A Safer way to listen to music?

chris_bass

Has anyone seen or heard of these before?

http://www.o-tus.com/

they seem a reasonable idea, should mean you can listen to music but not block out the outside world too much.

please don't turn this into a headphones debate though, there are enough of them about!

Akirasho

Chris Bass wrote:

.

please don't turn this into a headphones debate though, there are enough of them about!

Too late!!!! take dem damn buds out yo eahs and pay 'tenshun to wat yo doin'! :twisted:

jotko

That does seem a good idea to be fair.

How is it powered? Speakers + bluetooth is gonna be a fair old drain, is it rechargeable?

iPete

just put a headphone in one ear and don't crank it

upperoilcan

Ive always found my standard Iphone earphones are more than a match for my ears.

elbowloh

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueP ... tAodMikAGA


I've not used them, as i'd prefer to ride with no distractions, but you can get these aftershokz headphones, that work on bone vibration to transmit sound too. Again they don't go in your ear, so you can still hear traffic noise.

Anonymous

Personally it seems a load of hassle/expense to have music with no bass whilst doing something I least want music whilst doing.
I feel its still too much of a distraction. Its not just blocking out of external noise that is unsafe, Its also how listening to music will alter your actions IMO.
Safer, but not safe.

marcusjb

I've been using OneGoodEarBud for a year now - does what it sounds like - one good ear bud (with both left and right audio playing in it). Whilst they won't win any audiophile awards - for taking the monotony away on the long nights of riding, they are perfect for a bit of background music whilst still be able to hear traffic etc.

They are now available in the UK (I had to buy mine in the US)

http://www.sportexplorer.co.uk/shop/cat ... neGood-(TM)-Earphone.html

goonz

Headphones whilst cycling? Just no!

southdownswolf

marcusjb wrote:

I've been using OneGoodEarBud for a year now - does what it sounds like - one good ear bud (with both left and right audio playing in it). Whilst they won't win any audiophile awards - for taking the monotony away on the long nights of riding, they are perfect for a bit of background music whilst still be able to hear traffic etc.

They are now available in the UK (I had to buy mine in the US)

http://www.sportexplorer.co.uk/shop/cat ... neGood-(TM)-Earphone.html

surely putting the left and right signals into one bud, will create the "MONOtony" ?

danlikesbikes

Chris Bass wrote:

Has anyone seen or heard of these before?

http://www.o-tus.com/

they seem a reasonable idea, should mean you can listen to music but not block out the outside world too much.

please don't turn this into a headphones debate though, there are enough of them about!

You'd think with such a low output they would not block out everything else that is going on so good in that respect. My only concern is that they would either be so quite you would not hear everything, or you crank it up and end up blowing the speaker. Or worse & this is the real issue you get too engrossed in the music that you simply filter out whats going on in the outside world.

If you want another version you could always look at something that does this - http://en.rocketnews24.com/2012/03/17/l ... the-sound/

chris_bass

goonz wrote:

Headphones whilst cycling? Just no!

they arent headphones!

Anonymous

The O-tus ones look a bit pants tbh. "Clear Crisp Sound" is never a good start, and if you look at the trouble shooting section they are almost expecting you to send them back!

Cost + set up hassle + having to charge it + bluetooth battery drain + tinny sound + odd looks from people* + possible death + having to post them back to a company that might not be there anymore = just put your phone on loudspeaker!

*If you cycle around with music coming from your helmet you will seem a bit of an oddball IMO.

I would try the bone shaker ones if I had to have music while I cycled.
Or get one of those water/sand proof phone case's with built in speaker and strap it to your frame.
I have a cheapo LG phone with built in subwoofer that's better than all those options if its dry. It sounds fab and could even go in a waterproof jacket breast pocket etc.
Are those O-tus things even waterproof?

Druidor

A single bud in your left ear or splash out on one of those over ear speakers like the security guards use that is what I do.

dowtcha

marcusjb wrote:

I've been using OneGoodEarBud for a year now - does what it sounds like - one good ear bud (with both left and right audio playing in it). Whilst they won't win any audiophile awards - for taking the monotony away on the long nights of riding, they are perfect for a bit of background music whilst still be able to hear traffic etc.

They are now available in the UK (I had to buy mine in the US)

http://www.sportexplorer.co.uk/shop/cat ... neGood-(TM)-Earphone.html

I will try those, normally use my left only and still can hear traffic. Just take it out when I hit the city.

navrig

Chris Bass wrote:

A Safer way to listen to music?

Are we talking personal safety here?

In which case buy a car and listent to music whilst driving.

Cycling and music don't mix IMHO

Mikey23

When I'm out in east Cornwall I am often riding on narrow country lanes with passing places. I have traffic noise from the A30 nearby, wind in the trees and wind noise of riding to contend with. It is extremely difficult to hear cars, vans, lorries and farm machinery coming from behind. Not having the distraction of racket has saved my bacon many a time. I can't really understand why anyone needs to have music while out riding... For me, being part of nature with all of my senses is what I so enjoy and my hearing is my second most important sense

thegreatdivide

Sing to yourself. That's what I do.

simon_masterson

Carbonator wrote:

Personally it seems a load of hassle/expense to have music with no bass whilst doing something I least want music whilst doing.
I feel its still too much of a distraction. Its not just blocking out of external noise that is unsafe, Its also how listening to music will alter your actions IMO.
Safer, but not safe.

Moreorless my thoughts on the matter...

hipshot

thegreatdivide wrote:

Sing to yourself. That's what I do.

Singing and riding dont mix IMHO, way too dangerous, many a time my bacon has been saved by not singing, I prefer to listen to the whir of my derailleur/sounds of nature, singing makes you more likely to swerve into traffic, etc, etc, etc.

mpatts

I have my riding buddy sing a series of hits from the 80's. Eye Of The Tiger is particularly good for long climbs.

I occasionally do backing vocals.

rolf_f

Navrig wrote:

Chris Bass wrote:

A Safer way to listen to music?

Are we talking personal safety here?

In which case buy a car and listent to music whilst driving.

Cycling and music don't mix IMHO

Hmmm, different horses for different courses. I'd say depending on who you are music may improve your safety. A bit like how doodling occupies my mind enough in dull meetings so it doesn't wander off and I actually listen to the meeting, I can see that music whilst cycling might have the same effect. ie the music actually improves your focus on the riding.

And lets not get hung up about the whole 'not able to hear sounds around you thing' - there is the volume control to cover that!

mpatts wrote:

I have my riding buddy sing a series of hits from the 80's. Eye Of The Tiger is particularly good for long climbs.

I occasionally do backing vocals.

That sounds more exhausting than the hill climbing!

thegreatdivide

hipshot wrote:

thegreatdivide wrote:

Sing to yourself. That's what I do.

Singing and riding dont mix IMHO, way too dangerous, many a time my bacon has been saved by not singing, I prefer to listen to the whir of my derailleur/sounds of nature, singing makes you more likely to swerve into traffic, etc, etc, etc.

Ah, but I wear Rapha!

johnny25

I can see the attraction when commuting. A bit of background music at 6am on a cold morning is appealing.

However, for me anyway, cycling along on my road bike I can't see the need. I'm too busy concentrating on cadence, speed and HR to worry about music. I like the sound of birds and squirrels. Plus an ipod is another item to put into my cycling top along with iphone, ipump, ibanana, iID & waterproof.

chris_bass

i was mainly thinking of this for my commute, same old route can get a little boring after a while! I wouldnt listen all the time and wouldnt on weekend rides in the countryside!

Mikey23

@ hipshot... Liking this... Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit :-)

lawrences

I personally use a frame mounted subwoofer with handlebar tweeters and a pannier rack for the amp and batteries.

southdownswolf

lawrences wrote:

I personally use a frame mounted subwoofer with handlebar tweeters and a pannier rack for the amp and batteries.

I need to see pictures of that :shock:

southdownswolf

Do you run the cables internally?

briantrumpet

southdownswolf wrote:

I need to see pictures of that :shock:

diy

I listen to music when I cycle, it doesn't stop me from hearing cars come up. Also as a motorcyclist I find the lack of mirrors makes me keep checking my shoulder when riding anyway.

For me the music risk is more about the mental state rather than cutting off your hearing. On the grand scheme of things, extra lights, high vis clothing etc are probably of more benefit that being able to hear.

I'd say its almost impossible to hear if someone is going to pass you too close or not.