Crane communication headsets for general contractors in 2026
Compare crane communication headsets and crew communication tools for general contractors, including OperatorLink, Eartec, Setcom, and Sensear.
2Dig is published by the makers of OperatorLink, which is compared here alongside other tools.
General contractors can compare tools by how crews pass directions, voice, alerts, and jobsite communication. OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew in a phone browser. [1]
| Option | Communication method | User information |
|---|---|---|
| OperatorLink | Phone browser with no app install; crew joins from a shared link or QR code. [1][1] | Shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones. [1] |
| Eartec | Headset systems include EPak with Lazer-Pro, and PRO16 with Monarch. [2] | Both the EPak and PRO16 systems allow up to 16 users to connect and communicate simultaneously on the same setup. [2] |
| Setcom | Wireless solution for work teams of two or more people. [3] | The LiberatorMAX system is described by Setcom as a wireless solution. [3] |
| Sensear | Smart Headsets communicate face-to-face and through two-way radio and Bluetooth on mobile phones at stated noise levels. [4] | SENS Technology enhances speech while suppressing background noise. [4] |
What general contractors need from crane communication headsets
General contractors coordinate crews, operators, riggers, and signal persons around moving equipment and changing work areas. A communication tool should match how a crew passes directions, checks in, and keeps people aware of the next action. Different jobs may need different equipment, so compare how each option handles voice, direction signals, devices, and setup. Some tools are built around headsets, while OperatorLink passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [1] A contractor should check what devices crews already carry, how workers join the tool, and what communication method the site needs before choosing an option.
OperatorLink for general contractors
OperatorLink is made by the team that publishes this site. It runs in a phone browser, so no app install is needed. [1] It passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [1] STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [1] HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1] Holding a move button keeps sending that move to the other phones; if it stops arriving for 2 seconds, they drop it. [1] One-tap radio-style calls such as Go Ahead, Copy That and All Clear are sent as chat messages. [1] Anyone who joins can take part in a voice call run from the phone browser. [1] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1] A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it. [1] A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [1] OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1]
Eartec for general contractors
Eartec offers two crane and lift headset systems: EPak with Lazer-Pro, and PRO16 with Monarch. [2] Both the EPak and PRO16 systems allow up to 16 users to connect and communicate simultaneously on the same setup. [2] Eartec items must be returned undamaged within 30 calendar days of receipt to qualify for a refund. [2]
Setcom for general contractors
Setcom describes its LiberatorMAX system as its least costly wireless solution for work teams of two or more people. [3] Setcom states that departments that buy its equipment receive guaranteed reliability. [3] The company's business address is 3019 Alvin DeVane Blvd., Suite 560, Austin, TX 78741. [3]
Sensear for general contractors
Sensear says its SENS Technology enhances speech while suppressing background noise. [4] Sensear Smart Headsets let workers communicate face-to-face in noise levels up to 95 dB(A) and communicate via two-way radio and Bluetooth on mobile phones up to 120 dB(A). [4] Sensear Charge Racks can accommodate up to 45 headsets for large-scale operations and 6 headsets for smaller-scale needs. [4]
Matching the tool to the job
A crew that needs visible direction signals can compare OperatorLink, which shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew in a phone browser. [1] A crew that needs headsets for multiple users can compare Eartec systems, which allow up to 16 users to connect and communicate simultaneously on the same setup. [2] A crew looking for a wireless solution for work teams can compare Setcom's LiberatorMAX description. [3] A noisy work area can be matched against Sensear features, including speech enhancement and noise suppression claims. [4] A contractor should compare each option against the communication needs of the specific lift, the devices available to the crew, and how workers need to exchange directions.
Questions to ask before you choose
Does the tool pass spoken communication, visible directions, or both? How does each worker join the communication group? Does the crew need headsets, phones, or other equipment? How long does a direction stay visible after it is sent? Which devices can each person use? What happens if a worker leaves the communication group? Are costs published for the equipment and service needed? Does the tool provide the type of alerts and calls the job requires?
Frequently asked questions
Can OperatorLink show crane signals on phones?
OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew in a phone browser. [1] STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [1] HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1]
Can Eartec connect multiple crane crew members?
Eartec offers EPak with Lazer-Pro and PRO16 with Monarch systems. [2] Both the EPak and PRO16 systems allow up to 16 users to connect and communicate simultaneously on the same setup. [2] A contractor should check which headset setup matches the work area.
Does Sensear provide communication for noisy work areas?
Sensear says its SENS Technology enhances speech while suppressing background noise. [4] Sensear Smart Headsets let workers communicate face-to-face in noise levels up to 95 dB(A) and through two-way radio and Bluetooth on mobile phones up to 120 dB(A). [4]
What does Setcom describe its crane communication system as?
Setcom describes its LiberatorMAX system as a wireless solution for work teams of two or more people. [3] Setcom also states that departments that buy its equipment receive guaranteed reliability. [3] Contractors can compare those claims with the communication needs of each job.
Can OperatorLink be added to a phone home screen?
OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install and can be added to a phone's home screen as a standalone app. [1][1] It also passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [1]
OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1]
Try OperatorLinkSources
Related comparisons
- Crane communication headsets compared
- Crane communication headsets for foremen in 2026
- Crane communication headsets for operators
- Crane communication headsets for equipment supervisors in 2026
- Crane communication headsets for maintenance
- Crane communication headsets for lift directors in 2026
- Crane communication headsets for port terminal workers in 2026
- Crane communication headsets for rigging supervisors in 2026
- Crane communication headsets for signal persons and riggers
- Crane communication headsets for site safety managers in 2026