Headset help
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Ohio
Headset help
Have a big trip coming up and need some help with communications. I have a 06 Ultra, other bike is a 12 SG. Both have CB's, am interested in what everyone else is using. This is the first trip for me using bike to bike communications, normally travel alone. I currently have a handheld mic as helmets are optional in Ohio and I've never really used it.
The questions I have are:
Is there a good bluetooth add on that is compatible with the stock music/CB so a phone can be incorporated ?
Will be using a mix of helmets, ( 1/2, 3/4, full ) as most of the states we are traveling thru require them, is the HD headset good or is there an aftermarket setup that's better ?
This will be about a 6K mile trip so whatever we decide on we're stuck with so I figured I'd ask the experts. There will be a number of large cities to get thru so communications is essential.
Thx in advance,
The questions I have are:
Is there a good bluetooth add on that is compatible with the stock music/CB so a phone can be incorporated ?
Will be using a mix of helmets, ( 1/2, 3/4, full ) as most of the states we are traveling thru require them, is the HD headset good or is there an aftermarket setup that's better ?
This will be about a 6K mile trip so whatever we decide on we're stuck with so I figured I'd ask the experts. There will be a number of large cities to get thru so communications is essential.
Thx in advance,
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,070
Likes: 11,093
From: San Diego, CA
I searched and tried several ways to use the OEM Harley comms system on my '12 Limited.
I use the comms to talk with my better half, she is my passenger, while we are doing multi-day trips. I haven't use the comms to go bike to bike yet...
I don't wear a helmet unless I have to, and then I usually wear a very small beanie... but realized I need a helmet of some type to use the comms.
I tried the HD half helmet comm sets... they suck! If they work, they are extremely uncomfortable after about 40 min. I sold them and one broke during shipping(in OEM packaging) and I had to refund the money...
I finally purchased a couple 3/4 helmets and use the J&M comms system. The speakers are super clear and the mike works great. They have systems that plug into various makes of motorcycle comms
http://www.jmcorp.com/ProductDetail....EHI787-LDC-XHO
I researched being able to use my phone via bluetooth, to make/receive phone calls on a cross country trip. In 2012, the only way I found to do this was with the HD Bomm interface. I never used it, decided I didn't need to talk with anyone that bad... but it got good reviews by several people on this forum I believe.
http://www.hdbomm.com/Phone.html
Of course, I have read that there are many good bluetooth set-ups that will work well, and they don't use the HD comms system... but I haven't tried any of those.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I use the comms to talk with my better half, she is my passenger, while we are doing multi-day trips. I haven't use the comms to go bike to bike yet...
I don't wear a helmet unless I have to, and then I usually wear a very small beanie... but realized I need a helmet of some type to use the comms.
I tried the HD half helmet comm sets... they suck! If they work, they are extremely uncomfortable after about 40 min. I sold them and one broke during shipping(in OEM packaging) and I had to refund the money...
I finally purchased a couple 3/4 helmets and use the J&M comms system. The speakers are super clear and the mike works great. They have systems that plug into various makes of motorcycle comms
http://www.jmcorp.com/ProductDetail....EHI787-LDC-XHO
I researched being able to use my phone via bluetooth, to make/receive phone calls on a cross country trip. In 2012, the only way I found to do this was with the HD Bomm interface. I never used it, decided I didn't need to talk with anyone that bad... but it got good reviews by several people on this forum I believe.
http://www.hdbomm.com/Phone.html
Of course, I have read that there are many good bluetooth set-ups that will work well, and they don't use the HD comms system... but I haven't tried any of those.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
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Have a big trip coming up and need some help with communications. I have a 06 Ultra, other bike is a 12 SG. Both have CB's, am interested in what everyone else is using. This is the first trip for me using bike to bike communications, normally travel alone. I currently have a handheld mic as helmets are optional in Ohio and I've never really used it.
The questions I have are:
Is there a good bluetooth add on that is compatible with the stock music/CB so a phone can be incorporated ?
Will be using a mix of helmets, ( 1/2, 3/4, full ) as most of the states we are traveling thru require them, is the HD headset good or is there an aftermarket setup that's better ?
This will be about a 6K mile trip so whatever we decide on we're stuck with so I figured I'd ask the experts. There will be a number of large cities to get thru so communications is essential.
Thx in advance,
The questions I have are:
Is there a good bluetooth add on that is compatible with the stock music/CB so a phone can be incorporated ?
Will be using a mix of helmets, ( 1/2, 3/4, full ) as most of the states we are traveling thru require them, is the HD headset good or is there an aftermarket setup that's better ?
This will be about a 6K mile trip so whatever we decide on we're stuck with so I figured I'd ask the experts. There will be a number of large cities to get thru so communications is essential.
Thx in advance,
Mark
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
I have the HD half helmet headset, and a J&M set in a 3/4 helmet. The 1/2 works okay, but the sound quality is not great for music and it gets uncomfortable. The solution we found for this is to just hang the headset around your neck so the mic is available, and listen to music, CB through the bike speakers. You can hear the CB and stereo good, and the mic is right there so you can talk. You will not be able to hear rider to passenger through the external speakers however.
The 3/4 J&M leaves some to be desired for music quality. Hardly any bass, but a step above the HD's. Something to remember is to always get the speakers as close to your ears as possible. When J&M installed mine the speakers were too deep and sound quality was terrible. I put spacers in to get the speakers closer to the ears and it helped, but still not ideal.
As far as phone use goes, if you have a Garmin 660 or 665 and interface it with the Harmon Kardon, you can make and receive calls as long as you plug in to the AUX port on the front of the radio, and have the radio in the AUX mode. Just don't expect it to work great. You will be able to hear perfectly, but the person on the other end will have problems because to the wind noise on your end.
I used to hate to wear helmets, but since we got the bikes that talk and have sound, I find that I wear a helmet most of the time and am not bothered by it like I used to be.
Bill
The 3/4 J&M leaves some to be desired for music quality. Hardly any bass, but a step above the HD's. Something to remember is to always get the speakers as close to your ears as possible. When J&M installed mine the speakers were too deep and sound quality was terrible. I put spacers in to get the speakers closer to the ears and it helped, but still not ideal.
As far as phone use goes, if you have a Garmin 660 or 665 and interface it with the Harmon Kardon, you can make and receive calls as long as you plug in to the AUX port on the front of the radio, and have the radio in the AUX mode. Just don't expect it to work great. You will be able to hear perfectly, but the person on the other end will have problems because to the wind noise on your end.
I used to hate to wear helmets, but since we got the bikes that talk and have sound, I find that I wear a helmet most of the time and am not bothered by it like I used to be.
Bill
Last edited by billnourse; Dec 30, 2014 at 07:37 AM.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Thank you all for some great feedback. Sounds like I might have to go with both a headset and the handheld setup. I really appreciate everyones experience to base a decision on, thanks again and Happy New Year all !!
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