Seeking 3D printed Lectro R1a cases

[Izen Ears]

Anyone find anything more sturdy?  I guess it could ride loose in a larger pouch like a comtek P-1 pouch, but those die quickly too.  I have replaced those Lectro pouches over and over, and I'm sick of it.  Plus, the click-orientator thing always dies immediately.  I like my IFB to rest sideways, long side parallel to the ground, and the Comtek pouch couldn't do that.  And after two days the Lectro ones don't.

 

This is a perfect project for a 3D pioneer.  I'd love something like a cell phone click-in belt clip.  Something that  can orient sideways and stay there.

 

Dan Izen

[Izen Ears]

K-tek apparently made an awesome pouch that fit R1a and also Comteks.  But they're no longer available.

 

I need a 3D printer I guess.

[Lucas]

Perhaps this could be interesting: 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Small-Universal-Horizontal-Holster/dp/B001AY18U6

 

Or

 

https://fishpondusa.com/products/sandbar-travel-pouch?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=6767a6556&pr_rec_pid=7170471067808&pr_ref_pid=7170135392416&pr_seq=uniform

 

Not sturdy but I think you could attach a clip of something onto the small loops.

 

[Izen Ears]

Nah I want a hard plastic belt clip with a clip that doesn't rotate.  But thanks a lot for the ideas!!  I've messaged Jason Porter, hopefully he'll be into it.

[DanieldH]

Hey,

why hard plasic, opposed to some elastomer like TPU? Something soft suggests way more protection against drops for the unit in terms of cushion and lesser brittleness of the case itsself. Even materials for SLA exist.

Why a clip, opposed to a loop and what locking mechanism do you have in mind for the clip?

Why sideways? Just curious, I don't know the R1.

I'll design a case if you provide all relevant metric dimensions.

[Izen Ears]

Good questions!  I need it sideways because I wear the IFB all day.  I use the big HN cans to mix but then switch to smaller and more comfortable earbuds between takes and when I'm away from the cart.
 

It's not comfortable to sit with it longways, but sideways just in front of my pelvis bone is super comfortable sitting or standing or squatting.  I do a lot of squatting and each time I have to twist the IFB so that it allows me to squat.  If it stayed sideways it's not in the way of anything.

 

I suppose you're correct that the surrounding plastic could be soft, but the clip has to be hard plastic.  I'd imagine it would have to have a hard frame for this.  I don't like spring clips like walkie have.  I like the way the Lectro clips hold firmly by simple compression.  I'm not into belt loops.  They slide around and also twist around, with a firm clip it stays where you put it.

 

By the way (I'm slightly ashamed to say) I've dropped those IFBs with no case on concrete many times and they're fine.  I'm not really worried about the belt clip adding protection!

 

Dan

[DanieldH]

If you want a clip rather than a loop, buy a ready made clip. I'd look for stainless steel for a simple clip. I think Lectros leather accessory has steel inside.
http://www.beltclips.com/store/Metal-belt-holster-clip-620-Tempered-Clip-MCS-620.html

If the clip for whatever reason needs to be plastic, rather than metal, go for something like this:

. 

 

This is a rough sketch for a loose fit, hard plastic cup:

It assumes the frequency dial protection is not used. Without dimensions, it does not take into account the clearance for the battery door and screw holes and locking nose are placed arbitrarily.

 

BTW, if you don't look for a hobby, start with a printing service or a makerspace / fablab.

 

 

 

 

[Izen Ears]

9 hours ago, DanieldH said:

If you want a clip rather than a loop, buy a ready made clip. I'd look for stainless steel for a simple clip. I think Lectros leather accessory has steel inside.
http://www.beltclips.com/store/Metal-belt-holster-clip-620-Tempered-Clip-MCS-620.html

If the clip for whatever reason needs to be plastic, rather than metal, go for something like this:

. 

 

This is a rough sketch for a loose fit, hard plastic cup:

It assumes the frequency dial protection is not used. Without dimensions, it does not take into account the clearance for the battery door and screw holes and locking nose are placed arbitrarily.

 

BTW, if you don't look for a hobby, start with a printing service or a makerspace / fablab.

 

 

 

 

Wow that looks cool and seems like it would not wear out.  How is the clip attached?  That clip you linked to has a spring, which means it won't have a strong enough grab to stay exactly where it's placed.  It's also too big, almost longer than the IFB is sideways.  I'm looking for a sideways clip with the same footprint as the Lectro pouch.

 

Jason pointed me to this product which would work for the boom op and utility, but not for me:

 

https://nylonindustries.com/products/the-lectrosonics-r1a-belt-clip

 

It's $50 but seems WELL worth it, since it appears to be much more sturdy than Lectro's.  I do hate the walkie-style spring clip; seems like that could break and also slide around.

 

I'm still on the lookout for a product just like this with a compression clip that can be permanently mounted sideways.  I'd love it to be a clip-in rather than inserted into a sleeve, but that's not super important.

[Patrick Farrell]

Have you seen this product? Compression clip straight from Lectro. Doesn't get it sideways though.

https://store.lectrosonics.com/wire-belt-clip-kit-f-uhf-xmtrsbcwire.html

 

This looks like it might fit an R1a and could possibly be modded to have the clip sideways.

https://www.orcabags.com/product/3/

 

And then there's this which again maybe they'd be nice and sew the clip sideways.

https://nylonindustries.com/collections/beltpack-clips/products/neoprene-sleeves?variant=50081707458720

 

Personally I've never had any issues with the regular R1a spring clip kit. Wear it on the side of my hip clipped to my belt and I can sit, squat, run, jump, etc. and it doesn't budge or hinder my movement in any way. But yes the leather pouches are terrible.

[DanieldH]

8 hours ago, Izen Ears said:

Wow that looks cool and seems like it would not wear out.

It will wear out. When you have a snap in mechanism, the unit will perform friction on the plastic detent and some abrasion will occur, but ideally not enough to be relevant. Because of that, I suggested the snap in mechanism at the frequency dials not the top, so the unit does not travel all it's length over the detent every time you swap the battery. If it shall be a loose fit, snap in style design, you might print more than one version until the right balance between save holding vs easy unloading is found.

9 hours ago, Izen Ears said:

How is the clip attached? 

If you refer to the plastic clip and my sketch, it would be attached with the binding screws that are pictured with the clip or similar ones. I do not advertise this as the best clip or solution, it is just to show how it could be done securely with a plastic clip.

 

On 8/11/2024 at 12:45 AM, Izen Ears said:

I like the way the Lectro clips hold firmly by simple compression

 

Lectro has various kinds of clips, As I understand, you mean something like this:

I don't think this holds firmly by simple compression. The right angle at the bottom either "hugs" around the lower edge of your belt or "claws" into the belt material, depending on your belts width. This design is very similar to what walkies over here have (mostly Motorola) and what Nylon Industry uses. These are just traditionally longer to fit wide not pants attached law enforcement/military waist belts, maybe MOLLE, or just deep pockets. If you want a Lectro clip like the one above, you'd probably want a metal plate with screw holes, shallow nuts behind it. The plate can be girdled with a 3D printed object, e.g. a cup (tricky to calibrate detent size) or a tight fit that would suggest unmounting the clip from your belt for battery swaps. It looks like the Nylon Industries have a tight fit design, maybe with tiny detents at the position of the original Lectro clip screws. The Object could also be just something flat towards the unit and attached with Sticky Stuff or similar. This could also be done with the clips I pictured or linked in my last post, without any 3D printing.

I am a pouches with belt loops kinda guy and unsure what you want to achieve. You want a save clip, that can be detached quickly, but to swap the battery you want to unload a cup style design? Anything printed will result in a more or less hard thing on your belt, and I personally hate that wile booming or on One man shows, because it can knock on or scratch things. On a generic job (at least new location, new production, don't know whats coming, etc) I wear a Leatherman Leather pouch, LM bit assortment pouch, torch pouch (Tatonka Tool Pocket M velcro), pen pouch (Edding Mini, Fisher Space pen, LM Bitextender in Tatonka Tool Pocket S Velcro version). The Sennheiser Tourguide or EW IFB is in a Tatonka Neopren Case 1.
 

[Izen Ears]

On 8/13/2024 at 3:15 AM, DanieldH said:

Lectro has various kinds of clips, As I understand, you mean something like this:
 

Wow thanks for all the thoughts!!  I've come around on the clipping part, and I feel that a wraparound design is better. In fact, it can be just a single wraparound with a clip stuck sideways, only a couple of inches wide. It would slide down from the top and live in the middle, leaving the top and battery door unfettered access.  (I don't care about the frequency dials; we never change those.)

 

The clip I'm talking about is not a spring clip, it is this kind that only holds by compression.  I don't like any kind of spring clips for me, but they do work pretty well on actors.  When I do one person jobs, I don't use the IFB at all.  I cut this clip off of an SMQV transmitter, and I'm going to try to Velcro it directly to the IFB tonight!

 

Dan Izen

 

[Daniel Kuffel]

On 8/9/2024 at 1:12 AM, Izen Ears said:

Anyone find anything more sturdy?  I guess it could ride loose in a larger pouch like a comtek P-1 pouch, but those die quickly too.  I have replaced those Lectro pouches over and over, and I'm sick of it.  Plus, the click-orientator thing always dies immediately.  I like my IFB to rest sideways, long side parallel to the ground, and the Comtek pouch couldn't do that.  And after two days the Lectro ones don't.

 

This is a perfect project for a 3D pioneer.  I'd love something like a cell phone click-in belt clip.  Something that  can orient sideways and stay there.

 

Dan Izen

Hi there!

 

I started a company called Kuffcakes3D that designs and prints accessories. I've attached pictures of the the R1A case I designed and sell. This case is printed with TPU so it's a softer material. It's designed with a removable clip if you want to use it as a camera hop. I sell them for $30 each but there is a discount for a big order.

 

I might be able to adjust the case if you are looking for a clip that sits sideways rather than how I have it oriented.

 

[Izen Ears]

16 hours ago, Daniel Kuffel said:

Hi there!

 

I started a company called Kuffcakes3D that designs and prints accessories. I've attached pictures of the the R1A case I designed and sell. This case is printed with TPU so it's a softer material. It's designed with a removable clip if you want to use it as a camera hop. I sell them for $25 each but there is a discount for a big order.

 

I might be able to adjust the case if you are looking for a clip that sits sideways rather than how I have it oriented.

 

AWESOME!!!  That is exactly how I pictured it.  I hadn't considered different colors either!  I wanna get five, with one sideways.

 

Yes if you could make a version with the clip sideways (volume knob on top) I'm totally in.  I like everything about this design, especially the clip.

 

Dan Izen

[Izen Ears]

Welp, the all-nights job wrapped and I've finally gotten a chance to breath so I must come back to this thread and talk about Daniel Kuffel's amazing products.  His IFB case is perfect.  A sturdy clip that won't wear out, and if it does it's easy to switch out.  He made me a sideways case and it also it just brilliant.  The material is a firm but not rigid plastic, which ensures the IFB won't fall out.  Yet it's soft enough that it's easy to slide the IFB out to change batts.  You just have to have the correct technique, which is to spread the bottom open while pushing with thumbs on the IFB right between the volume knob and headphones jack.  Then it slides out with minimal effort.  The clips are super tight, so no random knocking around; they stay exactly where you put them all day.  I use my thumb to open the clip and place it on my belt, then it's on and won't shake off.  I do this because I don't want to keep sliding the clip against my pants because it's super tight and would wear out the fabric.

 

After using them I feel certain that I will never again have to replace these IFB cases!!!!

 

Retailers better get on board soon.  I'm going to call each one and ask them to carry these.  (Fyi the Nylon Industries case is total garbage, not usable at all.)

 

Thank you Daniel!

 

Dan

 

[Derek H]

Nylon industries also has this

 

https://nylonindustries.com/products/the-lectrosonics-r1a-belt-clip

 

never used it but looks pretty solid

[Wyatt Tuzo]

Dan is totally a stand-up dude. Glad to see him getting some recognition here!

[Izen Ears]

21 hours ago, Derek H said:

Nylon industries also has this

 

https://nylonindustries.com/products/the-lectrosonics-r1a-belt-clip

 

never used it but looks pretty solid

No no those are garbage.  They were discontinued supposedly because the complaint was you could not adjust the frequencies. The real reason is the fit is way too tight!  I have strong hands from playing instruments and drums, and I absolutely could not get the IFB more than 1/4 of the way in. It would not even fit into the case.  The plastic is rigid like metal and it's just too tight.  Also they are TWICE the price.  DO NOT BUY THEM.

 

Kuffel's are superior is every way.