BMW System V Helmet with WCS-1 Bluetooth Communication System

[650Russ]

I'm glad everyone else is have the same problems as I am with the Bluetooth Sys 5.

I only use it with phone at the moment, I got it ready for the bit of kit that allows connection to MP3, radio etc etc that BMW are apparantly producing. Over 60mph I find using the mic pointless (this may be something to do with 650GS wind protection ), the speakers are good for hearing conversation over 90mph, not sure about music tho.

Overall a lot of money wasted for my uses, especially after all the hype. Good helmet, but seems like a case of a step too far too soon. But theyve got to start somewhere.

This new Garmin GPS seems like it might make the helmet more usable. The ability to refuse calls if youre going too fast, music, directions, very smart! Shame about the costs! Anyone know of cheap places to get them?

 

[TheJoker]

The Manual

A good while ago PanEuropean sent me the manual, but it seems neither of us put the link up in the thread...

Anyway, here it is:
http://madhouse.selincite.com/js/bmw-manual/bmw_wcs1_manual.pdf

Please be patient as it's on my home machine and the outgoing max speed is only about 32kb/s (normal 512/256 ADSL line).

 

[Mick_rw]

Possible problem...

Have been out today in the heavy rain we had here in Hampshire, and now my BMW Bluetooth is acting strange, I say acting strange, it still works, but can't switch it off, had to run the battery flat to get it to turn off, after charging it for a while it won't turn on, the charge light is normally bright but at the moment it glows very dimmly. Has anybody had theirs out in very wet weather and had problems?....

 

[JeffeVerde]

<snip> I think the microphones and the placement of the microphones has probably been quite carefully researched by BMW, and the cause of the problem is the fact that we are basically talking with a fishbowl over our heads. A boom microphone 'might' improve things, but I doubt that it would improve things very much <snip>

I have the Scala Rider bluetooth helmet rig, which uses a boom mic. Riding an R1100 RT with fullface helmet, callers can't tell that I'm mobile at speeds under 60mph. At 90mph, the typical comment is "are you calling from your car?".

As compared to what you and Mick are reporting with the System V kit, I suspect the difference is mic placement rather than superior electronics (considering the Scala is less than 1/4 the price of the WCS-1). Placing the mic in the brow pad facilitates the flip-front helmet style and makes for a very clean "looking" install. But doing so means the mic's sensitivity has to be increased as compared to a lip mic, and then heavily filtered to reduce the increased ambient noise - which results in the muffled sound you're reporting.

With the WCS-1's exposed circuit board, it would be an interesting experiment to install a boom or chinbar mic from an Autocom or Starcom headset. Alas, I can only theorize, as the System V isn't being imported to the US.

 

[Mick_rw]

Spoke...

Have been out today in the heavy rain we had here in Hampshire, and now my BMW Bluetooth is acting strange, I say acting strange, it still works, but can't switch it off, had to run the battery flat to get it to turn off, after charging it for a while it won't turn on, the charge light is normally bright but at the moment it glows very dimmly. Has anybody had theirs out in very wet weather and had problems?....

to the dealer this morning about the problem with my WCS-1 Bluetooth system, have been told they have found a problem in the present manufactured circuit board, at the moment the WCS-1 is on a technical hold. The redesigned board is due to be released at the end of this month....when they will let me have a replacement.... .

 

[Bert]

Just a thought

for those who want microphones inside helmets...These mikes will pick up wind rush, chatter, engine/traffic and just about every noise there is going.

If you really want crystal clear comms, get a throat mike which ONLY picks up the vibrations from your voice box and nothing else.
as used in all forces and for good reason. Anything else is just 'static'!!

 

[ebbo]

for those who want microphones inside helmets...These mikes will pick up wind rush, chatter, engine/traffic and just about every noise there is going.

If you really want crystal clear comms, get a throat mike which ONLY picks up the vibrations from your voice box and nothing else.
as used in all forces and for good reason. Anything else is just 'static'!!

Bert, have you experience of throat mikes? I looked in to these last year, from what I gathered, sound quality was somewhat muffled

 

[PanEuropean]

for those who want microphones inside helmets...These mikes will pick up wind rush, chatter, engine/traffic and just about every noise there is going.

Actually, the two microphones that are used in the BMW System V helmet as part of the WCS-1 audio system do a very good job of just picking up your voice, and not picking up outside sounds. The sound it transmits is not crystal clear (the helmet itself creates a bit of an echo), but it does not suffer from interference from sounds originating outside the helmet.

This is probably because the two microphones are embedded in the top of the helmet (above your forehead), and because the helmet itself is of a full-face design.

I think the problems you refer to in your message above are more commonly found with boom microphones on open face helmets, or embedded microphones in the chin piece of full face helmets.

As for throat microphones - jeepers, the last time I saw one of those was when I couldn't sleep one night and watched 'The High and The Mighty' (1954) on the late night movie channel...

Michael

 

[ebbo]

I’ll be honest, I don’t know how BMW are making this work, Autocom in particular require the mike right on your lips so it only picks up your voice. BMW fit two mikes in the brim, pointing down?? but seem to make it work reasonably well, it’s a mystery

 

[PanEuropean]

I'm going to guess that there are several factors that contribute to the success of the BMW microphone system:

1) The microphones are highly directional.
2) They have little foam windsocks on the end.
3) The helmet cavity has recesses in it designed to hold these specific microphones.
4) The circuit board 'might' do some post-processing of the sound to get rid of unwanted noise.

I kind of suspect that BMW did their homework pretty well. Mind you, for what they charge for all this, they had better have done their homework pretty well!

Michael

 

[Bert]

Bert, have you experience of throat mikes? I looked in to these last year, from what I gathered, sound quality was somewhat muffled

Yes Sir, I have 2
Used them in the cold in Norway and in the heat in Africa.
Crystal clear communications when used in conjunction with amateur radio bands.
I used Yaesus and thoat mike and even rigged it with quick disconencts and a PTT switch on handlebars- Good stuff-
I tried all other sorts of mikes, electret dynamic etc etc but all these pick up all surround sounds from props to bike engines so no good-

Of course, you need a good quality one- like all things- get cheap and get what you paid for!!

 

[ebbo]

Yes Sir, I have 2
Used them in the cold in Norway and in the heat in Africa.
Crystal clear communications when used in conjunction with amateur radio bands.
I used Yaesus and thoat mike and even rigged it with quick disconencts and a PTT switch on handlebars- Good stuff-
I tried all other sorts of mikes, electret dynamic etc etc but all these pick up all surround sounds from props to bike engines so no good-

Of course, you need a good quality one- like all things- get cheap and get what you paid for!!

Excellent Bert, what make are they and how much can you expect to pay?

Cheers

 

[PanEuropean]

...Used them in the cold in Norway and in the heat in Africa...

When, during WW II? (Just teasing - )

Michael

 

[alepac]

Hello PanEuropean
Can you post the pictures of the complete installation of the WCS-1 again. I need to assembly a WCS-1 in my System V helmet and a couple of pictures will be fine.

Thanks

 

[Shep]

Hello PanEuropean
Can you post the pictures of the complete installation of the WCS-1 again. I need to assembly a WCS-1 in my System V helmet and a couple of pictures will be fine.

Thanks

I may be mistaken but I think PanEuropean has departed these parts for a lttle break. I've not seen a post from him for a while

Shep

 

[alepac]

Hi
So anybody can help me and post another couple of pitures of installation WCS-1 on a System V?

Mny Thanks