Papa Tom

So I finally found a really good handlebar-mounted speaker to run my mp3 player through. I bought two of them and mounted one on the front of my bike and one on the back so my wife can also enjoy music while we're riding together. It's working very well, except for when she falls too far behind.

Now, with $125 in Amazon gift cards in my hand, I want to upgrade to a Blue-Tooth set-up that will let me mount the second speaker on HER handlebars and transmit the signal from my mp3 player to a receiver on her bike. That way, if she stays within 30 feet or so, she should be able to pick up the music right in her face.

Does anybody have any experience with this? And can you recommend a Blue-Tooth system to do the job? (Please do not bombard me with commentaries about how we shouldn't be listening to music when we are riding. Neither of us wants to wear earphones, as we find them dangerous and we prefer to be able to talk to each other while riding.)

Thanks!

Bezalel

Why don't you just get an FM transmitter and put a radio on her bike? You can get a better range but she won't be able to adjust the playlist (I'm not sure if that is good or bad).

Papa Tom

>>>>>Why don't you just get an FM transmitter and put a radio on her bike? You can get a better range but she won't be able to adjust the playlist (I'm not sure if that is good or bad).<<<<

That's the same concept I'm going for; however, I don't think an FM transmitter can throw a clear signal from bike to bike the way Blue Tooth seems to be able to. Am I misinformed?

Regarding control of the playlist, that's not an issue. We want to be listening to the same music.

dendawg

Why not just get her an mp3 player and speakers of her own? That way it wont matter how far behind she falls and she'll have her own tunes with her!

Bezalel

When the BT signal gets weak the speakers will just disconnect. With an FM transmitter when the signal gets weak the sound quality will degrade and since the signal is analog it might pick up noise from other devices additionally there is less latency with the FM transmitters so the speakers will be in better sync than with BT for when you are riding close enough to hear both sets of speakers.

Most BT speakers support AVRCP which allows you to control the player from the speakers in addition to supporting A2DP which carries the audio signal. I wanted to know if this was a feature you (or your wife) wanted.

Papa Tom

>>>>I wanted to know if this was a feature you (or your wife) wanted.<<<<


Sorry, I'm not clear what you're asking. I don't need to control the player from the speaker(s). The player sits on a mount I made for my handlebar. One speaker sits right next to it. The other would be on my wife's handlebar. I just need to get the signal from the player to my speaker and her speaker. To answer dendawg's question, she's not coordinated enough to ride her bike AND control an mp3 player, so giving her one of her own wouldn't be the best solution.

Which brings me to the other point. My wife is not much of a rider, so when we're together, it's basically rail trails at 8-10 miles an hour. If there's a hill, she'll fall maybe 20 feet behind. I don't want to be dealing with "technical" issues while we're riding. If these things tend to break up or cut out, I'm done with this idea.

Bezalel

For 20 feet bluetooth and FM will work equally well. If she lags further to the extent that there would be a loss of signal FM would be a better option because there is no connection to get dropped that would require reestablishment.

FrankieV

I have used a CyFi unit for a couple of years when I take leisurley rides alone.
https://mycyfi.com/
It transmits from your Ipod to the speaker very well.
Of course the speaker isn't the best but its one of the better alternatives for riding with music.

Papa Tom

>>>>I have used a CyFi unit for a couple of years when I take leisurley rides alone.<<<<<

I considered that unit when I was shopping for my speakers, but I chose something else. Anyway, the issue here is that I need something with enough of a signal throw to reach MY WIFE's bike from mine. I don't think the CyFi is made to go much farther than mp3-to-speaker.

FrankieV

The range is the same as bluetooth - 30 ft.
Not sure if you'l find another system that goes further than that.

dendawg

Or you can try a pair of these
https://www.pcs-electronics.com/58ghz...em-p-1775.html
When not listening to music you might be able to cook hot dogs on the transmitter's antenna.

Papa Tom

Someone suggested that I try a certain XM satellite radio receiver that has a 3.5mm mini plug auxiliary input. He seems to think I can buy a used one of these, skip getting an XM subscription, and just use the transmit function to send the mp3 signal to an FM radio on my wife's bike -- up to 200 feet away! Anybody know anything about this option???

dendawg

You might try re-posting this thread on the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum.