Customer Reviews

ActiveBLU Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Headset

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Using a cellphone during my daily commute by bicycle was an exercise in frustration. Using the handset for any length of time while moving is dangerous for numerous reasons (steering/balance, use of brakes, limited head mobility, etc.). The wind generated while riding made every other bluetooth headset I tried unusable- sometimes even when stopped, a light breeze was enough to cause problems for both a headset or even the handset's microphone.

Then I found this little item. It has a boom mic that comes down near your mouth and the mic has a foam windsock on it. The speaker is in an ear-bud so you can hear it in the worst traffic noise- yet it doesn't block out necessary sounds from the environment.

It works incredibly well. I've had conversations with people while I was going downhill at about 30mph and the people on the other end of the line didn't even know I was on a cellphone, much less using a headset while bicycling.

The headset attaches to the helmet using a holder that's glued onto the helmet, the headset can be detached from the holder with a push of a lever. Charging is easy by use of it's standardized mini USB plug.

The one thing I'm missing from this product is some sort of way to use it without my bicycle helmet- I'd love to be able to use it in my car since even the breeze from the air conditioner can mess up my standard headset.

This headset works even better than advertised and I consider it to be superior to any other bluetooth headset I have ever used.

Got this as a gift and I'm liking it a lot.

PROs:
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1. sound quality.
I can confirm what the other reviewers have said: the wind cancellation is nothing short of spectacular. I wish the headset I use for the car could be anywhere near as good. Seriously.

I can *INITIATE* phone calls using Voice Command on Windows Mobile reliably while pedaling into the wind down a hill.

My wife says she can hear me more clearly with the ActiveBLU on a bike in the wind than she can using a headset costing twice as much driving in a car. Think about how much less noise there is inside the average car and you realize what a gem this gadget is.

2. security of the device.
Although I've said in other reviews that a good bluetooth headset should be secure enough not to fall off your ear while biking, this is about as stable as you'll find. It's glued to your helmet, which also simplifies removing it. I have long hair and handsfrees sometimes get tangled up in it; not so with the ActiveBLU!

3. weatherproof
The device appears to have been designed with adverse weather in mind. The components are sealed up in rubber quite nicely. Great if you ride in the rain (I do, obviously).

CONs:
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None of these is a brutal killer, but they are worth mentioning.

1. earbud form-factor
The earbud is tiny and nonreplaceable. It is not secure in my ear (the hole in my ear must be of nonstandard size... I'll have to order new ears I guess) and pops out frequently. Even when it's in, sometimes you're not sure unless you're on a call. Fortunately it's tethered to the device, so it's not like you'll lose it.

On a 10-mile ride, I probably poke my ear to keep the bud in (or get it back in) about ten or fifteen times. Often I just leave it out unless I'm actively using the device.

This fact really was the difference between a 4 and a 5 star review for me. If anyone has any tricks for keeping the earbud in his/her ear, please post them as this is ALMOST a perfect little gadget.

2. the button
The button is very stubborn and it's sometimes hard to tell whether you're pressing it or not. It's an inconvenience.

3. boom is sometimes too easy to adjust
Although the ActiveBlu is not going to fall off the helmet, it does rotate in its holster to let you move the microphone boom around. That's okay, but this makes the earbud more likely to yank out of your ear. Several times I've tried to answer my phone but in doing so I've twisted the boom, popping the earbud.

I used this headset for my ride across the U.S. this summer (2008). It is the only one I found so far that I could both hear others on and be heard from by others. I even did live national radio interviews using it while riding and people could not tell that I was riding along on my bicycle.
The advantage over others is that it is the only one that eliminates wind noise. For instance I tried the Jawbone and though it is supposed to screen out other noise...Jawbone does not deal effectively with even minor wind noise.
The challenges with this one is that it is rather awkward looking to wear has parts that come off and can be easily lost and is somewhat low quality construction. But it did work for most of the trip up until the last 200miles when it came apart and could not be repaired.
Even with this challenge, I would still recommend it over others I tried.
BAO

I honestly wasn't expecting much from this unit as it's practically discontinued. I bought it because it's one of the ONLY bluetooth options available for a cyclist with a helmet. It works amazing well. The windscreen is kinda loose, and if you lose it, there's tons of wind noise. When I lost mine, the wind noise was exponentially worse. I pulled the wind screen off my xbox headset as a replacement and i'm back in business!

I've been using the ActiveBlu for over a year. It has several excellent points, and one deficiency (noted in other reviews).

The good points: It easily connects to my Motorola phone. Pressing the button on the face of the ActiveBlu is sufficiently easy that it doesn't skip, and sufficiently tactile that it doesn't bounce. The volume control is easy to reach and control. I have tested it with phone calls, as well as recorded calls on my landline at 25-35 mph. The sound quality is excellent. This is truly a high-wind headset. Volume is fully adequate in windy riding. The mic position tends to stay placed, though can swivel to the back in high headwinds. Finally, the helmet mount has stayed perfectly fixed for the year+, being stored in a garage in Mississippi (hot summers). Over-all, the performance is excellent -- 5 stars except for the earpiece.

The bad points: The earpiece design is not particularly adequate. Is is a chore to keep it in the ear. Recognizing that ears greatly differ between people, I do believe that it would benefit from an ear clip, similar to other bluetooth headsets. I manage to insert it into my ear, than buckle the helmet straps over the wire, which usually tends to hold it in. Experimentation with silicone earphone adaptors (little silicone donuts that fit over the earpiece) were not partiularly successful. The only way I've found to keep it in my ear is via the helmet straps. It is not uncomfortable in the ear.

The cover for the mini-usb charging port is marginl. It does not seal well, and is on the top of the headset. I haven't used it in heavy rain, but I suspect that water damage could occur.

I did contact Phat Tire, and ordered extra helmet mounts (for other helmets), and spare foam mic covers. I've had one mic cover blow off in very heavy winds. The mic is ineffective without the foam cover.

If I lost my ActiveBlu, I'd replace it promptly.

I use this product on my bike rides all the time. It is kinda goofy looking, but that is the only downside of the whole thing. The person on the other end of the phone call does not even realize you are on a bike moving.