Helmet connectivity - Recommendations?

[JFitz]

Morning All.

Right I'm going to be retiring my HJC IS-16 after a few years of dutiful service and will be buying a new lid soon. So while I'm at it I want to have something that will integrate as seamlessly as possible with my mobile (HTC One). I know what I'm doing picking a helmet, but looking for some guidance /experience with the electronics.


Ideally I'd like the unit to be as low profile as possible.
Mainly going to be used to play music
Occasionally used with sat nav on phone
Occasionally used for calls.

I've got a couple of units in mind (listed below) but my only reservation is if i want to use these as an intercom, will different brands talk to each other? ie. if i go for the sharktooth system could I chat to a mate using a scala rider?

Current considerations are

Sharktooth system fitted to a Speed-R (or whatever compatible lid that fits)

Scala rider Q3 fitted to any lid that takes my fancy

Guy at work say AGV made one, but looks discontinued now?

or recommend me something I don't know of ;)


So who's got something like this fitted, what are your experiences and what would you recommend?

Cheers:D

[Tomor]

If you want a low profile one, also look at the Sena smh10r.

[NTECUK]

The intergrated sytems dont look that good value.
Im happy with my Scala Rider system.

[atassiedevil]

I use the cheap ebay £64 a pair ones, no complaints so far. Pair with 2 devices, either another set, your phone, or satnav and switching between both is fine.
Was going to go the integrated route, but it wasn't on the right part of the cost/vs benefit curve.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Sets-800M-Interphone-Bluetooth-Motorbike-Motorcycle-Helmet-Intercom-Headset-/290939889759?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item43bd5e685f

You can also buy them singly.

[maviczap]

I use the cheap ebay £64 a pair ones, no complaints so far. Pair with 2 devices, either another set, your phone, or satnav and switching between both is fine.
Was going to go the integrated route, but it wasn't on the right part of the cost/vs benefit curve.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Sets-800M-Interphone-Bluetooth-Motorbike-Motorcycle-Helmet-Intercom-Headset-/290939889759?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item43bd5e685f

You can also buy them singly.

Someone did a review of these on here somewhere, after buying them on Ebay. For the money they look bloomin good

[ClunkintheUK]

I've got a pair of them (the ebay ones). They work pretty well even between two bikes, they have about 100m range if line of sight, or near enough (no buildings).

Music is fine, but the unit does struggle if you have ear plugs in, it is not really audible at motorway speeds, but this is with the noisier helmet. One thing to note, however, is that they do not work with all helmets, like my x-spirit-II which has the cheek pads which can be removed without removing the helmet. The mounting system for the bluetooth gets in the way of the cheek pad mechanism.

[rapidgaz]

Will be watching this thread.

[atassiedevil]

I've had zero complaints so far. Can listen to music up to about 70-80, and even use the phone at that speed. I've 3 units, one for me, one for the mrs, and a spare (which i'll charge while riding if we're out for the day)
you get around 6 hrs talk time in intercom, and around 8 listening to music. If you're using the htc, google maps now gives you voice nav. Not too shabby at all.


Someone did a review of these on here somewhere, after buying them on Ebay. For the money they look bloomin good

[JFitz]

I went on impulse and got a cardo scala rider g4. Form factor isn't the coolest looking compared with the smh10r, was tempted tomo! G4 has separate call/music controls so it suits me better functionality wise. Very. Impressed so far call clarity perfect even at 85.

Also impressed how it regulates volume relative to ambient noise.

[littleoldman2]

I use the cheap ebay £64 a pair ones, no complaints so far. Pair with 2 devices, either another set, your phone, or satnav and switching between both is fine.
Was going to go the integrated route, but it wasn't on the right part of the cost/vs benefit curve.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Sets-800M-Interphone-Bluetooth-Motorbike-Motorcycle-Helmet-Intercom-Headset-/290939889759?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item43bd5e685f

You can also buy them singly.

Is the connection between the unit and the speakers micro usb ?.

[atassiedevil]

No, it isn't...it's a weird usb type you don't see too often, like microusb, but smaller.
I figure for the cost if one gets broken, fine...cheap enough to replace.

[littleoldman2]

Pity I was hoping to use it with normal in ear phones for better sound.

[atassiedevil]

You could cut off the cables and build an interface cable with a couple of inline jacks, and a proper headphone socket to separate out the mic(s) and earpieces, i have seen people do this.

I wont be doing that til they're out of warranty.

[apchara]

I use the cheap ebay £64 a pair ones, no complaints so far. Pair with 2 devices, either another set, your phone, or satnav and switching between both is fine.
Was going to go the integrated route, but it wasn't on the right part of the cost/vs benefit curve.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Sets-800M-Interphone-Bluetooth-Motorbike-Motorcycle-Helmet-Intercom-Headset-/290939889759?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item43bd5e685f

You can also buy them singly.

well impressed with mine its almost a year old and going good, FANTASTIC VALUE FOR MONEY
my only issues are, its quiet on calls so hard to hear when being spoke too, sound quality is good for what it is but distorts very very easily

also if you dont use the original chargin lead it FRIES the left channel, so beware of this as i had my first unit replaced

[apchara]

Is the connection between the unit and the speakers micro usb ?.

ill be de soldering the original speakers and using some old sony over ear headphones, will let you know how it goes as a fair bit of the time its the sound output that distorts, i usually turn my BT device up and my phone down 1 or 2 clicks