Has anyone had any experience with FreeLinc's wireless microphones? My parish has went to a Kenwood Nexedge trunked repeater system so we have new radios. This is fine but the new Kenwood mics are heavy and have a cord long enough to wrap around me twice. It gets in the way a lot. Other than going to an aftermarket coiled mic I was thinking this might be a good solution.
FreeLinc microphone
- Thread starter JTipper
- Start date
RolnCode3
Member
I heard a rumor that there were multiple "versions" of the Freelinc devices. That said, I'll tell you how my experience went.
I liked the premise and used it for a few weeks. I could understand everything everyone else said perfectly. Battery lasted a full shift no worries. Eventually, though, my coworkers basically took a vote and told me I wasn't allowed to use it anymore. They said it sounded like I had a sock over the microphone and they often couldn't understand what I was saying. Don't know if it was hardware or firmware, but I gave up on it. If it was primarily receive it would be awesome.
Maybe they should have gone bluetooth or something other than their innovative magnetic field technology? Dunno, but I wouldn't try it again unless it was a free trial and they could prove it didn't have the same flaw.
I liked the premise and used it for a few weeks. I could understand everything everyone else said perfectly. Battery lasted a full shift no worries. Eventually, though, my coworkers basically took a vote and told me I wasn't allowed to use it anymore. They said it sounded like I had a sock over the microphone and they often couldn't understand what I was saying. Don't know if it was hardware or firmware, but I gave up on it. If it was primarily receive it would be awesome.
Maybe they should have gone bluetooth or something other than their innovative magnetic field technology? Dunno, but I wouldn't try it again unless it was a free trial and they could prove it didn't have the same flaw.
I've had one for 3-4 years now, and still love it. So far no issues with received audio or transmitted audio on my part.
PJD642
New Member
I've been using one since about 2004. I bought it originally for the very reason the OP cited - the mic cords on the Astro portables we use are a PITA. I hate the way the mic cord it feels if I run it up my back and around my shoulder, and if it goes around the front side it dangles right over my spare mags & stuff. They have updated things since they first came out, enough so that when I purchased a cradle charger for my mic I had to get a new mic because the original one ( I had an EARLY release model) didn't charge right. Freelinc was very good about it when I called - they next-day shipped me a new mic and adaptor for free, even though I had cut the toggle switch off the old adaptor. (You'll see why I did that below).
I mostly use the Freemic, but I have a Freemotion earpiece too. I charge the mic about once a week on my days off and the battery lasts just fine. If you're on a foot beat or a post where you don't have a car radio & are working off your portable constantly, you'll want to charge it every 2-3 days. Reception is fine, nobody has ever told me they couldn't understand me. I've got a plug-in ear piece I run under my shirt to the mic that I use too. Works fine.
The one design flaw they have, if you want to call it that, is the toggle switch on the adaptor/transmitter that attaches to the radio itself. Depending on how you wear your radio, the toggle can get pushed to the "off" position by the seat cushion in the cruiser, etc. They really should have gone with a flat, sliding type of switch for this, and I've mentioned this to them when speaking to their customer service people. Regardless, I nipped off the toggle so there's just a nub I can flip with my fingernail. Works great now, and stays "on".
Another feature I like it the transmit button on the radio adaptor. You can stand with your hands at your sides, hit that button, and transmit without reaching up to grab your mic. Every once in a while that comes in handy if you want to surreptitiously say something to another unit without being obvious. Combined with the ear piece, the bad guy has no idea you're plotting against him
As for the Freemotion earpiece, it works fine too, I just don't like the idea for patrol - too easy to come off when running or fighting with someone, or if you get hit in the side of the head. I do own one, however, and use it on surveillance or plainclothes assignments. The great thing is that without a cord, the portable can be carried in a backpack or wherever, and the earpiece looks like its for a phone. We do this when riding bikes in the parks trying to spot people breaking into cars. Both the mic and the earpiece can be set to be voice activated too.
Freelinc at one point was talking about making something like the freemic, but without the speaker capabilities - in essence, just the transmit button, a mic, and a plug for an earphone. Would be a lot smaller than the freemic (which itself is smaller than a Motorola Mic), and seemed like a good idea to me. That idea seems to have gone by the wayside,however.
To sum it up, they have very good customer service, their products have been reliable for me, and I'd hate to have to go back to a corded mic.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u298/PJD642/IMG-20101024-00020.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u298/PJD642/IMG-20101024-00024.jpg
I mostly use the Freemic, but I have a Freemotion earpiece too. I charge the mic about once a week on my days off and the battery lasts just fine. If you're on a foot beat or a post where you don't have a car radio & are working off your portable constantly, you'll want to charge it every 2-3 days. Reception is fine, nobody has ever told me they couldn't understand me. I've got a plug-in ear piece I run under my shirt to the mic that I use too. Works fine.
The one design flaw they have, if you want to call it that, is the toggle switch on the adaptor/transmitter that attaches to the radio itself. Depending on how you wear your radio, the toggle can get pushed to the "off" position by the seat cushion in the cruiser, etc. They really should have gone with a flat, sliding type of switch for this, and I've mentioned this to them when speaking to their customer service people. Regardless, I nipped off the toggle so there's just a nub I can flip with my fingernail. Works great now, and stays "on".
Another feature I like it the transmit button on the radio adaptor. You can stand with your hands at your sides, hit that button, and transmit without reaching up to grab your mic. Every once in a while that comes in handy if you want to surreptitiously say something to another unit without being obvious. Combined with the ear piece, the bad guy has no idea you're plotting against him
As for the Freemotion earpiece, it works fine too, I just don't like the idea for patrol - too easy to come off when running or fighting with someone, or if you get hit in the side of the head. I do own one, however, and use it on surveillance or plainclothes assignments. The great thing is that without a cord, the portable can be carried in a backpack or wherever, and the earpiece looks like its for a phone. We do this when riding bikes in the parks trying to spot people breaking into cars. Both the mic and the earpiece can be set to be voice activated too.
Freelinc at one point was talking about making something like the freemic, but without the speaker capabilities - in essence, just the transmit button, a mic, and a plug for an earphone. Would be a lot smaller than the freemic (which itself is smaller than a Motorola Mic), and seemed like a good idea to me. That idea seems to have gone by the wayside,however.
To sum it up, they have very good customer service, their products have been reliable for me, and I'd hate to have to go back to a corded mic.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u298/PJD642/IMG-20101024-00020.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u298/PJD642/IMG-20101024-00024.jpg
So far I have been getting good reviews of it. I think this Is going to be worth the purchase and if it doesnt work for me I can always Ebay it off. Thanks everyone!