15/05/2018
REVIEW of the Code Red Headsets TBCH (Tactical Bone Conduction Headset) + PTT
There has always been one piece of comm system that had my interest from the beginning when I started with airsoft some 10 years ago, and that has been bone conducting headsets.
In the early days I bought one of those cheap chinese clone throat microphones. To be fair, it worked, and you where understandable but it was faaaaaaar from good.
Also the fact that when you wear it, in my personal opion, you get the feeling that you are wearing a dog collar as you had to tighten it all the way to make the darn thing work.
Eventually I just ditched it and went on the conventional way with normal headsets (Z-Tactical, Sordin, Peltor, Earmor).
Throughout the years I still have been looking into bone conduction headsets though, but as they are quite pricy and or not easy available, I never bought one still.
A couple of months ago I stumbled accross Code Red Headsets website. Checking their stuff out online, somewhere inside I started to feel an urge to test their headsets out someday.
Then 2 months ago, I found out that Airsoftwinkel.nl in Zaandam (the Netherlands) had become the european distributor for these headsets. Since this is only a 15min drive from my house (according my SatNav........) I went down to see if I could get my hands on the TBCH version.
Only the Battle Zero was on stock, so I had to keep my patience for another 2 weeks..... (not good at such things).
Not that the Battle Zero is a bad headset, not at all!!!, but the fitment on my head was not really optimal.
Again, that is something you should be testing yourself to see what fits you the most comfortable!!!
In order to test the headset out, I was allowed to test it out during a day skirmish where I went last weekend with a couple of friends and the owner of Airsoftwinkel.nl with his squad.
-- Let me start with the information that is provided on the Code Red Headsets product page --
- Has Kevlar reinforced cables to guarantee reliability.
- Features large durable plastic PTT
- It can be worn with a mask and helmet.
- It allows the user to maintain complete peripheral hearing.
- Ideal for Tactical Teams, SWAT, and Gang Units.
- Separate hearing protection can be used in one or both ears.
- Bone Conduction speaker performance greatly increased with use of hearing protection.
- One year warranty.
Spec's on the headset:
*Speaker*
- Sesitivity: 125 +-4dB
- Impedance: DC:8+-3Ohm / AC:30+-10Ohm
- Rated input power: 50mW
- Maximum input power: 100mW
*Microphone*
- Type: Noise Cancelling Microphone
- Impedance: 2.0kOhm
- Sensitivity: -49+-3dB at 1000Hz
- Operating voltage: 1.1~10VDC
Also the headset is waterproof.
-- PRO's and CON's (and some nitpicking at the end)--
* PRO's*
- Sound quality -
Handsdown fantastic, can't say more about it.
- Adjustablity -
Eventhough you get the fealing that you will break it, you do can adjust them in such a way that they fit snug on your head WITHOUT an annoying ammount of pressure. Which is ofcourse a GREAT PRO!
- Waterproof -
Whatelse would you expect? ;)
- Microphone -
The fact that it has noise cancelation, is a true awesome PRO as your comms partner is going to be even more able to hear you clear. If he won't hear you clear now, he should be the one to definitaly change his comms setup.
- Peripheral hearing -
Due to this type of headset, you can still clearly hear your suroundings clearly.
In the case that you are an airsoft sniper, nothing will obstruct your normal hearing whilst still maintaining critical comms.
*CON's*
- PROPRIETARY CONNECTORS -
Code Red uses a proprietary 6 pin connector between their headset and PTT, and between their PTT and radio cable.
In my case, where I tend to switch headsets for different airsoft locations/missions (headsets predominantly for CQB locations or FIBUA fields) or a more "open style" headset like a Bone conducting or Bowman when playing in woodland fields.
- No abillity to use a dual radio setup -
As a comms guy, I prefer to run 2 radios: one for inter-squad comms and one for HQ-comms.
With those, here they come again, PROPRIETARY CONNECTORS, I have not found yet a dual radio PTT that could help me out with the setup I desire.
- Does not come directly with a waterproof PTT-
The standard PTT that comes along when you order a complete set at once does not have a waterproof PTT. This is something you need to buy seperate and will cost you around 70 euros.
Not a CON for everyone, but for my personal play style, I see non watterproof as a CON
*Nitpicking*
- Slightly thin cable between the headset and the PTT-
Personally, eventhough they are kevlar reinforced, I do find the cable quite thin to route when you already have your gloves on.
But hey, it's not a CON at all as it does it's job very well but just a personal prefference.
-------- CONCLUSION --------
Would I recommend this headset?
YES, especially if you are a an airsoft sniper or if you still want to keep your peripheral hearing (which is still way better than any headset that has amplifiers in them).
Would I buy this headset myself?
YES and NO.
To put it simple, yes I would buy it as it fulfills my needs for comms when playing in open fields or when in my role as a spotter for my sniper budy. Due to the fact that I keep my peripheral hearing.
But due to the fact that proprietary connectors are used and I don't have the option to run dual comms I still haven't bought it yet. For the money, I personally can't justify it yet to buy this headset due to this.
Maybe when Code Red Headsets finally is going to make a version with a military standard U94 connector on the headset lead, I will be the first one in line to buy one.
Once again a great shoutout to Bas Brouwer from Airsoftwinkel.nl to borrow me this headset to test it out during a game and the awesome teamplay we had.
Many thanks!!!
Attached are some pictures of the test setup that I have run last sunday in the field.
--- FALCON Out ---
