Originally posted on https://www.discoveryparts.com/blog/19-speedcom-s-2mp-i-coaching-intercom-system-the-best-of-both-worlds
Out with the old and in with the new! No more fuss over Racecom’s Traccom vs Chatterbox’s Tandem Pro II because the new 2MP-I Coaching Intercom by Speedcom has all of the benefits from both systems and few, if any, of the detriments. Let’s get to know this new kid on the block and compare it to our older, more familiar systems.
After reading our Racecom’s Traccom vs. Chatterbox’s Tandem Pro II review, many radio-seeking customers brought up an intelligent question: It’s 2018 and with all of the technology this world has to offer, why is the racing community still struggling to find a perfect, hiccup-free intercom system? Before these last few months, choosing a communicator was comparable to voting for president – what is the “lesser of the two evils?” We can fit our entire lives on a pocket-sized cell phone, launch a Bowie-blasting Tesla into outer space, but we can’t make a durable and affordable racing radio? It’s a communicator for Pete’s sake! So why do the only options on the market seem to resemble Walkmans from the early 80’s?
Frustrated Tandem Pro II and Traccom users finally got Speedcom’s attention. Speedcom made their move by combining what they believed to be the benefits of existing coaching intercom systems and cutting out the cons that are often cussed about in the pits. And though it’s such a young item that there aren’t many online sources available for research, we’ve turned to the best hands-on sources imaginable to test out this hot new communicator — race car drivers!
STRAIGHT FROM THE TRACK:
A couple of weeks ago, Bryan Leonard – professional IMSA race car driver – stopped by our trackside location at Road Atlanta looking for a dependable coaching device. He purchased the Speedcom Two Person Intercom System and used it that weekend. Later we asked him to give us honest feedback on his latest purchase through DiscoveryParts.
“I’ve used many expensive in-car communicators and I have coached/ instructed many students with various communicators. The Speedcom system is simple and easy. It provides the best of both worlds. You can have it wired or battery operated to switch between vehicles. Easy harness bar or roll bar mounting and is significantly cheaper than the alternatives. We have already purchased two. 10/10 would recommend and will use for all our cars here at Race Division.” – Bryan “Longshot” Leonard
So what makes this intercom system more user friendly and why are racers and instructors praising it more than the past two most popular racing communicators?
The main selling point thus far for the Speedcom 2MP-I is the power source. Like Leonard mentioned, it’s the best of both worlds by offering a four AA battery power option or the option to be hooked up to your car’s 12v system. This is a whole new playing field compared to our Traccom’s 9v battery and Tandem Pro’s charger. Trackside, Chatterbox customers are often heard complaining about how they forgot to charge their communicator before a race or how they simply ran out of charge before the end of the day. Traccom held the lead for a while but their customers were still left kicking themselves for forgetting to pick up a backup 9v.
The second selling point of the 2MP-I is the budget friendly price, sitting right at $99.95 through discoveryparts.com. It’s hard to believe that this system could have everything a racer could wish for and sit at a lower price than some of the other systems on the market.
UNBOXING:
Speedcom’s current packaging is similar to Traccom’s. It’s almost identical and just as satisfying to open. So far, there is nothing fancy about the packaging. It’s simple and clean and purely functional.
The 2MP-I comes wrapped in bubble wrap and encased in a thick, durable cardboard box.
MOUNTING:
Once the box is opened and the device is out, it’s obvious the size of the 2MP-I is larger than both the Chatterbox Tandem Pro II and the Racecom’s Traccom. Ironically, this is another benefit of the 2MP-I rather than a disadvantage because it is purposefully and durably made to mount to the roll bar of a race car instead of your driver suit or helmet. This mounting location is better for the driver and all involved because it enables the device to be placed directly between driver and passenger and completely out of the way of the driver. Both the Tandem Pro II and the Traccom came with mounting clips (Chatterbox came with a plastic clip, Traccom with a heavy metal clip). Neither of those were hands-free, steadily mounted options like the Speedcom 2MP-I.
(Pictured above: Bryan Leonard’s 2MP-I set-up)
Here at DP, we always try to be as thorough as possible, so we took the pleasure of measuring this guy just so you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with. The Speedcom 2MP-I system roughly measures in at 3.5 inches wide, 5.25 inches from ear to ear, and 3.25 inches long.
The top of the 2MP-I system has been perfectly molded to mount to a roll bar and even has a layer of foam in the curvature for extra stability and protection.
The battery compartment has a single but heavy-duty screw keeping it together for durability yet convenience at the track. This way you can quickly change out the batteries if need be.
On the back where the cords connect to the system, there are four clearly written labels to eliminate any confusion at what plugs into where. One complaint many Chatterbox Tandem Pro II users voiced was that it lacked the dual volume controls that the Traccom had. Speedcom brought this necessary feature over into the 2MP-I and even placed the control knobs on separate sides of the box so they couldn’t be confused with one another. As you can see in the photo above, they label these volume controls as well. The remaining labels display other cool features that Speedcom included such as audio output and the 12v power option.
THE SINGLE EAR INTERCOM HEADSET
For any communicator to work, the system needs headsets. According to common racing forums, the ear piece and mic on the Single Ear Intercom Headset are perfectly placed for comfort. The distance between the ear piece and mic is long enough for any helmet, yet easily adjustable. The adjuster is sturdy so once it’s adjusted, it stays put within the helmet. This is necessary for racers and track day junkies flying through corners managing g-force.
From ear piece to end of mic, the headset is 8.5 inches long.
The ear piece itself measures relatively 1.5 inches.
The ear piece is is about 6/8 inch thick. Perfect for covering the most open part of the user’s ear comfortably without proving to be any trouble under a helmet. The ear cushion is soft, genuine leather to prevent chaffing or discomfort and has been compared to the feel of Bose QuietComfort earphones.
The foam covering the mic itself is about 1.5 inches long and 3/4 inch thick.
For complete spaciousness for driver and passenger, Speedcom made the cords on these bad boys long. The cords on the headsets are so long, it took two people to measure them. I had Mrs. Zappendorf hold one end of the headset and tape measure steady for accuracy.
It measured out at 4 feet 8.62 inches.
2MP-I CORD LENGTH:
Not only are the single ear intercom headset cords extra long, the chords that extend from the back of the 2MP-I system are extra long as well. That’s double the length of other communicators. In fact, the cords attached to the system were so long we had a really hard time getting all of it into one picture. We decided the best way to show you how long these cords really are is to spread them across our showroom floor next to a measuring tape. As seen above, the 2MP-I cord is more than 8 ft. long! That’s over 12 foot of cord for each person using Speedcom’s 2P-I for complete freedom of movement while driving and riding. The power cord is around 6 ft. long. Chatterbox users, say so-long to your habit of jerking your cords loose out of your system while driving. With Speedcom’s 2MP-I, you and your codriver can break dance in your race car without coming unplugged.
The single ear intercom headset costs $69.95 through DiscoveryParts and because you’ll need a set of these for your system to work, that brings your grand total to $239.95 for a complete set-up. Chatterbox’s Tandem Pro II complete set-up cost $134.99 and the Traccom set-up cost $284.95. Therefore, the Speedcom 2MP-I cost falls right in between the two, but with the durability, clarity, and comfort of the more expensive system and the convenience of the Tandem Pro II.
Speedcom have really outdone themselves with the new 2MP-I communicator. It has all the features a racer could ask for and it is budget friendly. Next time you’re looking to update your racing set-up, check out the Speedcom section of discoveryparts.com. If you’re still unsure about what system is best for your race car, feel free to give us a call at 1-888-748-RACE (1235) and ask to speak with a racing safety expert.
OMW! 