communications question
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 27
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From: North Dakota
communications question
I'm a new rider and looking for a Bluetooth or not, communication system for rider to rider conversation for full face helmets. Mostly what I care about is price, clarity, and being totally hands free. I want to be able to talk to my wife on back or my brother on the bike next to me. If I can do that cheaper with-out being Bluetooth, then that would be great. If Bluetooth is the only option then I would also like to know if there is a reasonably priced fuzzbuster/gps out there that would come through the ear piece as well. I don't particularly care about listing to music while riding, so volume wouldn't need to be much of an issue. I've searched communication systems, but don't really understand the full needs and abilities of the products that they are selling.
Last edited by Lennie Wagner; Nov 27, 2016 at 10:21 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 910
From: Omaha
I used the Sena SMH10.
I purchased extra headsets so I could easily use the system on both our full face helmets (for winter riding) and on our half helmets.
I was really pleased with how well it worked.
The volume was loud and clear and the noise canceling microphone very good.
I would be talking on the phone and the caller couldn't tell I was traveling down the highway at 75 mph.
That being said; I found that we both liked the freedom of half helmets better and adding the headset to a half helmet wasn't really feasible so other than a few times a year when we had full helmets on the system never got used.
So technology always advancing as it does I figured if I ever wanted any of my money back I better go ahead and sell what I had.
I sold the setup with about $100 loss and really don't miss it.
Now when we travel I simple turn my head and talk.
Sure it's not as clear but communication gets across.
Note that I never used it for bike to bike communication so with that need it might have been worth keeping it.
If I was in the market today for system, a Sena system would be the first system I'd consider.
I purchased extra headsets so I could easily use the system on both our full face helmets (for winter riding) and on our half helmets.
I was really pleased with how well it worked.
The volume was loud and clear and the noise canceling microphone very good.
I would be talking on the phone and the caller couldn't tell I was traveling down the highway at 75 mph.
That being said; I found that we both liked the freedom of half helmets better and adding the headset to a half helmet wasn't really feasible so other than a few times a year when we had full helmets on the system never got used.
So technology always advancing as it does I figured if I ever wanted any of my money back I better go ahead and sell what I had.
I sold the setup with about $100 loss and really don't miss it.
Now when we travel I simple turn my head and talk.
Sure it's not as clear but communication gets across.
Note that I never used it for bike to bike communication so with that need it might have been worth keeping it.
If I was in the market today for system, a Sena system would be the first system I'd consider.
Last edited by Bluraven; Nov 28, 2016 at 09:07 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Being a new rider, the last thing you can afford to do is split your focus away from riding your motorcycle. For newbie's, it takes all of your skills to operate a motorcycle safely. Besides, why would you want to talk to them? Simple hand/foot signals can be used to inform others. But that's only if there's a dire need. Communication can be imperative in certain situations, but small talk isn't one of them. Chat when you stop.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 285
Likes: 29
From: Muck Cross VA
Sena 20s not cheap but will do everything you want and they work great on both Half and full helmets. I have been using them for almost 3 years now. I tried 4 different brands before buying the 20s. There was no comparison.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: North Dakota
Being a new rider, the last thing you can afford to do is split your focus away from riding your motorcycle. For newbie's, it takes all of your skills to operate a motorcycle safely. Besides, why would you want to talk to them? Simple hand/foot signals can be used to inform others. But that's only if there's a dire need. Communication can be imperative in certain situations, but small talk isn't one of them. Chat when you stop.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
As Norty Flatz understands, I'm a safety nut. I consider a bluetooth headset to be one of the most important safety features a rider can have.
My regular riding buddy and I both have one, and believe me, when whoever is in the lead yells "deer!!", or "rock in the next curve", or "pothole", or "oncoming truck was over the center line", you'll realize the importance of being able to share communications.
Ok, ok, fine, "I gotta pee" is important, too.
We started out on the SENA SMH10, and just moved up to the 10S. The 10S is less expensive than than the 20S, and unless you need to pair to 10 other bikes, the 10S will be all you need.
Crystal clear, one mile range in open terrain, pairs up to four headsets, built in FM with 10 presets, smartphone app that lets you do all the settings, it's awesome. You'll love it.
My regular riding buddy and I both have one, and believe me, when whoever is in the lead yells "deer!!", or "rock in the next curve", or "pothole", or "oncoming truck was over the center line", you'll realize the importance of being able to share communications.
Ok, ok, fine, "I gotta pee" is important, too.
We started out on the SENA SMH10, and just moved up to the 10S. The 10S is less expensive than than the 20S, and unless you need to pair to 10 other bikes, the 10S will be all you need.
Crystal clear, one mile range in open terrain, pairs up to four headsets, built in FM with 10 presets, smartphone app that lets you do all the settings, it's awesome. You'll love it.
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