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helmet bluetooth headset

7.9K views 59 replies 21 participants last post by  sytheii  
#1 · (Edited)
Anyone use a bluetooth headset setup in their helmets? Ive had a J&M in my arai profile for a while now, but im gonna get a new helmet, and figured id do some more resarch on headsets out now, and upgrade.

The major contenders seem to be sena and uclear, scala rider, (havent looked at J&Ms new stuff yet)

Ive been looking at the nolan N85, and the integration of their n-com system looks sweet, but reviews I've read have been hit or miss...plus the $ of the unit. Looks sweet tho.





If anyone here can chime in on the subject id appreciate it.

Edit: my main uses are tunes through phone, plus the occasional auto answer mid ride.
 
#4 ·
boogunoogun said:
I have the scala rider g4's with the g9 base(g9 has better speakers). And I love them. The g9's are even better too. You may pay a lot more, but in my opinion, they are worth each penny. Works perfect with my iphone for music, navigation, and talking to the other riders. I love the g4
That unit seems to have a lot of good things said about it...but i dont like the bulkybox on the outside, my j&m is similar in that respect. I am looking at this new sena slim unit..but it looks like it aint even out yet.
 
#5 ·
I've been using a Scalarider Q2 since 2009 and it's worked very well for me. If I was to complain about anything, I'd say that the speakers are not the best...but they work fine for my purposes. This model was marketed just prior to the A2DP tech becoming available...

You can buy a Q2 setup for fairly cheap these days, too.
 
#25 ·
I've been using a Scalarider Q2 since 2009 and it's worked very well for me. If I was to complain about anything, I'd say that the speakers are not the best...but they work fine for my purposes. This model was marketed just prior to the A2DP tech becoming available...

You can buy a Q2 setup for fairly cheap these days, too.

I've had my Q2 for about 2 years now and have never had one issue with it. Surprised how long the battery lasts in it too. Great system for the price.
 
#6 ·
#55 ·
Stay away from Torc. The helmets are light but the graphics aren't as good in person and the speakees in the helmet are junk and the bt constantly disconnects. Customer service SUCKS! It's a one man show and the guy is "less than" customer oriented!

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#7 ·
I've got a pair of Sena SMH-10 units that I picked up from a group buy at a great price. They are a little bulky, but they work great.
I ride with my gf on another bike and they have saved me hours worth of arguments as pointing and arm waiving is easily misinterpreted...
I think the group buy is still going on... Just do a Google search... I don't have a link.
 
#10 ·
motojudo said:
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/torc-prodigy-t-10-absolute-bluetooth-helmet/389-T1008-X-S.aspx

Just saw these helmets at the local dealer. Torc. Emailed them some questions and got prompt same day replies. They have a couple with Bluetooth, speakers etc. The unit looked fairly slim, but haven't tried it myself. They do have some pretty cool paint schemes, and even some open-face with speakers.
Im gonna call these people and see if i cant get some more info on the units themselves...that new sena unit the R version, looks like the version id like to go with, but i cant seem to find any info on when it will be available nor its cost.

http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/smh10r.php?tab_menu=overview
 
#11 ·
I'm also looking to get an Nolan N85 pretty soon to replace my agv K3, If not within this week, then early next week
 
#13 ·
abadacus said:
I'm also looking to get an Nolan N85 pretty soon to replace my agv K3, If not within this week, then early next week
If you do get one give me a shout and tell me what you think of it. What size noggin ya got? I wear a L head size for my arai profile...still not sure how one goes about purchasing a helmet online anyway...last time o tried one om @ cycle gear then ebayed.... :p
 
#15 ·
I'm a size Small, I tried on an N85 and the fit was really good! the liner is so damn comfortable and plush! (If you have an AGV or Shark shaped head then I reckon this will fit you in the same sizes ie. AGV & shark small = nolan small) I was surprised at how light the helmet was too. For the price and the set of features it has, I think it really does give the competition a good run for its money (how many similarly priced helmets have an internal sun visor, a visor lock which allows a 'cracked-open' position and a pinlock ready visor)
However, they only come in one shell size, but seeing as you are a large helmet size - this shouldn't worry you

However, I managed to convince myself to spend a little more and I ended up getting a SPEED-R made by Shark in the following colour.

Its probably the ugliest helmet I've ever seen :p

Image


helmet SPEED-R SAUER Black Anthracite Red Speed-R Sport/route SHARK-HELMETS - FRANCE FRANCE - English
 
#14 ·
crakerjac said:
It's hard to 'pay attention to body language and use your brain to figure out what things might possibly mean' when the person you are communicating with is behind you. What you don't realize is that the headsets are great because you don't NEED line of sight to get someones attention. You can hang back and shout a warning about deer or turning traffic without invading someones personal space trying to get their attention or get close enough so you can understand body language.

I'm just going to leave it at that. No need to derail this thread any farther.
Im pretty sure this was sarcasm...executed in such a way to leave you guessing as to whether or not it truly was... But the lurker popcorn thing at the end makes me lean towards humorous rather than serious

Pvster said:
Only if you can't pay attention to body language and use your brain to figure out what things might possibly mean.

You hearing people crack me up. There's more to communicating than just "talking" :lurker-eating-popco
 
#17 ·
This, I was trying to use humor to raise a valid point, that people miss the fact that 80% of communication is non-verbal.

It's hard to 'pay attention to body language and use your brain to figure out what things might possibly mean' when the person you are communicating with is behind you. What you don't realize is that the headsets are great because you don't NEED line of sight to get someones attention. You can hang back and shout a warning about deer or turning traffic without invading someones personal space trying to get their attention or get close enough so you can understand body language.

I'm just going to leave it at that. No need to derail this thread any farther.

Who said you had to pay attention to the body language of the person behind you? I sure didn't. That's a silly notion/argument crackerjac. You're responsible for ensuring your communication to others is clear, and they're responsible for ensuring they're paying attention.

Perhaps its my own personal experience, but many riders in the area use hands and feet to point out dangers all the time, it works very well for the people who are paying attention. Alert Deaf riders have been communicating while riding for a very long time with tremendous success.

Why would you assume that I don't realize how "great" helmet coms are? I know what the advantages are, but I also know what the disadvantages are: not everyone uses one or the same brand. If you become so reliant on a helmet com and don't understand/forget the basics, how are you going to communicate with people who don't have a helmet com or can't connect to yours? Don't ride with them?

While its great ideally that you could hang back and warn the rider in front of dangers, the reality is they should be ahead of the game than you are, and they most likely are if they're paying attention, constantly scanning for dangers, and riding accordingly. Just food for thought.

Back to regularly scheduled programming, keep up the good reviews.
 
#16 ·
sytheii said:
Anyone use a bluetooth headset setup in their helmets? Ive had a J&M in my arai profile for a while now, but im gonna get a new helmet, and figured id do some more resarch on headsets out now, and upgrade.

The major contenders seem to be sena and uclear, scala rider, (havent looked at J&Ms new stuff yet)

Ive been looking at the nolan N85, and the integration of their n-com system looks sweet, but reviews I've read have been hit or miss...plus the $ of the unit. Looks sweet tho.

If anyone here can chime in on the subject id appreciate it.

Edit: my main uses are tunes through phone, plus the occasional auto answer mid ride.
We just bought the new Uclear HBC200 teamset. Works great so far, no booms and works well with my hearing aids too. Music is great. My only beef is a they are a little hard with gloves on to find the 3 buttons.
 
#18 ·
Pvster said:
This, I was trying to use humor to raise a valid point, that people miss the fact that 80% of communication is non-verbal.

Who said you had to pay attention to the body language of the person behind you? I sure didn't. That's a silly notion/argument crackerjac. You're responsible for ensuring your communication to others is clear, and they're responsible for ensuring they're paying attention.

Perhaps its my own personal experience, but many riders in the area use hands and feet to point out dangers all the time, it works very well for the people who are paying attention. Alert Deaf riders have been communicating while riding for a very long time with tremendous success.

Why would you assume that I don't realize how "great" helmet coms are? I know what the advantages are, but I also know what the disadvantages are: not everyone uses one or the same brand. If you become so reliant on a helmet com and don't understand/forget the basics, how are you going to communicate with people who don't have a helmet com or can't connect to yours? Don't ride with them?

While its great ideally that you could hang back and warn the rider in front of dangers, the reality is they should be ahead of the game than you are, and they most likely are if they're paying attention, constantly scanning for dangers, and riding accordingly. Just food for thought.

Back to regularly scheduled programming, keep up the good reviews.
:blink:
 
#23 ·
^^ Nicely put. Didn't mean to call you out, but it's been a long morning.

I did see that picture, it was pretty bad, but it wasn't me who posted it. I have hit more than my fair share of deer (and a bear in a ford escort), so I'm always paranoid about something running out in front of me.
 
#24 ·
^^ Nicely put. Didn't mean to call you out, but it's been a long morning.
Thanks. I know what you mean, its been a very long quarter for me :laugh: Can't wait for the first week of Dec to end :banghead:

I did see that picture, it was pretty bad, but it wasn't me who posted it. I have hit more than my fair share of deer (and a bear in a ford escort), so I'm always paranoid about something running out in front of me.
A bear :blink: Please tell me it died upon impact, otherwise that must of been 1 pissed off bear!

I've had friends tell me stories of hitting moose while in their cars, the pictures of those are graphic to say in the least :eek:

Anyways, end of derail! :surrender:
 
#27 ·
Well, i did some research on helmets and bt units, and i think i am going to wait for the sena smh10r.

http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/smh10r.php?tab_menu=overview

I spoke with a dude at their sales department who gave me the skinny on their unit, which will be available in january. It seems like exactly the thing im looking for, since the battery portion of the unit is seperate. I asked for its dimensions and it will fit in the back of the nolan n85. According to him the one demo unit theyve got has been really awesome.

Only drawback in this setup, i forsee, and im not even sure its a bad thing, is that the control unit will be attached to the helmet using an adhesive, on top of the little cutout designed for the n-com unit. They are roughly the same size anyhoo, and it will protrude a little bit more, which actually will be a good thing, allowing for easier detection with gloves.

I think will be saving the purchase of the helmet/unit for january, cause i need to get some new tires strait away :)
 
#31 ·
I've got a Shark RSI and RSR2 in CF, fantastic helmets! Fits my noggin proper too
 
#35 ·
I have used the Cardo Scala Rider line for many years now. Currently have a Q2 Pro with Bluetooth audio link - I can listen to FM radio or the tracks (and other noise) on my iPhone, not just phone calls. They work as advertised and I find their customer service to be good.
 
#38 · (Edited)
Doing a quick follow up on my shark speed r and shark tooth Bluetooth communicator. I love my speed r. The fit of the helmet is snug. It's not uncomfortably tight, and the tinted extra visor eliminates the need for sunglasses, which is awesome. Optical effects/distortions with the clear visor are minimal, though I do notice that if the visor is smudged or dirty, bright lights from oncoming traffic can sort of refract a bit and make seeing clearly at night troublesome. The distortion of light at the edge of the visor is noticeable, but use of more head turn than eye tracking solves this for me, and really ain't much of an issue. Also, compared to my arai profile, its lighter, and less noisy in most upright position, slightly more noisy in mid-tuck, and almost silent in full tuck.

The shark tooth unit was good/alright for me for a while.

Bluetooth use is great, after initial pair, as long as Bluetooth is enabled on phone, two pushes to headset and you're concert ready. Mic and phone calls work well at speeds up to 80. Auto volume adjustment is a little tricky, but once you find your max volume(at speed , accounting for boost) it's alright.

Only complaint about the tiny control module is its main button; shut off method is hold down button for 5 seconds, sometimes button doesn't press right, then you get stuck with false speak to call actions, but not that big of a deal.

Sound quality with tiny speakers is tinny, and very trebbley, but using equalizer with winamp app on android phone fixed the sound quality, then later with Google play music(this apps phone integration is better) update, the equalizer setting of FX booster gave me ideal sound quality, so easy fix there.

But after a couple months of using the set, one of the speakers died, or shorted or blew, I'm not sure but squeezing the speaker would cause it to crackle blah blah, so pretty chincy little speakers. I returned it to seller to process the warranty, no idea what the outcome of that will be.
 
#39 ·
Nice writeup. If the speakers are crappin out, I'd mod it with noise isolating earbuds fitted with a plug.
 
#41 ·
Ear buds are impractical for a guy who rides 24/7 and jumps on and off the bike multiple times a day for all sorts of reasons, adds too much time IMO, though maybe you're talking about something else?

I am going to revolutionize this niche industry if possible. I have lots of good ideas, just gotta meld them into a helmet without compromising the safety factor.
 
#40 ·
Why wife just bought me the scala rider G9 PowerSet. My buddy help her pick it out. I would have never bought it for myself because of the cost. Most riders in my area use scala.

Why cant these manufacturers make headsets compatible with each other? What justifies a msrp of $499.99 for the G9 PowerSet???
 
#46 ·
I normally go with the Q2 Pro. The G9 can take multiple different Bluetooth feeds, has a much longer range, has an RDS/autoscan FM radio built in and can be updated via a computer in addition to having selectable broadcast if you are in a network with other headsets and programmable speed dialing. The other models can't or don't have quite as many channels and features.