Since our pair of G4s arrived today, I figured I would start a review beginning with first impressions.
1) Packaging seemed adequate. One of the two boxes was slightly torn, but everything on the inside was well wrapped and protected. Contents included the mount, bluetooth module, 2 Velcro pads, extra mic sock, Allen wrench to secure the mount screws, AC-USB charge adapted, USB cord for charging and firmware updates, Manual, coiled audio connector for using a non-BT MP3 player with 90 degree connectors on both ends...nice touch.
2) charging the units was straight forward.
3) pairing the units to each other was a very simple procedure as was pairing to a 2nd gen IPOD touch, iPhone 3G and Blackberry curve 8310.
4) instruction manual is adequate, but could be better. Yes, it describes what to do for each mode, etc, but it is worded in a confusing manner.
5) buttons are easy to locate and use with typical gloves. Some may be difficult to feel with winter gloves. The volume buttons are in a good location an large enough to use with any type of glove.
6) navigating through the modes is cumbersome. I could not imagine fooling around with the unit much while driving. There are voice prompts, but they are limited. Numberous beeps though...if you can only figure out what they are tying to tell you. The manipulation of the modes will probably be easier after getting accustomed to the unit.
7) this thing is LOUD! It lacks in low frequency response though. It is clear at all volume settings.
8) helmet mounting was simple using the clamp method. Working speaker placement was tedious. It took about 30 minutes per helmet to install these. We are using the boom mic version with full face helmets. About 1" of clearance between the rider's mouth and the chin guard is needed to use the boom mic version with a full face helmet.
9) vox worked very well. iPhone stops playing music when vox activates and resumes right where it left off after the unit returns to stby mode. To initiate vox, you have to initially speak very loud...not yell, but like you are talking to someone behind a closed door. Once vox initiates, you can talk normally. Do not expect the other person to hear what you said when you talk loud to activate the vox. The iPod touch did not stop playing music when intercom kicked in. It muted, but the unit kept playing. After returning to stby mode, the iPod could not be heard through the unit. One other note, the iPod did not automatically reconnect the BT connection when the unit turns on. The iPhone connects automaically. This appears to be an issue with the iPod, not the G4. I will contact the company to confirm. I expect a BT adapter for the iPod would correct this. Apple did weird things with iPod BT. I rate the quality of intercom as 9 of 10. The delay will take some getting used to. For music quality with iPod/iPhone I rate a 8 of 10 due to lacking low frequency response.
10) phone operation is flawless if you have a phone that auto answers. The person on the other end has no idea you have a helmet on, and they sound very crisp and clear. 10 of 10!
I will test the corded music input as well as the battery life over the next few days. I will see how many days of use this will go without a charge and I will log my ride times.
More to come....
Chris :doorag:
1) Packaging seemed adequate. One of the two boxes was slightly torn, but everything on the inside was well wrapped and protected. Contents included the mount, bluetooth module, 2 Velcro pads, extra mic sock, Allen wrench to secure the mount screws, AC-USB charge adapted, USB cord for charging and firmware updates, Manual, coiled audio connector for using a non-BT MP3 player with 90 degree connectors on both ends...nice touch.
2) charging the units was straight forward.
3) pairing the units to each other was a very simple procedure as was pairing to a 2nd gen IPOD touch, iPhone 3G and Blackberry curve 8310.
4) instruction manual is adequate, but could be better. Yes, it describes what to do for each mode, etc, but it is worded in a confusing manner.
5) buttons are easy to locate and use with typical gloves. Some may be difficult to feel with winter gloves. The volume buttons are in a good location an large enough to use with any type of glove.
6) navigating through the modes is cumbersome. I could not imagine fooling around with the unit much while driving. There are voice prompts, but they are limited. Numberous beeps though...if you can only figure out what they are tying to tell you. The manipulation of the modes will probably be easier after getting accustomed to the unit.
7) this thing is LOUD! It lacks in low frequency response though. It is clear at all volume settings.
8) helmet mounting was simple using the clamp method. Working speaker placement was tedious. It took about 30 minutes per helmet to install these. We are using the boom mic version with full face helmets. About 1" of clearance between the rider's mouth and the chin guard is needed to use the boom mic version with a full face helmet.
9) vox worked very well. iPhone stops playing music when vox activates and resumes right where it left off after the unit returns to stby mode. To initiate vox, you have to initially speak very loud...not yell, but like you are talking to someone behind a closed door. Once vox initiates, you can talk normally. Do not expect the other person to hear what you said when you talk loud to activate the vox. The iPod touch did not stop playing music when intercom kicked in. It muted, but the unit kept playing. After returning to stby mode, the iPod could not be heard through the unit. One other note, the iPod did not automatically reconnect the BT connection when the unit turns on. The iPhone connects automaically. This appears to be an issue with the iPod, not the G4. I will contact the company to confirm. I expect a BT adapter for the iPod would correct this. Apple did weird things with iPod BT. I rate the quality of intercom as 9 of 10. The delay will take some getting used to. For music quality with iPod/iPhone I rate a 8 of 10 due to lacking low frequency response.
10) phone operation is flawless if you have a phone that auto answers. The person on the other end has no idea you have a helmet on, and they sound very crisp and clear. 10 of 10!
I will test the corded music input as well as the battery life over the next few days. I will see how many days of use this will go without a charge and I will log my ride times.
More to come....
Chris :doorag:
