Pliant Technologies' MicroCom 900M Professional Wireless Intercom
Communication is an essential part of production, and intercoms are the solid-gold standard of communication. They tend to be easier to understand and easier to deploy than walkie-talkies and are far more practical than using cell phones. However, production isn’t the only ministry that can benefit from this form of communication, and other ministries find themselves longing for a similar analogue. Pliant Technologies has a new offering that might just be the best of both worlds, it can cover the live production needs, but at the same time has some elements that are better suited for non-production-centered functions.
In use
Pliant has plenty of options for headsets that interface with their MicroCom unit. The review unit they sent me had five different headsets with it; Single ear, double ear, ultra-light, cell phone, and secret service. Those aren’t the official names, but they aptly describe the headsets. The larger units that look like standard production intercom headsets all have Smartboom technology. The microphone on these headsets acts as an on/off switch. When it is moved in the upward position, it mutes the microphone, and when the boom is pushed down toward the mouth it un-mutes. I think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I adore this feature.
The microphone on these headsets acts as an on/off switch. When it is moved in the upward position, it mutes the microphone, and when the boom is pushed down toward the mouth it un-mutes.
Aside from the production-based headsets, Pliant offers two additional specialty headsets, the in-ear (which is like a turn-of-the-millennium cellphone hands-free unit) and the lavalier with ear tube (which looks like it belongs to the secret service). Both are available with or without the push-to-talk (PTT) button option. These headsets bring the total options to seven, meaning there is something for every application. Lightweight and comfortable, the headsets offer affordability for non-production-based ministries, as well.
Each bodypack has a fixed lithium-ion battery, which charges via USB, and Pliant provides a multi-USB charging hub. The real upside here is that it only takes up one power outlet to charge all the bodypacks rather than five. Everyone struggles to keep road cases or rack units tidy, and being able to use only one outlet for your entire intercom system goes a long way to winning the fight.
One of the main limitations of the MicroCom is the range of the bodypacks. While they don’t have a base station, the master bodypack functions like a base station, so each unit has to be able to reach the master unit. The whole system works as a hub and spoke rather than a mesh or relay-style connection.
Things to like
Right off the bat, the MicroCom arrived in a custom polymer case. I hope other manufacturers are taking note because this is an excellent way for something to arrive. A large polymer case, with custom foam for all the parts, makes any product feel like a good buy. The case also speaks to one of the main features of this system; its portability. The fact that the units function without a base station makes it perfect for churches that are setting up in temporary locations like schools and movie theaters.
The demo unit I was sent simply had to be turned on, and it just worked.
MicroCom is also incredibly easy to use. The instruction manual is only 10 pages long, which seems shorter than the warranty information for most intercoms. The demo unit I was sent simply had to be turned on, and it just worked. This ease of use makes the MicroCom an excellent option for volunteer-driven ministries that may not be the most tech-savvy.
Opportunities for improvement
There is a lot to like about the MicroCom, and most of the opportunities for improvement I could come up with are little details that would improve the system for many users, rather than omissions that affect the actual function. The body packs are small, 3.9 inches by 1.9 inches, and weigh only 3.1 ounces. For comparison, they remind me of my first Nokia cell phone, right down to the leather and clear plastic case. This small size, in combination with the Smartboom, could be taken advantage of by adding a ¼”-20 mounting screw hole somewhere on the unit so it could be mounted to a camera. The Smartboom technology in the microphone removes the need for constant access to the bodypack’s talk button. The bodypack could be attached to the camera, and the user could simply raise and lower the microphone as needed. In my experience, this is far easier than fumbling around trying to find the talk button on a bodypack down on your belt. I would like to see Pliant fabricate something possibly using the lanyard hole on these units that would serve this purpose.
The Smartboom technology in the microphone removes the need for constant access to the bodypack’s talk button.
While the USB charging ports are fantastically flexible, it is going to require some backend work to stay tidy. I would like to see a storage option for a unit that seats all the bodypacks while they are charging. While this runs counter to the “ready-to-go” nature of the polymer travel case, I am sure there will be many end users who will never take advantage of the case. If you are in a permanent facility, the case is going into a closet never to be seen again. You could likely find a multi-device charging station on Amazon for a reasonable price that would do the job. However, the MicroCom bodypacks are thicker than your average smartphone or tablet, so it might be harder than you would expect. I would have liked something more intentionally designed for these units, rather than just five USB cables.
To sum it up, the Pliant MicroCom is an intercom system that just works. With all the headset options, it seems like it was designed with the house of worship in mind. I would be hard-pressed to imagine an intercom design that would be a better fit for churches meeting in temporary locations. Even the things I didn’t love about the system are admittedly nit-picky. It’s just an excellent product.
