Question #1 -- I saw the review of your Blue Racer headset in a recent issue of the IPMBA newsletter. What is your company's relationship with IPMBA?
Answer -- We do not have a 'formal' relationship with IPMBA, rather, during our attempts to identify the needs of Police Bike Units, we were able to work with a local team -- Topeka, Kansas -- who assisted us initially in identifying the unique environmental demands placed upon officers when trying to communicate on bikes -- two of Topeka's officers are IPMBA Instructors.. It was their brutally honest comments that continued to motivate us to ultimately provide a communication headset that overcame the numerous obstacles officers face on an everyday basis. Throughout the test and evaluations phases, we sought the input of several bike officers around the country, many of whom were familiar with our capabilties and product quality through our affiliation with another company who has been providing tactical headsets for SWAT and Military Special Forces operators around the world for nearly two decades.
Question #2 -- Our team currently uses speaker mics for radio communications. Other than the fact the Blue Racer is a headset, what makes it different from a speaker mic?
Answer -- In our efforts to design a headset for Bike Units, well over 90% of the officers we spoke with used speaker mics. Among the complaints voiced were:
(a) Due to wind and traffic noise, officers found themselves having to repeat radio communications more than once to Dispatch and fellow officers.
(b) Depending upon the noise levels present in the ambient environment, officers many times found it difficult to hear and understand radio transmissions being received through the speaker mic.
The two complaints above were the most prevalent among officers interviewed and we took these comments very seriously. The Blue Racer features a highly sensitive, noise-canceling microphone system that affords the officer the ability to communicate confidently in all types of environments. We also felt it was important that the boom microphone not need to be positioned directly in front of the mouth -- to help prevent potential damage to the teeth or face in case of an accident or altercation. The Blue Racer microphone is designed to be positioned off to the side of the mouth -- approximately 2 inches away from the face (see instructions for additional information).
The unique acoustic speaker system features "loudness limiting circuitry" to help prevent excessive and potentially damaging audio reception levels from being received by an officer. The system design allows the earpiece to be positioned outside the ear canal for normal radio communications while it can also be placed in the ear canal when stealth/private communications are necessary.
Question #3 -- I've tried to find an alternative to my speaker mic for several years. I've purchased a headset and several in-the-ear kits in the past -- all of them either failed in the field or were not rugged enough to hold up for Police Bike Unit applications. Why should I consider the Blue Racer when everything else thus far has failed?
Answer -- Your situation and findings are quite common among Bike Officers with whom we've spoken. We've heard stories about $25 earpieces, throat mics and inexpensive headsets that have been marketed to officers as "Police Bicycle Patrol Communicators". First of all, it is our opinion that most companies, offering communication devices for Police Bike Units, take the approach of 'throwing it against the wall and seeing what sticks'. Many times the same device or headset is also marketed toward construction, assembly-line and tactical markets among several others. Many of the exact same communication devices on the market are stocked by several companies -- most of whom market them under different names and model numbers. You won't find the Blue Racer available from any other company in North America, but ours. You will not see it marketed for other applications and most importantly, we encourage you to contact us for a FREE 20 Day Test and Evaluation Headset. We will build the headset specifically for your team's portable radio. Rather than telling you how good the Blue Racer headset is -- we want you to judge it for yourself and strongly encourage you to test it against anything else available on the market. We believe the headset and its unique features speak for themselves.
(see the Demo Request link)
Question #4 -- Our team recently purchased some in-the-ear kits for our bike team and several of them shorted out during use in rainy conditions. The supplier refused to repair or replace them after only 2 months of use. What type of warranty does the Blue Racer have and can it be exposed to varying types of weather?
Answer -- The Blue Racer is warranted for one year from date of delivery against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not include damage caused by mishandling or misuse. All components of the Blue Racer are warranted for use in up to 1 meter (3 feet) of water. The Blue Racer can be used in extremely hot or cold environments with no adverse effect on its performance.
Question #5 -- My team uses TREK helmets. Will the Blue Racer fit comfortably under our helmets?
Answer -- The Blue Racer features a very low-profile, behind-the-head, steel band.The headset's design allows an officer to put on his helmet and secure the chin strapping system -- then position the Blue Racer. The headset has no bands or straps that have to be positoned under the helmet. In our conversations with officers, it was imperative that a headset not have any bands that required placement under the helmet. It was also not desireable to have a communication system that clipped or mounted to the helmet. Both of thses issues were crucial to officers for safety and communication concerns. The Blue Racer was designed in such a manner that if an officer became engaged in an altercation with a suspect, and the suspect grabbed the headset cable, the headset would simply pull off of the officer's head. The Blue Racer also allows an officer ample clearance for multiple styles of protective eyewear.
Question #6 -- My department has tested and evaluated a Blue Racer headset and would like to purchase them for our team. What is the process for placing an order?
Answer -- The process is quite simple. You can contact our office (see contact link on this site) and we can provide a formal quote for your procurement office if necessary. We will also include 'sole source' documentation to assist in preventing your procurement personnel from having to issue a formal public bid request. If purchasing specifications are required, we will be glad to provide the technical specifications for your purchase.
Question #7 -- The cables on the test and evaluation headset we received from your company are too long? Can we order them shorter?
Answer -- One of the services we provide our customers is custom cable lengths. We can provide the headset cable (cable from headset to inline PTT) in any length you desire. Radio interface cable (cable from PTT to radio connector) options vary -- if the radio connector is provided from the manufacturer with no radio interface cable we can provide it in the length of your choice; however, some cables are manufactured with standard coiled cables -- those we cannot custom cut.
Question #8 -- I have used a speaker mic for years and because of that, it feels more natural to reach up to my shoulder to activate the PTT button. If I purchase your headset, can you build it so the inline PTT will reach my shoulder?
Answer -- Several officers, during the design stage, made similar comments to us. As stated in the previous question/answer, we offer custom headset cable lengths -- this provides you and your team members the option of lengthening the headset cable in order to position the PTT system at mid chest level -or- have the headset cable shortened, enabling you to position the PTT on the shoulder -- affixed, for instance, to the epaulet.
Question #9 -- Do you make replacement parts available for the Blue Racer?
Answer -- Yes, we stock replacement microphone windscreen covers, acoustic ear tubes and adjustable Velcro headbands. The Velcro headband comes standard with each Blue Racer, enabling an officer, when engaged in an activity where no helmet is needed or used, to affix the headset to the head in a more stable manner. Each Blue Racer also comes with a cotton storage bag.
Question #10 -- Myself and several of my fellow officers were wondering if you can provide some type of quick disconnect on the headset cable. As an example, when we break for lunch, we take our helmets off and it would be convenient to be able to take the headset off as well but not have to disconnect the connector from our Motorola MTS2000 portable radios.
Answer -- We certainly can provide an inline quick disconnect as an option. It is water resistant (allowing use in rain and snow) and we recommend it being placed on the headset cable -- approximately 8 inches down on the cable from the headset. This would allow you to disconnect the upper headset assembly from the inline push-to-talk and radio interface cable/radio connector. This way, when you are ready to go back to work, you can simply position the headset on the head and plug the male end of the inline quick disconnect into the female end which would already be attached on the headset cable that is wired to the inline PTT system. This would allow you to keep the inline PTT system alligator clipped to your shirt or jacket when you are not wearing the headset.
Question #11 -- I read the link on your site regarding Homeland Security Funding but am still not certain how our team may qualify for grant money. Please explain.
Answer -- We understand your confusion. As with any federal funding monies -- the red tape, procedures, justification and associated paperwork
can sometimes be a daunting and/or overwhelming task. Additionally it is common for the officer, in the field, to be unaware that the department even has grant monies available. Our suggestion is relatively simple. Find out who, in your department, is responsible for grant money qualification and justification and ask them to contact us on the Bike Unit's behalf. We can discuss the Prime Vendor program (see link on our home page titled Homeland Security Funding) and place them in contact with one of the Prime Vendors who are authorized to offer the Blue Racer to departments qualifying for Homeland Security funding.
Through our contacts with IPMBA members over the years, we understand the financial limitations placed on Bike Patrol Units. Our relationship with numerous Prime Vendor companies may very well be of assistance to you in procuring the equipment necessary for you and your team to perform your duties.
Question #12 -- I received our department's test and evaluation headset in the mail this week and it worked great when I was on duty on my bike but last night I was on duty at a college basketball game and had difficulty hearing over the sound of the crowd; however, Dispatch and my fellow officers had no problems understanding my transmissions. What do you think the problem is?
Answer - Great question and not the first time this one has been asked! We had officers at two major universities recently that had the same complaint. Fortunately, like you, they contacted our office prior to returning the test and evaluation unit. We solved the problem and they had no problems with reception volume at the following home games they worked.
IT IS CRUCIAL -- that you take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the single sheet of Blue Racer Fitting Instructions that are enclosed with each test and evaluation headset -- that's the reason we affix neon warning labels on the outside and inside of the headset box -- to make certain officers take a moment to read the document. The instructions describe how to custom trim one or both of the two styles of acoustic earpieces provided with the test unit. This is important in order to provide a custom fit for your particular head and ear size. The unique earpieces also allow an officer to choose a design that sits in the ear or just outside the ear canal -- depending upon what is personally preferred. We found -- during development of the Blue Racer -- it was just about 50/50 on the style of earpiece preferred -- thus we provide a choice for our clients. The instructions also detail how each Blue Racer headband can be bent inward or outward for a custom fit for positioning behind the head.
Question #13 - My department plans on changing to a different radio system next year. Will we have to buy new headsets when we get new radios?
Answer - No, you will not have to purchase new headsets. As part of our customer service policy, we perform radio interface modifications all of the time. When you receive your new radio system, simply return your Blue Racer headsets to our office. We will disassemble the inline PTT system -- removing the current circuit board, radio interface cable and radio connector. We will then install a new circuit board specifically built for your new radio system, wire on new radio interface cable and radio connector and your Blue Racer headsets will then operate with your new radio system! Please check with our offices, prior to the switch in radio models, and we'll provide a formal quote to your department for the radio interface modification and new radio connector.
We welcome questions from Bike Unit Officers. Please email your question to sales@blueracerheadsets.com. We will do our best to answer your question within 24 hours of receipt. Your question may end up on future updates of our
Blue Racer FAQ!
