Cellphone via headset ?

In some occations it might be handy to use the cellphone in the airplane,
but the noisy atmosphere makes it somewhat difficult.

I found an ad for an interesting "box" that connects a handphone to the
intercom/headset allowing for better quality communications.
http://www.flightcell.co.nz/flightce...flighcell.html

Any experience out there regarding the Flightcell IV, that also allows for
plugin of a handheld comm-set that might be handy in case of a radio
failure?

I am also aware that some of the newer ANR headsets allows for plug-in of
cellphones.

--
Christian
ENZV

$349 is a ridiculous price. I have the cellset. www.cellset.com Many
headsets now have an interface built right in.



Christian wrote:

In some occations it might be handy to use the cellphone in the airplane,
but the noisy atmosphere makes it somewhat difficult.

I found an ad for an interesting "box" that connects a handphone to the
intercom/headset allowing for better quality communications.
http://www.flightcell.co.nz/flightce...flighcell.html

Any experience out there regarding the Flightcell IV, that also allows for
plugin of a handheld comm-set that might be handy in case of a radio
failure?

I am also aware that some of the newer ANR headsets allows for plug-in of
cellphones.

You'd probably think differently if you knew what it cost to make it.


"Newps" wrote in message
...
$349 is a ridiculous price. I have the cellset. www.cellset.com Many
headsets now have an interface built right in.



Christian wrote:

In some occations it might be handy to use the cellphone in the
airplane,
but the noisy atmosphere makes it somewhat difficult.

I found an ad for an interesting "box" that connects a handphone to the
intercom/headset allowing for better quality communications.
http://www.flightcell.co.nz/flightce...flighcell.html

Any experience out there regarding the Flightcell IV, that also allows
for
plugin of a handheld comm-set that might be handy in case of a radio
failure?

I am also aware that some of the newer ANR headsets allows for plug-in
of
cellphones.

"Cockpit Colin" wrote in message
...
You'd probably think differently if you knew what it cost to make it.


Ohh don't go there, I have reverse engineered many electronics devices in my
9 years being an E.E. I know the cost of electronics devices quality of
PCB's and components & workmanship. None of the cell phone adapters would
cost over $5.00ea to have mass produced and that is a high estimate using
good parts with tolerances of 1-2% not 5 to 10% and for $300.00 I could
build 20 of them using US supply houses.

Um - actually I work with the chap runs the flightcell company, and have
been privvy to a lot of "behind the scenes" info. I'm afraid to say, you
couldn't be further from the truth. Additionally, if you can supply all the
components for less than $5 (same quality) I'm sure we could get you a 100%
margin and make you a very rich person.

It's not just the components - it's the research and development - the
marketing - the wages - the rent - hell, even a bit of profit (and not as
much as you're thinking). The mould for the case alone cost over $5,000 USD.

Interestingly the USAF took a look at them and have bought over 1200 of
them, with more to follow. Only cell phone interface endorsed by Bose too.

(PS: I've been involved in electronics / avionics for 26 years)

Just my 10c worth.



"NW_PILOT" wrote in message
...

"Cockpit Colin" wrote in message
...
You'd probably think differently if you knew what it cost to make it.


Ohh don't go there, I have reverse engineered many electronics devices in
my
9 years being an E.E. I know the cost of electronics devices quality of
PCB's and components & workmanship. None of the cell phone adapters would
cost over $5.00ea to have mass produced and that is a high estimate using
good parts with tolerances of 1-2% not 5 to 10% and for $300.00 I could
build 20 of them using US supply houses.

Just in from the creator ...

Quote ...

There is no component in Flightcell with more than 1% tolerance.
There are in excess of 180 components on the PCB. The connectors cost

minimum $10 USD each and there are up to 4 of those. Add to this 5 digital

pots at $12 each and already you can see ...

AND ...

If he signs a NDA, we will send him all the drawings. If he can make it

cheaper than we can without any reduction in quality then we will send all

our production to him. How's that for challenge. This is a serious offer!!!!

[END QUOTE]

So, is anyone going to take him up on the offer?


"NW_PILOT" wrote in message
...

"Cockpit Colin" wrote in message
...
You'd probably think differently if you knew what it cost to make it.


Ohh don't go there, I have reverse engineered many electronics devices in
my
9 years being an E.E. I know the cost of electronics devices quality of
PCB's and components & workmanship. None of the cell phone adapters would
cost over $5.00ea to have mass produced and that is a high estimate using
good parts with tolerances of 1-2% not 5 to 10% and for $300.00 I could
build 20 of them using US supply houses.

I have a friend from New Zealand who says that they "require" you to have a
cell phone interface wired through the audio panel. Anybody from NZ with
details?

Mike
MU-2


"Cockpit Colin" wrote in message
...
Just in from the creator ...

Quote ...

There is no component in Flightcell with more than 1% tolerance.
There are in excess of 180 components on the PCB. The connectors cost

minimum $10 USD each and there are up to 4 of those. Add to this 5 digital

pots at $12 each and already you can see ...

AND ...

If he signs a NDA, we will send him all the drawings. If he can make it

cheaper than we can without any reduction in quality then we will send all

our production to him. How's that for challenge. This is a serious
offer!!!!

[END QUOTE]

So, is anyone going to take him up on the offer?


"NW_PILOT" wrote in message
...

"Cockpit Colin" wrote in message
...
You'd probably think differently if you knew what it cost to make it.


Ohh don't go there, I have reverse engineered many electronics devices in
my
9 years being an E.E. I know the cost of electronics devices quality of
PCB's and components & workmanship. None of the cell phone adapters would
cost over $5.00ea to have mass produced and that is a high estimate using
good parts with tolerances of 1-2% not 5 to 10% and for $300.00 I could
build 20 of them using US supply houses.

"Cockpit Colin" wrote in message
...
Just in from the creator ...

Quote ...

There is no component in Flightcell with more than 1% tolerance.
There are in excess of 180 components on the PCB.

Ok well they can talk but until they start giving manufacture part #'s and
if surface mount reel #'s and lot #'s I would say they are using the
cheapest parts their contract mfg can get their hands on.


The connectors cost minimum $10 USD each and there are up to 4 of those.
Add to this 5 digital

Yea Right!!!! Provide a Part #


pots at $12 each and already you can see ...

Still no part #'s to back up their claim


AND ...

If he signs a NDA, we will send him all the drawings. If he can make it

Sign a non disclosure agreement hahaha why would I want to do that I would
just buy one take it apart get all the part #'s values & redraw the pcb with
minor changes & improvements being sure not to infringe on their intlectual
property. Or use a schmetaic capture and redraw the PCB from a schematic
then make some changes thicken a trade here and there add a layer ect.. The
only real expensive thing would be the injection molds & molding to house
the device but could get that down to a reasonable price if production
quantity was sufficient.

Ohh and if I signed an NDA and found out they were using substandard parts I
could not say anything becuse of the NDA.


cheaper than we can without any reduction in quality then we will send all

our production to him.

I Humm tempting but NO, not with a NDA. Better yet why dont they try a few
places below and outsource it themselves I would do it but I require
customers to make schematics publicaly avaiable due to liability reasons.
The PCB mfg's below are some of the major players in the asian market today
some can do up to 24 layer poly-u boards and most have their own contract
mfg facilitys.

Onpress Printed Circuits Limited
http://www.onpress.com.hk

Three Sun Enterprise Co Ltd
http://www.three-sun.com

Shenzhen Shennan Circuits Co Ltd
http://www.shennancircuits.com

Xing Da Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer
http://www.zsxingda.com

Global Expert Technologies Ltd
http://www.getpwb.com

Evergreen PCB Fty Ltd
http://www.evergreenpcb.com

I Have about 100 More Contract MFG's & PCB MFG's on my list that I use.
These are a few top players in Asia. Please Fwd this to who ever tell them
to have fun but no MFG's will even touch their Gerber Files or Drill Data
with an NDA as they may have to subcontract the work.

How's that for challenge. This is a serious offer!!!!


Not to serious of an offer with a NDA how could it be outsourced with a NDA

[END QUOTE]

So, is anyone going to take him up on the offer?

As I said above No MFG's will even touch their Gerber Files or Drill Data
with an NDA as they may have to subcontract the work. I take that offer a as
insult and so would other's. You will see when dealing with Asian Corporate
Businessmen they expect to be treated with trust and respect it's a totally
different set of business ethics not like the U.S. market ware it needs to
be earned no wonder their production costs are high. Most contract mfg's
will not disclose your details anyway unless it kills someone.

NW_Pilot
PP-ASEL

Cockpit,

You'd probably think differently if you knew what it cost to make it.


You're kidding, right? If one company can produce a full ANR headset
with a cell phone adapter for what another company charges for the cell
phone adapter alone, one of the two is ripping its clients off.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

I suggest you take a look at the product first - you're not comparing apples
with apples. For starters the headset one is more than likely a simple
analog input whereas the flightcell is fully microprocessor controlled - has
built in intercom - satelite input/output - individual gain control on all
channels - interferance rejection etc. Honestly, it't not just a case of
twisting a few wires and throwing in a few resistors.


"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...
Cockpit,

You'd probably think differently if you knew what it cost to make it.


You're kidding, right? If one company can produce a full ANR headset
with a cell phone adapter for what another company charges for the cell
phone adapter alone, one of the two is ripping its clients off.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)