Post by anon on Jan 31, 2007 8:17:56 GMT
I hope the intaride team don’t mind me posting a pic of their new product as part of this write up, but I felt it would help to show how compact it is. It is only 5" x 1.5" x 1", much smaller than the RP1.
My first thought about the kit was about how much smaller it is and how much easier it would be to transfer from one bike to another, there are no built in leads, unlike the RP1, so you could fit a power supply to each of your bikes and simply move the unit to whichever bike you please as you wish.
All the accessories plug in, this not only makes it easy to switch from bike to bike, but also makes it easily compatible with whichever accessories you choose to use, you buy the relevant patch lead for you accessory (eg bike to bike radio) and plug it in.
The separate volume controls for rider and pillion mean that you can adjust the volume to suit each individual, I personally cannot wear earplugs, but now my pillion can and still hear the intercom clearly without deafening me.
Vox is also controlled by a dial on the unit, you can set it so that is it completely off, always open or a range of volume settings in between to open the mic.
You can choose whether to use Push To Talk or not on the radios simply by plugging in the PTT lead, or not, problems with Vox experienced by RP1 users are eliminated by the Vox control on the unit.
The RP1 has a slight delay after you have finished speaking before your music (should you choose to listen to it) kicks back in, this delay is drastically reduced in the Evo and as the Vox is controlled by a dial on the unit you can alter it to suit rather than speak into the mics & hope you’ve set it right.
The Evo has a supressor built into the GPS socket which removes the need for a supressed lead if you are powering your GPS from the bike, this should overcome the problem some people are having sourcing supressed leads to fit.
Bluetooth is an optional extra which can be added at any time, either at purchase or at a later date.
The team are working on wireless headsets too, these will be fully compatible with the Evo in a true plug in and play form.
I was asked if I would be happy to try out the system as a pillion, something the team had only done in the lab so far. This meant climbing on board the pillion seat of the company Pan European and trusting a complete stranger to bring me back safely. As I have rarely ridden pillion (and usually get complained at when I do) this was not taken lightly. I used the existing headset in my helmet (which had been refitted for optimum perfomance & comfort by the team).
The RP1 has clear communications at speed, but the clarity of the new Evo puts even that to shame, rider to pillion communication was much easier than the RP1 and still very clear at motorway speeds, despite the fact that I have a stinking cold and am losing my voice. The volume gently increases to overcome wind noise, but does not become uncomfortably loud.
Phone conversations over the Evo are improved on the already good RP1, with such clarity of conversation that the person you are speaking to will not realise you are riding.
OK sales speak over, and no I’m not getting payed for this, I may have picked up on the team’s enthusiasm for their new product as they were making recordings for the website as I arrived, however I’m impressed with this product in its own right, to me it solves the little niggles that the RP1 had and makes itself available to a larger number of riders with its compact size and the ability to integrate with any existing kit including those built into the bike.
If you have any questions about it, please ask, if I can't answer them, the Intaride team would be happy to I'm sure.
What else can I say, it’s a great piece of kit, I’m seriously considering upgrading, if only for the ease of transfer between bikes, the additional features, such as built in GPS lead supressor, separate volume controls and optional wireless are helping to sway my decision, currently however funding is an issue(see I told you they weren't paying me) – anyone want to buy my RP1?
Discounts for club members may be available, so if you are thinking of buying one, mention the Diversion Club the Intaride team will be happy to speak to you.
Doof