Comments on: iHome iH85B review (an iPod speaker for your bicycle)

By: Russ

Russ — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 06:32:02 +0000

It’s getting hard to find now – no longer available thru that Amazon.com link. I found some on eBay for a whopping PHP5,026.21 (US $118.88) and they want another $25 for shipping. Considering that they’re discontinued and a few months ago they were selling on eBay for under $40 the current price is Internet robbery, especially when I have to deal with a big difference in the monetary exchange rate. From my point of view, it’s as though they were selling it in the US for over $6,000.

$40 is already high enough for the Philippine economy, and I could manage that if the shipping were also kept reasonably low, but the current US $118.88 + $25 shipping ($143.88 total) is just too high a price to pay for a discontinued item.

Anyone know a place where I could buy one at a much more reasonable price?

By: burnhamish

burnhamish — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:25:23 +0000

I have been using the iH85B for almost 2 years, and generally am happy with it. Good sound, loud enough volume, decent battery life. I put rechargeables in it. I have not yet replaced the CR2032 batteries in the remote. I’m sure their lives are nearing and end, though.

My commuting route can get rough, and after consistent jarring, the music stops, but I don’t know if it is the iPod or the iH85B- the music starts up (at the same volume) after the bumps have subsided.

I managed to break the clasp on the cage and also lost the battery cover. No response from iHome regarding replacement. the iH85B doesn’t even appear on their website, so I think they no longer manufacture it. Or, they’re updating it for iPod Touches and iPhones.

The o-ring seal in the seam on the remote is breaking down now. iHome is still selling replacement remotes ($19), but they may be gone soon, too. It may be worth it for me to just buy another iH85B through Amazon for $40 and get a new cage, too.

Speaking of cages, the iH85B will work in an alternate cage if the cage can expand a little (like some plastic ones). Standard metal cages don’t work well.

By: gulshan

gulshan — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:28:36 +0000

does anyone have any details about replacement cages or mounting bracket for the remote control? my bike was stolen and i have the ihome and remote but just need to find replacement brackets.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:25:13 +0000

I have had mine for a year and like it very much. The speaker has got wet from rain, and that has diminished clarity. Overall, it works great, just the speaker should not get wet from rain.

By: Kevin Kaos

Kevin Kaos — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:28:20 +0000

I’ve had the iH85B for about a year and while swapping between century rides on my weekend bike and commuting on my 9 to 5 commuter bike, I’ve found a number of little problems with it.

First off, yes, the remote puck doesn’t remove from the mount easily. I’ve replaced two mounts so far. It’s cheaper just to buy two remotes and not remove them.

Second, you’ve mentioned the speaker cage issue and yes, it’s a pain. On anything less than a 56cm road frame the mount will make it impossible to use your second bottle mount. I’ve compensated by installing a water bottle cage on my handlebar, which gets in the way of the remote and the commuter lights. Not so good.

Lastly, and most important of all, the unit disconnects with only a little vibration. I’m not sure if this is the batteries rattling around in the battery area, or if it is the iPod shaking loose from the connector, but it takes very little to make the whole unit shut down, then repower up at very low volume. Every time I hit a bump in the road, or do a high speed descent, the unit turns off. I will be contacting iHome to see what they can do about this.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:30:16 +0000

Nice bit of kit…I’ve already got one bottle cage taken up with my air zound though, so I’d have to go without water for this set up (which just isn’t sensible on a 15 mile commute :P)

By: Adam Pieniazek

Adam Pieniazek — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:35:21 +0000

Sounds sweet. How’s it hold up to rain? Do you know if this setup works with an iPhone?

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