What Rally Intercom System?

[GOD12A]

Heya all

I'm looking into intercoms for tarmac events and have noticed a huge difference between brands/models.

What's the G-O??

I've had one acquaintance swear by Stilo over his old Terratrip, BUT he also changed to a Stilo helmet at the same time, so I have no doubt the earmuff majiggas would have helped and the only difference wouldn't be just the amp.

I already have a Bell fullface as the Stilos didn't fit my brain so I need headset too.

Who's had experience with what brands/models and why is it better than something else??

If I need to spend money to hear what's happening, then so be it, I just don't wanna go too cheap and have to re-purchase OR spend up big and walk away with a sore ass.

Thanks in advance guys!!

Mark

[sav man]

I've run a terraphone and i'm now running a PMD Enduro. The enduro is much better put together, has much better plugs, and much better sound. I wouldn't recomend a Terraphone to anyone.

[DJRIFT]

ive had experiance with terraphones and PMD enduros with both instalation and use as a Navigator.

half of it is the quality of install. Most of the pro rally teams run there intercoms and sometimes incar cameras off separate batteries isolated from the car charging system. the car charging system is where the wering noise comes from and this leads to headaches in my case. ringing ears after a days rallying ect.

the PMD states that is has noise canceling built in and whist it is far better than the terraphone (which from my experience has non) its not 100% so.

i have naved for a bloke who has a PMD. he has a PMD mic and ear pieces and his usual nav has a stilo which needs an adapter to plug into the PMD system. i filled in for a rally with my PMD mic ect and the driver couldnt believe the improvement of static type interference. Point there is to stick with the same brand through out.

hope that helps.

[iplen]

I went from Terraphone to Peltor, and would not go back, I was running an Arai with the Peltor headset in it, so none of the ear muffs but was SO much clearer and easier to listen to. I imagine Stilo would be much the same, it has been a while since I looked but the Peltor was well worth the money over the Terraphone.

[Snowman]

I started off using a BlueAnt bluetooth system, then change to a Terraphone - then to a Stilo intercom.

I'll never use a Terraphone again!

The Stilo was perfect - but as you also mentioned earlier I also have a matching Stilo helmet. I haven't used the Stilo with one of the slip in ear pieces but I would definitely bet it would be a world better than a Terraphone. Also - the main different with the Stilo was it was 9V as opposed to the hard-wired 12V Terra - which gave awful interference. If you check my attached video that high pitched noise is the same noise that comes into your ears the whole time with the Terra-phone (video sound was linked out of the intercom).

The thing is however that Stilo have stopped making the 9V WRC versions. I'm yet to try the 12V DES style but as others have also suggested I think for the new race car (which doesn't yet have an intercom) I will look at running one off a separate 12V supply. They do say that the 12V Stilo's don't get interference but after my one 12V experience I'm not convinced.

[warps]

For Terraphone money you can get a Graytronics (they make military comms systems). Infinitely better than terraphone poo. This can run off a 9V battery or the car's 12V system. It's light weight and easy to operate / install. You're looking at under $250 delivered (from UK) for a full setup. Sound is crystal clear

http://www.rallyintercoms.co.uk/

The Stilo stuff is the ducks nuts, but you need the helmets to go with it. They have a lower spec that is interchangeable with other brands, but this is nowhere near as good as the fully integrated stuff.

[PHaT MR30]

I have the 12V Stilo WRC DES System, at first I was disappointed it was 12v and looked into getting a separate battery. Ended up hardwiring it to the battery and its been pretty good. It has a switchable filter which makes a big difference (and on gravel a HUGE difference).

We are also using the Stilo WRC DES Helmets which made a big difference from the Arai Jet used previously.

Uploading some footage to the tube from last weekend.

[Marlin]

+1 for Stilo.

Terraphone is archaic and noisy, Peltor better but battery life is rotten.

Get about a dozen days in the car out of a Stilo 9V battery. I have the WRC version with Mic input, but don't use it as strategic external microphone gives a nice balance of co-driver voice and the smooth wail of RB20 goodness

[R32 TT]

+2 for Stilo.

Best, cleanest I've heard. So real, I can even feel Snowy's hot breath in my ear... <disturbing>

Seriously though - it even seems to 'compress' audio so that when you have to shout to someone outside the car (or sneeze) your driver doesn't cop it really loud.. great intercom.

[Marlin]

Oh Hai Matt!

[Duncan]

+1 for PMD. Quiet, extremely well built, cheap and local support. Thread was over here: http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/345837-in-car-and-car-to-pit-comms

I changed up from a terraphone. The difference was chalk and crap

[Marlin]

If you get a Stilo don't make the mistake and think it's failed because if you plug your helmet in to test it you don't hear that little bit of feedback as the plug goes home..... you need two helmets plugged in.

I bought a new one for no reason at all, and the local electronic repair guy completely ruined the original trying to find a fault with it. haha

*** FWIW, I ran the Peltor earpieces/microphone with an adaptor in conjunction with Stilo intercoms for ages, worked fine. Still have that setup actually if anyone's needing?

Edited November 21, 2011 by Marlin

[marinetowing]

+1 for Stilo.

Terraphone is archaic and noisy, Peltor better but battery life is rotten.

How long was a 9v battery lasting in the Peltor Ben?

I have an FMT200, great so far apart from the feedback similar to Snowy's video, it's hardwired to the car but I was going to try it on a 9v battery to try and eliminate the interference....bit hesitant to do so if battery life is an issue.

[Marlin]

Scott, we changed it every day at Targa, just to be safe.

We got very wary of it because it started to garble once the battery started to go weak. Even with fresh batteries (yes, purchesed from different shops so surely not all old!) sometimes we would only get to mid afternoon before having an issue. Bloody dangerous if you're still trying to push while YELLING notes. Not cool.

[PHaT MR30]

How long was a 9v battery lasting in the Peltor Ben?

I have an FMT200, great so far apart from the feedback similar to Snowy's video, it's hardwired to the car but I was going to try it on a 9v battery to try and eliminate the interference....bit hesitant to do so if battery life is an issue.

FMT200 is the bees knees from peltor, i'd suggest tracing back to the power source along the power wire to see where its going to or going past.

I used one a few months back in Les Walkden's Pajero. Had to buy an adaptor to go to my Stilo ($80!!!!! for 10cm of wire with a plug on each end), but it worked perfectly.

[DJRIFT]

an easy way to wire in a 12v separate battery for a long lasting intercom is to get a small fully sealed 12v battery (around $50 and the size of the old dolphin torch 9v battery) wire the intercom to that. then run positive and negative through a double pole switch to an ignition supply. during transport stages flick the switch on to charge the battery. when you pull up to get your gear on switch the switch off and no interference if you do this throughout the day you will keep the battery charged for the whole event and you wont have any noise.

because these batteries are very small you dont need heavy wiring to charge them so its not a massive exercise.

you need a doubble pole switch so it open circuits the positive and negative feed because if you only do one or the other you still can get noise.

another thing that will improve noise is to wire in a large 12v capacitor. (not like the massive audio doof doof ones) just before the intercom itself. this will take out a fair chunk of the noise alone but it isnt always the best bet either.

[GOD12A]

Heya all

Massive thanks for the informative feedback, I haven't had a chance to read the replies thoroughly until now.

You've helped narrow my search quite a bit, thanks again guys!!

Mark

[Nissanmania]

Use a Stilo helmet on a PMD intercom/radio setup to connect to a CB for pit crew comms for circuit. Verdict:

Stilo helmet was great till the microphone died after only 1 season - replaced with PMD supplied item and works great.

PMD intercom suffered lots of interfernce despite power straight from main battery - installed in-line power filter from Jaycar and problem sorted.

Most PMD gear is great value/quality (now where's the sponsorship?!)