U-Clear HBC100 Helmet headset

[Sny]

I just bought a pair of the new U-Clear boomless bluetooth headsets.

Trivial to install, compact, completely weather proof, no boom! They use an array of microphones to directionalize sound and only pick up on what the other end needs to hear to understand you.

The package was $400 for 2 sets plus 2 extra speaker sets (so you can do 4 helmets)

Revzilla has a video pre-view of these but I'll let their lit do the talking.

Revzillla Uclear HBC100

I got the package deal from here

And this is the parent company/technical info

I spoke at length with one of their reps who seemed knowledgeable and answered all my questions concerning guarantee, warranty, support etc.

They fit all 4 helmets without issues, very simple install (no boom to require specific locations of the helmet wart). Very easy to remove as well if you only want them on for long trips.

Tested with music and phone, haven't tried the Intercom/bike-to-bike just yet (bike to bike is limited to somewhere around 50-100 feet without the HTC300 addon for GMRS radios.) Bluetooth sync'd up quickly on the first try with my HTC EVO (android.)

The speakers seem loud enough and clear. Music isn't bad, but I wouldn't consider them high quality for music. Just loud. Clear midrange.

Haven't done any significant ryding with them yet. I'll definitely follow up.

 

[IWN2RYD]

Interesting.... Please report back as you have these longer :thumbup:

 

[Sny]

Just wanted to post my initial experiences with this thing...

I was wondering if you could tell me more about the U-Clear headset. Has it lived up to your expectations ? A Spyderlovers opinion is usually better than opinions found on the net from sales sites etc....
Thanks Greg

So far so good.

I've only used it twice while riding to answer the phone...

That said, the people on the other end could tell I was riding, but had no problems understanding me over wind and motor noises. I had the volume halfway up without earplugs and it was plenty loud and clear. I was very surprised at how natural the conversation was (having never talked to anyone
while riding before.)

Music sounds ok too, but I don't really listen to music while I ride so it's just a nice perk. If anyone's interested I'll give it another shot and give a more detailed opinion of the music quality.

It was ridiculously easy to install and setup. Pairing with the phone worked first try and it sync's up instantly for calls and music.

The buttons are easy to use with gloves on but you do need to memorize a lot of "press this while holding that" combinations for the more advanced features. To answer a call you just say Hello and it picks up. I haven't really needed to push too many buttons while riding.

I have not yet tried the bike to bike intercom feature. I'm told it'll only go about 100 feet but I'll have to wait until my wife starts riding to really try it out (she's pretty much a summer only rider.)

I'll definitely post more as I have more experiences with it.

 

[Sny]

Had these about a year now so I thought I'd dig up this old post.

Placement of the speakers is everything. I got a new helmet (Shoei Neotec) and the position of the speakers changed in this helmet.

The difference is amazing. The sound quality is significantly improved as is the volume level. I turn it almost all the way down now and it sounds perfectly clear at all speeds.

The microphone array and noise cancelling technology they use is still amazing. So far no one can tell I'm riding until I tell them. Even then they say there's no real noticeable noise. No microphone boom to worry about. I'll never go back.

Been in the rain a few times now. During long rides in the rain I got rain IN the helmet (Didn't close any vents) and one of the speakers got wet and started making strange noises. I unplugged it and once it had dried it was no worse for wear. It's possible I just filled it with water which made it difficult to move the driver itself. I'm not sure if the speakers themselves are waterproof but they shouldn't be getting wet anyhow... and it survived. The control unit itself is completely waterproof and never had any issues. Not a lot of other helmet comms can say that.

The intercom feature is good enough to use for short range bike to bike. At lower speeds, where you stay closer together, they're fine. If you get split up in the pack or keep a larger safety margin at higher speeds you'll start to get crackle that's letting you know you're too far. We just turn the intercom on and leave it on all day. No push to talk needed.

The battery life is still amazing. We've had 12 hour days with these on and have never run one out of juice while riding.

All in all I would buy them again... except...

UClear announced a new HBC200 that has full bike to bike (700-1000m I believe) and can connect to up to 8 other units.

The bike-to-bike is important to me so I will likely be upgrading as soon as they're available.

The other great feature these have are the ability to use earbuds. They sell an earbud with the magical array microphone for people who don't wear a helmet, or wear the little skid lids... or for those, like me, who want the noise protection along with even better quality sound. They sell two versions, a $49 version that's basic audio and a $119 version that's for audio lovers. Not sure if they're backwards compatible with the HBC100 yet. I can't wait to try these.

Anyone interested in 2 HBC100's?

 

[geoshmo]

I would be looking at them for talking back and forth while riding two up. Would they work good for that purpose and what would you be asking for them? Also would you ship to Canada?

 

[Sny]

They're great for rider to passenger intercom. Works hands free for that so no distractions. If your GPS has bluetooth you can have that linked in as well and it'll mute the intercom whenever it has instructions for you to follow other than the ones from the rear seat navigator. :joke:

I'll send you a PM on the rest so this can remain a review thread instead of being moved to the WTS forum.