2Dig Plain comparisons of crane signalling and jobsite communication tools

Crewplex vs Eartec

Crewplex and Eartec radio headset systems, and OperatorLink, a phone browser signal tool: what each source says each one does.

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2Dig is published by the makers of OperatorLink, which is compared here alongside other tools.

Crewplex and Eartec sell radio headsets for crane crew talk, and OperatorLink is a phone browser tool. A Crewplex headset gives full-duplex, hands-free communication that can be integrated with mobile two-way communications. [1] OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [2] Neither rival lists a system price in the facts used here, and OperatorLink is currently free to use with no paid plan built yet. [3]

OptionWhat the source says it doesPriceCrew size and return terms
CrewplexSmall system described as dependable and affordable hands-free communication for small crews. [4] The large system is described as scalable full-duplex hands-free communication. [5]Not published; its small system is only called affordable. [4]Large system described as scalable. [5]
EartecTwo systems, EPak with Lazer-Pro and PRO16 with Monarch. [6]Not published.Users can add more crew members to a system at any time. [7]
OperatorLinkShows STOP, HOLD and SLOW and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [2]Free to use, with no paid plan built yet. [3]A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins. [8]

The short answer

Crewplex and Eartec sell radio headsets, and OperatorLink is a phone browser tool. For a crane crew member, a Crewplex headset gives full-duplex, hands-free communication that can be integrated with mobile two-way communications. [1] An Eartec setup is worn as a clipped beltpack and headset. [9] OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [2]

On the needs each source says it meets: Crewplex says it can be scaled from small crews to large crews. [10] OperatorLink claims it is currently free to use, with no paid plan built yet. [3]

What Crewplex, Eartec is built for

Crewplex says it provides full-duplex, hands-free communication that can be integrated with mobile two-way communications. [1] The company says it has provided communication solutions for more than 30 years. [11] Crewplex products are backed by a two-year warranty. [12] Crewplex says it can be scaled from small to large crews and offers optional integration with two-way radios for multi-site communication. [10] The company says it offers a full range of headset options. [13]

For Eartec, the Lazer-Pro headsets carry an IP65 grading for dust and water resistance. [14] All Eartec headsets feature noise-canceling microphone technology to filter out background machinery noise. [15]

What OperatorLink is built for

OperatorLink is made by the team that publishes this site. It shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [2] STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [16] HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [17] Holding a move button keeps sending that move to the other phones; if it stops arriving for 2 seconds, they drop it. [18] One-tap radio-style calls such as Go Ahead, Copy That and All Clear are sent as chat messages. [19] Anyone who joins can take part in a voice call run from the phone browser. [20] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [21] A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins. [8] A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [22]

Pricing and fees

Neither Crewplex nor Eartec lists a system price in the facts used here, so no number is published for either. Eartec's source gives no price at all. OperatorLink claims it is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [3]

For money matters beyond the base price, Eartec's return policy is published. A customer can buy a set, try it, and return it for a full refund if they do not like it. [23] Items must be returned undamaged within 30 calendar days of receipt. [24] If a customer chose Expedited shipping and returns the set, the shipping fee is deducted from the refund. [25] Orders ship within 1 to 3 business days. [26]

Setting it up on a jobsite

The three tools need different kinds of groundwork. A Crewplex headset gives full-duplex, hands-free talk, and the line can be integrated with mobile two-way communications. [1] For a bigger site, Crewplex offers optional integration with two-way radios for multi-site communication. [10]

For Eartec, the Lazer-Pro headset links to the radio via Bluetooth without wires. [27] The EPak beltpack weighs 2.5 ounces and clips to clothing or tucks into a pocket. [9] On the phone side, OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install. [28] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [21] The app can be added to a phone's home screen as a standalone app. [29] On Android browsers, signals such as STOP make the phone buzz; iPhone Safari ignores the buzz. [30]

Things to check before you choose

A crane crew member should ask how a STOP or HOLD signal is shown and confirmed on the setup, since a voice call or a button press may not reach every ear at once. Ask how many crew members the system fits and how new members are added. Ask what happens to a held move if the connection drops, and how long it keeps sending. Ask how the crew is told a message was received. For a phone browser tool, ask whether the jobsite has a usable phone signal where the work happens. Ask whether the headset fits the way the crew works, with a hard hat or under hearing protection. Ask who can rejoin a room or channel after work stops, and what becomes of it later.

How to choose

For a crew that needs a range of headset styles, Crewplex says it offers a full range of headset options. [13] For a larger site, Crewplex offers optional integration with two-way radios for multi-site communication. [10] For a crew that wants STOP, HOLD and SLOW shared to phones, OperatorLink shows those to the jobsite crew. [2] For a signal person who wants to skip an app install, OperatorLink runs in a phone browser. [28] For a crew watching cost today, OperatorLink claims it is currently free with no paid plan yet. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Can a single Crewplex setup handle a small crane crew?

Crewplex says its products give full-duplex, hands-free communication that can be integrated with mobile two-way communications. [1] The company also says it can be scaled from small to large crews and offers optional integration with two-way radios for multi-site work. [10] CrewPlex products are backed by a two-year warranty. [12] A list price is not published here, so it is worth checking the current cost with the seller before choosing.

How many crew members can use the Eartec Crane and Lift systems at once?

The Lazer-Pro headsets carry an IP65 grading for dust and water resistance. [14] A system price is not published here. For a current cost, check with Eartec before choosing.

Does OperatorLink require an app install to use?

No. OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install. [28] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [21] The app can be added to a phone's home screen as a standalone app. [29] A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins. [8]

How long does an OperatorLink jobsite room stay open?

A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it. [8] A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [22] This means a room does not stay open forever after a shift, so a crew should plan to start a fresh jobsite when it comes back to work.

What is Eartec's return policy for a headset set?

Eartec lets a customer buy a set, try it, and return it for a full refund if they do not like it. [23] Items must be returned undamaged within 30 calendar days of receipt. [24] If the customer chose Expedited shipping, that shipping fee is deducted from the refund. [25] Orders ship within 1 to 3 business days. [26]

OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [3]

Try OperatorLink

Sources

  1. Crewplex, crewplex.com/applications/cranes, read 2026-10-08
  2. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  3. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  4. Crewplex, crewplex.com/applications/cranes, read 2026-10-08
  5. Crewplex, crewplex.com/applications/cranes, read 2026-10-08
  6. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  7. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  8. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  9. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  10. Crewplex, crewplex.com/applications/cranes, read 2026-10-08
  11. Crewplex, crewplex.com/applications/cranes, read 2026-10-08
  12. Crewplex, crewplex.com/applications/cranes, read 2026-10-08
  13. Crewplex, crewplex.com/applications/cranes, read 2026-10-08
  14. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  15. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  16. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  17. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  18. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  19. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  20. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  21. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  22. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  23. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  24. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  25. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  26. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  27. Eartec, eartecindustrial.com/crane-lift, read 2026-10-08
  28. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  29. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  30. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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