Giro Tune Ups II

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Nathaniel Wilkins
• Edited by:
  Rebecca Viksnins
• Reviewed on: 07/22/2004
• Released on: 09/01/2004

It's become commonplace for skiers and snowboarders to wear protective helmets. In addition to saving your skull from getting smashed, a helmet keeps your head warmer than a hat. Giro's Tune Ups II upgrade kit ($59.99 list) takes the benefits of helmet use on the slopes a step further, adding integrated headphones, which also double as a cell phone headset, to the company's Fuse, Nine and Bad Lieutenant SnowSports series.

The upgrade kit includes a set of helmet ear pads with built-in headphones that are interchangeable with the removable pads that come standard on compatible helmets; there's also an in-line remote control from which two cords emerge. The first cord (about 11 inches long) attaches to a 1/8-inch stereo minijack that's embedded in the right ear pad. A second cable branches out to two separate wires halfway through its 5.7-foot length--one each for your cell phone and your portable audio player. The in-line remote clips to your jacket for easy access, and the ample cord length gives you enough leeway for snaking down through your jacket, even if your devices are stashed in a pants pocket.

Since various cell phones come with different-size jacks, Giro includes two adapter cords, so it's compatible with just about any phone on the market. It's worth noting that the kit comes with a carrying case that doubles as a 10-CD storage unit. The nylon and vinyl case zips shut, and while it might be a stretch to call it weather resistant, it should easily withstand a few tumbles in the snow.

The in-line remote control has a built-in microphone for hands-free cell phone use. When your cell phone rings, the ring tone plays through the headphones, and you press a button on the remote to answer. Since the remote control doesn't have a button for muting the portable audio player, you have to silence the player first before taking a call. In our tests, callers sounded crisp and clear; they reported that we sounded clear as well.

When we connected our portable MP3 player, our tunes sounded adequately loud, but not quite as loud as on the Aiwa HP-JS36 Swoops headphones. When we fired up Outkast's "Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac)," the sound was pretty good, but we did notice limited bass presence and a comparatively dull tone. However, given the intended listening environment--schussing down the side of a mountain--any higher degree of sonic accuracy would be superfluous anyway.

All things considered, the Tune Ups II kit is the best way--and to our knowledge, the only way--to use your cell phone and a portable audio player on the slopes. Additionally, they provide the basic protection that you need, keeping you warm and blocking out wind, that you can't get from standard headphones. We suggest that you be careful while rocking out on the slopes, though. Just like yapping while driving, blocking out your immediate surroundings while skiing is dangerous. If you don't already have a compatible Giro helmet, consider the $179 Audio Series Fuse Helmet, which includes a Tune Ups II kit. Not interested in the cell phone connection? Save a few bucks by going with the basic Tune Ups kit ($29.99), a headphones-only model.

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