I replaced my F4s with the newer F5s recently after getting fed up with the wind noise feedback when linked up to the Mrs. Also, She rides her own bike as well and we wanted longer range between the two bikes.
For this review both of us were wearing Shoei GT Airs, riding a GSA TC with standard screen and MRA x screen extension (thoroughly recommended) and to complete the picture I am 6ft 1". I wear earplugs that cut out a lot of the normal wind noise etc.
Firstly, I got my twin pack with remote from FC Moto in Germany....about £100 cheaper than the UK. Service was excellent taking about a week to arrive with good communication throughout.
I was attracted by the remote which allows you to use full functionality of mode switching and volume control. It fits on the left hand grip...it doesn't get in the way and still plenty of room still for your hands. It pairs to the headset easily and is simple to use.
BUT the problem with the older GS is that the housing makes it difficult to get to the indicator...therefore I have taken the remote off as I was having to hunt for the switch....not great on roundabouts. For a conventional single button indicator I am sure it would be fine.
The headsets themselves come ready paired and paired easily with the phone and Satnav. The blue tooth3 works well and finds the ancillary kit easily when returning to the bike.
At first I was disappointed with the volume (as I was with the F4) however, the ear recesses on the GTair are very deep. I doubled up on the Velcro to move the speakers closer to the ears. Boy what a difference. I can do 90mph (where it's allowed...ahem) and hear all functions clearly. Really impressed with the sound quality overall.
Intercom voice is a little metallic due to the wind noise suppression software (so I am told) but is fine. What is a real godsend is that I get no wind noise distortion of any kind....works really well.
On the F5 there is a separate mode for music unlike the F4. Therefore I link straight to the I phone and the sound quality is great.
When using the Satnav (BMW V) instructions are clear however, it does take a time to cut back to the intercom after and instruction....it also anticipates the time to next instruction and therefore can blank out the intercom for some time, especially riding in town.
Phone works well with voice activation and announced calls. I don't tend to use the phone on the bike but when waiting of call backs from hotels etc when touring it is very useful.
The only downside if that the multifunction button cannot be used anymore for Siri.....or at least I haven't found a way. It used to be handy for just asking of a music track or navigation....a major loss for those who do not have Satnav.
Range between bikes is supposedly about 1km. In perfect conditions this may be the case but in reality it is about half that before distortion sets in. However, if the link was broken the units found each other easily....still better than the f4 but not as good as we had hoped.
Finally, there are allot more features on the F5 over the F4. The buttons on the helmet unit are easy to use but there are a number of menues to scroll through which from the off are difficult to remember. Thankfully, the F5 has spoken instructions (which can be turned off), this has been a godsend making the unit very easy to use.
So overall, a great bit of kit and a satisfied customer....just don't but the remote if you have the older style (and better) 3 button indicators.
Cheers, hope someone finds this useful.
Sent via iPad using fat fingers on small buttons
For this review both of us were wearing Shoei GT Airs, riding a GSA TC with standard screen and MRA x screen extension (thoroughly recommended) and to complete the picture I am 6ft 1". I wear earplugs that cut out a lot of the normal wind noise etc.
Firstly, I got my twin pack with remote from FC Moto in Germany....about £100 cheaper than the UK. Service was excellent taking about a week to arrive with good communication throughout.
I was attracted by the remote which allows you to use full functionality of mode switching and volume control. It fits on the left hand grip...it doesn't get in the way and still plenty of room still for your hands. It pairs to the headset easily and is simple to use.
BUT the problem with the older GS is that the housing makes it difficult to get to the indicator...therefore I have taken the remote off as I was having to hunt for the switch....not great on roundabouts. For a conventional single button indicator I am sure it would be fine.
The headsets themselves come ready paired and paired easily with the phone and Satnav. The blue tooth3 works well and finds the ancillary kit easily when returning to the bike.
At first I was disappointed with the volume (as I was with the F4) however, the ear recesses on the GTair are very deep. I doubled up on the Velcro to move the speakers closer to the ears. Boy what a difference. I can do 90mph (where it's allowed...ahem) and hear all functions clearly. Really impressed with the sound quality overall.
Intercom voice is a little metallic due to the wind noise suppression software (so I am told) but is fine. What is a real godsend is that I get no wind noise distortion of any kind....works really well.
On the F5 there is a separate mode for music unlike the F4. Therefore I link straight to the I phone and the sound quality is great.
When using the Satnav (BMW V) instructions are clear however, it does take a time to cut back to the intercom after and instruction....it also anticipates the time to next instruction and therefore can blank out the intercom for some time, especially riding in town.
Phone works well with voice activation and announced calls. I don't tend to use the phone on the bike but when waiting of call backs from hotels etc when touring it is very useful.
The only downside if that the multifunction button cannot be used anymore for Siri.....or at least I haven't found a way. It used to be handy for just asking of a music track or navigation....a major loss for those who do not have Satnav.
Range between bikes is supposedly about 1km. In perfect conditions this may be the case but in reality it is about half that before distortion sets in. However, if the link was broken the units found each other easily....still better than the f4 but not as good as we had hoped.
Finally, there are allot more features on the F5 over the F4. The buttons on the helmet unit are easy to use but there are a number of menues to scroll through which from the off are difficult to remember. Thankfully, the F5 has spoken instructions (which can be turned off), this has been a godsend making the unit very easy to use.
So overall, a great bit of kit and a satisfied customer....just don't but the remote if you have the older style (and better) 3 button indicators.
Cheers, hope someone finds this useful.
Sent via iPad using fat fingers on small buttons
