GPS/Cell Phone audio

I have ordered DennisB's GPS mount. I am planning on using my Iphone4 as my GPS and am wondering how or if anyone is able to hear the audio from your GPS and or Cell Phone.
I have one of those Blue Tooth earpieces but it comes off when I try to put my helmet on. it does work with the GPS (Google Maps) on my iphone. I want to be able to hear the turn by turn directions from the GPS.
I have also considered using earbud type earphones, don't know if that will work and if they will stay in my ears while trying to put on my helmet.
I know they make Bluetooth devices foe helemets but they seem to be very expensive.
Looking for suggestions.....

I bought a helmet liner from www.2UpTouring.com that works great if you are trying to put on your helmet after installing ear plugs. It has no seams so you can uses it all day with out getting head pain and it helps keep the helmet clean.
Called wick it.

johnd wrote:

I bought a helmet liner from www.2UpTouring.com that works great if you are trying to put on your helmet after installing ear plugs. It has no seams so you can uses it all day with out getting head pain and it helps keep the helmet clean.
Called wick it.

That's an idea, I'll look into them. Thanks

Have a look at these-

http://www.interphoneuk.co.uk/

(Maybe known as BlueAnt over your side of the pond)

Can be bought in double packs so you and a buddy can have excellent bike2bike communication. Works well with GPS unit (Tomtom Rider / Urban) and mobile phones with bluetooth. Can connect mp3 player and has FM radio.
F5 has two speakers that fit inside the helmet.
When you say earphones in the ear do you mean the tiny earbud ones you see on cop shows etc? Mega expensive !!

Cheers,

I use the Interphone F4 system for both sat nav instructions from my old TomTom Rider and new Garmin Zümo 350LM system. It's also set up for helmet to helmet speech with Mrs M and works fine even when we're not together on the scooter. The audio instructions are loud and clear through the speakers in our helmets even at 80-90 mph, through the custom made earplugs I wear, I wear a helmet liner too.

Using an iPhone you'll need a suitable set of RAM Mount components to secure it, a suitable cover to waterproof it and still be able to use the touchscreen, find a way to combat the sun dazzle you inevitably get using it in that central position, because without a clear visual display or audio instructions to prompt you, it's just decoration. Buy a sat nav.

I've got an iPhone too, and I wouldn't use it as a sat nav on a bike or scooter.

tarmacburner2 wrote:

Have a look at these-

http://www.interphoneuk.co.uk/

(Maybe known as BlueAnt over your side of the pond)

Can be bought in double packs so you and a buddy can have excellent bike2bike communication. Works well with GPS unit (Tomtom Rider / Urban) and mobile phones with bluetooth. Can connect mp3 player and has FM radio.
F5 has two speakers that fit inside the helmet.
When you say earphones in the ear do you mean the tiny earbud ones you see on cop shows etc? Mega expensive !!

Cheers,

Those devices look good but are more expensive than I had wanted to spend.
The earbuds I was talking about using are the ones like you use to connect to an MP3 player or an Ipad. The iphone has an earphone jack. I haven't tried these to see if they will stay in while pulling the helmet over my head.
I would prefer a wireless solution (Bluetooth) but it can be expensive. I have seen devices called scala Rider (I believe they are called) and as I recall they are in the US $400-$600 range. The interphone device I looked at on the web link where 186 pounds I think. I don't know how much that would be in US Dollars and what about shipping?
I have had good success using my iphone as a GPS using the new google maps for the iphone and it has spoken street names. I also purchased a weather proof holder for the iphone designed for use on a motorcycle.
I also own a Garmin Nuvi 255w but it doesn't have Bluetooth or an earphone jack.
Thanks for all the help and sugestions.
It is great to see what others are solving issues.

Sorry,
I thought you were talking about this sort of thing
http://www.dhgate.com/invisible-wireless-micro-mini-spy-earpiece/p-ff8080812e32cc68012e43c4d0841428.html#s1-14-null

That link was just to show you what I was talking about, they are available in the USA.

One problem with wired connections is when you forget it is there and you step away from your bike (ask me how I know), feels like your ear is being ripped off.
Plenty of cheap bluetooth headsets on the market but remember the old adage 'You only get what you pay for.

Cheers,

I have the Interphone unit from ebay. It was $70. I dont know about u but i dont consider this expensive! The model comes with 2 wireless helmet to helmet bluetooth speaker units. It works very well for the price! I use my iphone for gps and music while on the road. I have modified an iphone otter box case to fit onto the Ram mount that was on the bike when i got it. The unit can answer the phone without touching anything. The sound is awesome. I road tested it back when i first got it, my wife called me while riding, the phone answered automatically and we could communicate without issues at 90 kph. The iphone gps instructions come thru load and clear. Im happy with this product for the price. Wont leave home without it!

tarmacburner2 wrote:

Sorry,
I thought you were talking about this sort of thing
http://www.dhgate.com/invisible-wireless-micro-mini-spy-earpiece/p-ff8080812e32cc68012e43c4d0841428.html#s1-14-null

That link was just to show you what I was talking about, they are available in the USA.

One problem with wired connections is when you forget it is there and you step away from your bike (ask me how I know), feels like your ear is being ripped off.
Plenty of cheap bluetooth headsets on the market but remember the old adage 'You only get what you pay for.

Cheers,

I hear you about the wired stuff, especially if you forget it's there. I agree that you only get what you pay for. I just don't want to spend US $400 dollars or more. The $70 range would be ok with me.
Thanks

hotwings wrote:

I have the Interphone unit from ebay. It was $70. I dont know about u but i dont consider this expensive! The model comes with 2 wireless helmet to helmet bluetooth speaker units. It works very well for the price! I use my iphone for gps and music while on the road. I have modified an iphone otter box case to fit onto the Ram mount that was on the bike when i got it. The unit can answer the phone without touching anything. The sound is awesome. I road tested it back when i first got it, my wife called me while riding, the phone answered automatically and we could communicate without issues at 90 kph. The iphone gps instructions come thru load and clear. Im happy with this product for the price. Wont leave home without it!

Thanks, this sounds like a good solution. $70 range is ok. I don't want to spend $400 or more. I will check into this device.

hotwings wrote:

I have the Interphone unit from ebay. It was $70. I dont know about u but i dont consider this expensive! The model comes with 2 wireless helmet to helmet bluetooth speaker units. It works very well for the price! I use my iphone for gps and music while on the road. I have modified an iphone otter box case to fit onto the Ram mount that was on the bike when i got it. The unit can answer the phone without touching anything. The sound is awesome. I road tested it back when i first got it, my wife called me while riding, the phone answered automatically and we could communicate without issues at 90 kph. The iphone gps instructions come thru load and clear. Im happy with this product for the price. Wont leave home without it!

Quite a few manufacturers call their unit an 'Interphone', the ones Meldrew and I have are made by Cellularline. Would be interested to know the maker of yours, (and an ebay link if you have one).
Cheers,

I have been using a Parrot SK4000 that I bought on Amazon for $60, but now I see the price went up. I have my android phone paired to it and use it for music and also route guidance through the built-in google maps on my phone. For short trips I just rely on voice guidance, that cuts in to whatever audio I am listening to. For longer trips I put my phone in a handlebar-mounted RAM-mount Aqua Box, so I have both audible and visual guidance. I have a micro-usb cord routed through the back of the Aqua box that I have connected to a power supply I added to the bike, so the phone will charge while it plays. The nifty thing about the parrot system is the handlebar-mounted remote control, with which i can place and end calls, change sources (music from phone or Pandora, phone calls, or FM radio with voice channel numbers). There is no built-in intercom, and the system is a bit buggy, but otherwise I love it and use it every day. Battery life seems to be about 6 hours with music playing the whole way.

Jesse in Atlanta

tarmacburner2 wrote:

hotwings wrote:

I have the Interphone unit from ebay. It was $70. I dont know about u but i dont consider this expensive! The model comes with 2 wireless helmet to helmet bluetooth speaker units. It works very well for the price! I use my iphone for gps and music while on the road. I have modified an iphone otter box case to fit onto the Ram mount that was on the bike when i got it. The unit can answer the phone without touching anything. The sound is awesome. I road tested it back when i first got it, my wife called me while riding, the phone answered automatically and we could communicate without issues at 90 kph. The iphone gps instructions come thru load and clear. Im happy with this product for the price. Wont leave home without it!

Quite a few manufacturers call their unit an 'Interphone', the ones Meldrew and I have are made by Cellularline. Would be interested to know the maker of yours, (and an ebay link if you have one).
Cheers,

I have found the Interphone F5 online for a single unit for US $260 to $299. I have not found any on ebay for $70.
The Interphone doesn't appear to be made by Cellularline. It looks like a nice unit but I still hesitate to spend that kind of money. But I do realize you get what you pay for.
I would appreciate any links for better prices that anyone can provide. Thanks

Not sure how to post an ebay link here but just type "motorcycle bluetooth headset" into the ebay search box. I just did this to see if my headset was still available. 717 different headsets are available at various prices. The model i got is now $75 (two headsets) but the units are updated for 2013 and look a lot nicer!!

hotwings wrote:

Not sure how to post an ebay link here but just type "motorcycle bluetooth headset" into the ebay search box. I just did this to see if my headset was still available. 717 different headsets are available at various prices. The model i got is now $75 (two headsets) but the units are updated for 2013 and look a lot nicer!!

Thanks Hotwings,
There sure are a bunch to look at on there. I am still looking to find the one you have.
I will end up buying something.
Thanks for all the help.

hotwings wrote:

Not sure how to post an ebay link here but just type "motorcycle bluetooth headset" into the ebay search box. I just did this to see if my headset was still available. 717 different headsets are available at various prices. The model i got is now $75 (two headsets) but the units are updated for 2013 and look a lot nicer!!

What is the make/model that you have?

BT Multi-Interphone

Hopefully the set you have will be fine for phone / GPS / mp3 connection. The deal breaker for myself and my riding mate was bike2bike communication. So far we have been very pleased with them and have worked beyond what the manufacturer stated.

Really p****d off that helmet intercoms are illegal in Spain so working on fitting external speakers and using PMR Tribe radios and Cobra PMRs connected to the speakers. As yet to be tested on the road.

Cheers,

hotwings wrote:

BT Multi-Interphone

Thanks. I think I saw that brand on ebay. I'm still looking.

tarmacburner2 wrote:

Hopefully the set you have will be fine for phone / GPS / mp3 connection. The deal breaker for myself and my riding mate was bike2bike communication. So far we have been very pleased with them and have worked beyond what the manufacturer stated.

Really p****d off that helmet intercoms are illegal in Spain so working on fitting external speakers and using PMR Tribe radios and Cobra PMRs connected to the speakers. As yet to be tested on the road.

Cheers,

I am only needing it for Phone/gps on phone at this time. I don't have any need for bike to bike comm. possibly someday.
That is strange that they are illegal in Spain. good luck with using the radios.

what's the reason they are illegal in Spain ?

Hello,
You are not allowed to have earphones / helmet speakers of any kind whilst driving or riding.
This link is good, there are other good links in there as well.
http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum/21-accessories-/59633-intercoms-and-spain.html

also this link
http://thespanishbiker.wordpress.com/survival/roads-and-riding/the-law/

Cheers,

I've read quite a few forum posts on this subject and they're all pretty vague about the reason why helmet speakers or earphones are illegal in Spain. Which is pretty surprising for the Spanish are a bike savvy nation. I've read about fines and intercom leads being confiscated, other stuff about speakers for one ear but not both ears are OK, which is not a problem with the Interphone as the second speaker is easily disconnected.

If you're pissed off about their laws regarding helmet speakers then don't waste your time going there, go ride in the French Pyrenees and Andorra instead.

Hello Meldrew,

Unfortunately the Picos de Europa is in Spain! So if we want to ride those roads and see those mountains there isn't really an alternative. (Unless sat in front of a computer screen using Street View on Google Earth)!

I have already pencilled in the French Alpes (Routes des Grandes Alpes) and the Route Napoleon for this summer. If I'm on my own then it will be on four wheels rather than two. My MX5 is probably made for those kind of roads but it isn't a foregone conclusion that will be the vehicle of choice. (Alternative choice is rear wheel drive with it's engine hanging behind the rear wheels).

Cheers,

Hello tb2,

Yes I know from your previous posts you were heading for the Picos de Europa. The tell tale sign for any snooping police is of course the Interphone unit clamped to the left side of your helmet. I use the adhesive clamp for my unit on my Schuberth J1, and Mrs M's HJC full face uses the screw in one. I'm sure if the Interphone unit was removed from your helmet and stored under the seat, or in your luggage en route from the coast to the Picos, you could say if stopped your helmet is fitted for Bluetooth communications at home and in Europe but the wireless unit has been removed for riding in Spain.

Then in the remoteness of rural Spain it's up to you if you decide to take your chances and use it. You're also bit too old to be bummed by your cell mates if you're caught and imprisoned!

Hello Meldrew,

Yes, What we were planning on doing is exactly that. Off the ferry at Santander and ride to the turn-off at Unquera without the Interphones connected. Then it is on with the Interphones and plead ignorance if stopped.
We will be using our old Interphone units so not to risk getting the F5 units confiscated.
At least it is good to know my a**e is safe!

Cheers,

Im using a sena SMH10 think its great, good stand by time, can listen to the music from my Zumo 660 or from the I phone 5, make and receive calls on the move and listen to DAB radio from an iphone app
really good quality even on my KTM 990 Adventure wich is a lot louder bike its still good to about 100 MPH

I'm looking at the Interphone to use with a Tribe PMR when out with my local IAM group. I see Meldrew has one fitted to his J1, dare I ask him how easy/difficult it was to install ?

It was pretty simple following the instructions, and the Interphone F4 kit provides 2 x open face headsets with boom microphones, 2 x headsets for full face helmets and lots of Velcro patches. Plus adhesive and screw on clamps for fixing the weatherproof commmunicator to the side of the helmet.

Interphones and Tribe radios pair up very easily.

Once paired they will re-pair when switched on, so you only have to do the pairing procedure once.

Cheers,

Thanks for that guys, I will have to look who has the best offer as I only need the one set.