To iPod or not to iPod??

[old no 7]

Agent and I were debating the choice of whether to have soft music in your headphones on long trips or not while watching the Boks give Argentina a rugby lesson yesterday.
It would be interesting to hear the vote/opinions.

[Tumbleweed]

Best company for mid day thermals is ZZ Top. Prefer to unplug though when in Special Rules.

Of course if you have a Vertex 710 radio then you can listen to Radio 2000's live cricket commentary or Jakaranda's news on the hour. Priority watch mutes when a call is monitored.

[Mogas]

Zulu1's Chatterbox intercom allows you to listen to your tunes whilst monitoring your radio. Any activity on the radio mutes the tunes.
Not at all dangerous.

[Ian]

Can only agree, as long as the Intercom automatically :
1. Drops volume when Pax talk
2. Drops volume when radio receives

Wouldnt go the video route tho..

Then it's the only way, especially when flying alone, the birdies dont seem to mind the voice... ....

[ZULU1]

I spent a few hours perfecting our muTunes function, if it doesnt mute it can be dangerous. If it mutes and comes back straight away it can be annoying as it switches between incoming radio signal and the music. Eish that is annoying, almost a music see saw. If it mutes with the pax talking, then that can drive you daft, especially with my wife on the back. So after a serious debate, I eventually decided on a six second delay. This I honestly believe is perfect as you can listen comfortably then when a incoming signal comes in it mutes, stays off for the "reply" then is long enough for your brain to understand whats happening. In busy air space it effectively stays off. should you wish to talk to the pax just blip the PTT and you also get six seconds.
If you have the luxury of a VXA710 you can priority watch, ipod and listen to the cricket.

With our new mikro series which is a direct drop in for the Lynx powered interface, it does all of the above and also has seperate cell phone in function..in other words if you have a cell phone with a music player such as the N95 Nokia, you have a cell phone which mutes, then you can purchase a cheap FM radio to listen to the cricket. The aviation band radio takes priority and the fellow on the other end of the cell phone can hear the aviation radio as well as your speech to the aviation band. This is so he knows that he hasnt been cut off! The interface also has a audio out socket but as yet i havent found enough "real estate" on the board to allow both cell and audio out to cam corder. Deon "Bullet" has been testing them and increasing Vodacoms turn over ! Available in about three-four weeks. Test devices have done about 50 hrs so far..A bracket is available to clip a ipod shuffle on the front which takes less cockpit space..Fully compatible with existing Lynx headsets.

The Mikro series headsets also feature our noise filtering electronics and also a LED charge light, these are available from this week, they also feature AAA batteries instead of the headband of the Lynx. We have all spares available for the Lynx and offer a noise canceling upgrade to them. As well as cigarette lighter chargers, mains chargers, extensions, spare cables (tinsel military type), panel sockets and so on. We can also now fix them and replace batteries.
Also an adaptor for the GA plugs as they are designed for Gyros and open cockpit installations.


Whilst on the subject of the interface, the unit also features a two Ptt input, this is not the same function as the Lynx/Micro Avionics set up. The second Ptt plugs in the back of the pilots PTT. Designed for instructors. The pilot can talk as normal, muting the pax (instructor), if the pilot(student) gets tongue tied. The instructor can override the student, he can even leave his paw on the Ptt, instructor talks as normal with the student muted. Only when the student has released his paw and after a six second delay can he carry on transmitting. A total instructor override function. We call it "teachtalk".


All thanks to Gaylord Fokker, Straydog, Boer, Dave Jackson, Rob Weaver, Porra, Deon and Hein De Wet.

Zulu 1

[Trikenut]

Does the Air magic 'R' system do this as well???

[ZULU1]

Hiya Trike Nut, all Air Magic products feature muTunes, this is our music muting functionality as described above. With either a incoming radio signal or a Ptt press, it mutes the ipod automatically and times for 6 secs. The Mikro series is aimed at the UK and European market which has the standard Binder 678 series plugs. It has been said at our field that our local "Chatterbox series" is actually better than the the Mikro series. This could be so as in the chatterbox series the pilot/pax microphones and noise canceling is designed to counter each other. Its also in my opinion a better plug as it can be fixed anywhere in the world with little tools. The type R series features a powerstation and also rechargeable batteries in the headcups. Also a very cool ally housing.

Ciao Zulu1

[Trikenut]

Hi Zulu1,
Which is the best Air magic intercom and do you have a site??

[vliegvark]

Music is a no go item , can't live with out

[Tailspin]

Even when i am back seat with whoever i let them know i have my MP3 plugged into my ears.
Nothing like Erasure / U2 / Depechemode or 90% 80's music playing as you zoot along