JMJ Crusader Viking
Powerlyte Hybrid with CCM 86 degree mechanical frame.
(Also owned 2K2 Shocker, '99 RF 'cocker, Spyder Elite, A5, Automag RT, 2K3 Angel LE, Vapor Bushy, Enforcer, and several I'm forgetting).
Strengths:
Eliminates ambient noise, inexpensive.
Push-to-talk button can be put anywhere.
Weaknesses:
Fuzzy reception.
Fragile.
Can come loose too easily.
Review:
Some buddies and I bought these for an EMR big game. They came in handy, but had some limitations that will make me try other products.
1. Cost.
For $35, it's not a bad deal. For $5 more, you get earbud holders that keep the bud BY your ear, but not IN your ear, allowing for better hearing of the situation around you. Where boom mikes can cost $45 or more, this isn't bad.
2. Transmitting.
You trasmit by hitting the push-to-talk button, which is wired to the FRS radio seperately from the earphone. The button can then be positioned anywhere (hand, shoulder, chest, etc.). I had no problems with trasmitting my voice; I could hit the button easily where I had secured it, and it worked every time.
3. Receiving.
The major issue we had was that it was very difficult to hear my buddies on occasion. If the mike moves even a little from the optimum placement, all you hear is mumbling. Even when placed right, certain words just don't seem to come through well.
On about 1/2 of the occasions, we could hear just fine; in that instance, it was like we each had four sets of eyes; I definitely was able to avoid elimination due to their trasmissions on several occasions, as well as tag out several more bad guys. We never had any problem with ambient noise being transmitted on the throat mikes, although our one buddy with a boom mike did create that kind of problem.
4. Build Quality.
The earbud was a little fragile and had to be reassembled a couple of times; the earbud holder that I bought ($5) was uncomfortable; and the wiring was a little thin. Also, the friction-fit throat mike was easily knocked/pulled off of our throats while crawling.
Edit: 4-1-05 Battery life appears to be good over the long haul. Have not needed to replace batteries in several months of use.
Conclusion:
If you have a significant problem with ambient noise in your transmissions, then this mike might be for you. Otherwise, a good boom mike is probably a better investment, especially if you are hard on your equipment.
Rating:
7 out of 10
Last edited on Friday, April 1st, 2005 at 7:07 am PST
