THERE'S A NEW MICROPHONE IN TOWN, AND IT MEANS BUSINESS
WITH CAVEOTS
It's not often you find a manufacturer bringing new microphones to the market, and many operators opt for legendary brands like Astatic when they feel the need for a replacement microphone, whether it's a power mic, or noise-cancelling microphone. If the word hasn't gotten around to you yet, those microphones look the same, but I've heard many people moan about PTT (Push To Talk) switch failures in the first year, as well, a lot of the new radios don't work well with these older dynamic microphones. To be fair, some, but not all radios now have the ability to select either Electret or Dynamic within the menu system; but added to the fairness, a year or two ago I tried this method with a Turner RK76 on a radio that had the capability to pick the type of mic being used and the audio wasn't what I expected it to be, so I ended up just putting the stock mic back on the radio. Let's look and see what sort of difference this new microphone makes...
"Noise Cancelling" is the topic, but not all noise cancelling microphones are created equally. While this microphone falls into the NC category, it's about as close as you can get in comparison to the others because unlike a lot of noise cancelling mics, which just use thicker foam in front of the element, or move the element further back into the microphone, the President Digimike has an an actual NRC (noise reduction circuit) chip/circuit inside the microphone, using the same voltage that comes from the radio, through the mic cord, to power the Electret mic element.
My usual approach when reviewing a mic is slightly altered for this one - because it's so special. I'll start with my very first impression of this microphone the first time I held it -
WEIGHT
It has some "heft" to it - and this is good! Not too much to make it tiresome to hold on a long QSO, and not so lightweight where you'd spend half the time talking on it, at the same time wondering if there was anything inside it. For the most part I think we'd all agree that today's stock microphones tend to feel cheap. The plastic case is robust, and its the shape fits your hand like a glove. The microphone cord is a good length with a decent amount of cord thickness, unlike the cords being used on other brand radios. Good job President!
Besides the PTT switch (a.k.a. the "Green Monster") there are only two other buttons you will use daily: UP & DN. The middle rectangular button is used to set your NRC, and once set, you probably won't have to use it again.
Reading directly from a green card which was wedged in the manual:
"The DIGIMIKE microphone is designed to make your modulation as clear as possible in all modes by eliminating the background noise."
The filtering levels go from 1 to 5, and if you don't have talkback, or another radio in the room to listen to your voice, I'd suggest having a friend help you figure out which setting worked best for you. For instance, if you're familiar with ham radios that incorporate DSP, then you know that the more DSP you add can lead to disconcerting watery audio. Personally leave mine set to 1, only occasionally bumping it up a notch to 2 if the background noise is really bad *NOTE: even if you set this mic to 5 it won't neutralize a cat wailing in the background waiting for his or her lunch, and at the 5 setting the middle button will stay solid green.
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| THERE IS A SOLID PIECE OF METAL ALLOWING YOU TO SECURELY HANG IT ON A MIC CLIP, ALSO, THE SECRET OF THE MICROPHONES WEIGHT ARE TWO METAL PLATES MOUNTED INSIDE THE BACK PANEL OF THE MICROPHONE. IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE POSSIBLE TO REMOVE ONE PLATE AND LIGHTEN THE LOAD, BUT I DIDN'T EXPLORE THAT OPTION BECAUSE I WAS HAPPY THE WAY IT CAME. |
The green card also mentions that this microphone will also work well with VOX usage, provided your radio has that feature. The manual itself explains the colors of the middle button you change the NRC strength.
Along with those instructions, there is a very easy to follow mic wiring diagram.
WARRANTY
Pleasantly, in an age where warranties are rarely given their fair due by the manufacturer, this microphone is warranted for 2 years. Can you believe the warranty would be the hardest part of this review? I looked on President EU's site and was led to believe it was 2 years. "Brilliant" I said. Then I looked on the USA website and finally under general accessories, of which microphones are part of it only has a 6 month warranty. Even the Astatic hand mics with faulty PTT switches give you a year's warranty.
Amazon gives you 30days, Bells - 60days, Walmart - 30days in-store return, but for $2 you can make the warranty 2years.
This is the what you'll find in the manual:
WARRANTY (In accordance with the warranty conditions in the country of purchase)
- Important: Proof of original purchase is required for warranty service.
- WARRANTOR: GROUPE PRESIDENT ELECTRONICS (''PRESIDENT")
- ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: PRESIDENT warrants, to the original user, if purchased from a retail store, that this PRESIDENT product will be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship, subject to the limitations and exclusions as set out below.
STATEMENT OF REMEDY
- In the event that the product does not conform to this warranty at any time while this warranty is in effect, warrantor will either, at its option, repair or replace the defective unit and return it to you without charge for parts, service, or any other cost (except shipping and handling) incurred by warrantor or its representatives in connection with the performance of this warranty. Warrantor, at its option, may replace the unit with a new or refurbished unit. THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE IS THE SOLE AND ENTIRE WARRANTY PERTAINING TO THE PRODUCT AND IS IN LIEU OF AND EXCLUDES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR ARISING BY OPERATION OF LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER OR PROVIDE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OR PAYMENT OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
- Some countries do not allow this exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
- LEGAL REMEDIES: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from country to country.
WHAT WAS MY EXPERIENCE?
My experience was absolutely brilliant! I found that when I had the NRC set to No.1 on the mic it was enough to keep out background noises in the shack and SUV. Now if I was in a noisy construction zone with a window down, allowing jack hammers, other assorted freeway noise (Road Rages), and the Elmer's Glue of the atmosphere (i.e. the sticky moist air from the the Gulf coast of Texas) coming at me I'd probably think about bumping it up a notch 😏
I'm not the only one who has mentioned this, but while this has a noise reduction circuit, and no other visible (inside or out) adjustable control, this microphone, which works very well cancelling background noise apparently cleans and boosts the audio as if it were a Noise Cancelling Power Microphone. Except for those days, decades away, when I'd put a Turner Plus 3 desktop microphone, I haven't heard so many unsolicited compliments on my audio. Before I wrap up the audio report part of the review:
- There is no volume control on the microphone because it's not a power mic, it's a noise canceling microphone using President's NRC (noise reduction circuit), so you can only change the noise reduction level (the manual has easy to read and follow instructions).
- When talking into the microphone try to keep it 3-4 inches from your mouth.
- By either using talkback, or recording the audio from another CB in the house I was bit flabbergasted - Not only was my voice clear to understand, but it was LOUD (compared to the stock microphone).
- At $47 (average price) this is the best thing you could do when looking for an upgrade for your own radio.
But what if buy a president George or other model with NRC built-in? Does it make any sense to duplicate it by buying this new microphone?
When asked about this from President, the reply I got was:
" If you have the NRC activated on the radio , you can deactivate it in the digimic.
Or activate the radio NRC on receive only if you want to use NRC activated digimic."
If you're short on cash buy the radio and use the NRC that's already inside it. If you have plenty of money to spend, you can get the microphone. The shape and weight is nice, and the audio is crisp. The choice is yours. Or, if you have a McKinley, put the microphone on it.
I own two of these microphones currently. One is on my President McKinley, and the other one is on my President George FCC, yet I need another one for my second President George II, only this time, I'm tossing my loose change into the jar to get their new Blue Tooth microphone with NRC*. Not just to review, but I think having a decent microphone that is more-or-less hands free can only be a bonus to those of us running CB radios as we traverse the often treacherous traffic. Having the mic element w/channel Up & Down buttons on the steering wheel is is great idea - less distraction while driving.
*I hope to have one of these mics to review shortly and it'll probably get posted after I finish my review on the Radioddity QT-60 (Hint...it's a nice radio).
** There was a question or two that I passed along to President. When I get and answer, or, should something drastically change my opinion of any item I review, as always, I'll make the adjustment or additional information available on the original review.
Last but now least, you'll find a pretty good actual tryout of the mic here: (169) President DIGIMIKE Overview and Demonstration - YouTube
73
WOODY
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