Todd_Z1 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Dear Autocom, Intel has just announced the availability of a new self contained miniature WiFi module (Intel G2M5477) that is designed specifically for use in low power (Alkaline batteries) consumer electronics. In fact, G2Microsystems is demonstrating WiFI stereo headsets at CES 2009 using this technology. Technical documentation can be found at http://www.g2microsystems.com/downloads/PBM5477.pdf. This new system is designed to be used in applications such as stereo headsets to allow short range WiFi connectivity. It costs approximately $22 per module . I think this technology opens up new possibilities for future Autocom products for wireless connectivity within the Autocom system of devices. It may be the right application to overcome the limitations of Bluetooth. It is my hope that Autocom will investigate the use of this device with respect to wireless connectivity. Specifically WiFi between the headset and the Autocom base station while retaining the wired connection for devices that connect to the Autocom base station. Sincerely, Todd Zimmerman Professional Computer Geek Link to comment
markgoodrich Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Amen, your suggestion is exactly what I want. I want my wired stuff hooked to the Autocom, and the base to helmet wireless. I don't use a bluetooth phone, nor ipod, nor gps, XM, etc. Link to comment
RiceToy Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 What Bluetooth shortcomings? The IMC Camos units work great; music in clear stereo, intercom, cell connection, GPS connection, MP3 connection - all wirelessly. The new unit connects to three Bluetooth devices simultaneously, or intercom + two. And there are no wires to connect unless the source devices need power. Link to comment
AZgman Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 http://www.pcworld.com/article/103848/mobile_computing_tips_bluetooth_vs_wifi_faq.html May shed some light on this discussion. I don't think WiFi has a fundamental advantage over Bluetooth for the purpose of wireless communication. Link to comment
KDeline Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 I don't understand what is so bad about having a hard wired helmet speaker system. NASA not using it, tells me something. Link to comment
Penforhire Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks for the link but for the purposes of motorcycle comm unit I don't see any real shortcoming to Blue Tooth. The range, power consumption, and data transfer rate seem perfectly suited. The issue of linking multiple BT devices to a single hub is not a protocol issue. It has been implemented in several devices to date. Same for proper stereo audio. Nothing wrong with wires other than I'd prefer fewer. Wireless connections provide the sense of less encumbrance, IMO. Link to comment
Todd_Z1 Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 Ricetoy, I was not knocking the IMC at all. From the tone of your response it sounds like you are offended, don't be. There are a couple of problems with the IMC units that makes them unusable for me. There is no way to use earphones such as the Etymotics ER6 because the IMC microphone is molded into the wire harness along with the speaker wires. There are mini USB to 3.5 mm stereo jack adapters available so in theory I could plug my Etymotics in using an adapter. But there is no way to know for sure if they are pin compatible and I would lose the microphone. I normally would not have a problem with splicing into the IMC headset and wiring in a female 3.5 mm adapter as I have done this many times with other headsets but that would be difficult given the way this particular headset is constructed. I have not found a post on the Internet of anyone who has done this. So I am reluctant to buy one to experiment on without knowing what the sound quality is going to be and/or possibly ending up with a worthless IMC. The other show stopper for me is that the impedance of the Etymotics speakers might also be an issue so even if I can get the Ety's to work I might not be able to drive them to a high enough volume. And using the Ety's might cause the batteries to run down prematurely. These are just too many variables for me. As for the Bluetooth sound quality I could not say with this unit since I have not heard it with Etymotics. I have read good things about the IMC units from various members of this board but we all have different needs. The Ety's are a requirement for me because they protect my hearing better than anything else on the market. That is my number one priority, second is crystal clear music. These particular earphones are very revealing when it comes to short comings in sound quality of the underlying system. If I am going to listen to music I don't want to hear white noise. So far I have yet to find a full stereo Bluetooth solution that meets my requirements. Cheers Todd Link to comment
Todd_Z1 Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 KDeline, The problem for me is that no matter how clever I am at stuffing the wires inside my riding suits they ALWAYS get hung up or disconnected. On the one hand it is extremely dangerous on the other it is annoying and distracting. I simply want a wireless connection between my helmet and the base station for these reasons. Comparing this to a NASA spacesuit is not really a fair comparison. Cheers! Todd Link to comment
RiceToy Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 No offense taken Todd, just wondering what BT downfall I was missing. Would have been nice for them to use a common connector to both the mic and speakers, which would have made replacement of their own product easier while allowing alternate headphone solutions like your ear buds. On our trip to the Dragon last Sep. (6hrs. each way), the wife used ear buds with her non-BT MP3 player. There was a lot of fiddling with the wires (caught in the jacket zipper, etc) at each stop and occassionally in between - getting them to sit comfortably in her ears. For myself, I like to throw on the helmet - no fuss and take off without any wires tugging on the head or rubbing the neck. Also don't have to disconnect myself from them after removing the helmet and tuck wires away into a pocket and such - just pull the helmet off and walk away like normal. Admittedly, this was her first time using them with a helmet - so some fiddling is to be expected. And the sound quality is better with the speakers right inside ones ears. Rock On! Link to comment
Ken H. Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 I don't understand what is so bad about having a hard wired helmet speaker system. NASA not using it, tells me something. Uh, because this is the farkle epicenter of motorcycling kingdom hood? Link to comment
Woodie Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 ...just wondering what BT downfall I was missing. Tom has answered this in previous posts. See his answer . Link to comment
KDeline Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I don't understand what is so bad about having a hard wired helmet speaker system. NASA not using it, tells me something. Uh, because this is the farkle epicenter of motorcycling kingdom hood? What was I thinking...............? Link to comment
Todd_Z1 Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 I don't have any problems with using a cabled system, except that, I have spent a small fortune replacing cables, they get in the way and they are distracting. In fact, the way I have my system setup now, with the PCB card that contains the female 3.5mm stereo jack for the in-ear speakers in my helmet is perfect. However, I went for a ride today and the riders lead from the main unit is shorting out near the plug. I just replaced the patch cable between the headset and riders lead a month ago for the same issue. Now I have to replace the riders leads from my spares kit and go buy yet another cable as they only last about 4 months. On average I am buying three new cables a year and a new headset or headset component. The cables are not repairable because they are molded and the micro wires inside are very difficult to work with when it comes to soldering. I am more than a little frustrated with the overall poor reliability of these cables. They get flexed a lot which causes the wires inside to break near the connectors. I am sure this has NOT been the experience of many Autocom owners but I have always had problems with these cables over the past 9 years. I am just really tired of replacing cables and it happens so often I now keep spares at all times. One spare headset, one spare patch cord and one spare riders lead. I am really not here to complain. I would really just like to see a manufacturer come up with a wireless solution that works. This would solve a very real problem. When I was flying in the Air Force as a loadmaster on C-141's we used headsets plugged into a 100 foot cable. I was always stepping on the cable and getting it snagged on something. This usually resulted in the plug popping out of the connector or the entire headset getting ripped off my head. The one time the cable failed in 10 years of flying was when I closed the loading door on it. Now that is quality! WiFi and TCP/IP offer the potential for very high bandwidth and using the proper codecs and a low power (2 to 3 volts) WiFi card in a short range personal communications system is an ideal application of this technology. One of the benefits is that you would never need to pair the devices, they are hard coded to talk to each other. The chip/card that I provided a link to has a sleep mode with instant on (Less than 35 milliseconds) that saves a lot of power when it is not in use. It also was designed to use batteries which means you could/can use rechargeable batteries which is highly desirable in my opinion. Cheers! Todd Link to comment
KDeline Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I was always stepping on the cable and getting it snagged on something. This usually resulted in the plug popping out of the connector or the entire headset getting ripped off my head. The one time the cable failed in 10 years of flying was when I closed the loading door on it. Dare I say I see why you go through cables. Link to comment
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