3/15 [added PART 2: ride review]
PART I: Installation and Initial Thoughts
After reading several reviews and scouring some boards, I settled on this unit from REVZILLA ($225).
MFG PAGE
My main interest was streaming stereo audio from my smartphone, using the A2DP protocol.
The ability to do phone calls seems cool, but not a huge thing for me.
I don't have a regular pillion, so intercom and bike-to-bike were not priorities. The spec's for those functions seem decent and may prove handy someday.
My main criteria for "keeper" status are:
*VOLUME - must be usable at freeway speeds
*TOUGHNESS - must be water and dirt proof, take the occasional hard knock
* COMPATIBILITY - Bluetooth stuff needs to work with my relatively old TREO 700P
*SIZE - not too heavy or bulky
so let's get it on.....
*************************************************************
PACKAGING: it's a box
CONTENTS: nothing missing
THE UNIT: size seems decent, not too brick-y, tough exterior, solid controls
*gripe: the buttons are very stiff, some functions require a double click, may prove a little awkward
CHARGE IT: always the first thing to do, the charge cord is wired for two units. Nice touch.
*gripe: charge port is not USB, had to buy a special cig lighter charger from the MFG (14.99)
MOUNT IT: comes with a clamp style mount and a stick-on with 3M tape
I wanted to use the clamp style, but it was not big enough for my helmet (KBC FFR)
*gripe: the clamp mount seems smallish for most full or modular helmets, even with the "extension". Hopefully, the 3M tape will hold up
AESTHETICS CHECK: not too bad, no worse that the competition, IMHO. I like the shape
THE STUFFING: pulled all the pads out, added velcro to the earcups, routed cables, put everything back
Took about an hour futzing with different cable options, ear piece placement, etc.
I also had to remove my old headphone setup. It has served me well. Hopefully the smaller earpieces can keep up
*gripe: it would be nice for these things to use a standard stereo 3.5mm jack, so the earpieces can be of the users choosing
WRAP UP: put all the pads back in and double check cable routing for pinching, rubbing, clearance from moving parts
BLUETOOTH SETUP: paired with my Treo, everything worked as expected, comes with pocket guide to different functions
*gripe: no function to FF or REW when listening to mp3's
****************************************************************************
CONCLUSIONS:
* A2DP sound quality is very good and very loud, noticeable drop in bass response from my old headphone speakers
* PHONE sound quality also very good, we'll see how it holds up on the road
* microphone is neither intrusive nor vulnerable, but needs to be considered to avoid tweaking the windscreen (it comes with a spare) during take-on/off
* featherweight... no noticeable change to helmet balance
* technically capable with simple controls and solid components
******************************************************************************
PART II - on the road
PROS -
great sound quality at all speeds (did not try with ear plugs)
able to answer calls from two different phones
A2DP mp3 streaming worked flawlessly
used it for the entire 4 hour ride, battery life seems to match spec's
CONS -
voice recognition dialing at speed a little iffy, I'll try setting up some tags using the unit instead of the phone
volume buttons take some getting used to with thick gloves, a self-adjusting volume feature would be nice
multifunction button is a hard press, makes double clicks and holding for on/off, etc. awkward
I miss the bass response of my headphone speakers
I am very happy with this unit.
I look forward to putting the intercom through it's paces at some point.
VVVV out of VVVVV
PART I: Installation and Initial Thoughts
After reading several reviews and scouring some boards, I settled on this unit from REVZILLA ($225).
MFG PAGE
My main interest was streaming stereo audio from my smartphone, using the A2DP protocol.
The ability to do phone calls seems cool, but not a huge thing for me.
I don't have a regular pillion, so intercom and bike-to-bike were not priorities. The spec's for those functions seem decent and may prove handy someday.
My main criteria for "keeper" status are:
*VOLUME - must be usable at freeway speeds
*TOUGHNESS - must be water and dirt proof, take the occasional hard knock
* COMPATIBILITY - Bluetooth stuff needs to work with my relatively old TREO 700P
*SIZE - not too heavy or bulky
so let's get it on.....
*************************************************************
PACKAGING: it's a box
CONTENTS: nothing missing
THE UNIT: size seems decent, not too brick-y, tough exterior, solid controls
*gripe: the buttons are very stiff, some functions require a double click, may prove a little awkward
CHARGE IT: always the first thing to do, the charge cord is wired for two units. Nice touch.
*gripe: charge port is not USB, had to buy a special cig lighter charger from the MFG (14.99)
MOUNT IT: comes with a clamp style mount and a stick-on with 3M tape
I wanted to use the clamp style, but it was not big enough for my helmet (KBC FFR)
*gripe: the clamp mount seems smallish for most full or modular helmets, even with the "extension". Hopefully, the 3M tape will hold up
AESTHETICS CHECK: not too bad, no worse that the competition, IMHO. I like the shape
THE STUFFING: pulled all the pads out, added velcro to the earcups, routed cables, put everything back
Took about an hour futzing with different cable options, ear piece placement, etc.
I also had to remove my old headphone setup. It has served me well. Hopefully the smaller earpieces can keep up
*gripe: it would be nice for these things to use a standard stereo 3.5mm jack, so the earpieces can be of the users choosing
WRAP UP: put all the pads back in and double check cable routing for pinching, rubbing, clearance from moving parts
BLUETOOTH SETUP: paired with my Treo, everything worked as expected, comes with pocket guide to different functions
*gripe: no function to FF or REW when listening to mp3's
****************************************************************************
CONCLUSIONS:
* A2DP sound quality is very good and very loud, noticeable drop in bass response from my old headphone speakers
* PHONE sound quality also very good, we'll see how it holds up on the road
* microphone is neither intrusive nor vulnerable, but needs to be considered to avoid tweaking the windscreen (it comes with a spare) during take-on/off
* featherweight... no noticeable change to helmet balance
* technically capable with simple controls and solid components
******************************************************************************
PART II - on the road
PROS -
great sound quality at all speeds (did not try with ear plugs)
able to answer calls from two different phones
A2DP mp3 streaming worked flawlessly
used it for the entire 4 hour ride, battery life seems to match spec's
CONS -
voice recognition dialing at speed a little iffy, I'll try setting up some tags using the unit instead of the phone
volume buttons take some getting used to with thick gloves, a self-adjusting volume feature would be nice
multifunction button is a hard press, makes double clicks and holding for on/off, etc. awkward
I miss the bass response of my headphone speakers
I am very happy with this unit.
I look forward to putting the intercom through it's paces at some point.
VVVV out of VVVVV
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