Decent BT communication for 2 under $200?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
From: Columbus, OH
Decent BT communication for 2 under $200?
Hello, I am looking to purchase a helmet mounted communications system to my helmet and my girlfriends helmet for when we ride together this year. I will be on an Ultra Limited and she will be on a Heritage. She currently has a half helmet but will be going to a full-face or modular this spring so I am hoping to be prepared. I have looked at the sena and cardo systems and would love to pick up the Cardo Freecom 4+ but at close to $400 that's not exactly inexpensive. I have read a bunch of threads but haven't seen anyone mention any quality less expensive sets for use between 2-4 riders. Has anyone used or heard of a good brand or system you could recommend closer to the $200 mark?
Thanks in advance for the responses.
Thanks in advance for the responses.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,272
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From: .
There are a bunch of cheapo ones on amazon. You can always try them and return. I do know that both Sena and Cardo have great products. They are expensive, but you will have them for awhile. I have been using my Cardo Scala Q2 Multiset Pro for 10 years. The batter doesn't last as long anymore so I may be getting a newer model in the next year or two.
If you only need it you the two of you I would get one of the lower end models to save some money. The good thing about newer models is that you are able to plug in different ear buds or speakers. My old one doesn't have that so I had to solder different speakers from some headphones for a bit better sound.
If you only need it you the two of you I would get one of the lower end models to save some money. The good thing about newer models is that you are able to plug in different ear buds or speakers. My old one doesn't have that so I had to solder different speakers from some headphones for a bit better sound.
Last edited by CGLTD; Jan 9, 2020 at 03:49 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,855
Likes: 1,003
From: Southern Virginia
FortNine on YouTube has a good video reviewing budget bluetooth headsets. He said these cheap "V6" models from China do well for the money. Here is an Ebay link showing what they look like:
6 Riders Intercom Motorcycle V6 Bluetooth Headset Moto Helmet Communication GPS
Here is a link to his video review:
6 Riders Intercom Motorcycle V6 Bluetooth Headset Moto Helmet Communication GPS
Here is a link to his video review:
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,689
Likes: 8,295
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by hoyt 1911a1
fortnine on youtube has a good video reviewing budget bluetooth headsets. He said these cheap "v6" models from china do well for the money. Here is an ebay link showing what they look like:
6 riders intercom motorcycle v6 bluetooth headset moto helmet communication gps
here is a link to his video review:
6 riders intercom motorcycle v6 bluetooth headset moto helmet communication gps
here is a link to his video review:
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 14
From: Kentucky
Personally if i were you i would bite the bullet and get a cardo packtalk bold, will you spend a little more money(yes). will you be much Happier in the end you betcha. i have had sub 200 dollar ones in the past and they all eventually got chucked becuase they were useless and didnt work well. the paktalk on the other hand has been good as gold. so much so i have talked most of my riding buddies into joining the revolution and we have chats at speed.
auto volume leveling that changes with speed
voice commands
best vox that i have ever had on a unit(doesnt activate to wind noise that often)
music that plays and drops down in volume so you can actually hear other riders/passengers
ease of connecting the units together/automatic reconnect whenever you start up
no problems talking at 70 mph plus
can use earplugs with a half or full helmet for better audio
if you never want to talk to any other riders you can save a dime and get the freecom, but i would get the packtalk in case you ever want to ride in a group
it really just makes it worth the cash, and my wife and i and the other riders use it every ride vs with the other systems that we used it initially and tossed it
auto volume leveling that changes with speed
voice commands
best vox that i have ever had on a unit(doesnt activate to wind noise that often)
music that plays and drops down in volume so you can actually hear other riders/passengers
ease of connecting the units together/automatic reconnect whenever you start up
no problems talking at 70 mph plus
can use earplugs with a half or full helmet for better audio
if you never want to talk to any other riders you can save a dime and get the freecom, but i would get the packtalk in case you ever want to ride in a group
it really just makes it worth the cash, and my wife and i and the other riders use it every ride vs with the other systems that we used it initially and tossed it
Last edited by Fetasigma; Jan 10, 2020 at 10:23 AM.
Grand HDF Member
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From: Southern Virginia
$13.99??
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
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From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I too have the Cardo PackTalk Bold.... we are happy with these. Besides the features listed above, you do have the ability to tune in a few FM stations, you can blue tooth your phone to this for music (I don't use the phone function for answering ). I think there is a down side with a half helmet for mounting the mic.... I find this works better on my 3/4, as does my riding buddy. The mic does not seem to mount in a secure position for my half. But if it's just the two of you, and you never are seperated, maybe a lesser unit may work. Good luck on your search!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,065
Likes: 1,822
From: Kalifornia
Having been there done that, I go along with biting the bullet. Bilt has some decent helmets with BT built in, and if all you EVER want to talk to is one other person, they work well. My wife and I first had one of these https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/bilt-...modular-helmet and have to admit for just the two of us did what we needed.
The rub is the helmet fit is different, one you HAVE to try on before buying. The second issue came when I went on a ride this past summer with a friend and his wife. With the above helmet I could talk to one or the other, (they had HD helmets with BT built in) and requires switching Manually back and forth. Not conducive to smooth conversations.
After that ride I realized it was my BT that was the limiting factor.
So now we have new modular helmets and the Sena 20s system. I actually tried the Sena 30 for a while and it had issues. So I returned it and went with the more reliable 20s. The 20s does everything I will ever need for BT. https://www.cyclegear.com/accessorie...-slim-speakers
Take a look at the cyclegear store website for stand alone systems. With the cheapo system we had zero quality issues nor with the 20s. The 10series are good also, just read all the features to make sure the one you pick does everything you think you will need.
The rub is the helmet fit is different, one you HAVE to try on before buying. The second issue came when I went on a ride this past summer with a friend and his wife. With the above helmet I could talk to one or the other, (they had HD helmets with BT built in) and requires switching Manually back and forth. Not conducive to smooth conversations.
After that ride I realized it was my BT that was the limiting factor.
So now we have new modular helmets and the Sena 20s system. I actually tried the Sena 30 for a while and it had issues. So I returned it and went with the more reliable 20s. The 20s does everything I will ever need for BT. https://www.cyclegear.com/accessorie...-slim-speakers
Take a look at the cyclegear store website for stand alone systems. With the cheapo system we had zero quality issues nor with the 20s. The 10series are good also, just read all the features to make sure the one you pick does everything you think you will need.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,065
Likes: 1,822
From: Kalifornia
Here are cyclegears stand alone units, that you can move to new helmets when you upgrade. The nice thing about the Sena 20s and up, is they use a detachable unit that mounts to the base, and you can have a base unit (about $75) on each helmet and just switch the BT unit to whatever helmet you plan to use.
https://www.cyclegear.com/bluetooth-communicators
https://www.cyclegear.com/bluetooth-communicators