InterPhone Bluetooth BlueAnt Comms review

**johnnyflash** · 8th July 2007, 20:59

Well, ive had a fair test of the new Blueant Interphone Bike Communications kits. so here goes a full report.
Obtained from Dick Smiths at $249 NZ per unit, two required, one for each helmet. The blurb says it can be used rider to pillion or rider to rider within 150 meters, and yes the disitances are accurate.
Installation is a simple affair, either clip onto side of helmet with a clamp or use a double sided sticky patch, I mounted onto KBC flip lid Helmets, and the side is a little wide for the clamp but I used a clamp on one and a sticky on the other, both hold well. Positioning of the speaker and mic boom in the helmet is most important. Charging takes around 4hours, and has a standby of 700 hours or 10 hours talk time. The unit can hold up to 5 "linked" items in memory at any one time, (it rememebers the last 5 u used) and is only connectable to other bluetooth devices, cant be hardwired to non bluetooth devices. I paired it on to my Treo 650 pocket PC/Phone, and also to my pillion's helmet, We took off for a blast down the motorways to try and find as much wind noise as possible, left the bottom of the helmets exposed, no scarves or neckwarmers, and at 120kph whilst I could hear a little noise from wind the audio quality was good. testing with the usual neckwarmer on which tends to block the bottom of the helmet up more there was hardly any wind noise just voice.. Phone call at same speed was also good quality.
Summary, All in all a good unit, though you do need to play around to get the best positioning in the helmet, and I suspect some helmets more open to drafts might have more noise but it does seem to clip a lot of wind noise out of the audio with its processors. The unit has a normal volume setting and a LOUD setting for those that cant get the speaker close to the ear.. Only shortcomming is that you cant plug in a MP3 (unless its bluetooth) but as my Pc/Phone has that it aint a worry. Volume controls on the side of the unit are a little difficult to use with heavy gloves on but the main Control button is big enough to use while riding to switch between phone/Pillion etc. The fact its all wirelees is just fantastic, even when the Mrs went tinto the gas station to get some food we could still chat while I was filling the bike..

NOTE.... IMPORTANT UPDATE see the BIKE GEar Thread for an update on BATTERY LIFE .. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=50304

Edit...
DSE link as follows http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.sto...uct/View/E9788

**sinned** · 8th July 2007, 21:40

Sounds like what I have been looking for. There is a review here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...h-intercom.htm

I couldn't find the product on the Dick Smith site. Can you post the link to it there?

**johnnyflash** · 8th July 2007, 21:45

Originally Posted by dennisr

Sounds like what I have been looking for. There is a review here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...h-intercom.htm

I couldn't find the product on the Dick Smith site. Can you post the link to it there?

No problem dennisr, Ive edited the original and put in the link for you...

**sinned** · 8th July 2007, 21:50

Thanks. I am getting excited about this device. I already have a blueant earpiece thingy for my cell phone and it works well; it might even link to this bike device so my missus can communicate with me from the cage.

**johnnyflash** · 8th July 2007, 21:57

Yep, as long as the cage is no further than 150meters away from the helmet it should work, although many bluetooth earpeices are only good for 10 meters so might have a problem there, but then she can always ring you phone to phone I suppose..

BTW, D.S.E are not carrying them in stock in every store at the moment, they are ORDER only at present.. I think thats why they are priced better than some other suppliers)

**sinned** · 9th July 2007, 19:45

DSE have one in Auckland and won't send it to Wellington for us to look at. We have ordered two and had to pay a 10% deposit. If we don't like the look of it DSE will refund the deposit. However, the reviews are mostly good so I guess it will be a purchase in around 10 days.

**skelstar** · 9th July 2007, 22:23

I imagine that if you wear ear plugs that this may be an issue

...always thought that a pair of $100/pr UHF CB units would be the go. Obv not for cellphone stuff.

Cheers for review!

**sinned** · 10th July 2007, 14:07

Originally Posted by skelstar

I imagine that if you wear ear plugs that this may be an issue

...always thought that a pair of $100/pr UHF CB units would be the go. Obv not for cellphone stuff.

I don't think ear plugs will be a problem, unless they are high attenuation types. I have seen Nolan helmet wearers with headset using earplugs. While the CB units are a lower cost option I don't think they have hands free operation, or if they do then not at that price. Answering the cell phone and using it without having to take the helmet off is important for me.

I like toys

**skelstar** · 10th July 2007, 14:16

. While the CB units are a lower cost option I don't think they have hands free operation, or if they do then not at that price.

Well, rather than VOX I think I would rather use a button to talk anyway. Less complexity and all that. Not enough people ring me so not a factor for me anyway.

**NinjaNanna** · 13th September 2007, 17:02

Hi Guys

I emailed Blue Ant to enquire about their plans for an Interphone II, this was their reply.

Hi Shane

Thanks for your email. We do have plans for an A2DP version however this will not be released until Mid 2008.

If I can be of any further help, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Kind Regards,

Peter George
BlueAnt Wireless

Because of the positive experience that JF has had with his unit I'll be hanging out for this model so that I get stereo audio, I can't wait.

**Qkchk:Me** · 13th September 2007, 17:13

Ive heard about these Bluetooth goodies but Im not sure how they work...

Do you have to dial through your phone to talk to another user, hence cost money by making a call or is it an open channel that anyone can join in (like CB etc)

**Nasty** · 13th September 2007, 18:11

Good report thanks for that.

**johnnyflash** · 13th September 2007, 19:00

Originally Posted by Qkchk

Ive heard about these Bluetooth goodies but Im not sure how they work...

Do you have to dial through your phone to talk to another user, hence cost money by making a call or is it an open channel that anyone can join in (like CB etc)

Nope, its a bluetooth unit consisting of helmet speaker and boom Mic, mounts on your helmet, No wires, its digitally connected to your bluetooth capable phone (via a radio type wave). and also to any other bluetooth capable unit, ie another person with same headset in helmet.. so as long as you are within around 400 feet of the other helmet u can chat direct to each other, So no, you can chat for up to 10 hours non stop to other headset NO CHARGE :-)
Basically the unit that clips to side of your helmet has large button.. u press that to link to other helmet/bike.. if your phone rings (and mines on auto answer and vibrate in my pocket) I just hit the button on the unit and talk.. simple... if Im riding by myself then I just leave it in PHONE mode and I dont need to even puch the button to change modes from intercom to phone..
Hope that clarifies it for you..
Cheers..

**NinjaNanna** · 16th September 2007, 10:25

Originally Posted by Qkchk

Ive heard about these Bluetooth goodies but Im not sure how they work...

Do you have to dial through your phone to talk to another user, hence cost money by making a call or is it an open channel that anyone can join in (like CB etc)

Hey QKCHK

Unfortunately you cannot talk to multiple people using Bluetooth, it only connects (pairs) to one other unit at a time. They are marketed as wireless Rider-Pillion Intercoms but with a range of about 400 feet so they can be used bike to bike as well.

The unit can be paired to another helmet and your phone at the same time, this means that with an appropriate phone you can also use it for listening to music and making and recieving phone calls.

The upcoming unit that I posted about will have stereo speakers, which is what I am looking forward to.

Cheers

Shane

**Kiwifire72** · 16th September 2007, 10:45

The wife and I just bought a set have only trialed them around home so far very clear reception
as soon as I back on bike will try them out bike to bike
wish Ipod had a blutooth system so I could conect it to it