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Twiins Bluetooth Intercom - Part II
Twiins Bluetooth Motorcycle Intercom
Part II: System Configuration and Specifications
by H.B.C. for webBikeWorld.com
More:
Owner Comments
(Below) |
Motorcycle
Bluetooth Intercom Page |
Motorcycle Intercom Page
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Reviews Home
See Also:
Part I: Twiins
Bluetooth Intercom Introduction and Setup
Compatibility
As confirmed by the representative, Twiins
will only work with another Twiins when it
comes to pairing up for intercom use.
This
is not unusual as there are very few systems
on the market that are backwards or
laterally compatible with similar systems – Cardo products being one notable exception.
Soapbox time: While on the topic of
compatibility, it should be noted that far
too many Bluetooth adapters (BTAs) are
proprietary in nature.
Even though the
outcome was expected, I tried to pair the Twiins modules with the iCombi AG 12, a
Camos BH-200M, the wiRevo D1000 and, the
Albrecht BP-100. No joy here.
This is not a shortfall specific to the
Twiins system, but it does illustrate my
point. The ability to use a BTA with the
Twiins would further expand the claimed
device compatibility base, especially for
the North American market.
Even though we often perceive ourselves
to be media-saturated here in North America,
in other markets virtually any type of media
device available is now or can be made
Bluetooth capable. Personal radio systems,
as for group radio communications, are
widely available as BT compatible devices.
And for what it might be worth, I would
really like to get some additional radios,
wired or Bluetooth enabled, to evaluate with
the various headset systems that support use
of a common radio.
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wBW
Twiins Intercom System Feature List |
|
Feature |
User |
Range |
Comments |
|
Rider |
Pass. |
Both* |
(Nominal) |
| Intercom |
Y |
Y |
N |
10 metres |
Manual or
default initiation |
| Mobile Phone |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Own system
|
| Mobile Phone
MP3 |
N |
N |
N |
|
Issue being
investigated |
| GPS Audio |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Own system
|
| GPS MP3 |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Own system
|
| Group Radio |
N |
N |
N |
|
Not supported |
| Auxiliary
Input |
N |
N |
N |
|
Not provided
|
| Other (BTA) |
N |
N |
N |
|
Only
compatible with Twiins |
| Note:
This list is not official and
specifications may change at any
time. |
|
Twiins
Bluetooth Intercom - The Bottom Line
Ratings |
| Feature |
Rating |
Comments |
| Packaging |
Very Good |
The clam-shell
style package displays and holds everything
in an attractive and secure manner. Not
getting a North American AC adapter is a
downer. |
|
Design |
Excellent |
Excellent.
A simple, sleek and elegant device that
might stand out a bit and it never goes
un-noticed. Two controls are well placed,
easy to find and very positive to operate. |
|
Execution |
Very Good |
Reliable and
easy to use clamp or adhesive mounts are
simple but probably a bit on the light side,
especially the snap tab – wear will reduce
its effectiveness. All connectors and
harnesses are heavy duty and should last a
long time. Speakers are also heavy duty with
excellent audio range. Right side speaker
lead is likely to be short for some helmets. |
|
Features |
Very Good |
What has been
evaluated so far works extremely well…only
the audio streaming shortfall keeps this
rating from being higher. A really good
option that I wish had been sent along is
the Laryngophone or throat microphone, good
for really noisy environments or as another
placement option.
|
|
Fit |
Very Good |
Both mounting
options work well and although the module
sits out in the breeze more than many other
systems, it rides well. The forward mounted
headset connector is a solid fit but higher
profile than usual: depending on where the
hand is positioned when putting on the
helmet, it might intrude. With use, plastic
wear-in may be an issue. |
|
Setup and Configuration |
Very Good |
The initial
problems with the intercom configuration,
were sorted out and that was that. The
systems paired with every BT device
presented, less the Bluetooth Adapters that
is.
Documentation is good, but some
sequences are hard to follow and translation
inconsistencies are evident. The DVD with
its visualizations is a simple but
worthwhile inclusion. |
|
Performance |
Very Good |
This category
could easily be higher if the audio
streaming issue had been sorted out and if
it is, the rating will be revised. The
systems just plain work with everything
paired and the intercom was seamless,
although having Class 1 range would be icing
on the cake. The heavy duty, large and
powerful speakers are excellent - even mono
audio sounds really good – they have zing. |
|
Ease of Use |
Excellent |
Two simple
controls that provide all necessary
functions and are easily accessed with light
to medium weight gloves and it only took me
a couple of extra seconds to find the right
control with my Ottawa winter riding gloves
on as well. In this instance, the stylized
horizontal delineation line actually helps. Audio tones are far too loud, but provide
essential status information |
|
Power |
Very Good |
This is based
on normal phone and GPS use with occasional
use of the GPS MP3 player. So this
rating may change if full audio streaming
can be realized. The use times
identified in the manual seem accurate.
For North American users or testers, the
right plug would be appreciated, but I'm
sure this will be addressed for the North
American market. |
|
Reliability |
Very Good |
Some wear of
the plastic fit parts is evident but nothing
has fallen off yet or broken. The headset
connector and harness is well built and
provides a tight seal, another plus in
providing long life. The systems charge
quickly, function seamlessly and do most of
what they are claimed to do. |
|
Maintenance and Support |
Very Good |
Nothing needed
other than recharging and wiping off the
spiffy shiny plastic surfaces. Support from
the representative has been good, although
it took some protracted email exchanges to
finally get the right information, and just
in time as well, given that the firm’s
traditional summer break was looming. |
|
Cost |
Good |
This rating is
based on pricing information found on one
European site, the Twiins DUO is listed for 295.00 €
which translates into approximately $460.00 CAD or
about $420.00 USD. |
|
Value |
Good |
This rating
could be higher, but only if there is a
solution (mono or stereo) to the audio
streaming issue identified. Everything else
is very high quality, especially the
speakers.
But until the audio streaming issue is
resolved one way or another and unless you
are satisfied with just having a really good
looking and smoothly functioning BT headset
for mobile phone use, the Twiins system may
not represent good value.
|
Specifications
-
Bluetooth version 1.2
-
Class 2 (2.5mW) for nominal intercom range
of 10 metres (~33 feet)
-
Lithium Polymer Battery at 370mAh, full
recharge in ~1.5 hours
-
Full Duplex 14-bit audio DSP Filter
-
Audio Ouput is 2W RMS on 16
Ohm, six
adjustable volume levels or steps
-
Hands-Free (HFP) and Headset (HSP)
functionality standard
-
Intercom function developed exclusively for
Twiins
-
Up to ten (10) hours
-
Up to 900 hours of stand-by, from fully
charged battery
-
Battery can stored for up to one year from a
fully charged state
-
Two tactile pushbutton controls
-
Two LED indicators (Red and Green)
-
Acoustic status tones
Conclusion
The Twiins system has some real good highs
and less the audio streaming issue, few
lows.
Styling, if that’s the word to use, sets
it apart from many others on the market, as
does its simple features and absolute
functionality.
It may not be fully A2DP compliant (yet),
but what it does, it does really well.
Audio is crystal clear, tonal quality is
really good based on phone and intercom
audio and there is plenty of volume
available at the press of a button.
The intercom link, once configured,
always works with minimal delay and
excellent clarity and users only need to
appreciate its limited range.
Less the somewhat short headset leads and
a bit of wear between the bracket and the
module mounting point, the only other nit to
pick is the lack of a worldwide or North
American specific adapter.
See Also: Part
I: Twiins Bluetooth Intercom Introduction and
Setup
More
wBW:
Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom Page |
Motorcycle Intercom Page
|
wBW Product
Review: Twiins Bluetooth
Intercom |
|
|
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Details and Owner Comments in
Part 1 of the Midland BT2-D Review |
NOTE: The webBikeWorld intercom evaluators always wear properly
fitted ear plugs while riding during the intercom evaluations and this is reflected
in thee opinions on sound quality and speaker volume. Your experience may
and probably will differ. Always wear high-quality, correctly fitted ear plugs
when riding a motorcycle ( more).
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