discontinued  OUT OF STOCK PERMANENTLY as of 8/3/17	The 2-way system is Full Duplex, 3 or 4-way system is NOT Full Duplex	Up to 150 yards	Battery Lasts: 4.5 hrs (full-duplex mode), 8.0 hrs switching to standby mode; Battery Type: Ni-MH 700mAh / 4.8V Charge Time: 10 hrs to gain a full charge	Electronics are in the Belt Pack, and the headset plugs into the Belt Pack	Most headsets have a Foam microphone cover, or you can re-position the lapel microphone	None experienced	Many different headsets to choose from	Radios: 6 months Headsets: Cyber, Loop, Ear Bud - 30 days;  Monarch - 6 months;  Ultra Double - 1 year
Eartec	Comstar All-In-One	Full Duplex up to an 8-way system	Up to 800 yards	Headset Battery: Li-ion battery (CS-800LI), lasts up to 10 hrs. Base Station Battery: Ni-MH (CC2200NI), lasts up to 5-6 hrs. - comes with 2 batteries Charge Time: 4 hrs to gain a full charge	NO Belt Pack required; Com-Center Base Station required	Foam microphone cover	None experienced	3 different headset options	1-year limited warranty (ComCenter Base Station, All-In-One Headsets)
Eartec	Comstar Compak	Full Duplex up to an 8-way system	Up to 800 yards	Headset/Compak Belt Pack Battery: Li-ion battery (CS-800LI), lasts up to 10 hrs. Base Station Battery: Ni-MH (CC2200NI), lasts up to 5-6 hrs. - comes with 2 batteries. Charge Time: 4 hrs to gain a full charge	Belt Packs are required, AND Com-Center Base Station required	Most headsets have a Foam microphone cover, or you can re-position the lapel microphone.	None experienced	Many different headsets to choose from	Compak Belt Pack: 1-year Headsets: Cyber - 30 days; Monarch, SlimLine Single - 6 months

 

 

The above communication systems  provide a solution for the following situations and environments: 

• Fore-deck to Helm
• Deck to Mast Head
• Navigation Station to Helm
• Helm to Bow
• Anchoring
• Mooring or Docking
• Traveling through locks
• Spouse to Spouse (Keep your marriage intact - "The Marriage Saver")
• Trailering - loading, unloading, and parking.
• Fueling your boat

These communication systems are great for:

• Parking Campers/RVs
• Equestrian Training
• Theater/Dance Performances
• Videographers/Weddings
• Blind Skiers
• Construction/Bridge Inspections
• Heavy Equipment Operation
• Plant Tour Communications
• Sports Officiating/Referees
• Jet Skiing
• Rowing
• Bicycling/Mountain Biking

The 2Talk My Team Talks Headset (made by Sena) system is a NEW System (2/1/21) that uses the same electronics and controls as the Sena Expand headsets but has a different microphone. You can set up a full-duplex system for two to four people. The 2Talk My Team Talks System contains two headsets, each with a boom microphone and a USB power/data cable, plus a hard, water-resistant storage case. The Sena Expand or Sena SPH10 headsets are compatible with the 2Talk headsets.  The 2Talk headset uses Bluetooth 3.0 technology for the intercom mode, which allows you to communicate between headsets.  The 2Talk My Team Talks Headsets do NOT require any cell phone service for the headsets to communicate with each other.  The headset weighs about 4.25 ounces with the electronics built into the headset. These headsets sit comfortably on your ears and have a headband that wraps around the back of your head/neck.  Located on the left earpiece are the controls.  There is a speaker for both the left and right ear.  There is a volume control that allows you to adjust the volume to hear in whatever environment you find yourself.  The boom microphone can be adjusted so that others can hear you speak clearly.  These headsets do not need any other equipment to communicate with each other.  You can use these headsets to listen to music, and you can even pair up the headset with Bluetooth on your cell phone. With your cell phone safely stored below decks, you can answer your cell phone calls with your headset.  This system does NOT use any belt pack, and there are no wires to get caught on stays or other boat equipment.  Up to four headsets can work together to allow four individuals to communicate in a full-duplex environment without having any buttons to push.  All four people can speak and hear each other at the same time.  To charge up the 2Talk My Team Talks Headsets, you plug the USB power cable into the headset and plug the other end into a compatible USB port. You can also use the USB cable end with an adapter converting the USB end to either a 12-Volt adapter or an AC adapter.  The 12-Volt adapter or AC adapter are NOT included and can be purchased separately.

The My Team Talks Headset (Sena SPH10) full-duplex headsets work in a  system for 2-4 people. Each headset is sold individually and comes with the headset, boom microphone, mini microphone, USB power and data cable, a stereo audio cable, and a set of rubber ear pads.  A minimum of two headsets is required to make a system.  The headset uses Bluetooth 3.0 technology for the intercom mode, which allows you to communicate between headsets.  The My Team Talks Headsets do NOT require any cell phone service for the headsets to communicate with each other.  The headset weighs about 4.25 ounces with the electronics built into the headset. These headsets comfortably sit on your ears with a headband that wraps around the back of your head/neck. The controls are located on the left earpiece. There is a speaker for both the left and right ear.  There is a volume control that allows you to adjust the volume to hear in whatever environment you find yourself.  You can move the boom microphone to be heard clearly by others.  These headsets do not need any other equipment to communicate with each other.  You can use these headsets to listen to music, and you can even pair up the headset with Bluetooth on your cell phone. With your cell phone safely stored below decks, you can answer your cell phone calls with your headset.  This system does NOT use any belt pack, and there are no wires to get caught on stays or other boat equipment.  Up to four headsets can work together to allow four individuals to communicate in a full-duplex environment without having any buttons to push.  All four people can speak and hear each other at the same time.  To charge up the My Team Talks Headsets, you plug the USB power cable into the headset, and then you will need an adapter converting the USB end to either a 12-Volt adapter or an AC adapter.  The 12-Volt adapter or AC adapter are NOT included and can be purchased separately.

The Sena Expand-02 Headset system is a NEW system that can be used with 2-4 people in a full-duplex environment and is water and sweat resistant. Each headset is sold individually and comes with the headset, fixed microphone on the left side, a USB power and data cable.  A minimum of two headsets is required to make a system.  The headset uses Bluetooth 3.0 technology for the intercom mode, which allows you to communicate between headsets.  Sena Expand uses the Universal Intercom™ protocol, which makes your gear compatible with other brands. The Sena Expand Headsets do NOT require any cell phone service for the headsets to communicate with each other.  The headset weighs about 4.25 ounces with the electronics built into the headset. These headsets sit comfortably on your ears and have a headband that wraps around the back of your head/neck.  The controls are on the left earpiece.  There is a speaker for both the left and right ear.  There is a volume control that allows you to adjust the volume to hear no matter the environment.  These headsets do not need any other equipment to communicate with each other.  You can use these headsets to listen to music, and you can even pair up the headset with the Bluetooth on your cell phone and answer your cell phone calls while it is stored safely below deck.  This system does NOT use any belt pack, and there are no wires to get caught on stays or other boat equipment.  These headsets can be programmed to work with up to four headsets so you can have four individuals communicating in a full-duplex environment without having any buttons to push.  All four people can speak and hear each other at the same time.  To charge up the Sena Expand Headsets, you plug the USB power cable into the headset and then into a USB port, or you will need an adapter converting the USB end to either a 12-Volt adapter or an AC adapter.  The 12-Volt adapter or AC adapter are NOT included but can be purchased separately.

The Eartec UltraLITE system is NEW and is the replacement for the Eartec Simultalk 24G system. The UltraLITE headsets are breakthrough full duplex wireless headsets that provide hands-free, two-way full-duplex voice communications. At the heart of these systems is a specialty "Master" headset that relays the digital signals generated by up to three "Remote" units. The resulting open line talking pattern allows up to 4 people to talk simultaneously without pushing buttons. The electronics and the battery are inside the headsets themselves.  There are no belt packs with this system.  The headset comes with one ear cup (Single Headset) or two ear cups (Double Headset), depending on your preference. Locate the noise-canceling boom microphone on the left or right ear cup. When the boom microphone is in the "UP" position, this mutes the microphone. There are systems available for 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way systems with different headset configurations (Single Headset or Double Headset).

The most popular system my customers purchased was the Eartec Simultalk 24G 2-Way system.  Eartec DISCONTINUED the Simultalk 24G 2-Way and is OUT OF STOCK PERMANENTLY as of 8/3/17. This system is a cost-effective system that allows boaters to communicate in a full-duplex environment easily.  Both people can speak and hear the other person at the same time.  There are no buttons to push once you have the radios set up, which is easy to do.  There is a Master Radio and Remote Radio.  These radios are water resistant but are NOT waterproof.  The beautiful thing about the Eartec Simultalk 24G system is that there are many different headsets options if you want to customize your system.  The system comes with the Cyber Headset, a very lightweight headset (less than 1.25 Ounces) that wraps around the back of your head/neck and is very comfortable.  You don't even realize the headset is on your head.  The Cyber Headset design is excellent for boating because the band goes around the back of your head/neck, so it will not fall off as you are bending over, tending to lines, or other items. The Cyber Headset has only one speaker, which is on the left side.  If someone wears a hearing aid in their left ear, this may not be the right headset choice.  Many other Eartec headsets are available, which work with the Eartec Simultalk 24G radios instead of the Cyber headset.  The con to this system is that the headset plugs into a separate radio/belt pack (Master and Remote).  There is a wire running from the headset down to the radio. Attach the radio/belt pack to your waistband via a clip, or you can stow it in a pocket.  Some folks don't like the wire because it can get caught on stays or lifelines or other items on your boat.  It is a personal preference. Eartec informed us in October 2016 that they are discontinuing the Simultalk 24G system and replaced it with the Eartec UltraLITE system.

The Eartec Simultalk 24G does offer a 3-Way and a 4-Way system, but once you go beyond a 2-Way system, it is NO LONGER a full-duplex system.  Eartec DISCONTINUED the Simultalk 24G 3 and 4-Way systems and is OUT OF STOCK PERMANENTLY as of 8/3/17. If you are looking for a full-duplex system for 3 or 4 people, check out the My Team Talks Headset System or the Eartec UltraLITE system.  The Simultalk 24G 3-Way or 4-Way system does have applications where this setup still works well.  Each system contains a Master Radio, and the 3-way system contains two Remote radios, and the 4-way system contains three Remote radios.  So for a 3-Way system, there is now a Master and two Remote radios (let's call them Remote1 and Remote2). Remote radios (Remote1 and Remote2) can hear the Master radio speak, but the two Remote radios cannot hear each other since they are using the same frequency.  Both Remote radios could hear what the Master is saying, but only the Master radio will hear what each Remote radio says.  Only one Remote radio can speak to the Master radio at a time. So if Remote1 comes out of the Standby Mode into Transmit mode, the Master radio will hear Remote1 speak. Radio Remote2 will not hear what the Radio Remote1 said, but Radio Remote2 will hear what the Master replies to Remote1.  When Remote1 finishes speaking, they should go into the Standby Mode so that if Remote2 needs to talk to the Master, Remote2 can now go into Transmit mode and speak with the Master radio. Eartec informed us in October 2016 that they are discontinuing the Simultalk 24G system, replacing it with the Eartec UltraLITE system.

The Eartec Comstar system is a more sophisticated system that allows up to eight people to communicate simultaneously without any buttons to push.  There is a Com-Center base station that is the center of communication, and the headsets will work up to 400 yards away from the base station in either direction so you can communicate and be up to 800 yards from each other.  There are two types of headset setups that are available with this system. For the All-In-One headsets, there is a choice of three different headset options, which have all of the electronics built right into the headset.  The other option is to use the Comstar Compak belt pack, which has one of many different headset options that plug into the belt pack.  The Comstar All-In-One headsets and the Comstar Compak headsets can be used together as part of up to eight systems that can communicate together.  This system is ideal, where you know that you will need more than four people interacting in a full-duplex environment.  It allows you to add additional headsets/users to the system at any time in the future.  The base station comes with an AC power cord or can operate with Ni-MH batteries.  This system is very flexible and allows you to meet each individual's headset preference.

Please comment below in the "Comments" section if you have any questions or experiences with any of these systems. I will respond to your comments so others will see the response.  If you use other communication systems, please let me know which system you use. Please be as specific as possible.

Please let us know how you like your communication system.

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