iHome iH85B Bike-to-Beach Speaker System for iPod
Monday, 03. May 2010. 06:34
- Compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G
- Listen to your iPod while biking or at home; includes mounting bracket and hardware for bicycle
- Tough water-resistant protective design with speaker cap; Reson8 speaker technology for full, rich sound
- Charges iPod when connected to included AC adapter
- Includes handlebar-mountable remote for safe operation
Price:
$43.74
Product Description
Pedal to the metal with this water-resistant iPod speaker case that clamps to your bike frame. Handlebar mounted remote control allows for safe cycling while listening to your tunes. This speaker case is perfect for the beach, poolside, and picnics, too…. More >>
Tags:
Posted in 
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:09 am
I ordered this iHome Bike to Beach Speaker System. I was excited and couldn’t wait to get it. I used it for 1 week and it no longer works. I spoke to the company and after trying to reset it and it still not working. The company told me to send it back to them to be fixed.
Be fixed after 1 week! This is a weak product! I’m not sure if it will work well when I get it back or not.
Would I but this product again? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating: 3 / 5
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:28 am
Be very careful where you buy this item! I got one that was DOA out of the box, apparently having already had a tremendous shelf life. I had the hassle of returning the remote, thinking it was defective, only to wait a week to find out the unit itself was defective. Returned it and am waiting for a refund.
Also, there’s only one speaker in this unit. Somehow I don’t remember it being mentioned that it’s, therefore, mono and not stereo. Never did find out how it would sound at other than the default setting, since the remote never did work. It might as well be dead without the remote.
Rating: 2 / 5
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Boy I was so excited to get this as gift. I wouldn’t use ear buds on my rides because of concerns about not hearing approaching cars. So this seemed like a great idea. And the audio quality was very good, at first. But here are the things they don’t tell you:
1) The mounting cages aren’t the same size as water-bottle cages and iHome doesn’t sell cages separately, so if you ride multiple bikes, you either have to buy multiple units or move the cage every time you change bikes.
2) The charging system is strictly for your iPod. The system doesn’t contain rechargeable batteries, so unpacking your new toy, plugging it in, and then going for a ride will leave you listening to the road and no music. You need to put in 4 AA batteries.
3) The Speaker System is not waterproof. I live in New England and riding in the winter means the roads are often wet with fresh or melting snow. And in the Spring, we gets lots of rain. The only comments in the instruction manual: “The appliance should be serviced by a qualified service personnel when…the unit has been exposed to rain.”
My first run with the IH85B lasted less than 4 miles…
I feel compelled to add to this review:
1) The speaker dried out and sounds as good as new however,
2) I go for long rides and my iPod, which typically runs for 8-10 hrs on intercontinental flights, doesn’t last for more than an 1.3 hrs on a bike ride. Have just replaced the iPod battery and will see if that gives me more time…
Rating: 1 / 5
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
The adapter for the Ipod Nano was useless, the device would not fit. The audio decreases all of a sudden. After a couple of weeks use it sounded distorted like a humming noise. The sound quality, design, remote feature, and the price are the good things about this product. If they can resolve the quality issue this would be an outstanding speaker unit. I might have just gotten a lemon, so I’ll try ordering another one and if it’s defective I’ll send it right back again and get a full refund. For the price it’s worth a second try.
Rating: 1 / 5
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I was sooo looking forward to this. The concept is great. Replace the water bottle holder with the Bike to Beach holder, slide in the unit, and music without headphones while biking. Terrific idea.
Unfortunately, the handlebar remote didn’t work. Thinking it was the batteries, I replaced them. Still the remote didn’t work. OK, I suppose I could just start my playlist, place my iPod in the main unit, and let it play. But. . .
Without the handlebar remote unit, there is no volume control. The main unit plays at a preset volume, and changing the volume on the iPod itself is irrelevant as the unit has a preset volume.
Two stars for poor manufacture and execution.
Rating: 2 / 5