Cellular Bluetooth Interphone - Update from Bikes in the Fast Lane

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Cellular Bluetooth Interphone - Update

November
2006

  File under Bluetooth Gadgets
  Author: Mike Werner
  Location: Normandy, France

Read the special articles on Bluetooth and motorcycles:

All Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth

All 3rd Party Bluetooth add on for Helmets

NOTE: We have written a lengthy product review of the CellularLine Interphone. Click here to read it.

I've finally been contacted by Cellular regarding their Bluetooth Interphone for motorcycles {link}. I had asked them several questions, so here are the questions and their respective responses (all questions and responses have been editor, and I have added notes/remarks to several answers):

1. Having a Bluetooth intercom that can be used for bike-to-bike communications, is interesting, but the immediate questions is; does it work for more than 2 helmets ?

Answer: No, it will only work between 2 helmets at the same time. You can change the pairing easily and fast, but you will only be able to talk to one other helmet.

Ed Note: Obviously, you'll not be pairing to another unit while riding, so for all intense and purposes, you're hooked to one unit !

2. Can the Interphone receive MP3 music if you have a Bluetooth equipped player ?

Answer: Yes and No. The unit does not used A2DP Bluetooth ( the stereo protocol of Bluetooth). You can however receive music if your mobile phone can play back stereo music (many present day mobile phones have MP3 playback capabilities)

3. Having several devices attached, intercom, phone and GPS, if all of them "talk" at the same time, what will happen ?

Answer: If you pair your GPS to your mobile telephone (like the TomTom Rider), the GPS will mute if the phone rings.

Ed Note: This means that the muting of devices depend on the other device. The Interphone does not have the logic to take care of it (which makes sense, since each unit is a master).

4. When you are on the phone, will the pillion or other biker hear your conversation. Can the passenger/pillion/biker also use the phone ?

Answer: No, the other helmet can not use the same phone, not even listen to the conversation. The other helmet however, can have a mobile phone of their own.

5. What are the recommended retail prices for the units (internationally)

Answer: Between €169 and €189.

6. Are the units available ?

Answer: Yes, the Interphone is available today in Europe. You can email the export department at Cellular for a list of distributors at export@cellularline.com, or phone +39-522 336 115, or check their internet by clicking here.