| Autocom Practice Headset Modification |
DISCLAIMER: copy this procedure at your own peril, I cannot be held responsible if you damage your headsets!
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The problem with the Autocom practice headsets is that they are built around a slimline Peltor ear defender, which
in itself is ok, but Autocom simply mount the speakers inside the space within the foam ear surround, which is intended
to be space for your ear to sit (with the foam surround sitting around your ear). This results in the headsets becoming
quite painful quite quickly as they press tightly against your ears, especially if wearing glasses. This picture attempts
to show this problem, you can see the Autocom speaker taking up the space inside the foam surround.
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So the modification moves the Autocom speaker units into the main shell of the ear defenders, freeing up the space for
your ears to sit more comfortably withing the foam surround. The first step is to remove the foam surrounds. These clip
into a ridge around the inner edge of the main shell. There is a small notch in the shell to enable a small screwdriver
to carefully prise the foam surround away from the shell. Once removed, there is a piece of foam inside the shell of the
defender, which should be carefully removed to avoid too much disturbance of the wiring inside. This leaves three parts,
the main shell, the foam piece, and the foam surround with the speaker attached.
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Next, starting at the top, where the wire passes through, very carefully lift the edge of the thin foam/material cover which
is glued to the back of the ear surround. Be careful to separate the glue between the foam and the surround, and not to remove
the rubber part on the back of the ear surround. You only need to separate enough to enable the Autocom speaker to pass through,
so approx one third of the way around the ear surround.
This will then allow you to carefully detach the velcro which holds the Autocom speaker in place, and pass it through to
the back of the ear surround - note to do this you will probably need to complete the cut in the foam, which Autocom pass
the wires through before connecting them up, to the edge of the thin foam cover, allowing all the wiring and the speaker
to be behind the thin foam cover.
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Now replace the foam into the outer shell, and place the Autocom speaker into the centre of it, taking care not to
strain any of the wiring. Also, re-stick the thin foam cover onto the back of the ear surround - you could glue this
but it should stay in place anyway once it is re-assembled. Then, holding everything in place, gently clip the ear
surround back into the main outer shell applying even pressure all around to ensure it is clipped in - ensure no
wires are trapped whilst doing this.
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Repeat the procedure for each side of each headset, and the result should be something altogether more comfortable as
you will have created a bit of extra room for you ears to sit inside the surrounds, without being pressed hard up
against the speaker.
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