Our STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM headsets are our latest product designed to help you get the job done more efficiently. Our product introduction is useful if you want to know more about what the system has to offer, including some Frequently Asked Questions about the functionality. But if you’ve already bought a pair and want to know more about their set-up and operation, this is the post for you.
Rest assured STIHL ProCOM headsets will arrive with a quick start guide in the box, but the information below will take you through every function and how to use them.
Using The STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM Headset
The ProCOM headset features large, ergonomic buttons in a variety of locations across the wireless headset, allowing you to navigate the many functions even when wearing protective gloves. We’ve summarised the key exterior features in the table below, with a description of how to use them.
Button | Function |
1 | The microphone is replaceable, adjustable, and comes with a spare foam cover that can be washed easily. The microphone features a noise gate to filter out background noise, therefore needs to be within 1cm of your mouth in order to pick up the audio signal. The microphone’s sensitivity can be adjusted in the device settings of the free STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM app (sensitivity is by default set to low). |
2 | Hold the on/off button for 2 seconds to turn the headset on or off. The plus and minus buttons control the volume of incoming calls/radio/music/messages. These buttons have additional functionality described below. |
3 | Charging port with rubber seal. The ProCOM wireless headset comes with a micro USB cable for versatile charging options. |
4 | Push to talk (PTT) button. When muted, this button allows you to talk only whilst the button is held. |
5 | The ‘Connect’ button allows you to answer and hang up calls, as well as access the smart phone’s virtual assistant. |
6 | Mute/unmute button. When unmuted, you will hear your own voice through the headset as a reminder you are unmuted. Other users will hear everything said while the headset is unmuted.
Tapping the mute/unmute button twice will activate ambient mode. This means that you can hear ambient noises such as traffic, plant machines or alarms. |
Connecting to Other STIHL ProCOM Headsets
Turn on your STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM headset by holding the on/off button for 2 seconds. You will automatically connect to up to 16 headsets within a 600m radius. Adjust the volume by pressing either the ‘-‘ or ‘+’ symbols. By default, all headsets will connect to the same channel, however the channel number can be changed using the ADVANCE ProCOM app. If you’re within 600m and cannot communicate with other users, check that the channel has not been changed by downloading and connecting the ProCOM app. Make sure you are not muted (button 6).
ADVANCE ProCOM cannot connect to headsets from other manufacturers.
Connecting to Walkie Talkies
ADVANCE ProCOM headsets can also be paired with some Bluetooth capable walkie talkies and integrated into your existing communication system. To check compatibility, consult the user manual of the device and ensure it can connect to speaker devices, not just smartphones. Turn off the headset by holding the on/off button for 2 seconds, then hold the on/off button for 12 seconds until the LED flashes blue and emits repeating rounds of 2 short beeps. The ADVANCE ProCOM headset can now be paired with the third-party device.
ProCOM can connect to 2 devices via Bluetooth, therefore it is possible to connect to a smartphone and walkie talkie simultaneously. Communication from the walkie talkie will always take priority over phone calls or music streamed from the smartphone.
When ProCOM is connected to compatible Motorola or Kennwood devices, the push-to-talk button can be used for communication. For other brands of walkie talkie, the push-to-talk button on the radio device will need to be used instead.
Connecting to The Smartphone And App
The ADVANCE ProCOM app provides extra functionality to the user, for example selecting favourite radio stations and changing channels. The STIHL ProCOM app can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. To connect the ProCOM headset to your smartphone, turn off the headset. Hold the on/off button for 7 seconds until the LED flashes blue and red. You will also hear rounds of 3 short beeps, indicating the headset is ready to pair. In your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings, select ADVANCE ProCOM.
Once connected, open the ADVANCE ProCOM app and the link symbol at the top right of your phone screen will turn from yellow to green, meaning you’re good to go!
It is possible to pair up to 2 smartphones to the ProCOM headset. Please be aware that if a phone call is answered on smartphone 1 and smartphone 2 receives a phone call, the connection to smartphone 2 may be lost.
Interacting With Phone Features
When receiving a phone call, press the ‘Connect’ button on the right ear phone to answer. If you answer the call using the phone screen, the call will not be forwarded via the headset. Press the Connect button when ready to hang up the call.
Access Siri or Google Assistant by holding the ‘Connect’ button for 2 seconds.
Pause or play music from your phone by pressing the on/off button once. Press twice to skip to the next track in the album / playlist.
If more than 2 smartphones are connected, the Connect button will interact with the smartphone that was connected first.
Using the Radio
To turn the FM radio on or off, hold the ‘+’ button for 2 seconds. Tap the on/off button twice to cycle to the next available radio station, or alternatively use the STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM App to save your favourite radio stations ready for next time. When communicating with others through the microphone, the volume will automatically reduce to aid understanding. This feature can be disabled in the apps ‘Device Settings’ if required.
Updating the firmware
Occasionally it may be necessary to update the firmware of your ProCOM device. This can be done easily using the ProCOM device manager. The device manager is available to download here for use with Mac, Windows (32 bit) or Windows (64 bit).
So there we have it – a full run down of using the STIHL ADVANCE ProCOM headsets effectively. To find out more visit your nearest STIHL Approved dealer, or ask us a question below. For a more general overview of ADVANCE ProCOM’s key features we have a handy introduction blog post here, which includes some Frequently Asked Questions about the functionality.
Looks good I would like a price on the ear defenders procom as would love a pear
Hi, thanks for your comment. We aren’t currently selling these directly so you would need to speak to your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer for a price. However, I can confirm that the Recommended Retail Price for these is £399. Thanks, STIHL GB
Hi, can you please tell me what the dB level of the internal speakers is limited to? ie audio from music, phone calls, intercom and ambient mode. I can’t find any documentation about this.
Thanks
I found the information I was looking for in the user manual. It says:
“The earmuff provides audio signal sound pressure level
limitation and the earmuff limits the entertainment audio signal 82 dB(A) effective to the ear.”
Does this apply to all audio produced by the internal speakers, not just music?
Hi, can someone point me in the right direction. I have the procom headset. Its not holding a charge. Constantly saying battery low.
Hi, thank you for your comment and sorry to hear about the issues you have been having. The best option is to take it back to your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer and they can take a look at it for you. If you have any further issues, you can also contact our Customer Services team at enquiries@stihl.co.uk. Thanks, STIHL GB
Mine does aswell, if I have mesh off and ambient off it last along time. On the app soon as I switch ambient on the battery level on screen goes from full to half battery
Hi Daniel, we would recommend taking it back to your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer to take a look at, or you can also contact our Customer Services team by emailing enquiries@stihl.co.uk. Many thanks, STIHL GB
If it’s possible to pair with a Motorola radio (APX6000), will it also key the radio up for full Transmit/Receive?
Hi Wade, thanks for the question. During ProCOMs development, it was tested to work with the Motorola DP 3661e and Kenwood NX 3320-E2, 2 popular radios in the market. Due to the high number of other portable radio devices available in the market however, we’re unable to test and confirm full functionality with all models. The user manual of the APX6000 states that the audio can be re-routed to a Bluetooth headset, indicating compatibility with ProCOM, however it’s likely that the PTT button on the radio device would still need to be used. If you already own the APX6000, it may be possible to contact a STIHL Approved Dealer to test the connection. Many thanks, STIHL GB.
Is it possible to change channel so two crews working on a site using the headsets can work independently? If so, how?
Hi Phil, yes you can use ProCom in this way. When you turn on the headset it will by default connect to all other headsets within a 600m radius on channel 1. However the channel number can easily be changed using the ADVANCE ProCOM app, where there are 9 channels to choose from. You can also use the app to create a group using the group mesh function, and swap between open channel communication and your group by holding down the mesh button for 2 seconds. This would allow each crew working in the same area to have their own group and work independently but also be able to talk to each other if necessary. You will hear voice notifications through the headset each time you change the settings e.g. “Mesh Grouping” and “Group Mesh” when the group connection is complete. Many thanks, STIHL GB