Sneak peek - The Avee BlueLink MkII

Avee BlueLink – its here !

The Avee BlueLink MkII has been making good progress the last few months, and we have succesfully been through an initial test period with ‘first line’ testers. This test has been crucial for us to get as much constructive feedback from the users as possible.

More testing
After the initial test period, we have now made modifications to the design of the BlueLink to include the comments from the testers. 

We are now in for a second test period with ‘first line’ testers and even a ‘second line’ testers. This test will start at the end of this month and run for a few weeks.

Practically this test will still be done on 3D-printed versions of the BlueLink, but with ‘factory produced’ silicone buttons (the buttons on the side of BlueLink). 

The main mold will be set in production on February 21st, and we expect the first factory-produced BlueLink enclosures to be back to us around March 10th.

First BlueLinks shipping
We expect to start shipping the first BlueLinks out to customers by the end of April 2022.
The BlueLink is available for back-order from February 12th.

These images
The images we show here are from our 3D-printed version of the BlueLink.
On these models we use bright colors so it is easy to see problems.

The finished BlueLink will be available in all colors as long as you choose black.

The BlueLink design
Making the BlueLink MkII as simple as possible has been a fundamental goal during this development process.

We got some comments from BlueLink MkI users (the one with the OLED screen) that it was somewhat over-engineered. We have to agree with those comments.

Connecting the BlueLink MkII 

The BlueLink MkII is connected to the aircraft using the standard Avee20 aircraft interface cable used for the Avee microphone.
The reason for using this cable is simple: to keep things as simple and affordable as possible.

  • If you use the BlueLink, plug the Avee20 interface cable into the BlueLink. 
  • If you do not use the BlueLink, plug the Avee20 interface cable into the Avee microphone and tuck away the BlueLink.

The BlueLink is connected to the Avee microphone via a 50cm cable – angled USB C connector in the microphone end and a straight USB C connector in the BlueLink end.

BlueLink user interface
The BlueLink has five keys with a tactile feel easy accessible from its left side.
These five keys are fairly huge (made for big fingers) and make the BlueLink extremely easy to use.
All key presses are acknowledged with audio messages.

Please check out the BlueLink User Manual below for details.

The clip
On the back side of the Avee BlueLink we have added a belt clip.
No explanation needed!

Charging
The BlueLink is charged with a standard USB C cable which is included with the BlueLink.

The BlueLink MkII technical specifications
Version February 8th – 2022

The technical specifications for the BlueLink MkII are according to the following:

Battery and charging
Battery capacity:             
Charging connector:      
Charge while use:          
Charge time:                  
Led charge indication:   
Led finished charge:       
Led charge error:             


15-24 hrs active use depending on volume level.
USB C
Yes
< 1 hr
Red/green/blue breathing indication
Blinking green
Blinking red

Bluetooth connectivity
Profile support:                        

Simultaneous connections:   
Bluetooth reconnect:              


A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/HSP/SPP
1
Automatic reconnect  to the last unit it was last connected to.

Physical connections
Connector to aircraft:              
Connection to Avee mic:         


The standard Avee20 Aircraft Interface is used / any Avee400/xxx Aircraft Interface Cable
Separate Avee400/45 – 45cm  cable

  • Angled USB C connector for the Avee Aviation Microphone end #1
  • Straight USB C connector for the BlueLink Mk end #2.

User interface
Indication led:          
Indication music:    
Indication phone:    
BlueLink status/indications:
Indication led bottom:

Display:                     
Keys:                           

 

      


Automatically dimmed color led, switches off 10 sec after any keypress
Breathing green (interval TBC)
Breathing red (interval TBC)
Spoken indications (power on/off/pairing/battery low/connected/disconnected/Mute function
Charge indications / mute indication

No display
4+1

  • On/off key (combined with pair/reset)
  • Volume increase key
  • Volume decrease key
  • Play / pause (combined with accept call/reject call)
  • Mute / active source key
 
 

Power down handling
Power off

 

Auto power on:
Auto power off:

 


The Avee Aviation microphone works like normal when the BlueLink MkII is powered off/out of power. 
The Avee BlueLink can be switched on/off manually with the on/off key.  

The Avee Bluelink is switced on automatically when the aircraft mic bias voltage is detected.
The Avee BlueLink is switching off 3 minutes after aircraft bias voltage is not detected.
The BlueLink is switched off automatially after 60 seonds if no previously paired bluetooth units are found.

The Avee BlueLink can be switched on/off manually with the on/off key. 

 

Audio handling
ATC/pilot audio level:
Bluetooth audio level:
Audio muting:

 

 


Fixed – set from aircraft
Adjustable with volume knobs
Configurable:

  • Automatic full Bluetooth mute
  • Automatic partly Bluetooth mute (mute level is configurable)
  • Bluetooth / ATC mix ( no muting)
  • Music pause / play (useful for audio books)

Output for external recording

Audio types:

 

 

The BlueLink MkII has a built-in 2.5mm audio connector to be used by external recording devices for recording analog audio:

  • ATC / intercom mono audio or 
  • Headset stereo audio (this is the audio going to the headset, including Bluetooth audio)

 

The Avee BlueLink MkII – User Manual

This is the User Manual for the BlueLink MkII.
Version November 10th – 2022.

Play/pause
Accept & decline call

This key which is found on the top left side of the BlueLink is a combined key, and its function depends on if we are playing music or if we are in an active call or incoming call.

Music mode:

  • Short press (< 500ms) to switch between play/pause
  • Long press (> 500ms) to skip to the next song


Incoming call :

  • Press shortly (< 500ms) to accept.
  • Long press ( > 500ms ) to reject


Active call:

  • Short or long press to hang up

Volume increase
and decrease

The volume keys on the BlueLink will only ajust the Bluetooth volume level.

  • Press + key to increase Bluetooth audio volume
  • Press – key to increase Bluetooth audio volume

Please note:  ATC/intercom audio level is set from the aircraft.

The mute key

The muting functionality is important for us when flying.

On the BlueLink MkII we have three ways or manners (modes) for the Bluetooth mute.

Press the mute key shortly ( < 500ms) to skip between these three modes. A spoken audio message (‘pause mute’, ‘level mute’, ‘mix mute’ (TBD)) is announced by the BlueLink.

Pause mute:

  • Pause mute pauses Bluetooth audio when ATC / intercom audio is detected. Playing music starts automatically 2 (TBD) seconds after ATC/intercom silence. 

Level mute

  • Level mute is partly (0-100%) muted Bluetooth audio when ATC/Intercom is detected.
  • The mute level level can be adjusted with the volume keys within 5 seconds of pressing the mute key. 

Mix mute

  • Mix mute is actually no mute at all.
    Bluetooth audio is mixed with ATC/intercom audio.


Please note: Unfortunately, there is no way the BlueLink can differentiate between ATC calls and intercom calls.
If you set the BlueLink to partially mute the Bluetooth (level mute) , this will be done whenever audio is detected in to the BlueLink.

Volume increase
and decrease

The volume keys on the BlueLink will only ajust the Bluetooth volume level.

  • Press + key to increase Bluetooth audio volume
  • Press – key to increase Bluetooth audio volume

Please note:  ATC/intercom audio level is set from the aircraft.

On/off &
pair / reset key

The on/off key is the bottom debossed key placed on the left side of the Avee BlueLink MkII.
The key has multible functions.

  • Switch on:
    Press the on/off key to switch on.

  • Switch off:
    Press and hold the on/off key for two seconds to switch off.

  • Bluetooth connection reset:
    Switch off -> then press and hold on/off key for 10 seconds > spoken ‘Audio Full Reset’ is announced by the unit.

  • Paring mode:
    Switch on -> Then press and hold on/off key for 1 second.
    A spoken ‘pairing’ is announced by the unit.

Please note:
Please note that the BlueLink is switching on automatically when aircraft avionics (bias voltage) is detected.

The BlueLink is automatically switched off 3 minutes after aircraft bias voltage is not detected

Output for external recording

Audio types:

 

 

The BlueLink MkII has a built-in 2.5mm audio connector to be used by external recording devices for recording analog audio:

  • ATC / intercom mono audio or 
  • Headset stereo audio (this is the audio going to the headset, including Bluetooth audio)

 

User interface
Indication led:          
Indication music:    
Indication phone:    
BlueLink status/indications:

Display:                     
Keys:                           

 

      


Dimmed color led, switches off 10 sec after any keypress
Breathing green (interval TBD)
Breathing red (interval TBD)
Spoken indications (power on/off/pairing/battery low/connected/disconnected/Mute function

No display
4+1

  • On/off key (combined with pair/reset)
  • Volume increase key
  • Volume decrease key
  • Play / pause (combined with accept call/reject call)
  • Mute / active source key
 
 
Avee BlueLink – its here !

2 Responses

  1. Hello, It is now January and no up dates on the status of the back order or on the for product. please provide an update for everyone who has preordered this almost a year ago now.

    1. Hei Geneva, we had started a first delivery batch of Bluelink before Christmas and we will continue, by priority of order as soon as the Chinese year is finished. We have a huge backlog to ship and we ask for some more patience. Remember at any time it is possible to cancel the Bleulink order.

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