bluetooth stereo headset for bikers helmets ???

[heiner]

Hello
the Jabra bluetooth headset (http://www.jabra.com/) seems to be fine!
But I want to use something like that fitting inside a motorbikers helmet!
Does anybody has an idea where to find a stereo headset (with a bluetooth dongle like that from jabra) fitting in a helmet?

Also I am looking for a good small extern stereo microphone for the XDA!

thanks for your informations

[Peter Poelman]

Also I am looking for a good small extern stereo microphone for the XDA!

Audio input on the XDA is mono.

[heiner]

thanks for this hint concerning the audio input!

and where can I get a mono microphone with a fitting plug?

[Peter Poelman]

There's an accessory (not off the top of my head right now...) that converts between a 2.5 mm headset jack and the XDA's headset connector, and another one that does mic 2.5mm and stereo headset 3.5 mm.

Or solder something yourself... All the info is on

http://xda-developers.com/connectors

[derekcfoley]

I know this isnt as high tech as a Bluetooth headset such as the Jabra... but as a low tech solution, Why not just use the headset that comes with the xda? You can certainly improve the ear fitting with some replacement ear sponges. or even better, slice into the cabling, and replace the earpieces with the SONY headphones that are like mini "in-ear defenders"

Quick tip: to solder headphone cables, use a soldering iron with a little cored solder to melt away and tin the very thin coating on the exposed cables, as headphone cables don't have sleeving in the traditional way. Dont hold it on for too long though!

Sorry, I can't quote any model numbers for the sony headphones, but the nice design feature is that
1) They are inside the ear, so it wont interfere with getting your helmet on/off
2) The Bass response with these headphones are even better than the standard xda headset. Because they are a snug fit like an industrial ear plug, so the ear canal resonates the sound better without losses. In a noisy environment you should find this better, e.g. with the roaring of a bike engine.

Advantage of modding with the standard headsetYou can modify the push to talk button by opening the pod and wiring a switch in parrallel to your handlebars, something thats easy to use with big bike gloves on, e.g. an automotive switch from Halfords. And of course the most important part, you get the xda four pole 2.5mm connector, which is very difficult to get hold of!

The other part of the push to talk switch "pod" on the xda headset is the microphone, so you could mount it somewhere in the part of the helmet near your mouth.

Obviously these ideas will need some "interconnect cables", from your xda to your handlebars, and from either to your helmet, I did see a posting with a motorbike cradle mount somewhere on this site.

Connectors
You should be able to get an inline solderable coupling connector (male & female) respectively from your local electronics shop or http://www.maplin.co.uk a small 3.5mm connector will suffice.
Obviously for the mic you need two or three connectors depending on how you rig it up.

You can get away with a mono one and one with three (in other words a normal stereo one) for the headphones, which has three poles

Headphones (stereo 3.5mm solderable plug & coupler)
1) Left
2) Right
3) Ground

Microphone (mono 3.5mm solderable plug & coupler)
1) Signal
2) Ground

Switch (mono 3.5mm solderable plug & coupler)
1) from pod button contacts
2) from pod button contacts

Obviously if you're not keen on using the phone while riding, then dont bother with the mic, switch etc, and just make up the headphones for music etc.
If this is the case, just buy the sony headphones and use a 2.5mm stereo to 3.5mm adapter (available at most maplin stores)

I've already done this mod using a replacement xda headset bought from expansys.com for a cassette adapter for in-car use. And have had many hours of music listening in between and during GPS instructions on long journeys!

Software called "Withmp3" is very good for in-car music playback (Its just like Winamp) because you can assign hardware buttons to skip tracks or stop the music. Even while using Tom-Tom navigator for example.

[ianlake]

Hello
the Jabra bluetooth headset (http://www.jabra.com/) seems to be fine!
But I want to use something like that fitting inside a motorbikers helmet!
Does anybody has an idea where to find a stereo headset (with a bluetooth dongle like that from jabra) fitting in a helmet?

Also I am looking for a good small extern stereo microphone for the XDA!

thanks for your informations

by far the safest way to do this is look at the communication/intercom systems currently on offer from motorcycle suppliers. i know no biker is ever going to have an accident, but things sticking in ears is probably not a good idea if head does hit the road.

i am 'lucky' enough to have a bike already fitted out with passenger intercom, radio and 'phone connection but i'm damned if i can find the right sort of 'phone connector and the bike manufacturer is about 2 years behind. so i suppose i'll have to find someone who can make one. any ideas?

ian

[ccounotte]

Bought two recently and they work just great!
Except for the fact that XDA/QTEK/etc... can't send audio, so I can't listen to MP3 using this helmet headset.

Anyhow, you can either use the helmet headset for phone calls or music (using iPAQ) or connect both helmet headsets to have a two way conversation with your passenger!

Work just great, and it comes with a neck lace, when not on the bike!

[ccounotte]

I found on this forum very little information about an audio driver (audio profile actually) product for PPC from AveLink: http://www.avelink.com/Bluetooth/Products/AudioDriver/index.htm

But they seem to integrate the MS Stack with two new profiles and the A2DP everybody is looking for!

I've been looking for a solution for... an eternity...

Anyhow can't find the product for purchase anywhere so I wrote them to see the features/price/etc... I'll let you know guys ;)

Gee, hope is a strong feeling that leads us to keep trying... I can't even think on how much time I spent looking for this :(