Cheap wired Clear com alternative

Daviesgeek

Daviesgeek

Active member
I just finished up a shoot this weekend with a couple of other guys of a stage production. We used a couple of cell phones and headsets to keep in contact throughout the shoot, but the cal dropped a couple of times. At the theater where we shot, the techs/stage managers have a Clear-com system, which allows for people on the stage to talk to those up in the sound/lighting booth. I am looking to purchase something similar for us, so we can be in contact throughout a shoot. However, Clear-com setups can get really expensive, and I'm not willing to pay a ton of money for such a setup. Does anyone know of an alternative product/solution that is cheaper? Preferably, a wired solution, as wireless systems have a tendency to interfere with equipment.
 
If you can be okay with cables, DataVideo has a nice little wired system for about a grand. You will get a base station, four belt pacs and headsets, and cable. To keep costs down they use gamer-style headsets, which actually are not bad. The system can also carry tally if you like, and actually ships with a set of little tally LED's. If you want wireless, things jump to $3K pretty quickly. Maybe you might consider some little sportman's radios? They will take headsets, and although they won't be duplex, they will be affordable.
 
NVentive said:
If you can be okay with cables, DataVideo has a nice little wired system for about a grand. You will get a base station, four belt pacs and headsets, and cable. To keep costs down they use gamer-style headsets, which actually are not bad. The system can also carry tally if you like, and actually ships with a set of little tally LED's. If you want wireless, things jump to $3K pretty quickly. Maybe you might consider some little sportman's radios? They will take headsets, and although they won't be duplex, they will be affordable.
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I am perfectly okay with wired. I actually want wired, as it won't interfere with the wireless mics. A grand is a lot more than I can spend right now....I guess we'll just stick with using cellphones, or as you suggested, two-way radios.
 
The Datavideo is not bad, but the headsets it ships with are all but useless. (flimsy)

Stephen, do you have a link to gaming headsets that you like to use with the system?
 
Eartec http://www.eartec.com/

You can build a 4 headset package for around $2500 or maybe less. We have one at work that is decent, but our clearcom to eartec interface seems to be bad. The interface is just a 4 wire to 2 wire hybrid.

After that I'd probably look for older analog clearcom systems on ebay. You can make your own powersupply pretty cheap, around 30volts DC and a terminating resistor.

Look for old Telex systems as well, they worked OK.
 
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