Comms system recommendations
Discussion
As above-my OH is getting into riding as well as being pillion with me so we’re after a helmet mounted communication system which will allow us to talk when on separate bikes and also when she’s on the back of mine.
We don’t want to replace our helmets (an Arai & AGV) so something that works with both of these would be ideal.
We’re also habitual earplug wearers (Auritecs) so need something that works around those.
Fire away, chaps and chapesses!
We don’t want to replace our helmets (an Arai & AGV) so something that works with both of these would be ideal.
We’re also habitual earplug wearers (Auritecs) so need something that works around those.
Fire away, chaps and chapesses!
For a budget option, I can recommend the Fodsports M1-S unit - which cost me £94 for two units.
Speakers are quite beefy and have a surprisingly strong, full sound even with custom earplugs in. Relatively small clip that slots in at the base of your helmet to keep it in place, plus a sticky pad for extra security. Very easy to pair, both with multiple bluetooth devices and intercom to intercom. You can also charge it whilst using it - useful for long days when it's in constant use.
Clincher for me was the voice recognition, which works very well, across both Siri and Google Assistant and opens up an easy way to get the most from using a phone on the bike.
Speakers are quite beefy and have a surprisingly strong, full sound even with custom earplugs in. Relatively small clip that slots in at the base of your helmet to keep it in place, plus a sticky pad for extra security. Very easy to pair, both with multiple bluetooth devices and intercom to intercom. You can also charge it whilst using it - useful for long days when it's in constant use.
Clincher for me was the voice recognition, which works very well, across both Siri and Google Assistant and opens up an easy way to get the most from using a phone on the bike.
NITO said:
We have 4nr Sena 20S units, they were great and have been used many times in the rain with no failures.
To be fair it was a serious downpour, but that shouldn't be a problem. Not fit for purpose IMO. Compared to the Scalas they gave much more wind noise at speed. The Scalas are silent at 90mph and you can still hold a conversation. shunt said:
NITO said:
We have 4nr Sena 20S units, they were great and have been used many times in the rain with no failures.
To be fair it was a serious downpour, but that shouldn't be a problem. Not fit for purpose IMO. Compared to the Scalas they gave much more wind noise at speed. The Scalas are silent at 90mph and you can still hold a conversation. Largely academic though, because the Sena Bluetooth chat is bloody atrocious. I just use mine for music because talking with other bikes via BT is basically unusable.
fergus said:
Any feedback on the Sena (20s) system would be great as I'm thinking of buying one this weekend. Can you pair with an intercom which is from a different manufacturer than your own intercom with any of these systems?
I used mine for the first time as an intercom on a week away with the Old Gits and it was pretty flawless. Connecting to other intercoms was clunky but if you have two of the same it was pretty straightforward. Battery life is good (lasted the whole day with no issue) and I used it commuting into London through some biblical downpours with no issue.But the pairing to another manufacturer will take some patience!
We had Sena 20s Evo's and they were 'ok' when there was up to 3 units paired together. More than 3 and they were absolute sh*t. Sena didn't want to know.
This year we bought Cardo Packtalk bold units. We ran 5 units and they worked brilliantly. no interference, nothing. I don't think any of the intercoms on the market have the bike to bike range that the makers claim but the Packtalk seem to be pretty good, each unit works as a relay station to the next unit. The voice commands are a bit hit and miss (you have to use an American accent, honestly!) but it wasn't a problem once paired they just worked. I use moulded plugs with speakers in and they plug in to a 3.5mm jack socket.
Regards, Doggydog.
This year we bought Cardo Packtalk bold units. We ran 5 units and they worked brilliantly. no interference, nothing. I don't think any of the intercoms on the market have the bike to bike range that the makers claim but the Packtalk seem to be pretty good, each unit works as a relay station to the next unit. The voice commands are a bit hit and miss (you have to use an American accent, honestly!) but it wasn't a problem once paired they just worked. I use moulded plugs with speakers in and they plug in to a 3.5mm jack socket.
Regards, Doggydog.
king time I turn my head left it presses a buttons on my shoulder and does something stupid. We used the Cardo Scala Pack-Talk kit to connect a number of the Old Gits on the recent trip to the Dolomites. It all worked very well, was easy to set-up/connect new people etc. and did the job we wanted. Like all of the other systems also based on Bluetooth, it has range limits for bike-to-bike comms but that just adds to the excitement of trying to "drop" the other riders on the twisties. 
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