At BMW Motorrad they know that a BMW driver prefers to drive with everything from BMW, so the Germans have also put their own communication system on the market after helmets, clothing and navigation: ConnectedRide Com U1, which looks suspiciously like the Sena 50R. .
The press release does not mention a collaboration with Sena, except that the new ConnectedRide Com U1 can only be linked to communication sets from BMW Motorrad or Sena. It can already be deduced from this that ConnectedRide Com U1 was developed by Sena, just take a look at the model list and you arrive at the Sena 50R, which has exactly the same form and function.
BMW Motorrad speaks of impressive audio performance, high-quality sound and excellent wearing comfort, which are provided by the HD-quality loudspeakers, which are very easy to fit into the helmet. Furthermore, the ConnectedRide Com U1 is equipped with an FM radio with which up to ten radio stations can be stored. The search for channels is done at the push of a button or alternatively via the free app “Com U1”.
According to the Germans, the entire operation of the ConnectedRide Com U1 should be intuitive via four buttons or alternatively via the app, which also offers various setting options. Depending on the operating mode, different functions can be activated via the voice control, provided you speak one of the following eight languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
Intelligent audio mixing ensures communication comfort. For example, if you are speaking via Bluetooth Intercom and a navigation announcement comes in at the same time, the volume of the Intercom will be reduced for the duration of the announcement.
When the headset is turned on, an LED flashes to indicate the battery charge status. If the charge level becomes too low during use, you will receive a spoken message about this. The battery life is according to BMW up to 13 hours with Bluetooth Intercom and up to 8 hours with Mesh Intercom.
The fast charging time is one hour, but if you don’t have that much time to charge, that’s not a disaster: after 20 minutes you already have a usage time of 3.5 hours (Mesh Intercom) or 6 hours (Bluetooth Intercom).
BMW claims a range of up to 2 kilometers via Bluetooth, via Mesh this range can be extended to a maximum of 8 km in open terrain if at least six riders are connected and driving a maximum distance of 1.6 km from each other. For optimal range in Mesh mode, the device is equipped with an antenna that can be easily folded and unfolded.
During active group communication, six users can speak simultaneously. As an alternative to communication via Mesh, it is possible to set up communication via Bluetooth with two participants.
The universal intercom function can also be used to establish a call connection with a person using a headset from another manufacturer. However, this can lead to limitations in the range.
Communication via Mesh with communication systems from manufacturers other than Sena or BMW Motorrad is not possible. It is also not possible to integrate external communication systems into group communication via a Bluetooth bridge.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.