Starting at $1,650 for a three-unit system; www.eartec.com
COMSTAR includes an XT Com-Center base station unit, from three to eight COMPAK Transceivers with Cyber headsets, batteries, chargers, and a padded case. Transceivers operate with a 1.152 Mbps transmission speed and a 1.728 MHz channel bandwidth on 1920-1930 GHz frequency in the U.S. (1880-1900 GHz in Europe) and are certified for nonlicensed use in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. The Com-Center base runs on 110-240V AC, a rechargeable battery, or disposable AA batteries in an included sled, and operates on a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications 6.0 (DECT 6.0) standard. The rechargeable 3.7-volt Lithium Ion batteries give up to six hours of use.
The COMSTAR system from Eartec allows up to eight crew members to talk to each other without shouting, simplifying communications and reducing stress.
Supporting two sets of four people talking separately, the COMSTAR can also conference together to link all eight headsets. With a range of 400 yards, the system allows full, hands-free duplex communications between wearers during complex procedures, such as docking in an unfamiliar slip or transiting an unmarked channel with a tender scouting ahead. Field programmability means the user can start with a small system, then add COMPAK transceivers ($295) and Cyber headsets ($49) as needed, up to eight total.
COMSTAR transceivers are covered by a one-year warranty.
This article originally appeared in the September 2012 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
