Bluetooth intercom multi bike connectivity

[mrtomsv]

Hi all. I'm struggling to find an answer to this one on google because Im not sure how to phase the question so though maybe someone would know on here.

my wife and I have been using Interphone Link intercoms for a few years, but they are limited to connecting to each other, not mutiple riders in a group. The other day one stopped working so I have replaced it but due to being an old model range, I had to get the only one in stock which is the Tour model. this was the top of the line model at the time and supports up to 4 connections to other helmets.
Does this mean all in the group need multi connection ability, or will the Tour model on my helmet act as 'bridge' between lesser models? For example, while riding with a friend who has a basic model and my wife on the back also with basic model, will all 3 of us be able to chat due to my new Tour multi-connection headset, or do all three headsets in the group need to support multiconnection?

Hope this makes sense.

Cheers, Tom

[anonymous-user]

I have a cardo pack talk set and it also allows multiple connections to 6 riders in the group.

[mrtomsv]

But do all six units in the group need to have such abilties, or is it your bells and whistles unit that brings even basic models together on the same 'channel'?

[black-k1]

From previous experience of connecting a Cardo 9X (non-mesh unit) into a PackTalk group (mesh units).

One of the mesh units needs to connect a specific Bluetooth channel directly to the non-mesh unit. The non-mesh unit is then bridged into all other units on the mesh. However, if the distance between the two direct connected units goes out of range, the non meshed unit is dropped from the group even if other meshed units are still within range.

For some reason (suspect Cardo active decision) the bridge gives poor sound quality from the old unit to the mesh, but good sound quality from the mesh to the old unit. Don't try to connect a second meshed unit to the other Bluetooth channel of the non-meshed unit! We did and the feedback loop was extremely impressive.

Hope that helps.

[mrtomsv]

I think that helps, thanks. Will have to read it over a few times to get it straight in my head.

[anonymous-user]

mrtomsv said:

But do all six units in the group need to have such abilties, or is it your bells and whistles unit that brings even basic models together on the same 'channel'?

That's a good question, to which I don't know the answer - I haven't had an issue when people wanted to connect with me though.

[black-k1]

bulldong said:

mrtomsv said:

But do all six units in the group need to have such abilties, or is it your bells and whistles unit that brings even basic models together on the same 'channel'?

That's a good question, to which I don't know the answer - I haven't had an issue when people wanted to connect with me though.

Without mesh capability, a unit can only do point to point, With two channels can do point to two points. Some units without mesh can bridge 1 channel to the other allowing a daisy chain connection where many units can talk to other units but it is a daisy chain. Each unit in the chain must be in range of he other two units it's connected to or the bridging doesn't work and you lose some of the group. A - B - C - D

One of the Old Gits favorite games was, on a good road, getting the headset message of "Rider B Disconnected" because there was now to much distance between the units!

Mesh allows a group to be created. As long as a unit is within the range of any other unit in the group then communications can happen. Bikes can change position in the group and not worry about being dropped off the group because someone is out of their range.

[mrtomsv]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm starting to build a picture of how it all works now. I don't think my new unit has Mesh but supports the daisy chaining that Black-k1 mentioned. So hopefully I'll be able to daisy chain between my mate and my wife with me in the middle. Not as good as mesh but better than it was before.

[Wildfire]

I don't think the Tour has mesh and can't act as a hub for the lower model that are not designed for bike to bike (e.g. Link).

I have a pair of Tours for me and the OH and my mate has one and we can all talk together or someone can opt to drop in and out if they want.

You may be able to do some sort of daisy chain but I've never tried.