Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I commute by bicycle several times a week for over an hour each way and was really wanting something to break the monotony of that amount of time in the saddle. I refuse to use head phones due to the dangers of not being able to hear traffic and other cyclists. The Cy-Fi works well with my iPhone 3GS (which supports the A2DP bluetooth profile) and has been a great addition to my commute.
A few thoughts and observations:
1. It is very light (advertised at about 4 ounces). Doesn't add any appreciable weight.
2. The mounting brackets (2 included) are sturdy and strong. They lock the speaker in place so it won't accidentally shake off due to road vibration. They also come in two different sizes: One for handlebar-diameters and the other for larger-diameter top tubes, etc. They are also easy to put on and take off in case you need to move between different bikes or other forms of conveyance.
3. They sounds is excellent and certainly loud enough. However, in heavy traffic you may not be able to hear, which frankly is what you want. Better to hear the cars than the music. No appreciable bass from the speakers, but they do play at a respectable volume without distorting.
4. Battery life is quite good. I think they claim six hours. To test it out, I used the speaker while working in the garage for an extended period on a weekend. After four hours it was still going strong. Recharging is only supported using a customized cradle, which means there's more weight and bulk to carry if you're going on an extended (multi-day) trip.
5. The controls are intuitive and easy enough to use, although pressing buttons is perhaps a little bit stiffer than I would like. The unit does provide feedback that a button has been successfully pressed by beeping. Pausing/Resuming, adjusting the volume, and answering the phone all work great with my iPhone 3GS.
6. I have not been able to advance or reverse the current song, which is supposed to be supported. Perhaps a deficiency with my iPhone (but I haven't done the detailed research to see if it's supposed to support this.)
7. I really like being able to take a phone call. When the device rings, the music is automatically paused. You press the answer button and you're talking to the person on the other end. They seem to hear me well enough, but it's not entirely noise and interference free. Fine for a quick conversation, but probably not for an extended one. (And besides, who wants to talk much when you're huffing and puffing on a bike.) When the call finishes, you just press the pause/play button to restart the music, right where it left off.
8. The company claims the device is water resistant. I haven't had a chance to test the claim, but I'm dubious about the claim. There are slots on each side over the speakers where water can enter, and the various plastic seems couldn't likely hold out water from extended rain. It should be fine in a light mist or if some sweat drips on it. I plan put some additional sticky clear plastic or shrink wrap on it to bolster water resistance. (Have to plan for rain when biking in the Seattle area.)
Overall, I'm very pleased with the purchase and would recommend this product to others. The only down side has been not being able to advance or skip songs. (I'll solve that by creating a better play list.)
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