What do use for latest in helmet comms gear

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by joner7777, Mar 19, 2014.

  1. joner7777

    joner7777 New Member

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    I need to update my worn out helmet and comms set.

    I want to either use my phone for calls / music / satnav so I need a in earpiece with a micbuilt in the wire as phone makers supply or--

    Use my trusty Zumo and my phone for the other things.

    What would be the best route using later helmets / comms / devices.---- bluetooth or wired-

    I have to take some calls on the move so as customers think I am at work not out having fun:tranquillity:
     
  2. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    My wife and I use the Shark Vision R helmets with the Sarktooth in both.
    The Sharktooth is very small and fits into the helmet in built in pockets, so it doesn't add weight or wind noise.
    I have an Iphone and can make calls, listen to music, use intercom and use GPS, all without taking the phone out of the top box and without cables.
    The battery on the sharktooth lasts around two days of touring and charges up in an hour or so.
    I have a case for my Iphone with built in extra battery which also gives me around two days without charging.
    I can't say its without faults, but works quite well for most things up to around 100km/h, over 100Km/h is a bit hard to hear.
     
  3. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Shuberth with built in intercom :thumbsup:
     
  4. VFR_AG

    VFR_AG New Member

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    Have a look at the Sena brand as there is tons of great reviews out there - and the new smh20 is out around first week of May with a ton of new improvements

    I just bought the smh10r so far I love it for size and options - works great with Siri

    Good Luck !!



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  5. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I have Cardo systems on my two helmets, the Schuberth C3 w/SRC system installed, which is made by Cardo but pricier than equivalent Cardo model probably due to it being integrated into the neck roll. And I have the new Cardo G9x on my Shoei GT-Air which I just bought so I can use either helmet with my wife's Cardo G9x when she's a passenger (I bought the 2 set kit). For the most part I bought the SRC system so that I can use it for turn by turn directions with my iPhone and so I can take/make phone calls without having to take off my helmet (I use my MC for commuting to job sites).

    Note that I do not or cannot really make dial out calls when riding i.e. using the keypad, unless I pull over or use voice dialing (not always accurate) but in a pinch I'll take calls sometimes, mostly if I am heading to a project and the office calls. Several times I've had people cancel meetings while I was in transit and not knowing (prior to the comm setup) until I got to there was a huge waste of time in most cases and with distinctive ring tones, I know when it's my office calling. Mind you, I don't have hour long conversations with people, just quick "Give me a quick summary as I am on my motorcycle". or "I'm on my motorcycle, let me pull over and call you back". That being said, the one comment I do get from most, is that they cannot believe that I am on my motorcycle having a conversation and/or they say the quality is very good and would never had guessed I was on the motorcycle.

    As I mentioned, the primary use was for turn by turn directions, but I can also use it for playing music via my iPhone, add another Bluetooth device that is connected to my radar detector and now have comms with the wife or other Cardo wearers for that matter. With the new G9x, I can also share my music playback with my wife's G9x, not a big feature but kind of cool. I know that Sena just came out with a "universal" comm firmware upgrade (SMH-10 units I believe) that will allow you to connect to other non Sena wearers, and although I have hear good things about the Sena, I went with the Cardo because I was familiar with their quality and how they operate. I also didn't need to learn how to operate two different systems and I think the wife will find the Cardo easy to use as well.
     
  6. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Ootv you are a gears and gagets whore
    I thought I am the worse but I :yield:
     
  7. ZEN biker

    ZEN biker New Member

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    I chose sena smh10r for mine, it had extremely good reviews, has the best compatibility with other bluetooth sets and if thats not enough. Get the smr10 adapter and you can interconnect with just about any two way radio on the market. Including cheap gprs/gmrs systems. No other system offered that, and trust me, if you ride a large group with advanced riders and slow goers then the extra comms distance a vhf or even a tiny gprs radio gives you is worth it.
    Plus you can buy from sena directly, which I found to be way cheaper than from a dealer.
     
  8. VFR Love

    VFR Love New Member

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    I think you're mistaken Zen. I just purchased the SMH10 (not 10r) and it pairs with other brands with no adapter.

    It didn't used to be, but they did a firmware update last year. Many Bluetooth systems nowadays will work with all different brands.

    The 10r is great because it is low profile.

    I went with the 10 (non R) because the jog wheel makes it easier to use with gloves and less menu stuff apparently. It's also a bit less expensive.

    On a non faired bike the 10r creates less wind noise/drag. On the vfr the rep suggested it wouldn't matter.

    I just checked the price and they've come down a lot. RevzillA is cheaper than direct (at least here in the US).


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  9. VFR_AG

    VFR_AG New Member

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    Hey Love - I think Zen was referencing that Sena has a adapter you can buy separately and plug any 3.5" jack into it and BT it to the main unit

    You mention other brands allow universal pairing ? Which units can do that other than Sena I never saw any...




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  10. VFR Love

    VFR Love New Member

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    You're probably right about the universal pairing. I'm not finding any others either. Could have sworn a local shop said a uClear and Scala could but I'm not able to verify now!

    On another note while Googling I
    found this handy device:
    http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/u-clear-wt300-spider-bluetooth-adapter
    Turns a non Bluetooth device into Bluetooth capable.



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  11. VFR_AG

    VFR_AG New Member

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    I'm pretty sure the universal pairing is unique to Sena, as I looked around specifically for the functionality....and when I saw the firmware in the works for 10r I was sold - see one of my previous posts Sena confirmed 10r FW is weeks from release

    In regards to the adapter option I'd recommend the Sena unit for you being you have a SMH10 - due to full intercom options not being lost

    This is what Zen was referencing... http://senabluetooth.com/product/adapters/sm10/






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  12. ZEN biker

    ZEN biker New Member

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    The smr10 only interfaces ptt radios and provides for non bluetooth to bluetooth adaption. This is found only with sena and allows several more devices to use the smr10 as a bluetooth hub. Your smh10 (r as well) can only pair two bt devices while keeping the intercom. 3 if you drop the intercom link. The smr10 allows 3 bt devices and 2 non bt devices plus ptt radio to interconnect to any sena headset.

    The 10r firmware update is supposed to be out in may, but it already is a universal bt intercom. They are just adding more headset profiles so more will connect to it.
     
  13. VFR Love

    VFR Love New Member

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    Ok Zen you definitely have a better handle on this than me!

    So the intercom is for connecting to a passenger? And Bluetooth is for devices on board or other riders on Bluetooth com systems right?

    Then what's PTT (push to talk) for? Is that the intercom for a passenger?




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  14. ZEN biker

    ZEN biker New Member

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    The intercom is a bluetooth link to upto 4/8 (depending on models linked) other headsets. This leaves a bluetooth connection for your phone or gps.

    Ptt radios are for long distance. Your headset will do about a mile in open clear areas. Now add trees and mountians and it wont do around the corner. Add a 5 watt vhf radio on a private frequency or a 3watt gprs mini radio (like the ones used at camp sites or in convention centers) and now you can add unlimited (as long as people can share a channel) riders/ mini groups plus it adds a bluetooth hub. The hub allows several bluetooth devices to share one link to the headset. Of your familiar with old 10baset networks then you have an idea of how it works. But there are 2 3.5mm jacks and a radio port as well. The radio port does nothing until you press the button you install on the handlebars, the 2 3.5mm jacks are for connecting non bt gps and a music source.

    I have several radios I use on a regular basis, so to me being able to talk over 1mile is important. I ride with new riders all the time, if one dips into a coulee (very narrow valley that even cell phones dont work in) or they get too far ahead, I can call out to them and then get a response. As the group gets bigger the bt intercom can not support that many people so add a ppt radio to create several small groups around a rider with a ppt radio interconnect. This also allows faster riders to ride in a group that can spread out and slower riders to keep in touch.

    For most people ptt isnt needed but if it is then think cobra or handy link or even cb radio. Now add 20 groups of 4 bikes all in contact and able to know whats going on and spread out enough that local leos dont feel they need to be a hindrence (large groups of bikes can be dangerous for all motorists involved)
     
  15. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I have a Uclear 110 I bought on special and I love it. I use my phone for music and it has a voice activated phone so I can answer and talk and never move my hand from the bar. I even talked to my mom and she never knew I was on the bike running 80. (Very satisfying!) I don't use an intercom feature. I don't know if it has one. I don't ride with others enough to need it. It works great for what I do with it.
     
  16. VFR Love

    VFR Love New Member

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    I just saw this review comparing the Sena Smh 10 and the 10r.

    He seems to prefer the 10 but does note that both work really well and it comes down to preference mostly.

    I think he missed some of the finer points Zen references above.
    (How many riders you want to connect/being able to connect to 2-way radios)

    http://www.gizmag.com/sena-smh10r-review-bluetooth-helmet-intercom/26430/



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  17. ftl900

    ftl900 New Member

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    I have 3 Sena SMH-10 units, and I love them dearly. I just upgraded them all to the latest rev.
    My sis bought a (non-Sena) BT setup from Cycle Gear, and I was able to pair with it and we could talk.
    She was less impressed with the unit she bought and is taking it back to get a Sena.
     
  18. VFR_AG

    VFR_AG New Member

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    See the other Sena BT thread - I posted a response from Sena - the FW upgrade is due out by the first week of April for the 10r

    The current 10r firmware does not allow for Universal connectivity - the new update will allow for this.

    In regards to adding more headsets to connect - where are you finding this information - as it does not mention this on the update ?


     
  19. VFR_AG

    VFR_AG New Member

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    How are you connecting to 8 headsets ? This is what is explained under intercom - maximum 4 Sena branded units max

     
  20. joner7777

    joner7777 New Member

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