Communication/ Blue Tooth qeustions

[grey.hound]

Don't know anything about these things, school me please.

For listening to music from my phone, or getting directions from my gps via phone; Samsung Galaxy.

Rider to passenger communication (less likely, but just in case).

What do I need? I have a Shoei Full face helmet. I know there are a few brands, but I don't know what I would actually need.

Thanks.


GH

 

[Scorpion56]

Hi Hound. I too just bought a Shoei full face helmet and have the same questions. It seems that a good place to start is Cardo Systems (you can find them on Revzilla for sure and even on Amazon). I also found another company recently at the NYC show called ChatterBox. In any case, first thing is to figure out how many channels (you and rider, you and a pack of riders, you solo) you need, and go from there. It seems that they all are capable of bluetooth to your phone, GPS etc. The Shoei helmets (at least the Qwest model) is well set up to tuck in the speakers in ear pockets and hanging the "mother unit" on the side of the helmet. I haven't decided yet but will likely end up with a two-rider Cardo to allow intercom with my pinion.

 

[TwoPort]

I've got the Sena 20 for myself and my wife. It takes a bit to figure out everything but after you do - it can combine intercom, navigation (either phone or dedicated GPS with bluetooth), and telephone calls. I would rate sound quality as excellent if that matters to you also especially on the music side. I also use Bose noise cancelling ear buds which helps all around.

 

[Xian Forbes]

100% Sena ... Because the jog wheel on the side of the unit is easy to operate with gloved hands. I have the model 5fm (built in fm receiver so I can listen to my SJ Sharks hockey) and it works the charm. I also looked at Cardo, Chatterbox, ect and found that Sena made the most overall sense to me. I put my focus on how easy was it to operate, especially with winter gloves, and what features did it have that I'll actually use. The cardo sounds great on paper with all of its features, but all the guys I respect who ride all chose Sena and would buy it again. I found the little buttons on most units to be terrible to operate, especially the cardo built unit meant for the Schuberth. I will buy another Sena no question.

 

[wsteele]

I really feel old because I prefer to ride with out any electronics in my ear or music, I find it a get a way when I'm on the bike from all of the intrusion that we all have during the day. Don't get me wrong I do carry a cell phone for emergencies, I know a lot of you are in metropolitan areas where the traffic noise is very high, the most that I hear where I live is the wind and my muffler.

 

[Spdrush]

Well my passenger communicates with hand signals. She strokes my left thigh for a left tum the right thigh for a right turn. She rubs my stomach for a signal all is well.

I won't say what she grabs for an emergency stop.

Why would I want a Bluetooth.

Her name is Laurie.

 

[Snowdog]

I have had good luck with my Cardo units. Several of my friends have them and I find it advantageous to share traffic and road conditions on group trips. I listen to the radio with the system and take phone calls from friends who never believe I am talking from my motorcycle. Most helmets will work, full face will usually be the easiest to hear speakers, and some of us hard of hearing riders will use ear buds. Communications is personal preference, there is no right answer for everyone.

 

[grey.hound]

Thanks. Not 100% what my plan is but on case I decide I want some info.

Go Sharks! Don't watch much anymore. Went to a quakes game this past summer.

 

[SteveADV]

Well my passenger communicates with hand signals. She strokes my left thigh for a left tum the right thigh for a right turn. She rubs my stomach for a signal all is well.

I won't say what she grabs for an emergency stop.

Why would I want a Bluetooth.

Her name is Laurie.

Yes, "all is well", in Chagrin Falls.

Two Harleys in front of Starbucks last night. That means nothing to you folks south of the Mason-Dixon Line, but up here in the northern US and our brothers a few clicks up the road, seeing bikes out for casual riding (that is pretty much all those guys do) this time of year is pretty cool.

Then again, I was out two days ago and plan to ride on Friday if the forecast holds. Of course, my CGT is weather proof and my need to get out is...well...hard to explain and a little goofy.

 

[exavid]

Sena. I have Sena SMH5 in my helmet and the wife's, and a Sena SR10 Bluetooth adapter. The adapter and a small Midland hand held CB are mounted with Velcro on top of the left cubby. With this set up I have my iPhone, CB, intercom, and GPS all linked up to my helmet. Works great. One change I will be making is to install a mount for my iPhone 5s and use it both for phone and GPS. I have two GPS programs in the phone, Garmin and Tom Tom. My older GPS doesn't have free map upgrades as do the two in the phone. It will also eliminate one piece of gear to carry. The phone is handier anyway because I can just tell Siri to run whatever app on the phone I want as well as to dictate messages if I want to send one underway.

 

[grey.hound]

So I did some looking online. Say i buy a kit, all of the parts just attach on or inside the helmet? I am talkong about the mic, headphones, controls etc. Are they permanent? As in do I install and remove them every time I ride?

Seriously guys, I have never seen it; only been riding two years and in over 10,000 miles only 5 times have I ridden with anybody else and no passenger ever.

 

[Scorpion56]

As I posted before, I'm in the market for these systems as well. I've been watching several product videos on Revzilla.com. You can find videos on just about any significant equipment, and they provide a lot of answers (like how does the unit attach to the helmet, how to get the speakers mounted, etc.). I find their videos very useful and used them to buy my new helmet (I mean, Santa watched so he could bring it to me) recently.

 

[JaimeC]

I went the easy route years ago. Nolan was the first to integrate bluetooth headsets into their helmets so I've been using an NCOM system ever since. Just replaced the battery for the first time last night since it doesn't hold a charge the way it used to. The speakers are loud enough to be heard despite my wearing earplugs and everything fits the way it is supposed to. Other than the microphone, you don't even notice it in the helmet when you put it on or take it off.

 

[grey.hound]

Thanks. A friend of mine just got a modular blue tooth helmet from cycle gear. I will see what he has to say about it.

 

[JaimeC]

Ah. A Cycle Gear opened up walking distance from where I live. I know NOTHING about any of the "BILT" products they sell (seems to be a "house brand"). Never read any reviews, never even heard of them till the store opened up so I've pretty much shied away from most of those products. The exception being the pair of BILT boots I recently bought to replace my old Cruiserworks boots. Those things just fell apart after years of hard use.

 

[Xian Forbes]

Bilt products are normally to be avoided. I'd say boots should be ok if they fit the width and shape if ones foot. Their jackets, helmets and other goods I find to just not be up to snuff with the more recognized brands.

 

[Xian Forbes]

To answer yer questions about installation...

I have installed two Sena units in schuberth modulars so I know it works equally well std and flip types of helmets.

The actual unit attaches to the outside of you lid, either by clamp or double sided tape (on modulars use the tape). Included in your kit will be a wiring harness that has a Mic and two speakers. It's really as easy as removing the pads from the inside of your helmet and using the included Velcro to attach the speakers where you think your ears go (loads of helmets already have relief there to accommodate speakers) and decide which Mic you will use. My Sena kit came with a boom Mic and a lavalier type. Considering I'm using a modular, I used the boom. Both also attach with Velcro. Replace all your pads and you should be in business. When installed the only thing that could be removed is the actual brains which could be moved to another helmet but you'd need to buy another mounting kit and Mic speaker harness as well.

 

[grey.hound]

Thanks again.
As for the Bilt and Sedici brand, I have returned as much or more than I have kept.

When I first started riding, I got some riding jeans and their "pro tour" boots. The jeans I still wear, the boots occasionally. The boots are too narrow near the toes but comfortable otherwise.

I have returned overpants, jackets, gloves and have a mesh jacket I don't really like. The biggest issue I have with their stuff is the fit. Either too big someplace, too small elsewhere or the padding isn't in the correct spot.

I'll keep looking for the communication stuff.

 

[exavid]

The Sena gear I have work fine and have been trouble free. I have one unit on a 3/4 helmet and two others on modular for me and my backerseater. The HJC modular accept the same clamp mount as the 3/4 Bell helmet. I prefer the clamp because I know it's not going to let go in hot weather as stick on stuff can.

 

[Xian Forbes]

Some modulars like Schuberth have the controls for the sun visor right where the clamp would go, so for those it's sticky time. I'm more than a year into it and its holding fine...knock wood.