I see most of the hoggy woggy hunters are using the TCI head sets, but what radio are you using in conduction, and getting the best performance?

I prefer the Garmin Rino 530hcx. Aside from having a GPS built in, it has many features about like a personal PDA for the outdoors. It also has the ability to transmit position, as well as scrambling transmissions for privacy. You can also use whatever headset setup you might desire. Mine is setup using a VOX throat mic.

Check out the specs on them. I think they do whatever is intended, and then some!

I looked up the Gamin units and really liked them (really neat features).  

So I called TCI too see if they had a "compatible" switching hardware.  Well after a few minutes on the phone, and the guy acting incredibly irrational when I asked direct pointed questions I finally drug out of him that the garmin units don't exactly have the best hook up and that it could easily be torn loose.  

I gather they are a solution based company, but I think I would take the stand point (being they don't sell radios) that if a customer asks what unit is the best unit too go buy too work with their product I could come up with a better answer than:
I can't tell you how too spend your money sir????  

I was a bit disenchanted with the whole experience.

Major turn off just too say if your gonna prance around in the woods you may not need this.  

I was thinking you are a arrogant jack whipe who really doesn't have a clue.  He gathered the hunting senario due too the fact I had 2 customers ask me about a set up similar too this a few weeks back.

They didn't seem too hot too trot over the issue, but I got too thinking after reading a post on here last nite.  WOW.  How cool would this be too take too the Knob Creek or some of the other shoots we attend.  When you banging away on the line and a belt fed stops, it is nice too be able too communicate with your fellow shooters rather than use hand signals gel and scream and partially take off your hearing protection.  This would be a wonderful solution perhaps a bit over kill, but still it would be nice.

Yep! The cool thing with the Rino units is that you don't even need to talk to send your position. If position sending (polling) is enabled (turned on), you just key the mic, and it's done! When it's acknowledged in return, by the other keying the mic, you get the other position!

They are so many features, a person would have to write a lengthly review to cover them all! While there are several Rino models, remember you get what you pay for! The top of the line gives you top of the line features!

My experience with TCI has been the exact opposite.  Don was actually quite interested when I told him that we were using their products for civilian applications such as hog hunting at night or crowded range shoots.  They have built a couple of custom length switch harnesses for me due to the position I mount the PTT (on my belt), although I am using the very common Motorola HT interface.

How does the Rino do on range? Will the location sending transmit further than the voice signal, allowing you to move closer to come in range?

It varies by model. The 530hcx goes up to 5 watts selectable by a high or low power setting on the radio setup menu. This should give it a range 8-10 miles depending on the terrain. It also has the GMRS repeater channels to go even further through the repeaters, if desired. To my knowledge voice and position sending have the same range.

Worth mentioning is that you can also turn on the vibrate feature so that it vibrates like a phone when some one is trying to reach you by pressing the call button

Purhaps I need too speak with Don.  When I first allied yesterday I spoke with Linda, when I called back I spoke with a man.  Didn't catch his name.  

I'm going to call back and ask if a list of radios with work.  Like the flexibility the Garmin unit allows, so I started trying to open my search a little on the radio end.  Rather than box my self into a 1-22 channel rig.  The gps function was nice, but the way they described the connections it made me cringe.  
I looked at several last night I'm going to ask about,

1 in particular the Yaesu vx-7.  seems like it is a rugged little unit that can give you all of the FRS, GMR, MARS, and a few other channels too roam.  Obviously you need too b licensed on several channels too tx but its all good on the rx side.  You would also have your channels you could talk.  I found this feature incredibly nice, and the unit could multitask.

I will IM Don's contact info to you; he is the Pres/CEO of TCI, and is a helluva nice guy.

Since the vast majority of their applications are .mil/LEO, I am not surprised at all that they don't offer an interface for "less hardened" mini plug connections typical of FRS/GMRS transceivers.

I bought the Motorola HT's in the VHF band because I have used them at work for a very long time and they are built quite well, plus TCI had a readily available interface.

I am not directly familiar with the Rino's, but they look to be very nice devices, and I have been pleased with the multiple Garmin GPS products which I have used over the years.

ETA - Good morning Vic.

Well  got in touch with some much more friendly folks over there this am.  

They have a connection for the Yaseu!

I'm still torn on what too do personally.  The 2 original customers wanted the unit strictly for hunting purposes.  As I mentioned I started thinking how cool would this be too use at the Creek......Then I got too thinking what if you needed it in a SHTF scenario.  Well, the Yaseu gives you the most options why being able too still use it in a creek or hunting scenario.  

I called one of my security guys this am and he got me a quote on a motorola package much like what a school would use and I thought it was fair, but it essentially limits the 2 hunters too "their" stations.  Obviously the thing can be reprogrammed, but I really don't see either of these guys hanging out in a basement with an oscilloscope and soldering iron.

Thanks for the info murderman.  Never mind the question I responded too the I'm before reading your post!

Here is what I run.

Well after reading more and talking more too TCi

I think I'm just gonna go the motorola route and separate my two ideas out.  

Realistically for "extreme range" use your not going too even be over 300 yards from the nearest person you want to talk with.  

Hunting wise we in SC are a little more confined than you Tx boys.  But that all being said with a VHF unit I feel comfy with a 2-3 mile area over here..........I hope.

In the mean time I think I have vastly exceeded my original buyers purse, but I have become so intrigued by the idea I may buy 4 units just for the creek!

Wow, that's nice.



 

Specs?

Standard off-the-shelf stuff.  One of the radios is an HT1250, and the other is an HT750.  About the only thing "special" is that one of the TCI Liberator II's has an extended pigtail to allow mounting the PTT on my belt.

Seems as though the big brown truck brought me something from TCI yesterday.
Excuse the rest I through in some porn.

silentweapon338, what radio are you using there?  Nice kit, BTW.

Ended up going with the Motorola 750 series.  Tied true easy too find (ebay) easy too use, and pretty hard too beat up.  I had too separate the 2 uses I wanted for the radios, but I think it will work.

I will know by the end of next weekend, we have a shoot at Fort Gordon.  We plan too use the two rigs and see how they work.  It is more open and not as concentrated fire as say Knob Creek, but it should give us a good idea if this will be a viable option.

My guess from 24 hours of testing is yes, these will work just fine.......assuming you are wearing the opposite pair or have your own.  If you don't we will be back too the old hand signal game.

I am curious how cumbersome these will become after a half a day of loading belts and moving around being we don't "wear" these for a living.  

I'll keep you posted.

I have decided this much, and don't take this in a derogatory manner, but I don't think these are for the average hog hunter.  After putting everything together I called the original idea holder back and gave him the final tally for 1 set and I pretty sure he hung the phone up on me......lol

None the less I'm pretty sure they will work for my purpose!

The encumbrances associated with 2-way comms gear can be a negative in some applications; however, when desirable, there is no substitute....and that is pretty much most of the time.

It is like I^2; one does not know what he is missing until he uses quality kit.

agreed

Can one of you fellows with a Rino 530hcx show me your setup?

There's not really much to show, but a radio in a double mag CQB pouch with a throat mic that fits around the lower part of your neck. There are several microphone options that could jazz up a picture some I guess, but I keep my gear tight and outa sight so it doesn't snag up on stuff.

The Rino is the only radio that I know of that has a scramble on it for security in conversation and data transfers like position sending, and sending text messages. Only another Rino can descramble it in that mode. I can hear any other radio with my hand scanner, anytime I want. The scanner will also pick up cell phones too! Something to think about!

Are the other radios waterproof to 3 ft? The Rino is!

I guess I was just looking to see what kind of mics people are using

I don't have any cool throat mikes I do have the same boom mike in my pick and in the pic above it.  Seems too work for me.  I love it.

This is the worst thread ever.

I come in here because I think I'm finally ready to move into the realm of personally owned NV and I start following this thread and realize I have a set of Peltor ComTac2s and MSA Sordin Comms capable headsets for use with MBITRs.

Now you've got me running off to eBay price-checking Motorola HT750s.  

I hate you all.  

...alright:

So, in keeping with this - has anyone used Sordins or ComTacs with their HT750s?  I have a Nexus MBITR PTT, but which PTTs would you recommend for the Motorola HT interface?  

I reckon since they won't let me take the MBITRs home and I don't see any need to buy new ear-pro when I've got perfectly good comms sets lying around - I may as well have some comms capability to go along with.  

Now I'm already thinking about an RTI adapter so I can swap out my MBITR pouches for Motorolas "on order."  Lame.  

~Augee

At last check, I think there's about 5 or 6 types you can use with the Rinos. I choose the throat mic, as it's not in the way, and on VOX mode it doesn't pick up other noise. It didn't seem to be that pricey at $40...............

Just a little bump...?



~Augee

I didn't have a good experience with TCI either! Cs blows!