Nolan rant........

[buckeyeclark]

So I bought a Nolan N102 Com helmet because I've always liked the idea of the flip up face. So I get the helmet and everything is cool until I decide that I would like to purchase the N102 basic kit 2 and the multi media wire so I can listen to my MP3 or listen to my Zumo 450 GPS. So I get the basic kit and the wire and I follow the installation instructions and plug it into my MP3 player and lo and behold I can hear the music perfectly but not the vocals. I figured maybe it was just the MP3 player so I tried it with my wife's MP3 player, my son's MP3 player, my ZUMO GPS, the radio in the bathroom and it was the same thing in each instance. The weird part is if you plug the wire into the music device only about 80% it plays perfectly through the helmet! Plugged in 100% it loses the vocals and/or some of the background singers! WTF? SO I send the entire helmet back to CIMA (who handles Nolan stuff) along with the wire and the kit and all. THey send it back to me with a note that says the 15 pin connector was not pushed all the way into the helmet and that it now works perfectly. Well guess what? No it doesn't!!! It still does the same thing. So I called CIMA again (keep in mind this is like the 5th time I have talked to them on the phone about this) and the guy says he thinks they know what the problem is.....he says I need to buy the "e-box" that amplifies the sound for $145!!!! That is the answer???? again WTF? Let's try to keep in mind that the Nolan web site says nothing about needing any e-box! It says you can listen to music with the helmet, the basic kit, and the multi media wire. So now I have a $250 helmet, a $125 basik kit, and a $25 multimedia wire and as long as you like your music without any vocals life is good!!!! WTF??????????????? Oh I forgot....when they sent the helmet back the wire was not in the box and I had to begin yelling at the guy until they agreed to send me a replacement wire! Came real close to actually telling me I was lying about sending the wire along with the helmet when I sent it in! I included everything because I didn't know which component was the problem.....I am not happy!!!!

 

[184480]

I have the same helmet. No in house music though. The place I bought it from said they have had lots of problems with the Bluetooth etc. Wasn't an issue for me because I just wanted the helmet. Love the helmet!

 

[bgillie]

The problem you are having is that somewhere between your MP3 player and your earphones, the music signal becomes out of phase. Basically the left and right channel are just slightly off. The reason everything sounds fine when you have the plug 80% in, is because at that point you are getting a mono signal. If you went to Radio Shack and bought a mono plug I would bet your music would sound fine. That obviously would not solve the problem that your N-Com system is defective. The folks at CIMA should either replace your unit, or figure out why it's out of phase and fix it.

 

[PGlaves]

I heard of a case where the plug length was not correct so when partly plugged in the contacts lined up but if fully plugged in they didn't, and you got only one of the two audio inputs. I don't know the details as to plug nomenclature - but maybe somebody else can help here.

 

[buckeyeclark]

The problem you are having is that somewhere between your MP3 player and your earphones, the music signal becomes out of phase. Basically the left and right channel are just slightly off. The reason everything sounds fine when you have the plug 80% in, is because at that point you are getting a mono signal. If you went to Radio Shack and bought a mono plug I would bet your music would sound fine. That obviously would not solve the problem that your N-Com system is defective. The folks at CIMA should either replace your unit, or figure out why it's out of phase and fix it.

I will try the mono plug scenario this evening; however, even if that works, which would be GREAT, it is still BS the way this has been handled up to this point by CIMA! I have never been a fan of music on a motorcycle, then I did a saddlesore 1000 this past summer and thought it would have been nice to have had the option. Maybe I should have just left well enough alone....... Thanks for the input!

 

[buckeyeclark]

The mono cord would not work at all. So I called Extreme Supply, the place that sold me the kit and wire, and they told me there was nothing they could do and that I had to go through CIMA since they considered this a warranty issue. So I called CIMA back and re-explained the entire situation to them again and the girl on the line told me she would send me an RA number along with a shipping card and that this time they would absolutely not send the helmet back to me unless it was 100% operational! Um.....yeah.....they told me it was operational the last time they sent it back to me!! So I guess I will be shipping my helmet back to Illinois for another shot at getting this fixed.........

 

[bgillie]

Sorry to hear that you have not gotten this resolved yet. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Muriel]

And if you don't get resolution on this, remember we have a Consumer Liaison - Paul Johnson. His contact information is on page 8 in the last ON.

Best,
Muriel

 

[BUDDINGGEEZER]

I have a Nolan N102. I listen to music through earbuds. The Nolan is so wind loud that I don't believe I could hear anything with the bluetooth speakers, But I haven't tried it.

Ralph Sims

 

[buckeyeclark]

And if you don't get resolution on this, remember we have a Consumer Liaison - Paul Johnson. His contact information is on page 8 in the last ON.

Best,
Muriel

Thanks I will see how this next attempt goes and then maybe contact him.

 

[globalrider]

I really like them, now that they moved the sun visor inside the helmet on the N103.

The styling and quality of the Nolan is quite nice.

But now that the Schuberth Concept C2 took a big price drop, it'll be a tough call.

As for quiet, I haven't found a single helmet that is as quiet as when I'm driving in my car. Helmets ALL need the use of ear plugs.