An affordable and capable intercom
for motorcyclists.
Communication between motorcyclists or the
ability to answer phone calls while riding two-wheelers has always been tricky
to resolve. The Vertix Raptor-i (hence referred to as the Raptor), is a
long-range Bluetooth intercom and headset system that claims an intercom range
of 800 meters.
Vertix
Raptor-I Wireless Helmet Intercom
The two essential components of the Raptor
are the intercom, and one of a few kits containing speakers or headphones with
stick-on or boom-mounted microphones for different kinds of helmets. What we’ve
tested here is the full-face helmet kit consisting of a pair of fl at speakers,
and a corded microphone, both held on by strong pieces of Velcro. To fit these,
you will have to thread their wires under your helmet lining. The Raptor is not
recommended for helmets with non-removable linings.
The Raptor itself attaches to the left side
of the helmet by strong double sided mounting tape with 3M “Dual-Lock”
fasteners. In comparison, competitors typically clamp their intercom units to
the helmet rim. The Raptor’s 3M mounting tape adhesive can be destructively
removed with mild solvents, but must be replaced to remount the intercom.
The Raptor also has an optional handlebar
remote control so users need not reach for their helmets to press the control
buttons.
The
Raptor also has an optional handlebar remote control so users need not reach
for their helmets to press the control buttons.
The Raptor is weatherproof and its surface
has only four large rubber buttons that were easy to press with gloves on a
thoughtful design element. However this limitation made each button perform
multiple functions. The front call pickup button is also a music play and pause
button. Long presses of the top and bottom buttons increase or decrease volume
while short presses skip or rewind playlist tracks. The rear intercom /
Bluetooth pairing button has the most functions: pressing and holding it turns
the unit on, a holding it longer from off turns on pairing mode. In operation,
short presses of the same button toggles the intercom mode on or off, and a
final press and hold turns the unit’s power off. Combinations of single and
double presses and holding of buttons control the FM radio settings (eg.
channel seeking and storing) for the Raptor variant which comes with a built-in
FM radio.
In
use, the Raptor had a distinct but tolerable one to two second delay between
button presses and responses.
In use, the Raptor had a distinct but
tolerable one to two second delay between button presses and responses.
Intercom or phone callers’ speech was crisp and clear, and the microphone’s
noise reduction also effectively cut off wind noise. The speakers rendered
excellent music and speech quality at loud volumes considering their flat
profile and the comfort of not needing anything inserted into our ears. The
Raptor allows up to three riders to conference, and although its realistic
intercom range was between 350 to 400 meters, this was more than sufficient
during our riding test.
For its balance of price to features, good
audio quality and reasonably easy operation, the Raptor still offers good value
even though its intercom range is not as far as the claimed 1.6km of similar
sets by competitors, and which also allow for more inter communicated units (4
to 6) to be connected.
The
Raptor still offers good value even though its intercom range is not as far as
the claimed 1.6km of similar sets by competitors
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Specifications
§ Wireless
Bluetooth version 2.0, class 1
§ Range
800 meters
§ Max
operating speed up to 210 km/h
§ Battery
life up to 8 hours
§ Price
from $168
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