Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. And he has a new best-of writing collection and “lazy man’s memoir,” called Borg Like Me.
ShufflePhones – DIY iPod Shuffle II headphones – Link
6 thoughts on “DIY Bluetooth Frankenphones”
Russtangsays:
I just finished something similar a few weeks ago for my motorcycle helmet. I used the same Logitech headphones.
Instead of hardwiring the speakers to the board, I connected a headphone jack to the PCB, and use my earbud speakers.
I attached the LiPo battery next to the board, and the whole assembly slips between the helmet shell and cheek pad. I wired a magnetic reed switch in parallel with the play/pause/power switch. This lets me power on/off the receiver with a small rare-earth magnet stuck to my glove. A lot easier than fumbling for a contact switch.
The transmitter plugs into my zune which I’ve mounted to the tank.
I picked up the headphones for ~$30 off ebay. This is a lot cheaper solution than the commercial versions designed for motorcycles ($200-$400). It is also nice and invisible. Other solutions I’ve seen are usually big bulky modules you’ve got to stick on the side of your helmet.
You are so right, Beanolini. Thanks for the catch.
reyscottwodsays:
These are the first headphones – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052YFYFK/?&tag=455-20&ie=UTF8 that not only met the music sound quality but they dramatically improved my skype conversations on my tablet. They synced up in seconds and every function works flawlessly. I could not be happier.
Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. And he has a new best-of writing collection and “lazy man’s memoir,” called Borg Like Me.
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I just finished something similar a few weeks ago for my motorcycle helmet. I used the same Logitech headphones.
Instead of hardwiring the speakers to the board, I connected a headphone jack to the PCB, and use my earbud speakers.
I attached the LiPo battery next to the board, and the whole assembly slips between the helmet shell and cheek pad. I wired a magnetic reed switch in parallel with the play/pause/power switch. This lets me power on/off the receiver with a small rare-earth magnet stuck to my glove. A lot easier than fumbling for a contact switch.
The transmitter plugs into my zune which I’ve mounted to the tank.
I picked up the headphones for ~$30 off ebay. This is a lot cheaper solution than the commercial versions designed for motorcycles ($200-$400). It is also nice and invisible. Other solutions I’ve seen are usually big bulky modules you’ve got to stick on the side of your helmet.
Russ
I think you mean ‘ wont to do’, not ‘want to do’.
You are so right, Beanolini. Thanks for the catch.
These are the first headphones – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052YFYFK/?&tag=455-20&ie=UTF8 that not only met the music sound quality but they dramatically improved my skype conversations on my tablet. They synced up in seconds and every function works flawlessly. I could not be happier.