Helmet Intercom?

So, apparently my girlfriend does not appreciate it when we're at the track, and I stick three fingers out and try to shout "Third!" at her. It turns out that's not the clearest way to convey that she needs to downshift the car into third for the upcoming turn. She likes it much better when she gets an instructor with a helmet intercom system, and thinks that maybe we should pick one up for future events.

So, does anyone have any suggestions on where to get an affordable intercom system, and which ones are worth while?

Make sure you get one with 2 headsets!

http://www.google.com/products?q=chatterbox+cb50&hl=en&scoring=p&lnk=pruser&price1=60&price2=100

Chatterbox is generally the brand most instructors recommend.

Never tried the chatterbox, although you rarely see them in rally cars. That must mean something. Still, if it's a de facto standard for track days, it's the one to have.

My Peltor system is probably out of the reach of most people's budgets unless you spend a lot of time cruising UK rally sites - but the Terratalk is a good option. Figure $200 for the intercom and two helmet sets.

Having the intercom is great for coaching.

Unless you're doing real stage rally's the Chatterbox IS the "affordable" standard at $65 for the main unit and $29.95 for each headset, it's hard to beat for the price, although I know a few people that have found generic Chatterbox "knock-offs" on eBay for half the price.

Yes, a real race team also uses a $1000 to $5000 racing communications "system", but our 24hrs of Lemons team gets by just fine with the Chatterbox GMRS-X1 for all of $280 and it can be used with any GMRS radio.

Newegg has a bluetooth helmet headset on for @$130, and it can pair up with another set without a phone if you buy two of them or with a phone if you only have one. Great reviews and they go on sale for @100 once in a while. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875995022

That or the two of you can just get in-ear corded headsets for your cell phones and call each other.

The problem we had with cell phones was the battery "talk-time" and the cell tower coverage at Thunderhill is pretty poor. In this case (G)FRS radios are the way to go.

technically, a GMRS radio requires a license, but you're unlikely to get anything but griped at by actual licensed gmrs radio operators, if you happen to come across any of them

Hmm... but nothing truly cheap for people who are on a really tight budget, and just want a simple 2-way system?

I think I'll talk with my dad, who's a major Ham, and see if he doesn't have some good suggestions.

ww's quoted $130 for an in-car intercom system isn't truly cheap? Break out the soldering iron then.

the chatterbox for $65 doesn't sound like a bad deal and doesn't require any radio, my instructor at NASA HPDE had one and it was great, no yelling required

Keith wrote: ww's quoted $130 for an in-car intercom system isn't truly cheap? Break out the soldering iron then.

Unfortunately, not for me at the moment. I think I will have to bust out the soldering iron and cannibalize some equipment.

Strizzo wrote: the chatterbox for $65 doesn't sound like a bad deal and doesn't require any radio, my instructor at NASA HPDE had one and it was great, no yelling required

That $65 doesn't include the headsets, which are another $25 each. So it's more like $120.

Not to offend but if you are worried about spending $150.00 on the com system SHE demands maybe taking her to the track should be held off until SHE buys the com set.

BTW, you can use them in more places than just the car... think about strapping the helmets on in the bedroom and going "Rallycrossing"... that will sell her on it

Years ago i bought 10 of the MAXON 49-FX units. At the time there were conceded one of the best. Yes there only 49mhz but they do have 5 channels. small ear bud with flex lip rubber stays in well. I got ten to get a good price the wife and i still use a set when riding the bikes . The ear bud is also the mic! so les engine noise etc. I still have 2 spare sets to loan out to Friends on a big ride that have never been opened.

44 http://www.rfwiz.com/Maxon/Portables/Maxon_49-FX.htm

John Brown wrote: BTW, you can use them in more places than just the car... think about strapping the helmets on in the bedroom and going "Rallycrossing"... that will sell her on it

Thank you for sharing ideas of Safe sex.

The hard part is anchoring the HANS device