| Author | Message | ||
     F_skinner |
I am wondering if anyone uses a Bluetooth Communication System.. I do not know if us Old Schools would be interested in something like that but I am in the process of buying another Bluetooth set to replace my first generation one. Lynn and I use these things so we can talk to each other, her on her bike and me on mine. It is a great safety tool and she can tell me if she needs to pull over and I can do the same. It would be great for a passenger as well. I have been using the first generation Blueant Interphone and was going to get a Scala rider next... I only considered these two devices but a third one came to my attention. So what do I want a bluetooth device like this to do? Well, my current Blueant Interphone does everything I need it to do but it is getting short on battery life. The batteries are only good for so many charges and I have been using these for 3 years. It only last about 5 hours these days which is shorter than most of our rides. I considered the following to replace it: Scala G4 Blueant F4 Sena SMH10 I have a couple of requirements. 1. easy to use 2. good for at least 500 meters distance 3. VOX feature to save battery 4. be able to pair more than 2 units together 5. Ability to charge from a 12 volt source 6. Can pair to my VHF/UIHF/AM/FM/Weather Band radio on the bike (they all can) The Scala has VOX, works up to 1 mile, extra port for music input, and can pair 4 units or more together, can be charged from the bike but not while using it, is water resistant but not water proof and is not as easy to use. The Blueant is easy to use, can be charged from the bike but not when using it, has a good range (over 500 meters I think) and is water proof. No VOX and I this kills the battery soon but good for 10 hours new. The Sena is water proof, over 500 meter range, is easy to use, can pair four units, can be charged from the bike WHILE using it. And the best part it is cheaper than the rest. I have to buy two units so none of this is cheap. It looks like I will be buying the Sena system... I hope this may help someone. | ||
| Gowindward |
Well seeing how I'm old school, I am still using my wired Autocom. I saw the thread discussing the Scala G4....looked cool with no cords, but looked like I would still have to run a cord to get my old school Quest II inputs. Since I still couldn't be completely cordless, I figured was was the point for me. What's up with not being waterproof??? Hard to take a road trip and not run into at least a little rain. Loren | ||
| F_skinner |
Loren, I have the same GPS but do not feel the need to hear it talk because it shows you how many mile till the next turn. The thing I really like about the bluetooth system is I am not getting off the bike with wires still attached, although I have done that with my heated gloves... I like the Auotcom system but it is kind of difficult to talk to another bike unless you got a two way radio wired in there. I guess you could run a long wire.  | ||
| F_skinner |
Scala G4 Review http://www.revzilla.com/product/cardo-scala-rider- g4#videos_tab Blueant F4 Review http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/i nterphone-f4/ Sena SMH10 review http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/s ena-smh10-intercom/ | ||
| Gowindward |
Yes, the Autocom is like I said old school. They ran into some business trouble this year and I think the US distributor pretty much dropped them except for inventory they already had. I'm so off in space sometimes it's nice to have the GPS yelling at me about a turn coming up. I will upgrade sometime, but I think the Autocom has to fully depreciate first. The money I dropped on it several years ago make the new bluetooth units look like a bargain. You have a link for the Sena system? | ||
| F_skinner |
It seems like they are only sold on ebay and they have a couple of people they use. It is not their main business but bluetooth equipment is. Here is their site http://www.senabluetooth.com/ Internet searching led me to a couple of motorcycle forums where people talked about them. The thing I hate about the video reviews that I posted is they are not reporting on using the unit for any amount of time. They are basically using them out of the box and the real test is usage on the road. Scala likes to say they are made by bikers for bikers and their unit has a lot of features but I would never use half of it. My main usage is talking to Lynn on another bike... That is why, save the battery issue, my first generation worked for me. It would work great for a passenger as well. | ||
| Edv |
I have a first generation Scala rider that I use with my Zumo GPS. I don`t have the ability to talk to anyone else but I can answer my phone and also I can hear my GPS which is handy if you are day dreaming and would miss your turn otherwise and also I get caught in some doozy rain storms where it is hard to see the screen of the GPS and I like the turn by turn directions in times such as this. I can ride all day on one charge of the battery of the Scala rider and even after a day of riding it only takes a few minutes of charging to bring the battery up full again. I cannot comment on the G4 but it sounds like a good unit and if it works as well as my Scala rider I would recommend it. | ||
| F_skinner |
It is a great thing when something meets your needs... I loved my Blueant Interphone better than anything else I tried. (there were not a lot to choose from a few years ago). I searched for a few hours for a replacement battery but none to be found. I took the unit apart in order to get the part number and specs off the non-replaceable battery but no one has it in stock. I tried three companys. I found one similar that I would just need to drop the voltage on but I decided to not go through the trouble. Ed, your going to have to post pictures of you Zumo on the bike.. That may be my next purchase. | ||
| Fahren |
Frank, a non-replaceable battery is definitely not old school! Stupid, throw-away society we live in. Nobody on the Uly forum or Advrider has had a similar battery problem and found a solution/replacement? | ||
| F_skinner |
Ha, I just found one and it is local from a RC Model plane store. I will do a eyes on after work today on my way out of town into the mountains. You know it is a sad state of society, like you say, with throw away technology like that. It really pisses me off and maybe that is why I hate that I have to modify stuff to make it work as advertised. If you look at the ADVRider site (I don't unless it comes up in a search) you will see reviews for all three I listed. I am not surprised those guys did not think to drop voltage. I do not like that ADVRider site for personal reasons so do not take that the wrong way, if it is somewhere you like to go then all the best. Funny thing about the battery, and this may be why it is advertised as non-replaceable. It is a rechargeable lithium polymer and can be dangerous if damaged... The battery in itself is interesting technology (at least to me but I am a geek). Buy the way, Blueant will replace the battery if you send the unit to them. To tell you how much I get into this stuff, I actually made a solar recharger (not as easy as I thought) however, looking at the circuit, the unit is turned off when power is applied to pin 5, the charging pin, so without a major redesign of the unit it would not work. I still have the solar cells and will still play around with them. My Ham Radio station (I made that as well) that I take camping with me is solar and battery powered. (leaving after work today for this reason and to do a little fishing). I should note that I have no formal training in this stuff and I make a lot of mistakes. I know I should had posted this in another section as there is a communication thread in the QB. I did not want to hijack that or sway that thread in anyway. This is just my research. Two people emailed me to ask for advice so I hope I helped them as well. The Sena can be charged and used at the same time. The Scala G4, made by riders for riders (not water proof so it must be made by Harley riders), is not my cup of tea but very capable (the first ones like Edv's were better IMO). The Blueant F4 is the easiest to use. Here is the key, define you needs and wants then you have half the battle done. Frank | ||
| Buffalobolt |
My brother-in-law had a Scala Rider 3 and loved it. Tried to get me to buy one but I wasn't interested. His battery died and he called them only to find out that the battery can't be replaced (as Frank stated). They told him to purchase the G4 and he wouldn't be disappointed. They also told him that they would soon be able to replace the batteries in the G4. At the beginning of the riding season, my mother bought us a pair to use while riding together. I wasn't really to sure if I wanted to be talking on the phone or listening to music while riding. But, I have to admit, I REALLY LOVE this thing. I'm generally not too much into gadgets, but this really makes riding (alone, or with my brother-in-law) so much more enjoyable. He has had his in a couple of down-pours and it has been OK. Mine has seen a couple hours of light rain, but if it gets too bad, I'll pull it and put it in something waterproof. Just being able to listen to toon's and BS while riding has really made the ride more pleasant. I read on the other thread about an online upgrade that I need to look into. But I'm hooked. | ||
| Gowindward |
}"I should note that I have no formal training in this stuff and I make a lot of mistakes." I picked up a jar of genuine Lucas English wire smoke off ebay if you have any leak out and need to replace some let me know. It is suppose to be much higher quality then any of the wire smoke the electronics manufacturers put in when the electronics are made. I sure like listening to the XM radio when riding. Meribeth sure likes talking when we are riding. I'm real good at saying "yah" while listing to the radio and riding. | ||
| F_skinner |
Sometimes I wish I wasn't.. I think Lynn thinks the same way. However, what can I say. I am a gadget junkie. I have a bluetooth enabled VHF/UHF/AM/FM/WX two way Amateur radio, The bluetooth headset, voltage monitor, antenna for the radio, Ipod, GPS, Cig Lighter, heated gloves, Camera, Digital Video Recorder, external antenna for the GPS and garage door opener attached to the S2T.. Enough stuff to make a UgLY rider jealous. I will be installing LED lights for the brake, tail light and turn signals soon. I may also add a oil pressure, oil temp and head temp gauge (two). Frank | ||
| Buffalobolt |
I have a bluetooth enabled VHF/UHF/AM/FM/WX two way Amateur radio, The bluetooth headset, voltage monitor, antenna for the radio, Ipod, GPS, Cig Lighter, heated gloves, Camera, Digital Video Recorder, external antenna for the GPS and garage door opener attached to the S2T.. Enough stuff to make a UgLY rider jealous. DAAAANG!! Isn't there a support group or something for that??? Oh, wait, I guess THIS IS THE SUPPORT GROUP!!  | ||
| F_skinner |
It is a sickness.. But somehow the VA does not see it that way. I would like to increase my disability in order to get a free fishing license every year but they do not think it is OCD... Maybe PTSD. | ||
| Edv |
Frank, Below are the photos you asked for concerning the Zumo, this particular one is a 550. I have it mounted so I cannot see the speedo but this is not a problem as I use the gps speed because it is more accurate and also the Zumo has a fuel range feature that lets you know when you have reached time to go on reserve so I don`t need to see the trip odometer either although I do reset it when fueling just our of habit more than anything   | ||
| F_skinner |
Ed, that looks great and thanks for the pics. Sometimes, due to the handlebars on the S2s, it is difficult to mount all that stuff that you want (maybe not need). Here in Colorado they will give you a ticket if anything is obstructing the Speedo regardless if the GPS is more accurate and safer than stock. Mine is on the other side but I do have something obstruction the dash. I will post a pic later. I like Ebutch's S3 dash but I cannot find a picture. Frank DAMHIK | ||
| Edv |
Frank, If you don`t mount a humongous tank bag like I have you could have the gps mounted in the center. Ed | ||
| F_skinner |
These do not meet my needs but they may meet someones. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr =oqts9xn6&v=001T4YSeKItteVuEsmvANx-HDcszTDzgyu7AJh XOeuncjF08KD6F1H9vCYL6tRYa2AwMqt444cDG5h0oJseguiml 79oqOajOA4Iehb32Ekf9KJDiFBfjDDDX2ZQ7hHQA0E8LZzS3dF 3M04%3D |
