The Noise Terminator throat microphone for mobile phones is the perfect accessory for anyone who finds themselves making calls in noisey places. Photo by Pte John Wellfare, Army newspaper

Gadget review: Noise Terminator, mobile phone headset
IASUS Concepts
Distributor: Blue Kangaroo Technologies
www.bluekangarootechnologies.com
RRP: AUS $51.79

Reviewer: Pte John Wellfare

In my mind you have to be pretty keen to be using a mobile phone while skiing or riding a motorbike, but if you do have a tendency to make calls at awkward moments, the Noise Terminator is just what you need.

That's right, it's a mobile phone headset with a throat microphone. Now I know what you're thinking because I was thinking the same thing - who wants to look like a US Navy SEAL while wandering around the local shopping centre? But after giving it some thought, I decided this could be really handy.

If you work on a flight line, at a range, in a workshop or have noisy kids, a throat microphone would save you repeating everything you say and shouting whenever you're on the phone.

Blue Kangaroo also offer similar throat microphones for two-way radios if that's your thing.

The biggest problem with this is that you lay out the money just so everyone else can hear you better, so you really have to convince all your friends to get one too.

I still wouldn't wear it to the shops though.

SportEAR's Sonic Plugz are a leap ahead of the standard-issue hearing protection. Photo by Pte John Wellfare, Army newspaper

Gadget review: Sonic Plugz, earplugs
SportEAR
Distributor: Blue Kangaroo Technologies
www.bluekangarootechnologies.com
RRP: AUS $37.53

Reviewer: Pte John Wellfare
I've never bought my own earplugs and always relied on the little foam things they hand out at the range or before getting on an aircraft, so my reaction to the SportEAR might be more positive than a seasoned earplug user.

I was amazed at how well the SportEAR earplugs blocked out loud noises while voices remained quite clear. You could even make a telephone call at the range while wearing them, though you might need the Noise Terminator throat microphone if you want the person on the other end to hear you.

Whether it's worth laying out nearly $40 is up to you, but if you do have money to burn, SportEAR have a range of combined hearing enhancement and protection plugs that allow you to hear faint noises in the distance while protecting your ears from loud noises like gunfire. These, however, range from between US$299 and US$499.

Competition

The Service newspapers have a Noise Terminator throat microphone to give away. To enter, write in 25 words or less the most amusing situation in which the Noise Terminator would be handy and send your entry to:
Noise Terminator giveaway
Service Newspapers
R8-LG-035
Department of Defence
Russell Offices
Canberra, 2600

You may enter as many times as you wish, all entries must be received before April 15. Don't forget to include your name and contact details.

If you haven't put your entry in for the Suunto watch giveaway, there's still a few weeks left, just remember to send your answers in separate envelopes if you plan on entering both competitions.

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