As entry-level Bluetooth helmet communicators go, the X2 makes a strong case for itself, albeit not without compromises. But first, the good parts: starting with the price. At a sub-Rs 4,000 price point, this BluArmor-manufactured device offers good value for riders who want a helmet communicator but don’t need one with an intercom feature.
Battery life is respectable, too. My daily 2-hour commute sees me lose an average of 20 percent charge with music playing at the loudest setting, which roughly translates to 10 hours of usage per charge cycle. It’s not exactly close to the claimed 16-hour battery life, but it’s far from being a deal-breaker. Charging from 0-100 percent takes approximately 1.5-2 hours, but the charging port placement is a bit inconvenient.
Then come the cons. Firstly, the quality of the speakers isn’t the best, with bass all but absent, although vocal clarity (mid and higher frequencies) is clear enough for what the hardware offers. Mic quality, on the other hand, is excellent, with zero wind noise filtering through, as confirmed by multiple peers at the receiving end of my calls.
The control unit and battery are separate elements. RE recommends that the battery pack be installed inside the helmet, something that simply doesn’t work easily in a well-padded helmet and also feels like a safety issue in the event of an accident. I ended up mounting the battery at the back of the helmet on the outside and have faced no issues with my choice to deviate from what the manufacturer recommends so far. Nevertheless, the installation process is pretty straightforward on a helmet designed for such systems, but can be tedious on a regular mass-market helmet.
Overall, with price in sharp focus, the Motowave X2 is a great entry point into the world of Bluetooth helmet communicators. With an IP67 rating, a simple 3-button interface that’s easy to get used to, a stable Bluetooth 5.3 connection and respectable battery life, it’s an easy-to-recommend product for first-time users.
Where: store.royalenfield.com
Price: Rs 3,990
Sagar Juneja
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
