oldrascal
Registered user
I've been toying with the best way to get MP3 and GPS routing from my 550 to my delicate shell-likes.
I can't see any need for bike-to-bike or bike-to-pillion coms in my life and I suspect that any mobile phone usage whilst riding is bound to be a major distraction for me.
So I just need a simple system that combines ear-protection and convenience. And I wasn't even sure if I would like the whole experience as I have only owned sports bikes until the GSA barged its huge way into my life (and affections
).
That means that I really didn't want to blow 150 squids on custom-made earphones and eventually settled on 20 squids worth of Microbuds as a test or proof of concept.
I finally received my 4Gb SD card and, having downloaded my fave R&B tracks, slotted the card into the Zumo, attached said device to the bike mount, plugged one end of the Microbuds lead into the output and the earphones into my lugholes.
Then, and with bike still on its side stand, I powered up and stood back (well, not very far of course). Fantastic stereo sound - this was going to be fun.
Next problem arrived when I tried to put on my helmet. Now being Schubert's finest and newest piece of kit (C3), its has a whopping flip front but, try as I might, I kept dislodging the said ear pieces. Eventually, I managed to get the lid on with the buds more or less in place.
Then I was off and away in Paradise.
What a fabtastic sensation. How brilliant it is to have music and ride a bloody GSA. The best, the very bloody best.
But, but, but.
The cable from the helmet to the unit flaps around like a sheet in a F6 (for you sailors) and there is no point in trying to secure it because it and the earphones are one piece.
And the Microbuds are nowhere near as efficient at cutting out background noise as my normal ear plugs.
But somewhere there is a solution.
I am told that adding a Bluetooth dongle to the 550 produces rubbish sound. Is this true and how bad does it have to be to tip the balance in a cable connection which flaps around.
And then I could use a Scala Rider type of setup with earphnes fitted to the helmet. But then I still need earplugs and would they kill the music or just filter out the external noise?
Perhaps its worth spending the money on made-to-measure earphones........or not.
Or perhaps...............oh, help. Somebody put me out of my misery (no, not the shotgun way thank you). You've all been through this so what are your recommendations?
Cheers all.
I can't see any need for bike-to-bike or bike-to-pillion coms in my life and I suspect that any mobile phone usage whilst riding is bound to be a major distraction for me.
So I just need a simple system that combines ear-protection and convenience. And I wasn't even sure if I would like the whole experience as I have only owned sports bikes until the GSA barged its huge way into my life (and affections
).That means that I really didn't want to blow 150 squids on custom-made earphones and eventually settled on 20 squids worth of Microbuds as a test or proof of concept.
I finally received my 4Gb SD card and, having downloaded my fave R&B tracks, slotted the card into the Zumo, attached said device to the bike mount, plugged one end of the Microbuds lead into the output and the earphones into my lugholes.
Then, and with bike still on its side stand, I powered up and stood back (well, not very far of course). Fantastic stereo sound - this was going to be fun.
Next problem arrived when I tried to put on my helmet. Now being Schubert's finest and newest piece of kit (C3), its has a whopping flip front but, try as I might, I kept dislodging the said ear pieces. Eventually, I managed to get the lid on with the buds more or less in place.
Then I was off and away in Paradise.
What a fabtastic sensation. How brilliant it is to have music and ride a bloody GSA. The best, the very bloody best.
But, but, but.
The cable from the helmet to the unit flaps around like a sheet in a F6 (for you sailors) and there is no point in trying to secure it because it and the earphones are one piece.
And the Microbuds are nowhere near as efficient at cutting out background noise as my normal ear plugs.
But somewhere there is a solution.
I am told that adding a Bluetooth dongle to the 550 produces rubbish sound. Is this true and how bad does it have to be to tip the balance in a cable connection which flaps around.
And then I could use a Scala Rider type of setup with earphnes fitted to the helmet. But then I still need earplugs and would they kill the music or just filter out the external noise?
Perhaps its worth spending the money on made-to-measure earphones........or not.
Or perhaps...............oh, help. Somebody put me out of my misery (no, not the shotgun way thank you). You've all been through this so what are your recommendations?
Cheers all.
