Triumphrat

texinick · 07-06-2009, 10:19 PM

Apparently, the iPhone is supposed to now support a2dp for stereo music between bluetooth devices

Has anyone tried it out yet? The benefit to me is it means carrying one device. The phone side of things isn't so important, but the music and turn-by-turn navigation thanks to the Mobile Maps app is... music, phone & nav all on one device.

I'm currently looking into systems, and am getting very confused! :^) (Easily done!)

It's rumoured Cardo have the G4 coming out in September, which means early next year before pricing is acceptable. But this seems to have everything needed, with better distance on the bike-to-bike comms too.

In the meantime, my options seem to be:

The Cardo Q2 Mutiset pack. There's no a2dp, so I'm not sure if I can still listen to the music & nav directions on the iPhone or not? Doesn't matter so much if it's not in stereo, any sound would be appreciated! I guess, worst case, if the music won't play I could always use my iTrip Autopilot on the iphone, and pick it up with the FM radio in the headset.

The Blueant Interphone is another option, which much like the Q2 doesn't have a2dp, nor does it have the radio option. I've heard concerning rumours about them being fazed out, and a few reports of breackages.

There's also the Parrot SK4000 which had some good reviews, but while it has a2dp, it doesn't have an intercom feature!

Finally there's the IMC Camos BTC2xx & BTC3xx series, which seems to have a2dp, and intercom. But doesn't seem to be quite as popular as the Cardo system?

Who knows! I'm going to have to pick a set and go with it I think. At the moment I'm leaning toward the IMC Camos system as primarily I want music & navigation from my iphone, but also the intercom feature.

Can anyone recommend any of these systems, or alternatives? Has anyone tried them with an iPhone, does music work even without the a2dp?

Thanx

30942 · 07-06-2009, 11:31 PM

I had tried to use the Sony Ericsson MBR-100 bluetooth receiver with some headphones mounted inside my helmet. Technically, it works just fine, but the volume just isn't there. I had paired it with two separate phone (an ENV and an Alias 2) - neither one has the output that I want. I previously had this type of setup with an in-line amp (Radio Shack sells a thing called the "Boostaroo" - sounds gay, but it works great) and with that going on, everything works great. As I need the amp to get the volume I need, I was kind of defeating the purpose of going wireless with the bluetooth receiver.

If an iPhone has the same volume output as a regular iPod, you might be able to get it to work just fine. I also tried an iPod with my receiver and it came close to what I wanted (volume-wise).

As far as the iPhone being able to pair with bluetooth headsets, I think it would work just fine....

JoshNYC · 10-10-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texinick

Who knows! I'm going to have to pick a set and go with it I think. At the moment I'm leaning toward the IMC Camos system as primarily I want music & navigation from my iphone, but also the intercom feature.

So how did it go? Did you pick up a bluetooth headset? I am having a similar quandary and would like to know about your experiences with any bluetooth headsets and an iphone.

Thanks.

texinick · 10-10-2009, 09:33 PM

I ended up getting a used Scala Cardo Q2 set. The phone seems to work well, and the radio tuner is better than I expected. I'd heard lots of reports about it being too quiet, but for me it was the opposite. Maybe positioning of the earpieces has a lot to do with it.

For music from the iPhone, I just connected the iPod to the line in on the unit. Not perfect, but it'll do until the G4 set comes out (was meant to be September I think).

Had one guy ring me while riding up the mountain and he couldn't believe I was on the bike.

I haven't yet had a chance to test the rider-pillion or bike-to-bike intercom system.

JoshNYC · 10-15-2009, 02:04 PM

Revzilla site indicates early Nov for shipping.

http://www.revzilla.com/product/cardo-scala-rider-g4

What review/preview website, did you check out that got you interested in the g4?

tigg-ted · 10-27-2009, 06:56 PM

just got a new phone which supports a2dp, and I already have a Nolan N103 fitted with stereo bluetooth. I can confirm works well and if the phone rings it overrides the music to allow the call. You can also reject any calls by one button on the left side of the helmet. Plus optional Intercom GPS Cd player etc. And its all mounted neatly in the helmet. The stereo speakers are mounted behind the Padding directly over the ears no problem with volume.

I use Bluetooth intercom and Tomtom Rider with mobile connected to it via bluetooth when two up. No wires to forget when getting off and if you wish loud enough to play via the helmet to listen to in the garage and handfree phone calls without greasy oily hands on the phone or helmet!
check them out www.nolan.it

JoshNYC · 01-25-2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshNYC

Revzilla site indicates early Nov for shipping.

http://www.revzilla.com/product/cardo-scala-rider-g4

What review/preview website, did you check out that got you interested in the g4?

Went to the moto show in NYC this past weekend. Spoke with the SCALA rep. He said the G4 would be coming out in February (2010).

JoshNYC · 10-31-2010, 02:10 PM

I've been using a g4 now since it came out (Spring '10). I think it's great and works well. I use it with my iphone for GPS and Pandora. Works great. I recommend it.

Owenbrau · 12-29-2010, 12:51 PM

I have two Nolan helmets, both with the N-Com system installed. I actually use the same unit, switching between helmets. It bluetooth links to my iPhone for music, phone, and the Navigon GPS app. Volume is good, even in my N-43 which is quite loud and I wear earplugs under. Sound quality is very good, far better than the cheap bluetooth headset I got on eBay.

Using the GPS, I just listen to the directions and leave phone in my pcket, it was too hard to see the screen safely on the bars. I want to try using my iPad in a tank bag map case.

valkraider · 02-16-2011, 11:53 PM

My wife and I have used the Scala G4 Powerset with our iPhone 4s. Works great. Used for 10 hour days no problems, separate bikes. Has pretty good range - works great for just riding together since we are never more than about 1 mile apart... Farther than that we could always call on our cell phones (if in coverage - which can be tough in the western USA when on good riding roads cell service is spotty).

One caveat - the voice recognition is unpredictable at highway speeds. It sometimes would think "Play Music" was "Call Bob Swanson". Or something else wonky.

Also, the iPhone makes quiet beeps to let you know it switched into voice mode - which you won't hear at highway speed.

I have used them with ear plugs in, and without. They work good. Placing the speakers at the right spot at year ears is important, just a little off and it makes a big difference in volume.

I am very happy with the set.