Costco Rexton Trax 42 (Product Information)

I recently tried the KS6 for two weeks and was satisfied with them. Far better than the Kirklands I purchased three years ago. However, after two weeks I released that they amplified everything: voices AND background noises. My wife convinced me to go for the more expensive, and more sophisticated Trax 42 aids since my Blue Cross.Blue Shield covered everything but $100. I’ve now had them for two weeks and find that they are far superior to the KS6 aids. The noise/party settings works great! I was in a noisy restaurant and I was able to hear the two people sitting opposite me without ANY background noise. Aside form Automatic (which I use for most everything). I have five programs that seem to meet all my needs: 1. Automatic 2. Noise/party 3. TV 4.Telecoil 5.Music 6. 360-sound
One of the big differences between the two is that the Trax 42 is much, much better at picking up human voices, especially in auto mode.

If the difference in cost is not a problem for you, then go for the Trax 42. Get the free remote rather than the charger. There is not much difference in annual costs between regular and rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable have to be replaced approx once a year at $35-$40. Kirkland 312 batteries last a week/20 weeks per $10 card x 3 cards = $30.

thank you for taking the time to explain. I have an appointment tomorrow at Costco and will start with trying the Trax 42. I have an appointment Friday morning to return my Linx2’s. I’m feeling good about this decision.

@richorlin said:

If the difference in cost is not a problem for you, then go for the Trax 42. Get the free remote rather than the charger. There is not much difference in annual costs between regular and rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable have to be replaced approx once a year at $35-$40. Kirkland 312 batteries last a week/20 weeks per $10 card x 3 cards = $30.

I went with the charger because my phone works as a remote. I also hate changing batteries at the most inconvenient time.

@richorlin said:

I recently tried the KS6 for two weeks and was satisfied with them. Far better than the Kirklands I purchased three years ago. However, after two weeks I released that they amplified everything: voices AND background noises. My wife convinced me to go for the more expensive, and more sophisticated Trax 42 aids since my Blue Cross.Blue Shield covered everything but $100. I’ve now had them for two weeks and find that they are far superior to the KS6 aids. The noise/party settings works great! I was in a noisy restaurant and I was able to hear the two people sitting opposite me without ANY background noise. Aside form Automatic (which I use for most everything). I have five programs that seem to meet all my needs: 1. Automatic 2. Noise/party 3. TV 4.Telecoil 5.Music 6. 360-sound
One of the big differences between the two is that the Trax 42 is much, much better at picking up human voices, especially in auto mode.

If the difference in cost is not a problem for you, then go for the Trax 42. Get the free remote rather than the charger. There is not much difference in annual costs between regular and rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable have to be replaced approx once a year at $35-$40. Kirkland 312 batteries last a week/20 weeks per $10 card x 3 cards = $30.

Thanks for the informative post. I go tomorrow to turn in my Rexton Finesse CIC and pick up my new Trax 42. I also went with the free remote because I was told the rechargeable batteries only last 15 hours, and I normally wear mine 16-17.

The Finesse Aids are feedback monsters and I don’t hear as well as I did with Oticon Acto Pro ITC. So I really can’t wait to try the Trax.

An iPhone works fine with the app. I’m pretty sure same functions as remote. One less thing to carry.

Its true the rechargeable don’t always last a full day. It’s hit and miss. I also have the mini tek and I assume that kills them faster

I can see myself going with non-rechargeable as it is a pain to have them die at 10 or 11pm. Id still get the charger since a smartphone does the same thing as the remote and you need to choose the remote or charger. The charger also dries them out which supposedly really helps with longevity.

I carry spare batteries now in case the rechargeable die.

Thats a good idea about just carrying spare batteries in case the rechargeables die. Do you use the cord around your neck for streaming or does it go straight from your iPhone to the hearing aids?

@linnre said:

Thats a good idea about just carrying spare batteries in case the rechargeables die. Do you use the cord around your neck for streaming or does it go straight from your iPhone to the hearing aids?

The streaming goes from the iphone to the mini tek, then to the aids. I will say the music quality is very bad. That could be a combination of settings and using open domes.

Evil had suggested trying a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord to connect the iphone to the mini tek but that did not make a difference.

I will be asking the audi if adjustments can be made to the streaming program.

@mjd2k said:

1. There are still several other programs available such as Music or 360.

• Does the Auto program still have access to those programs even though they are not programed as accessible on my aids?

2. Does the automatic mode only switch between the programs I have enabled?

• I notice by looking at my iphone app that the trax often switches to Noise/Party mode, which I have enabled, but never see that it has chosen Traffic or TV.

3. If the the auto mode senses that the Music program is required, would it automatically enable that program even though I do not have it programmed as accessible??

4. If I did not program Bluetooth and Streaming as programs and chose Music and 360 as programs (adding these two programs to the four I already have would give me six), would the Bluetooth and streaming still work or do they really need a program dedicated to them?

The Automatic program is self-contained; it doesn’t use or switch into any of the other programs that are assigned to your hearing aids.

The Bluetooth Phone and Streaming Audio programs are optional. They’re not needed unless your audi wants to customize the frequency response for those two situations.

@rasmus_braun said:

The Automatic program is self-contained; it doesn’t use or switch into any of the other programs that are assigned to your hearing aids.

The Bluetooth Phone and Streaming Audio programs are optional. They’re not needed unless your audi wants to customize the frequency response for those two situations.

Just FYI: My audi at Costco contacted Rexton about setting up the Smart Connect. BTW: The music sound quality on the Smart Connect is awesome (imo), with bluetooth only, no patch cable. (mjd2k: Maybe the quality problems you are having with the miniTek are related to that accessory, if not your open domes.) - but I digress -

When she contacted Rexton, they suggested that they setup a music steaming and bluetooth phone program on the HA’s when setting up the Smart Connect. Not sure why - probably for customization - but there it is.

I already had a drier (Dry and Store - universal for all aids - don’t think you can say that for the Rexton drier/charger) and therefore no interest in the rechargeable batteries (simply don’t last long enough to be practical yet), so I went with the free remote. It is a nice little device, but as people have already said, it does become a little redundant with the phone apps and/or smart connect neckloop. However, I can see myself using it if I’m in an environment where I want to be able to quickly and discreetly change the program without taking out my phone and flipping around.

Evil.

Just came out of my appointment at Costco. I was surprised – the specialist recommended the KS6 or Phonax to me. I said I came intending to get the Trax 42. He said the only reason be didn’t suggest that one to begin with is because of trouble he has had dealing with the company. He said it’s probably fine now and just his preconceived ideas. Anyway I ordered the Trax 42, the streamer and the free charger. It comes in next Wednesday. I have an appt to return the Linx2 Friday morning. I wish I could go take them now. Don’t want anything to happen in the next two days to them but I’m sure it will be fine. I am so nervous at the moment. I really hate big decisions.

@pip said:

I know Rexton claims the charger also dries the hearing aids but do not believe it. The fact that you never open the battery doors with the rechargeable batteries makes it so any moisture that gets in the case stays in the case. The last 3 generations of Rexton hearing aids have all had issues with moisture in the battery compartment (KS3, KS4, Quintra) and the charger did not change with the Trax.

What about moisture on the part that goes in your ear? Should I change and get the remote instead? I don’t know if it’s too late to change it now. I was so nervous when I left.

— Updated —

@greghahn said:

I’ve owned Rextons for years and never had a bit of trouble with that company.

That is good to hear!!

next to the gov siemens largest customer is probably costco. never has siemen not answered their tech line on the first or second ring or have they not provided an onsite rep in a timely manner.

open domes are not music friendly. the AuD needs to add bass and remove some high end from your easytek program. i would have the auto program as #1, you cell phone on #2, your eazytek feed on #3, maybe 360 on #4 if you drive a lot with passengers and forget the rest the bx auto will handle everything just fine.

the recharger/dryer does dry the aids… pull them out early and they will be warm. 312s will hold a solid charge for at least 14 hours, 13s will go over 24 hours.

does everyone but me carry a smartphone constantly?

@linnre said:

What about moisture on the part that goes in your ear? Should I change and get the remote instead? I don’t know if it’s too late to change it now. I was so nervous when I left.

I don’t see many issues with moisture and the receivers. It is always in the battery compartment. We find rust and corrosion on the battery contacts when cleaning hearing aids all the time. I talk all my patients out of the charger unless they are unable to handle the batteries and change them on their own.

The rechargeable batteries, especially the replacement sets, are not even lasting 12 month. Most people are getting close to 12 on the first set and the replacements are lasting 6-8 months. That makes it so you are losing money to use them at all.

Doc making the hearing aid warm does not equal removing moisture in a closed battery compartment.

pip

@Evil_Scientist said:

BTW: The music sound quality on the Smart Connect is awesome (imo), with bluetooth only, no patch cable.

Not for me. For me the music quality via bluetooth through the Smart Connect is terrible. Sounds like it’s optimized for voice.

The Rexton Mini Blue and my last HAs actually did have pretty awesome streaming music. But apparently I have a setting wrong.