Premium Member peporter Posted August 6, 2015 Premium Member Share Posted August 6, 2015 I recently bought the Nolan N104 EVO helmet, and decided to take the plunge and try out their accompanying N-COM B5 bluetooth integrated communications system. I have used Nolan helmets exclusively for the past 20 years, mainly because I think they are the best bang for the buck, and they fit my head shape and are comfortable. In my previous helmets, I installed Starcoms system, and the audio quality was quite good. I like to listen to music while I ride, and the Starcom only required a headphone out on an mp3 player to drive it, but it was a wired to the helmet system, and I wanted to shed the tether. It was time to replace my helmet anyway, so the N104 was the logical choice for me. Great fit, and very comfortable. I also decided to give one of their N-COM systems a try, and ordered the N4 Plus. Instead, I got the all new N5. The installation was pretty straightforward, just pay attention to the part about using a flat blade screwdriver to pry the edge gasket out AFTER removing the screw with the supplied special tool. Installation from there is apparent, and covered in the instructions. Everything fits! The first thing you need to do after installation is hook the unit up to a computer and download the management software which is the N-COM Wizard. That will allow you to upgrade your firmware. Download that change from the site, and go to the wizard to install it. When you go to the Wizard, right click on "Firmware Update" and select "Run as Administrator" from the dropdown menu. Then check the box "Run from file" . The firmware update should proceed properly. After that, it's just a matter of pairing up your devices. As I mentioned above, I like to listen to music, and one of my older music players is a Cowon S9. The sound quality out of it is unmatched by any IPod I have ever tried, and even though it is 6 years old, it has Bluetooth capabilities. It paired right up with the N5 immediately. I put it in my tank bag, and when I go for a ride, all I do is turn it on, hit play on the music screen, toss it back in the bag and hit the on button on the N5-bingo-music! The beauty of the S9 is that it has an equalizer, so if the sound is a bit thin, I can give the bass a little boost. It also plays EVERY music file type. The controls on the N5 are very easy to use, even with gloves on. I admit, I haven't tried any of the neat stuff you can do with either an IPhone, or an Android phone. But for what is important to me, integration with the helmet, potential, and sound quality, this is a home run. Highly recommended! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimozach Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Peporter, Thanks for the great post. I have a Nolan N44 and I am contemplating the N-Com B5. Since your last post, can you add any further comments about it? Are you happy with it? How do you find the sound? Is it loud enough at highway speeds? I would grateful for your feedback! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member peporter Posted August 15, 2015 Author Premium Member Share Posted August 15, 2015 Peporter, Thanks for the great post. I have a Nolan N44 and I am contemplating the N-Com B5. Since your last post, can you add any further comments about it? Are you happy with it? How do you find the sound? Is it loud enough at highway speeds? I would grateful for your feedback! Jim Hi Jim, I have a few more miles on it now, and could only be happier if I had a Cowon P1 Plenue High Resolution Audio Player that came with Bluetooth capabilities. As it is, I have to settle for an old Cowon S9 I have used and loved for years. I use the set up to listen to music on the road, but it will pair up with any Bluetooth enabled device like a radar detector or a standalone GPS device. I have not and will not pair up my phone with it. The sound is good, maybe lacking on the bottom end a little. I have a Madstad windshield that keeps it pretty quiet in the cockpit with NO buffeting or wind noise. I am 6' 4" with a 32" inseam using a Seat Concepts seat with their foam. It's OK, but I have ordered a Corbin saddle. It sits higher, and I'm curious about how it will affect me behind the Madstad. Personally, I have used Madstad on other bikes I've owned, and as with the FJ, I think it is the BEST! These are just examples of combinations of gear that work well together, and are my favorites. Everyone else has their favorites, and I'm sure work toward getting them to work together. I LOVE being cordless! Best, Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfjniner Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Hi. My question is, can you pair up with the Escort Radar Detector, Garmin GPS, and phone at the same time. I currently use an AutoCom system that allows me to listen to music off the SD card in the GPS, and also hear the Radar Detector, which overrides the music. ? Ken, Candy Ass L.D.R. Sleeps 8 hours (2)2005 FJR1300abs: 230,000 m 2015 FJ-09: 114,000 m (Replaced engine at 106K) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member peporter Posted August 16, 2015 Author Premium Member Share Posted August 16, 2015 Hi. My question is, can you pair up with the Escort Radar Detector, Garmin GPS, and phone at the same time. I currently use an AutoCom system that allows me to listen to music off the SD card in the GPS, and also hear the Radar Detector, which overrides the music. ?None of my Escorts are Bluetooth enabled, and I have the 9500IXs'. But, any radar detector that has a headphone out can be paired with the B5 with an Anker Aluminum Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Transmitter and Audio Receiver http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Aluminum-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Headphones/dp/B00E174RTS/ref=sr_1_1?s=mp3&ie=UTF8&qid=1439690250&sr=1-1&keywords=Anker+Bluetooth . And although I haven't tried it, I'm pretty sure you can have the same operations with the B5. I just prefer to listen to my music off of my S9 and haven't hooked up a radar detector ....yet. Best, Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimozach Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Thanks for the reply Phil. I have gone ahead and ordered it, seems like the best price out there was ~$280 w/free shipping. I, too, am sooooo looking forward to cutting the cord. Now, since I am on the FJ-09 forum, in the interest of completely transparency, I am a ST 1300 guy, and before that, an R1150 RT-P. Please don't hold it against me.... On the RT, I had a nice marine CD/MP3 stereo with external speakers, Worked great, except when you pulled up to lights and stops with the music blaring. I plan on using my Samsung S6 for music and GPS. The benefit there is that the music can be playing in the background while navigating. When the nav needs to speak, the music fades, the nav speaks and then the music fades back in. Thanks again. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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