Versions, Pricing, Value, Installation, Functionality, User Experience and the last details
Versions
On Dec 8th BluArmor announced 3 variants at different prices for this device.
C50 PRO
C50 Plus
C50
C50 Pro - Has everything from above and is the top-of-their-range package
C50 Plus - C50 Pro minus Magdock, RideAuro, Modular Speaker
C50 - C50Plus - Minus TStick
Personal Opinion - If they had released all 3 as a package in the first launch 99% would have chosen the C50 as the additional components are fun to have and not necessary to have.
Pricing (INR)
C50 PRO - 24999, C50Plus - 18999, C50 - 14999 (MRP)
C50 PRO - 18000, C50Plus - 14000, C50 - 12000 (MRP)
Original C50 Pro Trailblazer price - 11000
The best value was if you picked it up at 11K during the launch. It is a great value for money at that price for me.
Value for Money
It is very subjective but at 25K the C50 Pro is competing with the Sena 50S and Sena 60S (if u consider US Pricing which most of us will end up picking from via friends and family). Cardo has Spirit, Spirit HD, Freecom 4X, and more. Add to this various Helmet manufacturers have their own units some in collaboration with Sena like XComm3 and their own communication units like Schuberth and more.
At 12000 as part of the new pre-order, the C50 is the best value for money and the additional component or losing modularity is not important as the value of this product is in the main product itself.
Value comes into question as the competition offers pro speakers and established software experience. To break away from the value perception means nailing the customer service experience and continuously working on the software with active feedback from users. The loyal fans will not leave Blu Armor if they get first dibs on features and the company can make it like a whole developer community.
Rough roads ahead or let us say a big task in hand for bluarmor as a product, as it is not easy to establish in this market as a genuine competition, especially in India where cost is one of the critical factors for product success and the current segmentation appears to be with buyers who will look for brand value at these retail price points.
Installation difficulty - Low to Medium
LowÂIf the helmet is made to support additional speakers and has proper space and wiring options inside, users should also have no issues removing and replacing the inner liners.
Medium - If you have no experience removing the inner liner or installing wires inside, you will need to watch a few videos, practice the installation of liners first, and then proceed to the installation of the device.
The device installation is straightforward for those who regularly clean or wash the helmet liner. The major skill needed is to remove the helmet liner and put it back in proper order and fitment. The major work is managing this part of the activity.
I am skipping the installation details. Refer to the below playlist for installation or ask me any specific questions.
It is a straightforward installation. Speakers need to be aligned to your years. One way is to figure out where your ears line up with the inner liner of the helmet and adjust the speaker installation.
There are enough accessories or additional components that come with the package. Nexx helmets are famous to send additional screws and accessories along with their helmet package that helps customers swap almost one set of components without having to buy additional parts.
The inherent fear of the design
The fear I have in this design is losing 2 parts. The main device and the TStick. This is my fear and a theory and not an experience I have encountered.
Main device - The main device sits on a magnetic dock and is held in its place by a very thin plastic lock on the dock. The fresh install felt a little solid on the lock mechanism but I am starting to see repeated usage is relaxing this solidity. Removing the device is very easy irrespective of the lock. I would prefer a better-locking mechanism or an outer cover that sits flush on the dock for this arrangement. My confidence level is low on keeping the device in the helmet in the long run without using a zip tie to prevent it from falling while riding or getting flicked from the back.
TStick- Tstick is just a velcro mount and the mount is a simple velcro strap. This will 100% be flicked in the parking lot. You will have to always remove and carry this all the time or be ready to lose this.
Functionality - This session will be continuously updated as more features are released.
The basic functionality of calls, music, and assistants works seamlessly. I honestly do not expect anything from any brands on this part. The device connects super fast, there are no connection drops even some integrated communication systems are based on the eyesight of the phone.
Calls - Calls are clear for the party on the other end. But one feedback I heard was the voice sounded a little bit soft. Noise cancellation was excellent as none of them were able to hear traffic or the inline 4 screaming. The softness is probably due to aggressive noise cancellation. Secondly, I am not using the boom mic. The calls are clear inside the helmet.
Buttons - Buttons are easy to use with naked hands or gloves. Spaced well. The number of functionality and the variety of combinations is a little getting used to and will take some time. (For first-timers the combination functionality is not specific to only bluarmor but to most brands). Understanding and learning these options will take time and real-world usage only.
Speakers - For audiophiles, please do your testing as I have never been able to feel the difference between a flac and a decent MP3. For normal people like me who like the boom boom while listening to songs, Speakers sound a little biased towards higher frequency. The first impression may sound like only a tweeter is operating inside your head. Once you adjust the volume of the device and your source you hear a wider spectrum. The bass and sub-bass are very subtle and this amplifies the tweeter feel. There are enough details in the mid-range. I use an Oto music player and just made some changes in the equalizer there which is not what I would have liked to do, but that helped me with getting a slightly better curve at the cost of losing some details that are discernable for a normal listener like me. For 99% a simple source-level equivalizer is enough. In terms of volume level, the speakers are maxed out and it feels it has 4-5 more levels but is restricted below that while that is not inadequate. Did not see an issue with calls or music.
Yet to test - Mesh and group riding functionality. This will be updated later.
Overall - For the 11K that I paid, I see this as a solid device and a local alternative to the other brands. There is excitement in being part of a project that will continue to develop and grow. Feedback is welcome from the company and they are trying hard to meet all the demands. I have connected with PK and there is work going on to keep pushing features. The product is not without flaws and is yet to claim the fame to match the asking price demand. However, I am confident they will be able to compete as this company runs with the humility to take feedback and continue to work on the same.
I did not even try the C30 but based on feedback and user experience there were enough enhancements including size and shape that got me interested to try the C50 Pro. I see this in Fujifilm cameras where one always has this expectation of features coming via firmware updates.
Wishing all the best to PK and the team. I will update the pros/cons as I continue to explore a potential firmware update available this week.
