Motorola vs Cobra compatibility

[Conker]

Hi ASC'ers,

I would like to know what is your experience with Motorola-compatible headsets.

I currently use a first-gen Element TASC headset (Swimmer style) with 1-pin Motorola plug. It works perfectly with both of my Cobra radios.

I just bought a "secret agent" mic+earbud (transparent tube to the ear) for use as a low profile comms set, and a Element Comtac-II Ver2 with corresponding PELTOR PTT.

None of those correctly works on either of my radios. I can hear with them, but the mic doesn't work.

Maybe they are defects (both!?!?), but before I would like to know if anybody has had similar problems, and how they were solved.

Thanks for your help!
Conker

[Short Round]

Sorry the dig this up from the grave, but were you able to find an answer for this Conker? I saw some people insluding myself with some questions along the same line as yours, so if you got any feed back that would be splendid if you could share it.

[coach]

They are not compatible. I've posted a couple of times that the cobra pin out configuration is different from motorolas. Yes, some third party devices might work with both types of radios but in general they are not compatible.

Nahjon, I thought your questions were cleared up in your thread?

[Short Round]

Originally Posted by coachster

They are not compatible. I've posted a couple of times that the cobra pin out configuration is different from motorolas. Yes, some third party devices might work with both types of radios but in general they are not compatible.

Nahjon, I thought your questions were cleared up in your thread?

they were till I used a bunch of motorola headsets and they did work with the cobra radios, it's all confusing me now. just want some clarification before I buy a new headset

[TechSeller]

Actually the 1-pin MotoTalkAbout connector is compatible with SOME Cobra Microtalks as noted on this chart:

https://www.technologydirectcanada.c..._Plugchart.gif

But if the mic is not working it is likely yours is not one of them. Seen this before.

[Short Round]

Originally Posted by TechSeller

Actually the 1-pin MotoTalkAbout connector is compatible with SOME Cobra Microtalks as noted on this chart:

https://www.technologydirectcanada.c..._Plugchart.gif

But if the mic is not working it is likely yours is not one of them. Seen this before.

just what I needed thanks tech!

[coach]

Originally Posted by TechSeller

Actually the 1-pin MotoTalkAbout connector is compatible with SOME Cobra Microtalks as noted on this chart:

https://www.technologydirectcanada.c..._Plugchart.gif

But if the mic is not working it is likely yours is not one of them. Seen this before.

the 1-pin connector is physically compatible but the TRS contacts are in a different order. Typical Motorola 1 pin is T-speaker; R-Microphone; S-Ground. Some of the cobra accessories I've looked at appear to have a narrower ring which can short when used with motorola's depending on how the contacts in the device are spaced.

another issue is that some of the cobras use the headset port as a charging port. my running theory is that either the the ring is in a different position or there is a second ring (four contact in the radio's headset/charging port/jack) when plugging in a different headset it is possible that the mic or speaker gets some battery power feedback shorting/blowing them out. one possible reason why some working moto headsets tested on a cobra, won't work again on the moto's.

[Jimski]

I'm not happy with my Cobra radios.They have cool functionnalities but they broke right away

[TechSeller]

Originally Posted by Jimski

I'm not happy with my Cobra radios.They have cool functionnalities but they broke right away

Time for a good UHF Jimski

[Petro]

I know I'm really digging one up from the grave here, but I had the same problem and when I did a search of the 'net, this thread was the only thing I could find and there were no answers.

So I have pair of Cobra LI6500 with the single pin plug. Figured I'd try them out on the field and picked up a set of cheap headset with the transparent tube going into the ear, these:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/140968521657?...84.m1497.l2649

Cost me $23 for 2 pairs including shipping & fx conversion. When I got them, I had the same problem as the OP, when plugged in, you could hear fine but the mic didn't work. Problem is the plug goes in just a bit too deep into the port. I twisted one of my daughters small hair elastics around the base of the plug to stop it from going in all the way (really only need to stop it a couple mm short) and now they work fine. Might be a bit of a pain with the elastic, but for $12 per headset, I'm not complaining.

[Drake]

A small o-ring may have been less of a pain, should you ever need to do it again.

[Petro]

Yeah Drake, that's what I was going to use but didn't have one handy, was going to go to the store to get one when my wife suggested the elastic. Worked well enough, will probably replace next time at Home Depot.