Bluetooth FRS/GPRS Radio?

[road runner]

I was thinking of using a dongle on Starcom, but I don't think it would work.

Art

 

[HaulinAshe]

I was thinking of using a dongle on Starcom, but I don't think it would work.
Art

I actually purchased a couple BT dongles off Ebay to experiment with. Building battery eliminators is a real PITA and cutting away all the fancy plastic housings without damaging the core electronics is even tougher. Have not come up with anything that I'm happy with.

I also remember adding up the $$$ involved to take the Starcom or Autocomm systems BT to the helmet and the total price tag was scarey.

Honestly, I could live with the single wire to my helmet. I normally hang my helmet on the left mirror with the cable still attached. It's the wire to the passenger helmet that truly sucks and requires that "dance of living entangled".

 

[HaulinAshe]

For those of you with wired intercoms looking for a wireless "last mile" solution to connect the helmets to the system, there's one on the market:
Intaride makes the Liberty Wireless module that will connect to their brand of intercoms as well as others (they have cables for Autocoms and Starcoms).

Almost two years ago the Liberty/Intaride product was "Coming in April". I spent months trying to get them to reply to an email request. Finally sent something via snailmail and received a generic response letter a month later.

If their product support is anything like their communication skills (or their web site), there's no freakin' way I would spend my hard-earned cash on their product. That's why I started experimenting with a homemade solution.

 

[Jazzzzz]

Almost two years ago the Liberty/Intaride product was "Coming in April". I spent months trying to get them to reply to an email request. Finally sent something via snailmail and received a generic response letter a month later.If their product support is anything like their communication skills (or their web site), there's no freakin' way I would spend my hard-earned cash on their product. That's why I started experimenting with a homemade solution.

I agree their communication skills suck - I sent three or four emails + requests for info through their website without any response for months, and then a couple of weeks ago they sent out an email to anyone who'd contacted them recently (with all of the email addresses in plain view to everyone who received it) saying the product was finally available.

If I had $500 to throw away and already owned an intercom system to hook the Liberty to, I might give it a shot, but I don't fit either of those criteria. I only linked the Intaride stuff here as an "available option".

 

[BrunDog]

BrunDog, Any of your equipment have a usb connector?

I hardwired in a USB connecter in my RAM Aquabox that holds my PDA phone. The USB connector simply delivers power to the PDA phone. There is also a 4 conductor 2.5 mm plug for connecting the audio.

-BD

 

[BrunDog]

This Intaride thing looks interesting. I may look in a little deeper. This is exactly the right idea, but I must tell you that just based on the cheasy website, I don't have much faith. I wish Autocomm would just come out with their own damn thing that I can upgrade to...

-BD

 

[Ramblin Man]

Not having any of the equipment being discussed I don't know if this helps at all. I have a nokia bluetooth headset that is a microphone and a stereo headphone jack. You can use whatever earbuds you want with it. It sounds really good. It pairs to your bluetooth device but also comes with a usb bluetooth dongle for hooking to a computer and playing music that way. I got it so I could use it in my helmet. Just use some velcro to mount it in front of my mouth and plug in my earbuds. It uses the same charger as my phone. I'd have music and the phone would auto answer.

Like I said, I don't know if you could make use of that or not. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Bratcop]

interesting discussion, I am looking at starting to farkle this year and here is how I envision solving SOME of the problems. I have a smartphone, HTC ppc6800. It comes with stereo bluetooth. I have found a stereo bluetooth receiver that runs on batteries and is about 2"X2". this receiver/amp allows me to plug my Sure earphones into it and it clips to my coat. My smart phone has GPS (Tom Tom 6) on it and automatically prioritorizes phone calls and nav directions as well as mp3 playing. It obviously does not give helmet to helmet conversation nor phone calls, but I don't really think riding a cycle and talking on the phone, dialing, reading the screen is such a good idea. Listening to MP3, getting nav is good though. it is wireless as far as rider to bike, but eliminates the conversation aspect. Just a little input...not a solution for those of you who want a mobile conversation solution. BTW, I can still see who is calling, just cant talk. If important, I can pull over.

:glare:

 

[Fred W]

interesting discussion, I am looking at starting to farkle this year and here is how I envision solving SOME of the problems. I have a smartphone, HTC ppc6800. It comes with stereo bluetooth. I have found a stereo bluetooth receiver that runs on batteries and is about 2"X2". this receiver/amp allows me to plug my Sure earphones into it and it clips to my coat. My smart phone has GPS (Tom Tom 6) on it and automatically prioritorizes phone calls and nav directions as well as mp3 playing. It obviously does not give helmet to helmet conversation nor phone calls, but I don't really think riding a cycle and talking on the phone, dialing, reading the screen is such a good idea. Listening to MP3, getting nav is good though. it is wireless as far as rider to bike, but eliminates the conversation aspect. Just a little input...not a solution for those of you who want a mobile conversation solution. BTW, I can still see who is calling, just cant talk. If important, I can pull over.
:glare:

Most wireless phones these days have an "auto-answer" feature that would allow you to take calls. But it wouldn't allow you to screen them or choose if/when you don't want to take a call. To me, your solution is better. See who is calling, if you want to talk, call them back.

 

[Bratcop]

I could not answer as my phone will be mounted on the stem stand, and no mic attached, just headphones. With screen display, picture/caller ID will show up on screen letting me know who is calling. Phone also audibly tells me of text messages, email, voicemail, etc, all of which would come over the blue tooth connection. Seems flawless, but might actually look into the Nokia option mentioned above as it has mic, so I could call passenger via telephone...and she could answer via her nokia and phone.

 

[BrunDog]

Bratcop: I just upgraded from the 6700 to the 6800. Function as far as stereo bluetooth is the same. You can use any adapter that has A2DP and HSF/Headset profiles, and then you can talk, too. Most of these units have the mic built in. MSI makes a model that has a separate microphone. The problem is that a mic like this one is not designed for bike use, and ambient wind noise will likely overwhelm it and the people at the other end of your phone convversations.

I want to have a wireless solution in my helmet. I can use one of the BT units mentioned above to receive everything from the PPC. But my problem is the FRS/GPRS radio. I want to be able to go bike to bike over it. I am probably going to try a phone dongle and use my radio's built-in VOX function. The only problem is that I do not think the headsets can connect to more than one device using the headset profile.

-BD

 

[FJRandy]

Some time in the near future when time and money (mostly money) allow, I'm going to invest in a bluetooth hands free "car" kit and attempt to wire in a 2.5mm female plug that incorporates the mic and speaker connections so you can just plug the older Autocom phone plug right in.

So far I can't see why it can't be done since the kit has a plug for external mic and a separate output wire for external speaker.

The problem (for me anyway) is HOW to figure it out without a schematic. This would be a perfect setup, considering you wouldn't have to leave your phone out in the breeze anymore, just push the button on the dash mounted controller.

Here's one example of the units I can get at cost from my distributor....

https://www.egohandsfree.com/ego-flash.html

But I really like the Parrot model better, and my distributor doesn carry this brand.

https://www.parrotshopping.com/us/p_parrot_item.aspx?i=138088

I'd hate to get as far as getting the connections right, then find out the volume is too low or something of that nature. And at $200 plus each it's an expensive gamble. Once that winning lottery ticket arrives, I'm SOO there!

 

[molferen]

Am I missing something with this setup? Anyone doing something similar?

Jabra BT320s (or their latest replacement)

A125s for the iPod

Zumo 550

Challenger "M" Series Isolation Earphones

The only thing I'm missing would be getting some kind of microphone to connect to the BT320s and where to mount the 320s. If I hang it from the helmet, my jacket, etc I'd still have to worry about running the mic cable from the 320s to inside my helmet. Unless their is such a thing as a wireless mic?

 

[Mogan]

Here's what I would like:

I'd like a wired-to-the-bike Autocom-like box that can process various and sundry audio inputs and outputs, but that has two bluetooth nodes so that I can run the driver and passenger stereo BT connections.

I would not care if the box had the ability to pair with any other BT devices (like my phone, etc.) but that would be sort of cool if it could. The main thing is to cut the cords between me, my passenger and the bike.

The bluetooth helmet sets should be very small with minimal battery requirements since the bike to bike comms would be handled by the box.

I'm really, really hoping that this is what Autocom has up their sleeves... (yet to be announced)

I think the market for such a setup is HUGE! I want one! Love my Pro-AVI but want exactly what you just described.

 

[EODSarge]

Has anyone used the bluetooth Chatterbox unit? Other than the size of the helmet mount, it looks like it would do what I'm looking for: Have cell, music, and FRS radio with no wires to the helmet. However, reviews seem to be 50/50 "works well" and "defective out of the box", and unanimous on

"vox doesn't work".

 

[Roy Epperson]

I currently have an Autocomm setup which admittedly, works flawlessly. I have it connected to my Windows Mobile phone for phone, music, navigation, and internet streamed Sirius radio. I also connect it to a FRS / GPRS radio to talk to a buddy of mine who has a FRS chatterbox.<snip>

-BD

BD,

Where did you mount the Autocomm and how did you route the headset connection cable? Just got an FJR and getting ready to move the Autocomm to it.

Roy

 

[Bike Effects]

Many of us are already using the wired Starcom or Autocom. How about developing a device that BT's between the existing Starcom/Autocom and our helmet?
Probably a re-itteration of what you just said.

Starcom are developing a Bluetooth adapter that will be compatible with all of their helmet sets. No specs or release date as yet.

 

[k7lvo]

Some time in the near future when time and money (mostly money) allow, I'm going to invest in a bluetooth hands free "car" kit and attempt to wire in a 2.5mm female plug that incorporates the mic and speaker connections so you can just plug the older Autocom phone plug right in.So far I can't see why it can't be done since the kit has a plug for external mic and a separate output wire for external speaker.

The problem (for me anyway) is HOW to figure it out without a schematic. This would be a perfect setup, considering you wouldn't have to leave your phone out in the breeze anymore, just push the button on the dash mounted controller.

Here's one example of the units I can get at cost from my distributor....

https://www.egohandsfree.com/ego-flash.html

But I really like the Parrot model better, and my distributor doesn carry this brand.

https://www.parrotshopping.com/us/p_parrot_item.aspx?i=138088

I'd hate to get as far as getting the connections right, then find out the volume is too low or something of that nature. And at $200 plus each it's an expensive gamble. Once that winning lottery ticket arrives, I'm SOO there!

I have done that with the Gold Wing. However, I didn't interface it through the intercom, I used the music mute lead from the car kit to energize relays that switch the headset from the intercom to the car kit. The headset for the Wing's intercom match up very well to the car kits (I've used an Ericsson and a Nokia kit) with good sounding audio both ways. I can hear the other person clearly, and they don't even know I'm on a motorcycle until I tell them.

I really want to be able to screen my calls, though, so I need to find a car kit that is somewhat universally adaptable. The branded kits, of course, only transfer data between their own branded phones. For that reason, I'm leaning toward a GPS with Bluetooth capabilities, probably the Garmin 2820 or Zumo, in that order. The only downside (for me) is that none of the Bluetooth GPS's will display satellite weather maps like the Garmin 376/378/478 models...

 

[Hawk Pilot]

Hay GangHave you seen the new Collett microFONE BT head set. It looks like it will do a lot, as long as both riders have one.

Bike to bike 2 miles is a lot better than 1640 feet.

No limit of how many can talk bike to bike.

Full stereo sound.

I emailed them asking them about it and they said to call them with any questions so I'm calling today. I'm asking them how many items it can pair to & if it still uses a battery pack.

I'll let you know

A.C.

Just got off the phone w/Ryan @ Collett. He said both the 900 Plus & microFONE will pair to 2 devices. One on A2DP & one on HPF protocol. The microFONE comes with 2 batteries, a belt mounted battery (that last about 10 hrs.) & it also comes with a helmet mounted battery (that last about 3 hrs.).

The difference between them are:

*900 plus

-wired between rider & pass

-pass is piggy back so hears same as rider hears (BT devices & bike to bike)

-has an audio port to add a 3rd device by wire(like radar) and they can set the priority of it if you want

*microFONE

-BT between rider & pass (no wire between them)

-pass can pair to there own 2 BT devices but hears the same bike to bike thru the rider headset

-has no audio port for a third device (but Ryan is going to see if they can add it before production, as we speak)

Collett now has anFJR Forum channel, thanks to Ryan. So that means no one on that channel except us.

The microFONE will be around 499.00 a set (not definite yet). That's rider & pass headset, and 2 batteries each.

Ryan said it's very possible that all FJR forum members could get a discount :yahoo:

If you have any ? call 1-800-665-7888 and ask for Ryan he'd be glad to help.

Thanks: A.C.

I just ordered the 900 Plus from Ryan. I will try to let you know how I like it when I get it.

Joe

 

[ceddec]

So anyone have a Collet & how is it working out for you?