Hey, I'm going for my motorcycle test next week, and when i get it (fingers crossed) I would like to be able to communicate with my mates riding along side me if we go for a ride together.
I have heard of headsets that you place in the helmet that act like a radio, but have no idea how they work or what technology they use. I would imagine bluetooth would be sketchy because it is unreliable over 10m unless they have some boosted signal technology I really have no idea but I would like to learn. Can they be linked to your phone as well to make a bluetooth handsfree device? Music player? not that I would want that many distractions while trying to avoid the muppets on the roads.
Is there anyone here knowledgable in this area that can point me in the right direction?
Much appreciated.
In-Helmet Communications for Motorbikes. Bluetooth??
Comments
The limitation is generally space in the helmet (especially between the ears and helmet lining, noise-cancelling, buttons not suited for gloves and volume levels.
A designed for motorycles in helmet design is the only workable solution.
Experience with bud-type earphones is they will dig into your ears (due to helmet) and have you in agony after ten minutes.
Most of the bluetooth helmet systems also have a short range radio built in that works over 500m. Some create a cell so if you have several riders, as long as none are more than 500m apart, you can all chat.
I have Interphone F4 units and they are crystal clear. They were $350 but Peter Stevens were clearing them for $99. None left unfortunately.
Aldi about a month ago had a bluetooth system for $60. Looks an Interphone one repackaged. If you look around you may find one. If it's crap you can always return at Aldi.
They're not bad for listening to music when riding long distance, or hearing directions from a GPS. I wouldn't go making any phone calls. Easy to end up dead.
I'd imagine Google glass will solve all your problems when it's released.
To maximise performance/useability on in-helmet headsets, ensure the speakers are placed directly adjacent to the ear.
Preserve your hearing!! Always wear ear plugs! ALWAYS. Buy a bunch of disposables (try a few diff types first to find what's comfie and effective).
Your ears will thank you in years to come.
Motorcycle riding is a NOISY pastime.
Not so much exhaust but the wind noise will ruin your hearing.
Despite wearing ear plugs, provided the headset speakers are DIRECTLY adjacent to your ear, the sound will be crystal clear. The ear plugs will block out wind noise.
I'd recommend bike to bike intercoms as an excellent training tool for learner riders, accompanied by an experienced rider. There is nothing so useful as instant feedback.
And nothing gives more pleasure than yelling at a learner to "GET BACK ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD!" or "STOP FIDDLING!, Bend your elbows and TURN YOUR HEAD AND LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO"
Ride safe and DON"T let the technology distract you from the task at hand.
Many are voice activated (sometimes to activate, easiest to blow into the mic).
Range can easily be several hundred metres.
Yes it's bluetooth but not the same limitations as your bluetooth mobile headset.
Yes, it can pair with your mobile and be smart enough to fade out music (on phone) when a call comes in or an intercom comes in.Edit: I've used Scala Q2 for years.
Seriously guys! WTF!
Do you know what neg voting is for??
A negative vote for imparting firsthand info and advice on not only the technology (in direct response to questions raised by the OP) but appropriate advice on what it should be useful for a learner as well as warnings.
Learn what the voting system is for.
Probably negged by some two wheel loser that still hasn't even mastered counter-steering, let alone pants wetting when a hairpin looms ahead. I feel better thinking that's who it was.
I would wait atleast 6 months before you get this, you will have enough on your plate learning just the basics.
if you dont have gear, spend money on that instead.
The only thing you really need to tell your mates for the first 6 months is you need fuel, a simple point to the tank will tell them that
I'd tend to agree, if it's only going to be used for chatting aimlessly to others, unless they are providing instant feedback on riding and safety techniques.
A seasoned pair of eyes is useful to impart knowledge on road position and hazards.
Yeah, I'll clarify, I'm going for my open class license, I've been riding 250s for a couple of years now.
alxr0101 is giving good advice; Both tech and experience advice. Road riding is not the same as off-road. 90% of car drivers are wombats as far as consideration of bike riders. Start yapping to your mates while riding only after you can master the art of "thinking for everyone else on the road" while you're riding. Experienced riders can spot "newbies" a mile away as well as avoid all potentially harmful situations and conditions ALL the time. You usually only get one chance to test it, since trees and cars win every time.
Yeah that's good advice. While I feel confident with having comms in my ear, i don't feel confident giving it to my mates who are only just getting their 250 license… But I have some experienced rider mates as well, so it would still be good to have something.
I just had a lesson with Elite MCT, they were using Sena SMH10. So that's one option. There's also the ScalaRider G9 which looks really good.
Anyone have any experience with any of this stuff or knows any other alternatives or cheap place to buy? Ebay has the SMH10 for $205, and the G9 for $280
could always get bluetooth earphones to connect to your phone then call each other? bluebird bud x or http://www.meelec.com/Metro_s/423.htm.