Interesting bluetooth dropout observation...

[Hoovooloo]

I took a long trip this past weekend and experienced the dropout problem.  Sometimes it was so bad, I couldn't use the system without becoming aggravated.  Then I noticed something...  If I lean forward or shift forward in the seat, the dropouts increase.  If I lean back or shift as far back in the seat, all dropouts stop.  It seems that the antenna is highly directional.  So, I wonder if rotating the radio pack forward just 10 degrees would solve the problem.  I'm going to look into doing this.  Anyone else experience this?

[SprintST1050]

Originally Posted by Hoovooloo

I took a long trip this past weekend and experienced the dropout problem.  Sometimes it was so bad, I couldn't use the system without becoming aggravated.  Then I noticed something...  If I lean forward or shift forward in the seat, the dropouts increase.  If I lean back or shift as far back in the seat, all dropouts stop.  It seems that the antenna is highly directional.  So, I wonder if rotating the radio pack forward just 10 degrees would solve the problem.  I'm going to look into doing this.  Anyone else experience this?

Haven't noticed this but I do experience XM dropout at the usual locations.  At my daughter's house, I was giving my granddaughters rides around the ample property while they sampled the XM through the bluetooth helmet.  Anytime we came around the NE side of the property the XM vanished...keep us posted.

[atrophy]

When I was using the Schuberth (cardio)  blue tooth I often experienced dropouts especially in cities. On  my last trip with the Schurberth I was in Charlotte NC during rush hour and the GPS was guiding me through the city.  It dropped out too often and I took the wrong exit.  I switched to a Sena 10S  and no longer have drop out problems.   Schurberth's new system is a SENA with their name on it.

Just my 2 cents.

[ikkieman]

I too have experienced the bluetooth dropping out between my schuberth SRCS-pro and TTSE. First i'm going through a new C3pro helmet next year. The SRCS isn't yet written off. However I do think the wifey is going to get a new Shoei Neotech with a companioning Sena set.
Halfway because Sena seems the way to go and the other half because nearly everyone in my local club is running sena's.

[AZBob]

Originally Posted by SprintST1050

Haven't noticed this but I do experience XM dropout at the usual locations.  At my daughter's house, I was giving my granddaughters rides around the ample property while they sampled the XM through the bluetooth helmet.  Anytime we came around the NE side of the property the XM vanished...keep us posted.

I'm going to guess that has more to do with the XM satellites position relative to you than with BT.

[john348]

I have a neotec 2 with srl and get no drop outs on the bike. When I am opening the garage about 5 metres away if I turn my head it drops out.  But it is worth noting Bluetooth uses frequencies that are easily attenuated by water and we are mostly water.  I once tried to desing a product using Bluetooth from a person's pocket and it used to drop out if the thing it was communicating with was on the other side of the body however close.  So it matters a lot where the radio aerial is BUT also where the receive aerial is.  Put lots of body between them and the signal will be attenuated a lot. 

One problem we might have is that helmet Bluetooth systems want to get good bike to bike comms so the aerials are probably placed to get out better around the head rather than up and down to connect with our radio (under your 'largest muscle).

[PhilInAthens]

Hoovooloo; I too have noticed that my physical positioning on the bike affects bluetooth reception (dropouts).  I am assuming I am "covering" the transmitter somehow.  Let us know how the experiment goes. 

I have to admit though that the dropouts remind me to sit up straight.  If I slouch (bad posture), dropouts are more frequent. It's sort of like having an annoying personal trainer along on the ride. 

[Hoovooloo]

Absolutely...   Good posture with straight back...  no dropouts.  Lean forward and hunch...  no audio.  As far as changing the angle of the radio pack,  I'm going to try a few things over the next week.  I'll report back.  Some antennas are highly directional.  I suspect there may be shielding or orientation issues at play.