Working on new headgear setup would appreciate advice.

[steelfallenangel]

Hey guys I just got a great deal on a new Icom 4011 (50$!) radio and due to getting it I've decided to finally go about redoing my whole helmet radio setup.

I'm looking at replacing my bowman replica with midland pro setup with the Icom and a replica Comtac. I know Z-tactical makes one along with Element. I know that dealing with replicas can be hit or miss and sometimes you'll encounter compatibiity issues, which is why I'm hoping the local community has some experience that they can impart to me.

My question is this, out of the models from this two brands is there any one that you would suggest over the other? And I assume which ever brand you guys suggest, that my PTP should be from the same brand to minizie any conflicts. And would you suggest I get a IBH style helmet or the FAST Base Jump style helmet to replace the MICH plain jane helmet.

[ctres]

I would strongly recommend against the replica comtacs. Ztactical and element are the same thing and just are not reliable. Pxairsoft does seem to have some dual comm comtac replicas that I haven't seen elsewhere and may be made by another manufacterer but I'm not really sure. I personally would say just fork over for real ones or skip it and go with something else like a speaker mic. I always hear mixed reviews on the replica stuff and mine never worked right so I think you should avoid the hassle.

Helmets are all pretty much preference if you are talking about replicas. Don't get an IBH, they look bad, have a horrible suspension, and there were only like 600 something of the real ones ever made and they were ditched after testing so it just look funny to anyone who realizes that. Other than that, mich helmets vs the various FAST models or an airframe is all personal preference. It's not like there is a rule that says FAST helmets are always cooler than a mich. There are a ton of mich setups that I like better than the FAST setups most people have. In fact, I think the coolest looking helmet setup is a mich 2001 with a wilcox L2g05. A lot of what makes a helmet cool is the NOD mount you choose for it, not the lid itself. Also, just throwing it out there, I'd spend $100 on a real mich 2000 over a replica FAST for the same price any day.

[Bishop (Task-Force Nightmare)]

The replicas are really hit and miss. But one thing I always hear people do is get a replica FAST Helmet and replace the padding, arch rails, and shroud. If your going to go that route I suggest getting a real opscore helmet off of optac.com for a cheaper option

Sent from my SCH-I535 using proboards

[steelfallenangel]

Yea doing alittle more digging and most of the review didn't even have working models. So what would a used pair of Comtac roughly go for if I took that route. The prices I'm seeing are literally all over the place from 200-600$.

Think I will go the FAST route from looking at the overall designs but your saying that if I got the reproductions that literally everything on it would need to be replaced? Rails, shroud, straps? And that the 200$ Sport Helmet would be a good place to start instead?

[Bishop (Task-Force Nightmare)]

Not everything needs to be replaced. I'm saying people buy reproduction helmets and then decide they want to upgrade the things on it and collectively cost more then an actual helmet. (
www.optactical.com/opfabajumihe.html ) I wish I would have went with just buying a real helmet. But if you decide its out of your price range, I suggest getting a dragonred helmet. I personally own one and I really like it.

Also a reason why the prices range 200-600~ is because some of the headsets don't include the boom Mic portion which causes the price differences.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using proboards

[steelfallenangel]

Well I set my budget at 300$ for helmet, ptt, and headset. So it's not that I don't have some funds to work with just that each of the real steel core items would requuire me to pretty much blow the whole load just on that one item.

[Bishop (Task-Force Nightmare)]

www.buytwowayradios.com/products/xlt/speaker-mic-sm300-s6.aspx

www.buytwowayradios.com/products/impact/prsma-at1.aspx

www.surefire.com/ep2-commear-boost.html

This is what I run with my icom f4011 and I know many others use this same set-up. The hearing quality is great and with the surefire earboost you will still be able to hear out of your ear and hear the radio clearly.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using proboards

[steelfallenangel]

So your running the XTL as your PTT and microphone,
the Impact Platinum as your earpiece to hear incomming calls,
but where does the Surefire Earpiece fit into the equation here?

Does the Impact speaker fit inside the surefire mount to provide for clearer audio?

[Bishop (Task-Force Nightmare)]

All you do is pull off the earpiece that comes standard and slip on the surefire piece. Its really simple.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using proboards

[Abbot]

Wouldn't this work just as well:
www.buytwowayradios.com/products/xlt/se100-35.aspx

[Puma1]

Jan 15, 2014 9:00:42 GMT -5 Abbot said:

Wouldn't this work just as well:
www.buytwowayradios.com/products/xlt/se100-35.aspx

Would it work? Yes. However I have one of these styles and they're rather annoying. The actual sound isn't bad, but if you go play in cold weather the sound suffers. It gets scratchy due to the actual clear cord expanding and constricting while you hear and speak.

It worked really for most of the wounded wing game, but only if I kept it in my hood.

[Bishop (Task-Force Nightmare)]

Yeah that works too. Anything with a 3.5m jack would work I assume.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using proboards

[ctres]

For comtac IIs i would say at or a little under $200 would be a fair price for single comms and $200-$250 would be fair for dual comms. I got my duals for around $270 with 2 ptts which I sold for like $35-40 each. Comtac IIIs will cost a bit more than IIs.

I think if you are first and foremost trying to get a reliable comms setup you should start with one of the cheaper speaker mic or earpiece options just to get started and then upgrade later. Helmets are all personal preference as I said real vs replica will depend on what style you decide to go with since the price of real helmets goes from about $100 to $900.

[steelfallenangel]

Thanks for the advice and insight guys.

Think I'm going to wait a few days to see how far up this particular auction goes for a pair of com IIs (hovering at 102$ right now with 5 days left. If I can get it for around 150$ I'd be happy. Than go with those DragonRed premium tier helmets. That'll still leave me 50$ or so to work out a PTT solution.

Or if the Comtac auction goes way over my goal and nothing else looks like it's coming down the pipeline I go the route Bishop suggested. At least if I really don't like the setup for the long term I won't be out a ton of money.