Bike Comms

[O.C.]

I know this has been covered before, maybe many times over, but whats the current thinking of you chaps and lass on here in respect of bike communications, as the units available are constantly upgrading/improving ?

I'm thinking of replacing my Starcom digital with a bluetooth system, basically because Gill and I don't tour on the bike any more and a wireless system would be more suitable for our needfs

I've kinda narrowed my search down to the following, and was wondering what recommendations you lot may have.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cardo-Scala-Rider-Q1-Teamset-Motorcycle-Intercom-Complete-Set-UK-Seller-/230998715089?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item35c898aad1

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SENA-SMH5-DUAL-PACK-BLUETOOTH-INTERCOM-AND-HEADSET-FOR-MOTORCYCLE-RIDERS-NEW-/300948273254?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4611ea3866

or this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Cardo-Scala-Rider-G9-Powerset-Motorcycle-Intercom-Bike-Communication-GPS-/161058966946?pt=UK_CE_GPS_Accessories_Software_ET&hash=item257fdccda2

Personally I like the look of the SENA SMH 5, but wonder if anyone has experience of this system, as I'm a bit concerned about the available volume and the Jog dial facility

[Lonewolf]

I'm told the Interphone stuff is good, although I've never personally used it a guy at work on his ZZR uses it with his lass and swears by it.


[font=.HelveticaNeueUI]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Interphone-F5XT-Twin-Pack-Intercom-Bluetooth-3-0-Helmet-Headset-once-used-/281150537066?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4175e0bd6a[/font]

[Silverback]

OC,

I have just bought the Sena SMH-10 dual pack, which i have to say. my wife and I are very happy with. Volume is supreb, the quality is excellent, and the controls(just the jog dial, and one button) can easily be operated with gloves on. I believe there are some slight differences between the SMH-5 and the SMH-10, but they are faily minor, and if you only want it for rider to pillion, think the 5 will be fine.

I like the fact you have the option for either voice activation of the intercom, or you just push the jog dial once, andaway you go. It's so easy, I have the voice activation switched off

Clive

[O.C.]

Thanks very much for that, I was concerned about the Jog Dial but from what you say it seems that its very easy to operate.

Basically from what I can gather the difference between the 5 & 10 is that the 10 allows more riders in a group to converse with each other, which is a feature that wouldn't be of any use to us

I've now watched a couple of YouTube clips about these comms set ups and they do seem to have come a long way since the early days

Thanks Steve for the nod about the F5XT.

I'm still studying the market to see which is the best unit before making any decisions, so if anyone else has any advice to offer it will be much appreciated 

[Lonewolf]

Did you not have autocom on the GTR?

[Silverback]

OC,

I bought the Sena due to an ad hoc test I saw some months back in either Ride or Bike magazine, which rated it quite highly.

Clive

[shaggs147]

Hi OC I have the smh10, but the slightly older one that cannot be updated by flash software. Very easy to use, and love the jog dial when listening to music. I only really use mine to listen to my music or sat nav via the phone. The only problem I found was that I couldn't hear the music very well above motorway speeds. l don't think that this is a problem with the unit or the speakers as they're loud as hell if you're sitting still with the music on. I put it down to my lid being a little noisy along with usual buffeting complaints from the screen. I use mine with ear buds now which has solved the problem. I did take a call on it a few weeks ago and was crystal clear at 40mph.

[O.C.]

Did you not have autocom on the GTR?

I had Starcom Digital which is now on the V1K, but think that a Bluetooth set up would be more suitable these days 

[Darren33]

I have the 2012 model SENA SMH10 and am very happy indeed. Never tried any other so dont know how it would stack up against them.

I would buy another for sure.

Daz

[Kwikasfuki]

Sena SMH10 is brilliant.

[trousersnake01]

I have the scarla pro Q2, its a fantastic device, loud, lasts a long time on the battery, connects two blue tooth devices plus a third back to back headset for up to 1000m VOX chat, but that probably means a couple of hundred meters.

It also has a built in radio.

I use it to connect my Garmin too, I connect my phone to my Garmin. I can hold phone calls at 70, and people don't realise your on a bike. My music plays off the Garmin. I wear foam earplugs and still have to turn the volume down.

I love it, wouldn't be without it. Its so simple but professional, well made, easy to fit.

And they make long boring journeys that much more fun, and with a pillion on, you have quality communications between you.

[O.C.]

Thanks all for your info...keep the advice coming please as I'm still evaluating possibilities 

[trousersnake01]

I used to have a autocom which was also a great device but you have to run wires everywhere and I don't know where you would bury the box.

At least 15 guys at work use the Q2

[alibx11]

The only comms I get is a dig in the ribs or a tap on the shoulder if I'm lucky.

I go out on the bike for a bit of peace, if her indoors comes along she'd better just sit there and enjoy the view.

The thoughts of her chiming ... "look at this..", "isn't that house nice?", "your going too fast", "my bums numb", are all too distracting for my liking.

I enjoy the freedom and the peace on a bike.  So no speakers and mics for me.

[O.C.]

The only comms I get is a dig in the ribs or a tap on the shoulder if I'm lucky.

I go out on the bike for a bit of peace, if her indoors comes along she'd better just sit there and enjoy the view.

The thoughts of her chiming ... "look at this..", "isn't that house nice?", "your going too fast", "my bums numb", are all too distracting for my liking.

I enjoy the freedom and the peace on a bike.  So no speakers and mics for me.

nice on Ali.

So,  you need to move into a new house, slow down (if your were really going fast she probably wouldn't be able to speak anyway) and buy an Airhawk cushion 

I also like the fact that my Sat Nag is available to me when I'm riding alone.