All Singing and Dancing Motorcycle Bluetooth Communicator |
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File under Bluetooth Helmets New Products Gadgets
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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| Read the special articles on Bluetooth and motorcycles: |
Slowly but surely, more and more Bluetooth devices are being made for motorcycles. If you're read our recent Bluetooth Helmet round-up {link} you'll have seen that between that report and the last one, 2 years ago, not much has been added.
Therefore, we were quite pleased to see this new product hit the market. It would seem that after waiting all this time, finally there's a device that'll do everything you want it to do. Produced in the UK by Intaride, the Liberty Bluetooth product is a "made for motorcycles" communication's device.
The unit offers a wide range of communication possibilities; - intercom,
- bike-to-bike,
- music,
- telephone,
- GPS,
- radar
... all from one unit. And the interesting thing is that it's all covered in the same purchase price.
Here are the details:
Helmets:
The helmets receive a "pod", ie, a small devices attached to your helmet (sticky pad or silicon). The pod operates wireless, so no wires attached to you and the bike. Each pod has a independent volume adjustment.
The pod has a socket for speakers; you can use it for the supplied thin helmet speakers, or you can use it with an in-ear earplug. Volume is automatic, depending on wind noise (the system automatically adjusts the volume). The microphone can be adjusted to almost any helmet. The pod should weight between 50 and 60 grams, depending on the battery.
The battery will last days, and you can charge it from the mains, or from the motorcycle. In standby, it should last 400 hours. When using it for intercom, GPS or radar, the battery will last 80 hours before you need to recharge. If you're using music, count on 20 hours before charging.
Hub:
The motorcycle receives a "hub". You can install this anywhere on your motorcycle. The Hub communicates with your helmet pods via Bluetooth, so no wires needed. The hub can accommodate full stereo music (MP3, CD, tape or iPod player), GPS (with priority override over the music when the GPS "talks" to you), radar detector (same override) and finally a plug & go Bike-to-Bike radio connection (current brands support; Intaride, Cobra, Alan, Midland, Icom and kenwood.
The electronic circuits in the hub are encapsulated in plastic, so it will not fear rain. The connectors could get some water, but that shouldn't hinder.
The hub requires you to wire in the 12V from the motorcycles. The system has been specially designed to integrate with the Honda Goldwing and BMW K series music systems.
Price:
The unit consisting of 2 Pods and headsets and the Hub will set you back UK£349 (about €500). That's a lot cheaper than buying for example the BMW DCS-1 which cost that for one helmet (and more for the communication center) !
Availability:
Shortly - end April/May 2006. Intaride is looking for agents in Europe.
Summary
This really looks good. Finally we have a device that will take anything you have onboard (except maybe your coffee maker....) and inter-communicate. Can't wait to see this one live !
Click here to access the Intaride website for more info. Orders are taken (in fact you can get a discount if you order now).
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