Thread: SGWTK: What is your helmet music/sound/communicator solution?

I can't use the in-helmet speakers that came with the autocom set, much too uncomfortable. I'm going to call them today and ask if I need to get a different headset that excludes them or if I can cut them off - I'm opting for a hardwired set of foam-tip ear canal speakers, since they cut ambient by about 25 db if I don't want to listen to anything, and these particular ones (Westone UM-1) sound pretty good at low volume levels. I've been using them on the bicycle (with a rear-view mirror!) and they've been great.

I don't generally like to listen to anything when I'm out and about on the bike, I find it can disturb my concentration. I don't even like bike/pillion intercom as it can distract me too much. If someone phones me when I'm riding, they can wait until I've found somewhere to stop, and I'll them back. I like to be able to hear emergency vehicles before I can see them. That said, I don't really like having music on when I'm driving either, I prefer to listen to the engine. The only time I have music on on the bike/car is when I'm doing a 4 or 5 hour plus journey along motorways/freeways. Even then I keep it fairly quiet.

Chatterbox GMRS/X1 for communication, and now that I have a GPS with built in mp3 player, I have run an audio cord between the Chatterbox and GPS which work good.

Earplugs.

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

I can't use the in-helmet speakers that came with the autocom set, much too uncomfortable.

Dave,
I think you have an installation issue with the in helmet speakers, you should be able to get them to fit in or behind something to be comfortable. Might need to trim a little foam right where the ears are (wasn't an issue with my Arai because they already have pockets there) or slide them in behind the material. Which helmet and I can take a look to see how I would do it (have Arai, old Shoe, and Scorpion I can use for reference).


SSG,
I have and use the Autocom unit which works very well and automatically reduces music noise when talking/communicating. Works best with the PTT option, otherwise it automatically reduces the sound level if you happen to sing a long a little. I believe they are stereo. J&M and probably others make capable systems also. Built in intercoms using noise reducing microphones really help with the passenger communications.

I have a Bluetooth Dainese helmet and the Zumo.

The helmet mic is incredibly good, and used as a phone with the Zumo, it is a killer set-up. The fidelity of the speakers, and/or bandwidth of the BT is horrible for music. The plan was for she and I to get them, but "life" has intervened, and it's not likely we do much riding this summer.

I believe there is a new BT standard out that allows stereo playback, which I would strongly recommend checking out if you want tunes.

I might try a wired solution at some point.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I believe there is a new BT standard out that allows stereo playback, which I would strongly recommend checking out if you want tunes.

you mean A2DP?

Yes, that's it.

So I've been sneaking around the web and realized Cardo Scala may have just come up with my solution. Though I am hot on the trail of a decent Autocom unit, if Cardo plans on releasing these before the snow flies they may have a buyer...

Cardo Scala Rider G4 - RevZilla Motorsports

(No announcement from Cardo thus far, I just see it showing up 'backordered' in more stores).

Hmm, anyone ever use these guys:

Scala Rider CARDO G4 HEADSET

They are really catching on around here...they have a seriously cool feature set...

I got a chance to fiddle with them, and found the B2B a bit lacking...also, no PTT for B2B....

I have the Zumo 550, I can not stand Bluetooth for music, so I use a great pair of Isolation in Ear Headphones...

I sync my cell phone to my Zumo.... and I can see who is trying to call me.... My wife knows when I ride that she should call only if it is important.

I pull over and call or I can check my voicemail straight from the Zumo.

Chatting... hate it! I get on a bike so I do not have to listen to people.... including my passenger.

My wife and I have the greatest relationship while on motorcycle trips. I have my headphones with music, she has her IPOD and I do not have to listen to her whinning about work or the child or what I did not do. It is awesome.

We have a couple of hand gestures... bathroom, look here, take a picture, and pull over I want to do crude things with you (ok not that one).

Originally Posted by Baketech

They are really catching on around here...they have a seriously cool feature set...

I got a chance to fiddle with them, and found the B2B a bit lacking...also, no PTT for B2B....

I love my old ones (just the Scala Teamset) and their range is actually better than advertised IMO. The G4 looks to add quite a bit of B2B to the mix...mixable to 4 different units and they have an extendable antenna now for up to 1 mile range. I generally don't do the B2B thing but the G4 might change that if they get cheap enough.

Originally Posted by DEPO

I have the Zumo 550, I can not stand Bluetooth for music, so I use a great pair of Isolation in Ear Headphones...

I sync my cell phone to my Zumo.... and I can see who is trying to call me.... My wife knows when I ride that she should call only if it is important.

I pull over and call or I can check my voicemail straight from the Zumo.

Chatting... hate it! I get on a bike so I do not have to listen to people.... including my passenger.

My wife and I have the greatest relationship while on motorcycle trips. I have my headphones with music, she has her IPOD and I do not have to listen to her whinning about work or the child or what I did not do. It is awesome.

We have a couple of hand gestures... bathroom, look here, take a picture, and pull over I want to do crude things with you (ok not that one).

Dude if you were trying to do BT Music via bluetooth over the Zumo - that is why you hate BT Audio . First it is not A2DP, so you're basically getting high bitrate music, compressed for mono, then shoved into an 8khz 'land line call' quality signal pushed to your headset. It is awful!

Regular A2DP I have at home, with a couple pairs of Moto. & Logitech headphones and transmitters. Using BT 2.0 and the better data rates offered == awesome sound. The Zumo 660 == A2DP (figures the second time they get it right ).

I hear ya on the chatterboxishness, when (the wife and I) first got comms. we never shut the hell up. Now it's just listening to tunes for the most part and the occasional "sorry". But she has learned, before she used to say "sorry for what?" followed one second alter by obscenities. Now she says "sure you are" and I feel the grip on me get tighter. . I have a great wife

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

I love my old ones (just the Scala Teamset) and their range is actually better than advertised IMO. The G4 looks to add quite a bit of B2B to the mix...mixable to 4 different units and they have an extendable antenna now for up to 1 mile range.

Everywhere we seem to ride is thick with trees and hills, so we never realized anywhere near that range....it was fairly frustrating.

Personally, I like the units that use an auxillary FRS/GMRS radio...

Originally Posted by Baketech

Everywhere we seem to ride is thick with trees and hills, so we never realized anywhere near that range....it was fairly frustrating.

Personally, I like the units that use an auxillary FRS/GMRS radio...

I assume you're speaking of the Q2's only though?

The FRS is good for powerful through-anything communications, no doubt. The G4 units allegedly do a mile though..."allegedly". I know they don't use BT for that sort of range...so not sure what they are using.

The past gens did use BT which is why the range was somewhat spotty.



Cardo is ignoring my mail about when are their G4's shipping.



edit: I admit my primary purpose is audio and pillion comms over other bike chat. If B2B chat was my prinicpal concern and I didn't have much weight on anything else, the standalone FRS solution is a way to go - no question. Im almost considering getting one just so I can chat with you guys about the Scala (would it reach you from Boston? ). I guess it doesen't matter, I'll continue to spam both threads anyways

I'll bite... Is a Chatterbox not up to the task?

I have no idea what the G4 will use for B2B...integrated FRS ala Chatterbox maybe...

Still, with a claimed range of only 1 mile, I can't see them being functional for sport touring....maybe instructing a new rider, or other short range tasks...

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

I'll bite... Is a Chatterbox not up to the task?

They are functional...I used them for quite a few years, before upgrading. They'll mostly whet your appetite for a setup with noise cancelling and the like...

Only the XBi2 is sort of (it's just coming out as well), but the unit requires two separate BT sources if you want the passenger to hear music.
I have read the XBi1 is lousy to use with phones and the BT is a little bit fussy on that one, so I struck them both out.

The GMRS units that CB makes are nuts expensive, are more for B2B than I am requiring of, not to mention they've been using the exact same (huge) case design for what, 10 years?! The thing is huge.

I'm after A2DP/AVRCP + headset + handsfree profiles, so I can stick my GPS on my bike, flip a power switch, and go. I don't want to deal with plugging stuff in if it can be avoided. The radar will always have to be plugged in to something, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it


oh and...

...the Parrot SK4000 has a great handlebar remote but the thing looks unsightly and I think would last about 3 seconds stuck to the outside of my helmet. Looks like a scooter device.

...the Camos stuff is ok, but nuts pricey, sketchy availability, and a feature set that lacks a few key things (such as BT prioritization and the ability to have >1 BT device or the intercomm connected).

...Scala Q2 is cool, but the lack of A2DP as an available option kills it. I don't plan on doing the A2DP all the time, but I want the choice to.

Luckily I'm a late adopter and the wires don't bother me. I'm certain they'll get the BT stuff worked out well one day and I may consider upgrading then...

I hear ya, it's just that having a GPS that finally does A2DP but not having a decent headset to use with it = bummer.

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

Only the XBi2 is sort of (it's just coming out as well), but the unit requires two separate BT sources if you want the passenger to hear music.
I have read the XBi1 is lousy to use with phones and the BT is a little bit fussy on that one, so I struck them both out.

The GMRS units that CB makes are nuts expensive, are more for B2B than I am requiring of, not to mention they've been using the exact same (huge) case design for what, 10 years?! The thing is huge.

I'm after A2DP/AVRCP + headset + handsfree profiles, so I can stick my GPS on my bike, flip a power switch, and go. I don't want to deal with plugging stuff in if it can be avoided. The radar will always have to be plugged in to something, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it


oh and...

...the Parrot SK4000 has a great handlebar remote but the thing looks unsightly and I think would last about 3 seconds stuck to the outside of my helmet. Looks like a scooter device.

...the Camos stuff is ok, but nuts pricey, sketchy availability, and a feature set that lacks a few key things (such as BT prioritization and the ability to have >1 BT device or the intercomm connected).

...Scala Q2 is cool, but the lack of A2DP as an available option kills it. I don't plan on doing the A2DP all the time, but I want the choice to.

So the Scala G4, out in ~2 weeks allegedly - will remedy most of these issues.

Thanks GFJ

That is sort of the mode I follow now with my Zumo even though I do have full BT headset connectivity.


We will most likely get a set of Scala teamset Q2's for now, even though we have the originals, the new ones are full duplex which makes life much much easier

Though those new G4's are looking awesome...they are 225$ per helmet...yike!

Just got a smoking deal on an autocom active-plus duo slightly used...should be here later this week.

I might get to head out on a trip Friday.

What inexpensive, locally available headphones do you guys like? (I might try the Etys...kinda feeling cheap about this though, bit of a spurious purchase)

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I might get to head out on a trip Friday.

What inexpensive, locally available headphones do you guys like? (I might try the Etys...kinda feeling cheap about this though, bit of a spurious purchase)

Try Amazon - best prices around and fast shipping.

That would've required planning.

If I go, I'll be leaving at 0500 Friday.

LTL, no joke get the 20$ skullcandy Ink'd or the 40$ Skullcandy ASYM at Target, either is fairly respectable IMO for the purpose at hand.

The cheapest SC is better than the most expensive Sony's I've tried...and they stay in my ears better