Kirby Morgan vs. Desco band mask on a 60-foot barge job

I ran a Desco band mask for three months off Port Fourchon and switched to a Kirby Morgan 37 last week. The difference in communication clarity was night and day, I could actually hear the crane operator without yelling. Anyone else make the switch and notice a big jump in comms quality?

3 comments

3 Comments

leor373mo ago

Yeah that comms clarity jump is real. I ran a Desco band mask for a while too and the second I switched to a KM 37 I could actually hear deck hands talking without asking them to repeat themselves every five seconds. The Desco mics just seem to pick up too much ambient noise from the compressor or the water flow. With the 37 I could hear the crane operator clear as day even with a big diesel engine running right next to me. Only downside is the 37 feels heavier on your head after a full day but that trade off is worth it for not screaming into the mic.

linda_mason823mo ago

@leor37 honestly I still prefer my old Desco for the lighter feel even if the comms are a little muddy.

derek_burns1mo ago

Gotta disagree a bit here. I ran a KM 37 for a season and honestly went back to my old Desco because the weight difference was killing my neck by hour six. Yeah the comms are a little muddy but I'd rather ask for a repeat once in a while than deal with that headache after a long day.