BluArmor C50 Review

[Anurag_R1200RS]

BlueArmor C50 Review

I got my C50 about 10 days ago. I was quite excited about it and when I opened the package, I did feel confident I have something nice to work with. Packaging, the fit and finish of the product was great.

The excitement ended as soon as I began the install. I tried installation on a Shoei RF-SR, and on a MT Thunder 4, size small. The main unit goes on the back, it has no buttons, instead an additional wire with a connector with a remote that installs on the side of the helmet. So yes, there are two units now on the helmet. With the extra wiring and separate main unit and remote adds a good amount of weight to the helmet. I struggled for an hour but I could not get the fitting as clean as I wanted. The connectors are large and cumbersome. Plus the wires on both speakers are short and mandated some pulling and tugging to get them in place. Everything went in, somehow and quite unconvincingly. My Cardo PackTalk bold can be installed in less than 5 minutes. Ditto for my Sena SMH10.

Next came the pairing part. Two units need to be paired. One the main C50 unit and another the T-Stick. When one pairs, the other doesn’t. I fiddled with pairing, resetting and could not get both units to work. I neglected the T-Stick and just paired the C50. Sound quality was okayish, the sound was still very thin as compared to my Cardo PackTalk Bold with JBL’s. The C50 also has JBL’s but the BluArmor still has a long way to go.

Finally customer service. I pinged them on Whatsapp for support. Nope, no number to call. WhatsApp only. They responded after a week. By then I had sold the C50 off because nothing really compares to a Cardo. The C50 is just another wannabe product that just does not ring any bell when compared to the Cardo or even the low-end Sena SMH10. I’d prefer a low-end Sena over the BluArmour, anyday.

Last, and not the least. The unit is heavy. It adds an additional 220 grams on your helmet. Not a good thing for long rides.

[sajeesh]

Thanks Anurag. C50 was definitely in my wish list which I will pass now.

[Anurag_R1200RS]

Additional reviews from some other riders who got the C50:

1. The C50's sound quality is a definite downgrade from the C30. The C50 has no bass at all
2. People unanimously believe that the wiring is a bit cluttered and cumbersome to deal with.
3. Volume on intercom is a bit low
4. Too many app issues- both iOS and Android. It seems they launched the product without thinking too much about the app.
   5 . Too much unwanted technology

[aswatthaama]

Reading this I feel glad that I didn't go for the upgrade. Thanks for the info.

Edit: I am happy with what C30 has to offer for the price I paid. So not upgrading seems like the right call in hindsight.

[Anurag_R1200RS]

UPDATES on BluArmor C50pro
So I have been in touch with the CEO and the design team at BluArmour ever since the review. They acknowledge they have made some mistakes, costly ones for that matter, but are committed to delivering a quality product. I have, since, worked with them closely on various issues, such as the difficulty in installation to app and product reliability. I wanted to be a part of the solution and see an Indian company come up with something that's at par with the Sena's and the Cardo's. And this time, they have come really close to bridging the performance gap. They recently made some changes to their product, and its accompanying software. All for the good.
First, the installation issues I had were primarily due to insufficient wire lengths. That has been fixed - I was sent a new pair of speakers (for free) with a slightly longer wire which has made all the difference. I was able to install the C50 in less than 15 minutes. One major hurdle sorted.
Second, I feel that the sound quality has improved considerably. It is and way much superior to my Sena SMH10, and almost at par with my Cardo running 45mm JBL's. Almost. And good enough. At 50kmph or more, when the ambient noise is over 80dB, a layman may not be able to differentiate between the sound quality of the C50 vs the Cardo PackTalk.
Third, I decided to measure the actual weights of the Sena, the Cardo and the C50. I previously posted 220 grams and this was taken from other reviewers. It seems they made a mistake - they took total weight of the alternatives and optional components. For instance, there are two mic options, one for modular helmets and one for the normal ones. Any rider will use just one, not both. There are other components that wont go on the helmet, so thats more weight reduction. I measured actual weights of the components that will go on the helmet, and this is how the C50 stacks up against the international brands:
Sena SMH10 - 152 grams
Cardo PackTalk Bold - somewhere in the 130's range. Lost the image of the weighing scale
BluArmor C50 with static mic for full face helmets - 141 grams
BluArmor C50 with mic for modular helmets - 152 grams.
So there, the C50 is not as heavy as we thought. Its at par with most international branded products. The Cardo does win here but with a catch - the Cardo's advertised battery life is about 12 hours; the C50's is 16 hours. But where the C50 does well, is the inconspicuous positioning behind the helmet which reduces drag at speed, the LED lights which make you more visible at night and a convenient three button remote that is slim and sits on the side of the helmet for easy operation.
Next, app and firmware updates. Major changes here as well. Bluetooth connectivity is now a breeze. I have not yet encountered any major issues over the past 5-7 days of use since BluArmor released updates.

Here's what I'd like the see BluArmour come up with, and some of these may be in the works:

1. I want a second helmet kit. Cardo's have it. Sena's have it. All BluArmor has to do is, to omit the main unit and provide everything else as a second helmet kit option. Install that on your second helmet, and simply move the main unit between helmets. Convenient. My Cardo has this. I have three helmets, hence the C50.
2. Extra glue pads - well sometimes my installation did not go well. I did not align the units well, so I had to take it out and refit. The glue is good for one use only, so extra glue strips would be good. BluArmor will send u these if you request them to. I had a good quality both sides tape, so I just fabricated it to fit exactly.
3. Their proprietary charging adaptor which connects to USB C. I'd like to see them get rid of this proprietary bit, but its not a deal breaker.

Now, coming to the most important bit - would I recommend this for my riding buddies? Would I replace my PackTalk Bold with the C50 on my most expensive helmet - the Shoei RF?The answer is a YES. Definitely. To both the questions. C50 has come a long way, and previous reviews like mine were a nice wake up call for the BluArmour design team. They acted on it, got their act together and came up strong. In the end that is what matters.
Their next and the last presale is coming on 26th Dec. The unit will be priced at 18k but its still a steal for that price vs the 25k target selling price. Good time to get yours, else wait to buy at full price. the C50pro is worth it.

[sam]

I use V6 which is basically a Chinese product comes at like 2500 bucks at Karol bagh . Since 2 years now and is working absolutely like a charm. Intercom is a bit sluggish but if you are using just for attending calls and listening to music , it's works great .
Doesn't have probably the best speakers if I get to compare other expensive ones but the battery backup outlives the seven to ten days ride sometimes.