DOMINATOR II
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
THE DOMINATOR II COMMS SUITE
The DOMINATOR II was developed with a U.S. Naval Special Warfare team in an effort to overcome issues they were having with other
communication systems on the market. Prior to the DOMINATOR project, most of the comms systems available forced the operator
to have something in, on or over one or both ears to communicate. Many of the systems required earpieces to be worn in both ears to
both RX and TX. Furthermore, most of those same systems required the use of batteries inside the push-to-talk coupled with software
that required periodic updating via connection to a PC. Other systems required ear cups to be positioned and worn over both ears for
radio RX. Our client complained about issues with these various designs including ear fatigue, sweat filling the ear canals, less than
clear transmitted comms by systems using an in-the-ear microphone for TX and dissatisfaction with the quality of amplified ambient
environment (situational and directional awareness) as compared to SA and DA from natural hearing. The DOMINATOR development
project began in May of 2009 and satisfactory completion was not realized until December of 2012 - a project that required nearly 3.5
years of development, design/re-design and test and evaluation in both the U.S. and in theatre.
The DOMINATOR II combines a waterproof/noise canceling boom microphone for TX while utilizing both bone conductors and
electronic earpieces for radio RX. The bone conductors and electronic earpieces work independently of one another as well as in
concert when operational requirements call for the implementation of hearing protection. The electronic earpieces are capable of
performing three functions: a. Radio/ICS/Smartphone/MP3 Reception b. Electronic Hearing Protection c. User Controlled Ambient
Environment Amplification. When hearing protection is not required, the earpieces can be removed from the ears and stowed out of the
way via a magnet assembly on each earpiece cable. Radio RX is maintained without the use of the electronic earpieces via twin bone
conductors integrated into the headset. Radio transmissions are received via the facial bones directly in front of each ear and passed
via bone conduction to each inner ear canal. The DOMINATOR II is available in both single and dual comm radio models and features
a broad mix of mission-specific accessory cables as well as connectors for the most fielded military radio platforms. A wireless, gun
mount remote push-to-talk control is also available.
The DOMINATOR II met the requirements of the U.S. NSW client, including a simple to use plug and play design, the ability to engage
and disengage hearing protection at will, little or no maintenance, no main push-to-talk batteries or software upgrades as well as not
having something in, on or over the ears at all times to maintain RX and TX capabilities. A team-wide purchase was made in early
2013.
PROPERLY FITTING THE
DOMINATOR II HEADSET TO YOUR HEAD
Undo the adjustable rear Velcro strap and position the stainless steel DOM II frame over the top of your head. Grab ahold and
position the two individual sidepiece housings (containing the bone conductors and earpieces) of the headset directly in front
of each ear. Release the sidepiece housings, if your headset frame is the proper size (S-XL) the sidepiece housings should
remain in place directly in front of your ears lying across the cheek bones (think of each sidepiece as a ‘sideburn’). If the
sidepiece housings slide downward after you release them and are no longer positioned on the cheek bone, in front of the ears,
your frame length is too long. Likewise, if you position the headset on your head and the sidepiece housings orient themselves
above the cheek bones when released - your frame length is too short. As mentioned earlier, the DOM II is available in 4 frame
lengths (S-XL) - it is crucial that you have the proper size frame in order to take full advantage of the unique capabilities of bone
conduction reception. Look closely on the inside portion of the headset that lies against your face -- you will see a laser etched
letter (S-XL) that will denote the size of headset you have.
DOMINATOR II BONE CONDUCTION
AND EARPIECE RX
As shown in the pictures and previously described, the bone conductors should be positioned directly in front of each ear
for proper radio RX. With the earpieces positioned properly - the attached, black concha bow should be bent forward as the
earpiece is inserted into the ear canal. The patented concha bow acts as a stabilizer, holding the earpiece firmly in the proper
position to ensure clear and consistent reception of incoming comms as well as maintaining a proper seal to protect the user’s
hearing. As a reminder, the bone conductors ONLY receive incoming radio comms. The electronic earpieces receive radio
comms PLUS smartphone, MP3 and ICS comms - also providing ambient amplification and level dependent electronic hearing
protection.
The DOMINATOR II nylon head strap separates for adjustment. One end of each strap features a steel snap designed to
encircle and lock down on the stainless steel frame of the headset. One of the opposite strap ends features sewn hook Velcro
while the other strap features its sewn loop counterpart. When attached together, the strap provides a stabilizing effect for
the headset to prevent unwanted rearward or forward movement. When properly adjusted, the sidepiece housings of the
DOM II should be directly in front of each ear and directly across each cheek bone. There should be little forward or rearward
movement of the headset once the rear head strap is adjusted properly
Each DOM II electronic earpiece features a framed magnet on the earpiece cable. The magnet frame is held onto the earpiece cable via
two small screws. Sandwiched between the two magnet holder halves is a sleeve of neoprene. The magnet frame is designed to allow
an operator to loosen the two screws, providing the ability to slide the magnet frame up and down on the earpiece cable for personal
positioning for comfort. The neoprene sleeve should be moved into position with the two magnet holder halves. Once the proper magnet
position is determined, retighten each screw, encircling and capturing the neoprene sleeve. Due to overall ear size/shape differences,
you may find that the magnet’s positioning, when initially provided to you, is not optimum -- the magnet may lay against your lobe
and cause discomfort over time. The release and repositioning ability of the magnet holder design remedies this potential issue. It is
recommended you utilize the thumb, index and middle finger when grasping the earpiece to insert or disengage from the ear. Please
note; each earpiece features a monofilament line over the center of the ambient microphone windscreen - this was designed to help
take tension/pressure off the windscreen when grasped. When removing the earpieces from the ears you will find, with little repetition,
the ease with which you can locate the magnet and steel sidepiece housing - capturing and holding the earpieces out of the way when
not in use.
DOM II BOOM MIC
The DOMINATOR II headset features a waterproof, noise-
canceling boom microphone as the method of voice transmission.
The microphone arm is manufactured from flexible brass covered
in a durable neoprene jacket allowing the operator to position the
microphone element, at the end of the boom arm, at the most
advantageous degree for voice transmission. The DOM II boom
microphone features twin elements, one that points away from
the mouth and face when properly positioned and the other that
points directly toward the mouth and face. When a push-to-talk
button is depressed on the control box, the microphone element
pointing away from the mouth/face, picks up the noise in the
operator’s ambient environment and cancels it out - preventing
it from being transmitted to other operators on the same radio
frequency. This allows the voice transmission being picked up by
the element facing the mouth and face to be clear and concise
when transmitted to others. Many systems on the market utilize
an in-the-ear bone microphone for picking up the operator’s
voice and transmitting it to others. Our client believed in-the-ear
transmissions to sometimes be garbled, impacted by sweat in the
ear canal and generally less than reliable - particularly in high
noise environments such as helos. Furthermore, the operators did
not want to have something positioned in the ear(s) the entire time
to maintain radio, phone and ICS comms. A high-quality, noise
canceling boom microphone overcomes those obstacles - thus
one of the main reasons it was utilized in the DOM II’s design.
CHOOSING DOMINATOR II
EARTIP SIZES & STYLES
You likely already have experience with some form of earplug
or earpiece and the DOMINATOR II is no different. You want
the foam or silicone ear tips to fit comfortably in the ear canal
yet tight enough to seal the ear canal opening to prevent access
to dangerous sounds. The DOM II features your choice of foam
and silicone ear tips in three different sizes. In terms of noise
protection, when the proper size is worn and properly fitted, the
foam models provide 28 NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) while the
silicone provide 23 NRR. We do not recommend one style over the
other -- it is an issue of personal choice for both fit and comfort.
Both styles of ear tips are field replaceable and should certainly be
periodically changed to assure proper function and performance.
DOMINATOR II ADJUSTABLE MAGNET PLATFORM
DOM II ELECTRONIC EARPIECES FOR RX /
HEARING PRO / ENVIRO AMPLIFICATION
The DOM II also features electronic earpieces terminated to each sidepiece housing of the headset. The DOM II earpieces
serve three primary functions: a) radio, smart phone, MP3 and ICS communication reception b) electronic dynamic hearing
protection and c) ambient environmental amplification. Each earpiece, when not worn in the ear canals, is easily stored, via
a magnet assembly, on each earpiece cable that, when positioned near each headset sidepiece, makes magnetic contact
with each headset sidepiece’s steel faceplate surface. This method of storage keeps each earpiece out of the operator’s
way when not worn yet provides ease of access when the earpieces are needed to meet an operational RQT. The hearing
pro element of the DOM II includes the operator’s choice from 3 sizes each of both foam and silicone earpieces in sizes S/M
& L. The earpieces remain stable in the ear via the patented concha bows on each earpiece yet are easily removed by the
operator when the earpieces are not required. Furthermore, the DOM II earpieces were not designed to position deeply in the
ear canals like many other systems, rather are positioned comfortably just inside the canal providing a tested and confirmed
28 NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) in foam and 23 NRR with the silicone alternative. The DOM II features noise-dependent
dynamic hearing protection. This means in a quiet environment the ambient amplification feature does not over-amplify the
environment - rather it provides normal hearing reproduction and allows the operator to adjust the amplification upward or
downward from the body worn control box. In loud environments, the earpieces provide automatic attenuation of dangerous
noise levels, providing protection against both constant and fluctuating noise. Furthermore, the earpieces provide protection
against impulse noises. The binaural microphone monitoring the operator’s environment provides excellent localization as
well.
DOM II BONE
CONDUCTORS FOR RX
One of the founding members of Atlantic Signal invented the
world’s first tactical bone conduction headset back in 1989
and the same bone conductor, with minor variations through
the years, is still manufactured today and is part of the best-
selling line of tactical bone conduction headsets in the world.
The DOM II features a vertical, steel frame (available in sizes
S-XL) with sidepiece housings on each end that contain, among
other components, a bone conductor. When properly positioned,
the bone conductor picks up incoming radio transmissions on
the cheek bone, directly in front of the ears, and transmits them
directly to the inner ear canal. This unique method of voice
reception allows an operator to leave his ears unobstructed
to hear non-radio voice commands as well maintain natural
situational and directional awareness. The bone conductors are
used for incoming radio communication reception only - we do
not utilize bone conductors as transmit devices as positioning is
crucial in order to pick up the voice well enough for TX. Years of
experimentation have proven that vigorous operational activities
do not allow for assured/constant proper positioning - thus the
DOM II utilizes bone conductors for RX only. As a receive device
in the DOMINATOR II, the bone conductors are utilized for
incoming radio communications only -- they are NOT used for
incoming MP3, smartphone or ICS reception.
