Primo3 combines wireless headphones, sports tracking and music player

Eamey’s Primo 3 is a headset that combines activity tracking and audio playback, while doing away with wires. The low-cost accessory offers local audio storage alongside a built-in FM radio, and is currently the subject of a crowdfunding campaign.

If you’re not a fan of taking your smartphone with you when you go for a run, then the Primo 3 might be a good fit. While the accessory has been designed to link to a smartphone via Bluetooth (2.1 and 4.0), it’s also possible to store and play back audio locally via the built-in TF/microSD card reader, and there’s even an FM radio included.



There are controls on board for skipping songs and adjusting volume, and there’s a built-in microphone included, meaning you can use the headset as a hands-free kit for a connected smartphone.

China-based Eamey claims that the headset offers “excellent sound quality” as well as noise reduction tech. Given its low-cost nature, we’re somewhat skeptical about just how great the headset will actually sound, but without some hands-on time, it’s impossible to pass judgement.

Aside from its appeal as an inexpensive wireless headset, the Primo 3 could prove popular with fitness buffs. There are sensors onboard for activity tracking, allowing the accessory to record steps, calories burned and distance traveled.

There’s a rechargeable 190-mAh battery keeping the device running, which the company claims will be good for 24 hours of audio playback on a single charge. It's also durable, with the wire that connects the two earpieces constructed from a flexible NiTi metal that snaps back into shape when the headset isn't in use.

There’s also a social element to the device, with users getting access to an online community where they can share their activity stats, comparing them with those of other users.

The headset is lightweight, coming in at just 34g (1.2 oz) and will be available in a choice of black and white hypoallergenic finishes. Earlybird pledges for the accessory start at just US$13, with the final retail cost rising to $16 thereafter.

Eamey’s Pozible crowdfunding campaign has already exceeded its conservative $1,612 target, and is set to conclude February 12. The first Primo3 headsets are expected to ship to backers in March 2015, assuming they reach production.

Source: Pozible

How Many 2 way radios Can Run on one Channel?

Theoretically, you can use an unlimited amount of walkie-talkies on the same channel (although in practice you might experience a few problems if you took that suggestion literally). Basically, there isn'€™t really a set limit. You could use as many as you like provided they are set up correctly. Anybody set to the right channel and in range at the time of transmission would then be able to pick up the signal and respond to it.

Most radios have access to 8 channels. These channels each have 38 separate €˜identification tones€™. The user sets his/her channel up with the desired tone and then only other users who know the channel/tone will be able to hear the transmissions. As a result, there are, in any given area, about 304 different combinations, so signal interference is unlikely to affect you.

Please do not interpret this answer as saying that your radio has access to 304 possible channels. It does not. It will likely only have access to 8. Some less reputable manufacturers tend to falsely imply access to 304 channels; this is simply not the case. You will have access to 304 possible tone/channel combinations, that’s all.

To better explain the CTCSS codes and how they work; we'€™ll include a little information from Amherst.co.uk€™s FAQ page.

€œCTCSS stands for “Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System”. These codes are also often called “Privacy codes” If a CTCSS tone is selected; a CTCSS sub-audible tone is transmitted along with the regular voice audio by the transmitting radio. The receiving radio, set to the same CTCSS tone, will only receive audio if it contains that sub-tone. Interference from other users on the same frequency is therefore rejected (unless they are also on the same sub-tone). This is a way of allowing groups of users of walkie-talkies on the same channel to avoid hearing messages from other nearby users”.

So, in conclusion, you can probably use as many walkie-talkies as you like on the same channel. As long as the units in question are of the same type (either VHF or UHF) and have the same CTCSS setup, then you simply shouldn'€™t have a problem. You also shouldn'€™t suffer from signal interference due to other users (although you may still experience signal loss/interference/degradation from other sources). We have talked about combating signal loss elsewhere, so please see the other questions if you have any problems in this area.

SOURCES

http://www.amherst.co.uk/walkietalkie/walkie-talkie-radio-faq-basics.htm

http://www.homephonesonline.co.uk/information/qa-walkie-talkies.htm