rdtompki

My post, above, is a bit old. Both the F4 and F5 units have a connector to the off-side ear so running mono (which I do) is simply a matter of disconnecting the other earpiece. In fact the latest documentation actually mentions this in the context of those jurisdictions where stereo would be illegal.

rdtompki

Just to add a new option to the intercom mix there is a company, Cardo Systems, www.cardosystems.com, that has a motorcycle intercom which they have specifically adapted for integration with a bicycle helmet. I'm happy with my F5 interphone, but the Cardo unit may have some interesting features including voice actuation so you can listen to Internet radio and the intercom function will work without having to manually change modes. I've seen the unit and have two concerns just looking at it. First, a few of the wires that exit the small electronics unit mounted in the demo on top of the helmet appear to be frail. Second, the mike is not a true boom mike, but extends from the right earpiece to sit next to the right side of one's jaw - I wonder how this works at 35 mph? Would certainly work fine inside a full-face motorcycle helmet.

Anyway, if you're looking for an intercom this would be worth a gander.

Ritterview

Just came across this new system.



Reviewed here. And here.

Very large pic of Cardo in action at RAAM

Looks like the real deal, but expensive. Here's a pretty good deal on a pair.

Onegun

Well? 4 months is a long enough test, dontcha think?

Onegun

Like Rick, I'd have a couple of concerns. I'd like to read a review from that RAAM rider, not just see a (for all we know) staged pic. MTBR generally writes good reviews, puts new tech thru its paces and in many categories beats on it in ways a road biker never would. But testing wind noise above 25 miles an hour is NOT a category that's on their radar.

Secondly, can you disconnect the second ear piece? Dual earphones are illegal many places, and I don't know if the argument that they don't quite touch the ear will stand up in court. Plus, I prefer just one.

EDIT: Went to Cardo's site and did find a short review from both of the RAAM riders. They both said they were impressed, but now I'm starting to reach for my conspiracy theory tin foil hat! All I've read now is conspicuously lacking any mention of wind or noise cancellation at all! Due to their forward-facing mics it has always been a problem with their products, and they know it. So .....??

Ludkeh

I picked up the Cardo BK-1 Duo last month. Got it all set up on our helmets. It's a nice light system designed for bike helmets. It's very nice not having to deal with wires. Also the unit is activated as soon as you speak. It'll be about another month or so before we can get out and ride. I'll give you all a review as soon as I can!

The list price for the BK-1 Duo is about $470 dollars. Way out of my price range and not worth it! I went on Ebay and found that sellers are always offering units for sale. Most were asking in the $300 range. I got lucky biding on a unit. Won the bid at $260 dollars! It's definitely worth it at that price!!

Ludkeh

onegun

The Cardo BK-1 Duo comes with two ear pieces. One attached to the mic for the right ear. The second ear piece does not need to be used. It can be unplugged and left off the helmet. Each ear piece is attached to the back of the helmet with a wide valcro strip. This allows for very flexible positioning of the unidirectional mic and ear piece. Also the mic boom can be positioned up and down easily.

Onegun

Ahhh, one mystery solved. Thanks for that. Now we just need someone to report on the wind/noise cancellation over 25-30mph.

moonwalker

We just recently purchased the HOTT Link from Ric at House of Tandems. He also had the tandem com and the Cardo Duo. The Cardo is on sale for $389. That was a little to high for me just to get rid of a small wire. We have not had any problem yet with the wires. The stoker remembers to unhook and I also call a reminder to her when we stop. The system works great and we have used it for the past 3 weeks. It really has enhanced our riding experience for the better.

As for the Cardo. We tried it on but there is a slight delay in the vox pickup. That kinda bugged me as the stoker may miss the first word or two if I was talking fast. I did not try it on the bike. Ric did say the battery life was much better now than it used to be.

www.houseoftandems.com

ahultin

I picked up a cardo bk-1 duo on ebay for @212 and have been using it for a week now on my single for streaming pandora and for my phone. I have to say it works very well. At my speeds @16mph, the person on the other end of a phone conversation can hear fine. We used it yesterday as a system on the tandem for the first time and i am pleased. While we did not try the 25-30mph test (my wife is still getting used to the tandem) we where going 15mph into a 10 mph headwind so maybe that counts. We both had no issue hearing each other, i did notice that while going into the wind the pickup was always on (vs on when it picked up a voice) this did not pose any issue on our short hour ride but could impact battery life on a longer ride.

Since i often ride with my kids i will be keeping my eye out for a third unit so we can communicate easier.

ahultin

Used the Cardo unit today for some climbing on our singles so we got to test its use on a 35mph descent. The units worked well and wind cancellation at that speed was more than acceptable. It was very easy to hear and be heard. Given that we where on our singles I also got to test at distances of up to about 1000ft apart. Worked well at that distance even when there was not line of sight.

Ritterview

That was a good deal, but the item has reverted to near the list price seen elsewhere. Apparently Cardo Systems, Inc., is quite vigilant in maintaining its list price on the internet.

It might be a good idea to contact retailers about things such as coupon codes, etc.

ahultin

369 Here and hearts15 coupon code should still work for 15% off over 300
https://www.bikebling.com/Cardo-BK-1-...o-bk-1-duo.htm

merlinextraligh

We rode yesterday with 20mph plus winds, so a pretty good test the noise cancellation. When you're talking, the noise cancellation works great. Even with high winds, you could clearly hear with little or no wind noise.

When you're silent, the system picks up some wind noise, particularly with a cross wind that can be a bit annoying.

Also, move the mike away when you cough, or you'll have an upset teammate.

moonwalker

We jumped on the mtb tandem last night to ride around the neighborhood. It was the first time we had ridden without our tandem com. Stoker and I both felt like we were yelling at each other to just point out things. I was turning my head to hear what she said. Just made us realize how much better communication is with it. Wired or unwired, I think if you try a communication device that you will like it.

weezoh

I just purchased the Cardo Q1 Teamset for use on our tandem. I know it is specifically made for motorcycle helmets but I'm reasonably certain I can bodge it on our bike helmets similarly to how I did our old wired intercom system. Hope to test it this weekend. I know they make the one for bikes specifically but I couldn't get over that it was almost double the price for the Q1 and didn't seem to allow for music sharing like the Q1.

Ritterview

We've been using the Cardo BK-1 Duo, and its been a tremendous addition to our tandem experience.

waynesulak

It is important to us not to add to ride preparation time. We like to be able to get on the bike quickly and go.

Can you just put the helmet on and ride or does it take adjustment or syncing with each ride?

How is battery life?

How does it feel/work in 100 degree heat?

Does it play well with winter headgear worn under the helmet?

Ritterview

The advantage of the BK-1 is preparation time, if you would otherwise don earphones. It stays affixed to your helmet, so to grab your helmet is to grab your headphones. No looking around for the dang earphones.

You do have to charge them every few rides. I figure around 10 hours between charges, but I may be off.

It is just as useful for half-bike riding, as it is an excellent Bluetooth stereo earphones, and a phone headset. Since the speakers are outside your ear, they are less irksome than in the ear, and allow you to hear your surroundings. I use all this bicycle commuting, it is the means by which I have listened to many books from Audible, via my iPhone.

Here's a photo of my Cardo-1 adorned helmet, at my office today.




No problems with heat.

It is transformative on tandem rides. No longer is the conversation one-way, stoker --> captain, with the captain responding with gestures, or bellowing to be heard. This has a lot of tandem benefits. For us, my stoker is famously skittish, subject to outbreaks of overactive amygdala that puts her into a state of apprehension, fear and vigilance. This is especially so with descending. I've found with the Cardo BK-1 I can talk her down on a descent, by pointing out what she may be apprehending (e.g. an oncoming car, a increase in grade, a curve), and thereby reassure her that I am aware of her concern. She can relate to me her concern verbally, which is also helpful.

While riding we can also converse, which makes everything more interesting.

I think the Cardo Bluetooth intercom is a major advance for tandem teams, and well worth the cost.

rdtompki

It's great to see that there is an option to the Interphone F5. The only downside to the F5 is the need to create a mounting scheme. It looks like the Cardo is a bolt-on as it were. Still the F5 has performed flawlessly. I use it on my single to listen to podcasts, audio books and for a phone headset. I've always felt that some sort of intercom is a plus if you're on a tandem, but YMMV!

ahultin

We have ours semi-permanently attached to the helmet so they are always there and take no setup.

Battery life for me is running about 7 hours but like Ritterview, I use it on my morning single rides which is constant use streaming music. If just using on the tandem you would more likely get the 10 hours talk time as that is not constant.

We have used ours in Maricopa Arizona 110 degree heat with only one minor issue which was easily rectified. On hot days (over 90) the adhesive holding the velcro to the helmet starts to peel letting them droop (never totally fell off, was just annoying). I finally added a single zip tie to each earpiece which resolved the issued

The earpieces are outside the head and the velcro mounting is maybe 1/8 in thick so it does not get in the way. My wife wears an ear covering cap year round otherwise the wind bothers her ears and she has no issue with the headset.

Secret Squirrel

I am investigating another alternative. Motorola is coming out with a Bluetooth compatible walkabout 2 way radio. It is push to talk and integrates with your current phone type Bluetooth headset. It seems that it would cost around $120 (street price) a pair. Model MU350R

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/US-...nsumers/MU350R

ahultin

i think the lack of full duplex and the need to push a button would not work for us. also based on the used bluetooth profile it looks like your cell phone bluetooth headset wont work
it does say it has a handsfree ivox mode but does not indicate if that works with the bluetooth

2frmMI

So we do a lot of group rides, and we often pull a significant portion of the time. We are used to calling out "car up", "car back", "gravel", etc., loud enough to be heard several bikes fore or aft. Do these become ear splitting for the tandem partner? It would be an unfortunate tradeoff if we gained conversation, but at the expense of safety.

Ritterview

This doesn't look anything like a cycling accessory.