Wireless, Rechargeable, Headphones

[Alan Applegate]

Besides my detector hobby of long standing (since 1964), I'm an amateur radio operator, and primarily operate from my vehicle (http://www.k0bg.com). I've been handsfree for about two years, and not having a microphone and/or headset cord dangling is a godsend. In an effort to become cordless with my metal detecting, I purchased a wireless headphone setup from Radio Shack (part number 33-1253). After using it for a couple of days, I have a comment or two for those who might stumble onto the headphones.

I'm using the unit with a Garrett Ace250, which doesn't have a volume control. On some finds, the audio from the Ace is too hot, and overloads the transmitter. This causes the audio to break up (sound scratchy). I already had an external volume control (RS 42-2559), and that fixed the problem.

The other issue is the headphone design; it's a behind-the-head design with clips that fit over your ears. If you wear glasses, this fact can be bothersome after several hours of use.

While the setup frees me of the cord, and it does work very well, I'd still like to find an over-the-ear design, but haven't been successful. Further, the input to the transmitter is a fold out miniature 3.5 mm plug, which to me could be a failure point, especially if you plug it directly into the Ace without the volume control cable.

If there's anyone who uses, or knows of a similar model, I'd be happy to hear your comments about it.

 

[gordygroover]

Thanks for providing the part numbers Alan. I am thinking of following your lead and going the wireless route also.
Got a question for you though........is all the add-on's just plug in connections or did you have to do any sodering?
On a good day I can plug something in but that is my electrical limits.

 

[Alan Applegate]

No soldering! It just plugs in. After using the cord with the volume control for a day, I searched for a day without it, and adjusted the volume using the control on the headphone. Except for an occasional overload, it works fine. Again, I'm a little leery about the way it connects, but perhaps I'm being to cautious.

 

[bloodyknees]

I have used this same Radio Shack rig on my 1500 for about 6 months now. It's great to "loose" the wire. My main problem is same as yours. The ear mount phones are very uncomfortable. Although the sound quality is not quite a good as my cheap full size wired phones, I still use them. I am sort of a "tinkerer". I have wondered if one might take the guts out of a set of full sized phones, then cut the ear hangers off the wireless ones then put them inside the full sized ones.
This sounds pretty crazy, then I wonder........
Al

 

[flash5153]

I have been wanting to go wireless wt the ace also, great thread. Can you show pics and about what did all that cost?I'm interested in what that transmitter looks like.

I looked wireless headsets up on the web a week ago. What I seen was not good. Either really expensive and bulky or just not applicable with a metal detector.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Here's the URL to the on-line photo and specs. It doesn't show the transmitter. It's just 2.5x1.5x.5, and weighs about an ounce. I paid $64.99 at our local RS. It comes with the charger, a charger hub with dongles which plug into the two units. I just happen to have a mobile charger for my wireless headset I use for my amateur gear, and it works with the units too.

All told, I've used the units for about 8 hours. When I recharged them, it took less than a hour. I suspect the reason the life is so much better than that advertised, has to do with the low duty cycle. I'm sure the life would be close to the 7 to 8 hours, if you played music through them.

Alan, K

 

[Alan Applegate]

I forgot the URL

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2255017

Alan, K

 

[tulsa]

I sometimes use a cordless, rechargable headset with my Ace 250.
I wrote a few comments and showed some pics on an earlier post.

Here's a link:
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?32,884652

 

[Uncle Willy]

I bought a set out of Canada that works good. I'll see if I can dig up their email address. They're about fifty a pop.

Bill

 

[khouse]

I've been recommending those for close to 3 years now. I agree about them making your ears sore if you were glasses. I was thinking this winter of attaching the receiver to a better headset and connecting it to the speakers. The flip out connector can cause trouble. I suggest a short cord so you can secure the transmitter solid to the head. Plus buying the $5 a year full replacement warranty is a good move too.

 

[NilesWright]

Uncle Willy,

Did you ever find that Canadian email address? I certainly am interested ..... Thanks In Advance !

 

[bloodyknees]

I tryed a set one time from Spann Solutions (I think). I know they were in Canada. Don't have any more info at present. Be fore I ordered them, I asked around and recall Uncle Willie's comment that they worked well on his 250. However they did not work well on my 1500. As I recall all I could hear was just a dull humming sound. It could have been something I was doing wrong, but they were pretty simple to hook up so I don't know. I now use the radio shack model and they work pretty good except as mentioned earlier they are a pain on the ears.
Al