Hi, we are looking for a Nordic Tug 37. My wife and I are older and both wear hearing aids. She is concerned about onboard communication while docking or underway. Any suggestions for a product that would work? Our hearing aids are Bluetooth capable. I guess we could use cellphones.
Onboard communication
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Delta Riverat
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We use small FRS walkie talkies. They have belt clips and cost $10 each. Work surprisingly well for the price and you won't mind if you drop 'em in the drink either - 
jgwinks
Guru
We tried the cheap hand held walkies and found them inconvenient, requiring one hand to hold the radio when maybe you've got both hands busy. VOX ear buds helped a lot but were useless when I went down to do an engine room check. The engine noise activated the VOX and I'd be transmitting the whole time I was down there. The hot setup appears to be what people call "marriage savers", they're self contained head phone radios with boom mics attached. There are a couple different brands. Likely would have the same problem with engine noise though. I've used the loud hailer for this successfully, but everybody on the dock can hear you too.
Highly recommend the Eartec single-ear headsets. We have had them for several years and would hate to be without them. They work great all over the boat and a dock.
https://eartec.com/ultralite-single-wireless-headsets/
I do recommend to get an extra pair of batteries, however, they can surprise you by running down.
https://eartec.com/ultralite-single-wireless-headsets/
I do recommend to get an extra pair of batteries, however, they can surprise you by running down.
When I talk on my cellphone, the hearing comes through my Bluetooth hearing aides. Why buy something new when you already have a device ready to be used.
FWIW, I also have a Bluetooth device connected to my TV. Makes watching TV much better. If my wife wants to sit in the family room and read or even talk to someone on the phone, I can mute the TV so it doesn’t disturb her, but I can hear it perfectly.
Mambo42
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We also use the Eartec headsets, work absolutely perfect, no need for shouting and it keeps the boat quiet when it needs to be quiet.
Would not want to leave the dock (or come back) without them. We have one spare on board for visitors if they want to listen in or help along.
Would not want to leave the dock (or come back) without them. We have one spare on board for visitors if they want to listen in or help along.
ranger58sb
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We use the SENA headsets, but if you've already got Bluetooth-capable hearing aids, I think I'd investigate that solution first. Assuming coverage, cellphone can probably work pretty well that way.
We tried the Family Radios with and without VOX. Not great, either way.
We tried cellphones using the speakerphone function, not great depending on other ambient noise... and where each user finds to park the thing while doing work of some sort.
We tried using the loudhailer/receive-back, but it sounds too much like yelling when I transmit... OTOH, we do still use that sometimes, because it often means I can hear a dock hand speaking too.
-Chris
We tried the Family Radios with and without VOX. Not great, either way.
We tried cellphones using the speakerphone function, not great depending on other ambient noise... and where each user finds to park the thing while doing work of some sort.
We tried using the loudhailer/receive-back, but it sounds too much like yelling when I transmit... OTOH, we do still use that sometimes, because it often means I can hear a dock hand speaking too.
-Chris
Cargile
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Andy&Indie
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Have to pipe in here as this thread is a year old and I would agree headsets are a necessity on any boat. I would STRONGLY recommend/suggest instead the 2Talks Marriage Savers at Cruising Solutions - For less money than the Eartech a PAIR, these now have lithium batteries that hold their charge much longer. You also dont have to remove the battery to charge them, no base, and can just plug in with a USB charger like your cell phone. Easy peasy. If I remember to turn them off after I use them they last for months. Yes they too can fit comfortably with a hearing aid but most suggestions above assume couples both have hearing aids. There are so many couples where just one person has them. So the marriage savers remember the last volume setting so my hubby who shouts can be turned down and I can pick mine up ready to go. They also came in a nice case with extra foam and chargers. Sorry for the interupt but technology has changed and thought I would add a few gems. I would really recommend EVERYONE get headsets for their boat. Clear communication can make every situation better. I cant lie, I was a debby doubter but for once the hubby was right. Haha and now its in writing!
Blissboat
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Saw an embroidered cushion on the master berth of a nice motor yacht, that read: "Sorry . . . for what I said when we were trying to dock the boat."
Nordlund Xpress
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The 2Talks look like rebranded Sena headsets. Sena builds multiple models for motorcyclists. We have both Sena and Eartec headsets. We find the Eartec's easier to use and remembering which buttons to push and a bit clearer, and the Sena's better built. Both work. The Best Motorcycle & Action Sport Bluetooth Devices | Sena. Out go to are the Eartec units. Eartec also sells replacement parts like ear cushions, batteries, chargers, battery doors, etc. All easily field replaceable.
Andy&Indie
Newbie
Yes the 2Talks are made by Sena but the software has been changed so that the Bluetooth is not always hunting or trying to pair to other bluetooth devices. I have seen spare parts for the 2Talks on the Cruising Solutions website. Our 2Talk kit also came with a case 2 chargers and 2 sets of replacement foams for both headsets. The other difference you did not mention is that the 2Talks sit behind your head and over the ears so they don't fall off your head. Especially looking down over an anchor or down from the mast. This is our friends wearing them yesterday. Really worked well as we made adjustments to their halyard and the broken wind meter. I had to lift, stop, lift up, down and up again. Luckily the headsets saved us a lot of shouting.
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Nordlund Xpress
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Sounds like someone did a good job coming up with the marine market fit. Our Sena model were the motorcycle ones, and the blue tooth searching is a disruption. The over the ear design is an improvement over Eartec. We see both brands on many crews these days.
SteveK
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Marriage savers, two way hands free talk in normal voice.
magna 6882
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we use eartec. can just talk in normal voice and communicate very easy. No buttons to push and just swing the mike up to turn off when having discusions with others but can still hear. Its a must for us when blind docking.
greatpapabear
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Having tried Sena, we changed to Eartec. It was an excellent move. Eartec every time.
firehoser75
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We used Eartec as well and found them to be very valuable. We had the same boat you are talking about, and as my wife handled the boat, I gave advise and/or directions (quietly) from the cockpit where, even if I shouted she would not hear me (without the Eartecs) nor see me very easily. We used the single ear model so as to be able to hear outside inputs, and we used a short (home made) lanyard so as to clip them to our PFD's giving us a true hands free without fear of losing them overboard. Although we did not need it, I also recommend a second set of batteries for the "what if" scenario. Clear communications can be the difference between a successful landing/anchoring/ leaving dock or anchorage, and an accident. For us, the Eartecs worked every time, the first time, without fail, and made boat life a lot "calmer".
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