autocom or bluetooth

[happy pilgrim]

having just read autocom thread a few threads back. is it worth all the effort if bluetooth available? i have an autocom fitted to my pan european and was trying to decide whether to shift to gs or buy bluetooth helmets and leave it on pan.
who is making good helmets with bluetooth fitted now. anyone got any experiences good or bad with bluetooth?

 

[Tobers]

I think it is worth waiting a while for this one. If you just want helmet-to-helmet comms then Bluetooth should do the trick. But if you want anything more complex, like bike to bike, music, phone etc it'll get a bit more difficult. Especially when you consider music being muted properly when the phone rigns, VOX settings, push to talk etc etc.

The obvious solution would be for Autocom to create a plug-in Bluetooth module (no doubt with an extremely long and thick cable ) which plugs into the wire that would normally lead to your helmet. You then pair up your helmet with the Autocom Bluetooth thingy and you get full access to all the usual Autocom functions but without wires.

The problem is that you'll have to recharge your helmet, which is likely to be a pain on a long trip as you'll already be recharging your phone, ipod and sundry other gadgets via the myriad of chargers you'll now have to carry.

Personally, I'm happy just having a wire to my helmet - pretty simple, works fine etc.

 

[Deleted account W]

Personally, I'm happy just having a wire to my helmet - pretty simple, works fine etc.

Works fine untill the the muppet of a rider forgets to tuck the lead away when unplugging it. I managed to ride over the lead and rip it out the unit.

Just packaging it up for return to Autocom.

 

[Baldylocks]

I think it is worth waiting a while for this one. If you just want helmet-to-helmet comms then Bluetooth should do the trick. But if you want anything more complex, like bike to bike, music, phone etc it'll get a bit more difficult. Especially when you consider music being muted properly when the phone rigns, VOX settings, push to talk etc etc.

The obvious solution would be for Autocom to create a plug-in Bluetooth module (no doubt with an extremely long and thick cable ) which plugs into the wire that would normally lead to your helmet. You then pair up your helmet with the Autocom Bluetooth thingy and you get full access to all the usual Autocom functions but without wires.

The problem is that you'll have to recharge your helmet, which is likely to be a pain on a long trip as you'll already be recharging your phone, ipod and sundry other gadgets via the myriad of chargers you'll now have to carry.

Personally, I'm happy just having a wire to my helmet - pretty simple, works fine etc.

They are part way there with this, in that they now have a bluetooth add-on that hooks up with your phone. Still hard-wired to the helmet, but at least it's one less thing to plug in! Picked one up at the NEC last week, but haven't had chance to install it yet!

 

[Mike Werner]

Here's an article I wrote yesterday, wrapping up all BT equipped helmets:

Bluetooth wrapup

I had contacted Autocom a couple fo months ago, and they stated that they did not have any current plans for BT, and did not believe that the technology was mature....

BTW, check out the Schubert offering. I'l getting more info from them, but in essence they have a communication pod that would replace the Autocom...

 

[happy pilgrim]

ok having read various threads/articles it seems like BT not really sorted yet except on a few obscure brands. if i persevere with my autocom, anyone recommend quiet helmet.

 

[Vampire]

who is making good helmets with bluetooth fitted now. anyone got any experiences good or bad with bluetooth?

I have read that BMW will be releasing a new helmet with bluetooth fitted in March 2005.
My wife and I are due for new helmets and we have decided to wait a few months and evaluate the new BMW helmet.

 

[Mike Werner]

Re: Re: autocom or bluetooth

I have read that BMW will be releasing a new helmet with bluetooth fitted in March 2005.
My wife and I are due for new helmets and we have decided to wait a few months and evaluate the new BMW helmet.

I'd say go and have a look at the Schubert (they make the BMW helmet anyway). From what I can see, they've got the best offer, but pricey !

 

[oddball]

BT technology is great but it comes back to battery life in the end.

I run a sat nav system via BT to an IPAQ. Life for the GPS receiver is around 4 hours in constant use unless you have an external power cord attached.

It works but has limitations, bike powered gear (as long as you remember the cables) give you a lot more in the way of flexibility and you dont have to carry extra chargers. Just my 2 penenth.

 

[Baldylocks]

anyone recommend quiet helmet.

Schubert S1 is the quietest I've had on, very comfortable too!