Tip on how to make long and fast trips more enjoyable

[vld]

Had my first long trip with the Z these days. Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and back. A few thousand kilometers, with plenty of more than one hour highway legs, usually done at moderately fast speeds, particularly in Germany. While the level of noise is acceptable at 120 km/hour, driving two hours at 200 km/hour (thank you Germany!) can be.. tiring. Being alone in the car and without having to entertain any chatting, I figured I would listen to the music I have on my phone. I usually use the AUX cable, but this time I happened to have my travel headphones with me (Bose QuietComfort 35). They have active noise reduction as they are what I usually use during air travel. But man I was shocked to realize how awesome they are in a convertible at high speeds. Going 220 km/hour on the autobahn in complete silence and just my music... awesomeness.
They are designed to keep the low frequency noises out, such as wind and engine grunting noise. High pitched noises, such as car horns, would still go through. I did lift one ear cup up from time to time, nevertheless, just to check there's no abnormal noises coming from the car Well maintained, low mileage car, but you never know...

 

[buzyg]

We all have are own ways to pass the miles. Me I can honestly just listen to the S54 all day long. Though as soon as MrsG is in the car the music goes on. :wink:

Any pictures from your road trip?

 

[Chris_D]

Me and the nephew will be travelling down to the 'ring next Mon/Tue.
We just figured out how we're going to be whiling away the topdown autobahn hours - via the dual headphone output on my Chord Mojo DAC




We shall be mostly listening to bassdrive.com

 

[road warrior]

Isn't it rather illegal to wear headphones while driving?
Have to Agree though Bose are wonderful - food for thought indeed.

 

[wonkydonkey]

Isn't it rather illegal to wear headphones while driving?

If it's not already, I think it should be. Same goes for cycling. As nice as it would be to drown out wind roar etc, I find it concerning that people are driving with that level of detachment from the surrounding sensual input, and immersing themselves in music rather than engaging all senses and concentration in the act of driving 1.5 tonnes of car at speed. I'd like to shut off from the tedeum of motorway driving sometimes but definitely wouldn't do this myself - particularly when driving at higher speeds for longer durations.

 

[MalNCH]

It's not illegal in the Uk but expect to be found at fault if involved in an accident as you might be deemed to be not fully in control of your vehicle through distraction. It's illegal in France as my son-in-law found out, can't remember the exact amount but it was over 100 Euro fine.

 

[Anonymous]

At the moment in the UK it’s not explicitly illegal to wear headphones while driving but if involved in an accident while wearing them it could put you in a very precarious position with the law, potentially attracting a charge of driving without due care and attention or careless driving with the resultant fines and penalty points and in serious cases, possibly a driving ban. It’s a practice that is discouraged by many experts, including RoSPA, who conducted research in this area.

 

[Nictrix]

I always thought that one earphone was allowed but not two.
I suppose it would be difficult to make it illegal as deaf people are allowed to drive.

 

[sure2drive]

"Tip on how to make long and fast trips more enjoyable" ? ....leave the wife at home
(well someone had to say it!)

 

[buzyg]

"Tip on how to make long and fast trips more enjoyable" ? ....leave the wife at home
(well someone had to say it!)

And just listed to the engine singing.

 

[dr_john]

I have some Bose QC35's, great phones but I'm not sure about driving while listening, I think they would distract my attention from driving somewhat. Just my opinion.

 

[john-e89]

Those BOSE headies sound like a bit of disaster in a car imho. Long distance on motorways are boring and it’s easy to lose concentration, coupled with high speed with noise cancelling headphones puts you in real danger of either nodding off or simply slipping into a state of relaxation where your reflex levels are severely compromised. Thing is it slips up on you, like tiredness, I can only imagine these make it much worse.

There’s no way I’d wear them in a car tbh. Stay safe OP.

 

[Chris_D]

JAYZUS, this thread has turned into a rather nannying, wrap-it-up-in-cotton-wool, don't-go-out-in-case-you-get-stabbed/raped/sodomised/brainwashed, tenalady-risk-mitigation fiasco if you ask me!

Live a little you guys!!

(This free advice from an ex nuclear industry PM certified to IAEA Risk Management standards)

 

[MalNCH]

JAYZUS, this thread has turned into a rather nannying, wrap-it-up-in-cotton-wool, don't-go-out-in-case-you-get-stabbed/raped/sodomised/brainwashed, tenalady-risk-mitigation fiasco if you ask me!

Live a little you guys!!

(This free advice from an ex nuclear industry PM certified to IAEA Risk Management standards)

I know you are having a bit of a laugh with that post but putting other road users at risk through stupidity is not much of a laughing matter. And yes I did see the "smiles"

 

[Chris_D]

JAYZUS, this thread has turned into a rather nannying, wrap-it-up-in-cotton-wool, don't-go-out-in-case-you-get-stabbed/raped/sodomised/brainwashed, tenalady-risk-mitigation fiasco if you ask me!

Live a little you guys!!

(This free advice from an ex nuclear industry PM certified to IAEA Risk Management standards)

I know you are having a bit of a laugh with that post but putting other road users at risk through stupidity is not much of a laughing matter. And yes I did see the "smiles"

So...effectively, what you're saying is that all deaf drivers are stupid and putting other road users at risk?

 

[wonkydonkey]

I know you are having a bit of a laugh with that post but putting other road users at risk through stupidity is not much of a laughing matter. And yes I did see the "smiles"

Ditto. I'm all up for fun and having a laugh, but I don't really categorise reduced driving awareness as "having a laugh"! Maybe I'm just boring. Next time I'm out on the motorbike I might try wearing virtual reality goggles to see if they make it a more intense experience :lol: :wink:

 

[john-e89]

JAYZUS, this thread has turned into a rather nannying, wrap-it-up-in-cotton-wool, don't-go-out-in-case-you-get-stabbed/raped/sodomised/brainwashed, tenalady-risk-mitigation fiasco if you ask me!

Live a little you guys!!

(This free advice from an ex nuclear industry PM certified to IAEA Risk Management standards)

I know you are having a bit of a laugh with that post but putting other road users at risk through stupidity is not much of a laughing matter. And yes I did see the "smiles"

So...effectively, what you're saying is that all deaf drivers are stupid and putting other road users at risk?

Don’t be a tit Chris lad...

Deaf people are used to their condition, they make allowances for it with heightened other senses. Putting nice comfy noise cancelling headies on with music intensely sent into your ears WILL impair your judgement or send you into a relaxation state that creeps up over time. On the road that’s a bloody dangerous thing to do dicing with yourself and perhaps more importantly others. It’s not like a skydive where it’s just you for eg.

 

[Chris_D]

I know you are having a bit of a laugh with that post but putting other road users at risk through stupidity is not much of a laughing matter. And yes I did see the "smiles"

So...effectively, what you're saying is that all deaf drivers are stupid and putting other road users at risk?

Don’t be a tit Chris lad...

Deaf people are used to their condition, they make allowances for it with heightened other senses. Putting nice comfy noise cancelling headies on with music intensely sent into your ears WILL impair your judgement or send you into a relaxation state that creeps up over time. On the road that’s a bloody dangerous thing to do dicing with yourself and perhaps more importantly others. It’s not like a skydive where it’s just you for eg.

Sorry John, but that's just bullshit of the highest order!
You're opinionating and speculating on something which you clearly have no experience of doing yourself.
Give it a go, it may give you a new perspective on your fears. You also might end up in a ditch or in a tree. :evil:

For myself, I usually have the bike-rack on the back of the car and stick to 120kmh with cruise on, bassdrive.com through the cans and I can still hear car horns and sirens over the music and am fully aware and conscious of my surroundings.
If I was wearing noise cancelling phones and listening to the soothing tones of Pam Ayers reciting her own particular blend of poetry, then I can imagine the risk of nodding off at the wheel might become a risk. But I don't.

I've been wearing headphones in the zed top down on many occasions without any incident whatsoever and I'll continue to do so.
If you ever hear of a big-nosed Englishman discovered halfway up a tree somewhere in Europs after crashing his car and having a headphone cable wrapped around his head, then you can say you told me so. But until then.... :wink:

 

[MalNCH]

JAYZUS, this thread has turned into a rather nannying, wrap-it-up-in-cotton-wool, don't-go-out-in-case-you-get-stabbed/raped/sodomised/brainwashed, tenalady-risk-mitigation fiasco if you ask me!

Live a little you guys!!

(This free advice from an ex nuclear industry PM certified to IAEA Risk Management standards)

I know you are having a bit of a laugh with that post but putting other road users at risk through stupidity is not much of a laughing matter. And yes I did see the "smiles"

So...effectively, what you're saying is that all deaf drivers are stupid and putting other road users at risk?

That's got to be the most moronic comment I've seen on here for some time.

 

[john-e89]

So...effectively, what you're saying is that all deaf drivers are stupid and putting other road users at risk?

Don’t be a tit Chris lad...

Deaf people are used to their condition, they make allowances for it with heightened other senses. Putting nice comfy noise cancelling headies on with music intensely sent into your ears WILL impair your judgement or send you into a relaxation state that creeps up over time. On the road that’s a bloody dangerous thing to do dicing with yourself and perhaps more importantly others. It’s not like a skydive where it’s just you for eg.

Sorry John, but that's just bullshit of the highest order!
You're opinionating and speculating on something which you clearly have no experience of doing yourself.
Give it a go, it may give you a new perspective on your fears. You also might end up in a ditch or in a tree. :evil:

For myself, I usually have the bike-rack on the back of the car and stick to 120kmh with cruise on, bassdrive.com through the cans and I can still hear car horns and sirens over the music and am fully aware and conscious of my surroundings.
If I was wearing noise cancelling phones and listening to the soothing tones of Pam Ayers reciting her own particular blend of poetry, then I can imagine the risk of nodding off at the wheel might become a risk. But I don't.

I've been wearing headphones in the zed top down on many occasions without any incident whatsoever and I'll continue to do so.
If you ever hear of a big-nosed Englishman discovered halfway up a tree somewhere in Europs after crashing his car and having a headphone cable wrapped around his head, then you can say you told me so. But until then.... :wink:

Ah but the OP said he does 220kmh Chris......

I HAVE tried earphones in a car for the experience, which were not noise cancelling either, and I’d never entertain it again under any circumstances, once was more than enough. Up to you mate as always but I seriously think it’s a bad idea.