Handsfree calling, and music? Read.. Bluetronics Evo Bluetooth Helmet Headset review

[LewSpeight]

Evening.

So i got these Bluetronic Evo headset kit, yes kit, means it comes with two full systems. Great for passenger to rider communication.

I payed £99 for 2, or i believe its around £70 for 1. I ordered 2pm yesterday afternoon and arrived this morning. Despite the xmas postal madness happening to the world, not bad i guess, specially for free postage.
(search ebay for 'bluetronics')

So, it arrived in a very small box, with:

- 1 main unit
- one bracket to mount the unit to the helmet
- one wired up set including two attached flat speakers (about 3/4mm thick), a long metal bendy thing with a mic attached to it, and the little socket to plug into the bottom of the unit.
- 4 circular sticky velcro pads for speakers
- mini screwdriver to attach bracket to helmet (dont worry it doesnt defect helmet in anyway, i'll come to that further down*)
- quick start guide
- full manual
- usb cable/charger

First thing i did, was mount it to my Duchinni D311 helmet. Removed inner cheek pads, **attached bracket (like a clip, but tightened with little screws, clips to the outer shell of helmet)
Then i easily fed the wires in and around the inner padding of the helmet to allow the mic to sit perfectly infront of my mouth and the ear pieces right down infront of my elbows.. no no, my ears, obviously.

IMAGE TAKEN FROM GOOGLE IMAGES
http://bluetronics.co.uk/images/headsets/evo_gallery/evo_004.jpg

As you can see, the unit has a little twisty knob (grow up :smt019), a large main button (answer/decline/end calls) and a discreet button for pairing as such. Easily paired with my iPhone5, making it easy to play music aswell.
Admittedly the speakers arent 100% perfect sound quality, but when top brands are charging nearly triple for just one unit, i cant really complain. When the volume is anything below max, the music quality is nice.

The bracket stays on the helmet (even that can be removed by loosening 2 screws) and the actual unit can quickly be slid upwards and lifted away, providing you've unplugged the wire leading to the inner wires and speakers and whatnot.

Full navigation of music (volume/next track/previous track/pause/play) is available, aswell as end call/redial/and adjustments from sound going from left to right of the helmet.

I've fitted these two to both my helmets, the other being a craft RX5, tried them out between two people for passenger to rider conversation and it works flawlessly. Voice quality is top notch.

Overall a very satisfactory buy, i'd be happy paying £100 for one unit, nevermind 2. So if you're after a handsfree phone caller for your helmet without breaking the bank then i couldnt recommend this enough.

The battery life i cannot comment on, but will be sure to report back with it after a weeks usage.

Pictures will also be uploaded if there is enough request for them.


Ps. All those Siri users, it wont work. Or i cannot figure out how to get it working as of yet. I'll keep you posted.

[LewSpeight]

Oh, and please move to correct thread if i dumped my words wrongly :salut:

[Spank86]

As a cricket I was very interested to hear of a Bluetooth set that would enable me to have headphones near my elbows.

I was however very disappointed to read on and find out you were merely having a jolly jape. For this reason I have to give the review two stars.

[LewSpeight]

Hahah! Awr man :/ no likey?

[TCochrane]

Have the Interphone F3S under the christmas tree which is a little bit pricier to this set so it'll be interesting to see how they stack up to eachother!

[PyroUK]

Ps. All those Siri users, it wont work. Or i cannot figure out how to get it working as of yet. I'll keep you posted.

Not sure if its the same with Siri as it is with the normal voice control but when using any bluetooth systems with my 4 i either have to hold the call button for much longer or press it as normal but wait much longer for it it register and activate the function.

Might be the same with Siri so may be worth giving that a go!

Cheers

[LewSpeight]

Not sure if its the same with Siri as it is with the normal voice control but when using any bluetooth systems with my 4 i either have to hold the call button for much longer or press it as normal but wait much longer for it it register and activate the function.

Might be the same with Siri so may be worth giving that a go!

Cheers

I tried the 'long press' and it seems to redial... I'll give it an even longer press in an hour or so and keep you posted.
Thanks for the heads up though!

[PyroUK]

I tried the 'long press' and it seems to redial... I'll give it an even longer press in an hour or so and keep you posted.
Thanks for the heads up though!

Ah damn it, try just pressing it the once "normally" and wait a few seconds longer?

[LewSpeight]

Not sure I quite get you?

[PyroUK]

Not sure I quite get you?

erm...doh

i'll try and translate my random thoughts in to decipherable english...

try pressing it the way you would to make a call with a normal phone e.g press it once briefly or press it for 1 sec etc

then just leave it for say 20 secs to see if it activates siri

that make sense?

[LewSpeight]

Ooh I see :) yes I'll give that a shot.

Comprendè!

[PyroUK]

im glad that made sense, i was terrified i would have to try and translate again! haha

[LewSpeight]

Nope!
If I press it normally it plays music straight away...
If I hold it for however long (tried 5 seconds and 15ish), as soon as I let go it starts redialling....

[PyroUK]

damn that sucks. you could always turn siri off and go back ot normal voice control and see if that works?

that is if you can live without siri?

[LewSpeight]

LIVE WITHOUT SIRI!!?!?!?!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/23/vehasy5a.jpg

[PyroUK]

Well I did say if! Lol

Personally I am glad I only have a 4 and no Siri. Got it on the iPad and its more trouble than its worth.

Get about 25% accuracy with its recognition.

[LewSpeight]

Really!? I'm on the 5 and can't fault it... It's only ever NOT worked when I used the earphones and I was travelling about 70mph so wind noise kinda drowned out my voice...

Even at home I use it, it's like the best tool ever

[PyroUK]

Haha, maybe it's the quality of the mic and my pronunciation then!

[LewSpeight]

Haha, maybe it's the quality of the mic and my pronunciation then!

Possibles! I'm gunna drop an email to Bluetronics see if they can work on it

[Bibio]

this sounds good. i have been looking for something that my usual riding buddies and i can have to talk cr@p.

will be interesting to find out what the range actually is between bikes.

[LewSpeight]

I'm gunna put it through a tests this week Lance, I tried it last night, me on the ground floor and friend was 3 floors up in my house and it still worked fine.. A very very slight crackle but considering the circumstances I was impressed

[maviczap]

Its a good price for 2 units, I could have done with something like this when I was doing CBT training

[LewSpeight]

Yeh I was pleasantly surprised. If I can get this Siri to work then it would perfect for me.
If you don't use Siri, then it's perfect.
Oh, here's a photo of it on my helmet:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/23/8y7u6u8y.jpg

[LewSpeight]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/23/y4yjy3es.jpg

[Skybaba]

I'm gunna put it through a tests this week Lance, I tried it last night, me on the ground floor and friend was 3 floors up in my house and it still worked fine.. A very very slight crackle but considering the circumstances I was impressed

How are you getting on with this?
I'm thinking of buying an entry-level bluetooth as I can't really splash out now; still buying bits and pieces for the bike :)

Could you kindly give a quick review?

Thanks!

[LewSpeight]

Hi Baba,
They're great. Cannot fault them apart from the lack of Siri support.
In terms of a mini review I'm not sure what to say other than what's said above. My friend and I used them (rider to 2nd rider on a ride) and as soon as he got home he ordered a pair.

The clarity of the voice at speed depends on the helmet. After taping up the vents around the mouth piece the sound was perfect upto about 80mph..

[Skybaba]

Hi Baba,
They're great. Cannot fault them apart from the lack of Siri support.
In terms of a mini review I'm not sure what to say other than what's said above. My friend and I used them (rider to 2nd rider on a ride) and as soon as he got home he ordered a pair.

The clarity of the voice at speed depends on the helmet. After taping up the vents around the mouth piece the sound was perfect upto about 80mph..

Thanks, I'll order it and give it a shot!

[LewSpeight]

You got it Skybaba?

[Skybaba]

Hey Mr. Lew,

I got one, not sure if it's the same one but it sure looks exactly the same as yours.
I suspect the same company is China is making them for different suppliers or mine is fake :-)

I got the pack of two for £65; I was looking for a cheap, entry-level comms system to experiment with but this is certainly cheaper than chips LOL!!

http://www.mychoice.co.uk/bt-bluetooth-interphone-motorcycle-helmet-intercom-headset-pack-of-2

I paid for it on Monday and got it yesterday.
Worked only half-day today so I'll be giving it a try within the hour.

Stay tuned :-)

[LewSpeight]

Yep, even came with the same screwdriver and stuff. Looks exactly the same!

[NTECUK]

Is that two for £70 ???

[ClunkintheUK]

Been looking for something like this. As is my mate. Do you know if you can use two separately bought units together for the bluetooth comms.?

[LewSpeight]

Ntecuk
I got 2 for £99

And clunkin
Yep, easy to set up and works lovely

[ClunkintheUK]

Suh-wheet. Worth a shot at £100.

[LewSpeight]

Yep! Probably the most useful £100 i've spent, great with passengers and stuff

[ClunkintheUK]

I'm not comfortable taking pillions yet. But, also going go karting with my mates next weekend, banter while karting could be fun (if they aren't spoil sports)

[LewSpeight]

haah that'd be well funny. Never even thought of that...

[ClunkintheUK]

One of my mates also rides, so was thinking of getting his own pair. Hopefully with all our spare lids, we can get 4 of us in on the banter.

Unfortunately he used to race for his Uni and is much quicker than everyone else I know. (/derail)

[ClunkintheUK]

Just ordered myself a set. Will let you know how it goes.

[Skybaba]

Is that two for £70 ???

Yes Sir, I got the pair for £69.95 + free delivery.

this sounds good. i have been looking for something that my usual riding buddies and i can have to talk cr@p.

will be interesting to find out what the range actually is between bikes.

I don't have any bike-buddies to test with :-(
Maybe Lew can give us the 411 on that.


Been looking for something like this. As is my mate. Do you know if you can use two separately bought units together for the bluetooth comms.?

Yes Clunk, both units can work independently of each other.


Just ordered myself a set. Will let you know how it goes.

Did you go for the £100 Bluetronics one Lew has or the brandless one I discovered for 69.95 :-)

REVIEW

My main purpose of getting this is to be able to play some music during my commute to work (53 miles - 1.5 Hrs).
Also hoping to use it on ride outs.

I gave it a go yesterday and it's just O.K.
I wasn't expecting too much considering the price, so in that regard, the kit met my expectations.

Overall, I would score it about 5.5 out of 10.

Music

While listening to music, I was able to get a decent sound.
The optimum sound level I got was with my iPhone on the loudest, and the headset volume at about 85%; anything more than that was a bit distorted.
I personally wouldn't use the max volume as I love to hear stuff going on around me and the beautiful sound of my exhaust!!!

6.5 out of 10

Phone


I received a phone call while on the bike yesterday, incidentally the same person had called me while I was using the normal wired iPhone headphones a few weeks before.
The call lasted 15 minutes while I traveled on roads between 30 - 60mph, so not going too fast.

when I asked him how the call quality was he said:

- he knew I was on the bike
- It was a bit unclear at times (I think that may have been down to the network as my travels took me through a well-known "black-spot")
- he could hear my revs and gear changes
- he said overall the call was O.K

I could hear him, but not as loud as the music; though that could have been because he was using his car handsfree set as well.

When I asked him for the experience compare to my normal iPhone headset, he said with the iPhone headset, he thought I was in a car. He could tell I was on the move, but he couldn't hear the other sounds he heard with the bluetooth headset.

4.5 out of 10


Rider-to-Rider or Rider-to-Pillion

Not had a chance to test that as I don't have any biking buddies yet.
Not ready for a pillion at the moment.

I guess the story might be different when I'm able to use this on a proper run involving motorways........I certainly don't see that happening for a week if the snow keeps up like this!

All in all, I don't regret the purchase..........not when it's cheaper than chips!!
:takeabow:

[LewSpeight]

Cracking!
Glad I could be of use to somebody. I'm rather impressed with these.. I'm confident in saying I'd of happily spent £200 on the pair. But then I guess I've got nothing to compare them too

[Criggers]

Just order myself the pair :) cheers for the post

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

I've got the same system but it only cost £30 for one or £50 for 2.

[Criggers]

Hoping that this intercom is better than the last one I had, think it was called a "chatterbox" was poor quality

[LewSpeight]

Yeh there's nothing here that screams out bad quality.. I'm normally all about 'you buy cheap you buy twice', but I'm also 100% confident in these little pieces of kit

[LewSpeight]

Yeh there's nothing here that screams out bad quality.. I'm normally all about 'you buy cheap you buy twice', but I'm also 100% confident in these little pieces of kit

[Paul the 6th]

So when you fit 2 of these to 2 seperate helmets - is the rider to pillion comms through wireless means? or is it a wired connection?

[NTECUK]

via wireless bluetooth :)
they don't have a jack.to.mp3 etc player like the scala rider ones.
but what do you want for £70...

[Skybaba]

Yeh there's nothing here that screams out bad quality.. I'm normally all about 'you buy cheap you buy twice', but I'm also 100% confident in these little pieces of kit

Hey Lew,

How was your sound at motorway speed?
Mine wasn't really good once I hit 70mph. I couldn't hear the music too well.

I've got a crap helmet which is very noisy, so maybe that didn't help matters. I'm hoping I can get a new helmet in a few weeks, so maybe that might make it better.
I've also just ordered a ZeroGravity touring screen so I'm hoping that helps as well.

Just thought to mention this and find out what your experience was.

[NTECUK]

If you value your hearing your wear ear plugs then.
. A quiet lids not that expensive.

[NTECUK]

If you value your hearing your wear ear plugs then.
. A quiet lids not that expensive.

[Skybaba]

If you value your hearing your wear ear plugs then.
. A quiet lids not that expensive.

Thanks. I wear moldex earplugs.

[Skybaba]

A quiet lids not that expensive.

Can you recommend any one that won't break the bank too much?

I'm reading reviews for different expensive helmets and some people swear by how quiet they are, while others say it's noisy and I wonder how can the user experience be so different for the same helmet???

I'm putting it down to setup; faired or naked, tall screens, human sensitivity (tolerance level) and shape of head and how it "fills" the helmet ;-).
Talk about one man's meat..........

[NTECUK]

I can't as I suffer from noise induced deafness ,so my hearing isn't what it was. .
From being in loud bands ,Going to gigs with same,and work mostly .
ok bikes are in that mix.
.
Worth a look on the forum .
my shark S900 is quieter than my HJC IS16.

[Criggers]

Just fitted the ear pieces, tried the helmet on and found they're a little uncomfortable, maybe I've placed them in wrong but I can live with it

[Skybaba]

Worth a look on the forum .
my shark S700 is quieter than my HJC IS16.
OK, will do. Thanks.

Just fitted the ear pieces, tried the helmet on and found they're a little uncomfortable, maybe I've placed them in wrong but I can live with it

I had the same issue with my speakers. Had to move it around a few inches before I got a comfortable point.
I think it's worth giving it a shot than living with it.

[NTECUK]

This is my sunday best lid.
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/58227
Its cheap and good performance though

[Criggers]

Can anyone just run through how you pair these up? I've paired them up once work for about 5 mins then I couldn't hear my mate but he could hear me :/

[NTECUK]

if he can hear you. they are still paired .
ya dint accidentally turn the volume down???

[Criggers]

Turns out the microphone doesn't work, emailed them for a replacement, will find out tomorrow what's going to happen

[NTECUK]

Bummer :(

[Criggers]

Bummer :(

Tell me about it. Hopefully get an email tomorrow morning

[Criggers]

So got a phone call from Mychoice.co.uk yesterday evening. They said that they have dispatched a replacement unit and in the package there is a pre paid return label for the faulty unit. Now that's service.

[ClunkintheUK]

Got me a pair on the weekend. Haven;t done rider to rider, but its been nice listening to me choons on my commute. Gonna try them at go karting this weekend hopefully, driver to driver.

One a side note about the ear plugs, I use those Oxford foam ones, but they are pretty rubbish. I haven't been able to find any of those plastic Christmas tree type ones anywhere. Any suggestions?

[NTECUK]

screwfix.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/jsp-19db-ear-plugs-pack-of-10/15310?kpid=15310?cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CKXTjenlj7UCFSbMtAodSREABQ
if you have big ear holes they don't work though .

[joe_f59]

Thought i would update this thread due to the sheer joy and enjoyment i am getting from such a simple thing as not having wires running up my jacket and being able to talk to pillions/other riders.
For the money these things are unbeatable. Yes i had a bracket fatigue and snap recently ( probably due to the cold) but a quick phone call to the company and a next day replacement was on my doormat free of charge.
Must be the benefit of buying British :)

[Skybaba]

Got me a pair on the weekend. Haven;t done rider to rider, but its been nice listening to me choons on my commute. Gonna try them at go karting this weekend hopefully, driver to driver.


Have you had a chance to try the rider-to-rider yet?
I've been unable to test it yet.



Yes i had a bracket fatigue and snap recently ( probably due to the cold) but a quick phone call to the company and a next day replacement was on my doormat free of charge.
Must be the benefit of buying British :)

The screws holding the bracket to my helmet must have become loose, so the helmet unit dropped when I was walking after parking the bike last Wednesday.

[Criggers]

Skybabba,
I've used the bike to bike and it's great quality, just could do with having a little bit longer on the range

[Skybaba]

Skybabba,
I've used the bike to bike and it's great quality, just could do with having a little bit longer on the range

Cheers for that.

A colleague and I are going to Wales in 2 weeks so plan to use it then if I can get a replacement for the one I lost a few days ago.

[Skybaba]

I still haven't got the replacement for my unit. I've traded a few emails with the guys I bought it from and the bottom-line was that I reported the issue just a few days after the warranty had expired.

I decided to go for the Scala G4 just before my Euro trip; the quality is loads better; like night and day!

The volume works with ambient noise so it automatically increases when you speed up and decreases when you slow down. I think it's great as it means the volume is never too loud.

One disappointment was that I was unable to pair the unit with my iPhone and Zumo SatNav at the same time.

I think the way the device is advertised is a little bit misleading.

I also couldn't test the Intercom as Chris wasn't too keen to stick in on his helmet during our trip so can't comment on that yet.

Lastly, the unit paired with my Zumo SatNav and the directions were clear.

[NTECUK]

I use the old teamset one with a single earpice.
Works well with my mobile and the Mono Bluetoth app for sat nav/music
Scala Rider Teamsetteam set

[cheesypeeps]

Ok some daft questions perhaps....
Is the unit weatherproof? Ie will it become goosed if it gets wet?
Also does the other rider have to have the same set to be compatible or can if work using Bluetooth to any other brands /types of units my friends may have?

[NTECUK]

My ones water resitant ,so far .
Don't ride with anyone else to have 2 pair it up.
its for navigation and music use for me plus texts read out s/phone

[Skybaba]

Ok some daft questions perhaps....
Is the unit weatherproof? Ie will it become goosed if it gets wet?
Also does the other rider have to have the same set to be compatible or can if work using Bluetooth to any other brands /types of units my friends may have?

Are you asking about the Bluetronics unit? I believe most of those questions have been answered in this thread.

I used my Bluetronics one in the rain a few times and never had any issues with it.
I believe it's only going to be able to pair up with another unit by the same manufacturer.......I think that's standard for most Bluetooth.