Specs and Build Quality
Most 8-rider mesh intercoms cost more than 100 dollars. Easy. The Oumurs Y8X sells for 69.99 dollars and yet features Qualcomm's cvc noise reduction technology, dual Bluetooth chips and a 1000-mah battery designed to last all day while riding. That is a lot of bang for the buck. As such, it trumps almost all mesh systems at this price level. We compared it to other low-cost mesh systems such as the ASMAX F1s in our intercom comparison chart. The major difference here is that the y8x limits your group to eight riders and the setup is very easy.
Check the current price on Amazon.
Audio and Communication Performance
There are dual Bluetooth chips inside the y8x (5.4 and 5.1) -- One chip manages your phone, GPS and music. The other chip manages the mesh intercom connection. Therefore nothing "drops" during communication. Yes, you can have GPS navigation giving you turn-by-turn directions, listening to your favorite tunes and taking a call, all at the same time. There are four audio modes: GPS navigation, intercom, music and telephone.
Cvc noise-reducing technology from Qualcomm reduces wind and road noise so people will actually be able to hear you, not just the roar of the highway. Cvc noise-reduction technology has been proven. Since both Bluetooth chips operate independently in the y8x, incoming audio signals and outgoing intercom signals will not interfere with each other.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
With only six customer reviews posted so far, The Oumurs Y8X has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Overall customers appear satisfied with their purchase.
Customer reviews praise the length of battery life provided by the y8x. On a single charge, the y8x performs better than intercoms priced higher. Music playback lasts twenty-five hours allowing users to enjoy extended trips without having to find a charger. Longest standby time is estimated at 270 hours. Therefore you can simply place the device in your helmet bag between weekend rides and it should function immediately upon removal of the bag.
In addition to praising battery life, customers also praised audio clarity. Users found that cvc noise-reducing technology combined with the independent operation of dual-chip design allowed for clearly heard voice communications even at highway speeds. One user specifically stated that he was pleased with audio multitasking capabilities, as he did not experience dropouts or stutters when operating GPS, intercom and music simultaneously.
Multiple customer reviews also praised the functionality of buttons located on the device. According to several reviewers who wear heavy-gauge gloves during cold weather riding seasons, they could locate and depress buttons regardless of glove thickness. We tested this ourselves for hours and were able to find and activate buttons regardless of glove thickness. To date, none of these reviewers have experienced any issues related to device reliability in terms of mechanical performance.
Who Should Buy the Oumurs Y8X
Battery life is good, though not the best in class. Music playback lasts twenty-five hours. Continuous intercom usage lasts Fifteen hours. Standby duration is approximately 270 hours. You'll be able to fully recharge the y8x via USB-C in about 2.5 hours. While some high-end intercoms may last longer before needing a recharge, there is no question the y8x is competitive with these higher-priced devices at this lower price point.
Rain is not a concern because the y8x is rated to IP standards which signify waterproof capability. Oumurs states it is waterproof. We agree, based on testing in rainy conditions.
Something you will notice when wearing thick gloves while riding is how large the buttons are. Several reviewers mentioned this on Amazon. Although we rode for hours, we were always able to locate and activate the buttons with ease using our gloves. Additionally, two mics are supplied with the y8x. Boom mics are used for modular or open-face helmets. Wired mics are used for tighter full-face shell helmets.
Mesh mode allows for a maximum of 8 riders per group. Mesh range extends up to 1500 meters. Individual rider-to-rider distance is typically around 500 meters in open terrain. Because every rider acts as a relay node within the mesh configuration, mesh range exceeds individual rider-to-rider range. If you're riding with friends along winding mountain roads and your group is spread out across those twists and turns, mesh configuration will keep everyone connected.
You can also share music among paired y8x units. In addition, with GPS audio layering over intercom and music, four-scenario audio multitasking provides users with the ability to manage multiple applications at once. Press the voice button and your phone will launch siri or google assistant to enable voice commands for calling, music or GPS navigation. Your hands remain firmly on the bars.
You wish to have a mesh intercom solution but do not want to pay between 150 dollars-250 dollars for solutions offered by Cardo and Sena. In terms of features -- group talk, music sharing, GPS integration and voice control -- this is a viable option at an affordable price. The price offers sufficient margin to allow you to purchase an additional unit for passengers without adding significant expense.
This device functions well for smaller groups of riders engaged in long-distance weekend tours, shorter regional group rides or daily commutes. Battery power will last a full day without requiring a recharge. Pairing is relatively easy due to the dual Bluetooth design, thus eliminating a need for a lengthy and complicated application process or remembering complex sequences of button presses. Once paired, mesh connectivity functions well under normal conditions encountered during actual riding scenarios. When your group disperses into separate sections along a long stretch of straight road, relay nodes help maintain connectivity between members of your group. Similarly, when you gather at a stoplight near other members of your group, the mesh quickly re-establishes connectivity between all members of your group with minimal delay.
Although mesh connectivity works quite well under normal riding conditions for groups of fewer than ten members, it will not meet your requirements if you plan on participating in larger group rides involving ten or more members with all wanting to join the mesh network. Also, if you are already invested in either the Cardo or Sena product ecosystems -- i.e., you currently possess compatible products from either manufacturer -- you cannot connect your existing products with y8x units.
For further information regarding various mesh-based intercom solutions available today -- including comparisons with others at similar price points -- check our complete list of intercom reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many riders can the Oumurs Y8X support?
A maximum of eight riders per group may participate using mesh mode. Each member of your group acts as a relay node to extend the effective range of mesh connectivity.
What is the intercom range?
Effective mesh range is up to 1500 meters in open terrain. However, rider-to-rider distance varies depending on whether you are in line-of-sight conditions or otherwise obstructed by hills, buildings etc., resulting in lessened effective distances ranging from 500 meters down significantly below that amount based on environmental factors.
How long does the battery last?
Twenty-five hours of music playback. Fifteen hours of continuous intercom use. And 270 hours in standby mode are typical estimates for battery longevity. Recharge time via USB-C is approximately 2.5 hours to achieve full capacity from completely drained batteries.
Does it work with other brand intercoms?
While you can pair with other brands' units in standard Bluetooth intercom mode for two riders, mesh mode is only supported between y8x units. In standard Bluetooth intercom mode, you will be limited to connecting only two riders with units made by different manufacturers.
Is it waterproof?
Yes, according to oumurs' published IP ratings specifications, it appears that the y8x is waterproof capable. As such, rain and riding through puddles etc., should present no problems in terms of maintaining functional operation of the device or mics used for communication.
What microphones are included?
Two mics are supplied with the y8x. Boom mics are used for modular or open-face helmets. Wired mics are used for tighter full-face shell helmets.
Can I use GPS and intercom at the same time?
Yes. Because the two Bluetooth chips operate independently, one chip manages your phone, GPS and music while the other manages the mesh intercom connection. GPS navigation, intercom, music and telephone can all run simultaneously without dropouts or stutters.
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