To Blue(tooth) or not to Blue?

[adventurelounger]

That is the question.

I just ordered a new Nolan helmet to replace my aging N-90. And I was more than tempted to take the plunge on an NComm Bluetooth system (or one of the alternates, like the Sena). I generally ride alone, but the idea of being able to take calls (even while stopped) without taking my helmet off (or slipping the iPhone up and wedging it against my ear) was kind of appealing.

I also recently hardwired a Zumo, which integrates with the iPhone via Bluetooth, and would let you "control" it. I don't really feel the need for audible directions, but thought it might come in handy from time to time...

Finally, while I've never listened to music while riding, that seemed appealing/interesting, too.

Then I zagged the OTHER way, saying to myself, "Self, you're better off concentrating on riding than listening or chatting...it's an indulgence and a potential distraction. And if you ever want to listen to music, just use the goddamned earbuds from your iPhone!"

But other Self shot back, "yeah, but wires...pockets...that'd be like having your head on a tetherball pole. Bluetooth, dude! That's the whole point!"

Anti-Blue Self retorted, "Fine. Go ahead and get the damn thing. Just remember all the bitching you read about Mac/iPhone non-integration, especially with the Nolan unit. Don't say I didn't tell you so!"

Grrrrr. Should I have added something Blue to the Revzilla cart? To Bluetooth, or not to Bluetooth?

 

[yamabob]

I love my Sena SMH10! I like listening to music mostly, but it is nice to be able to take the occasional call. And there's no more wires going to an Ipod or earbuds. I can't go back now.

 

[offcamber]

+1 on the Sena....Nice thing is it can be moved from one helmet to the next where the NComm is dedicated to Nolan helmets. I use mine primarily for music but on long trips I feed my GPS into it and I use the phone functions on occasion. I don't find it distracts me at all. I do turn the music down or off when in congested areas so as to hear surrounding noise better.

 

[RandG]

Just out of interest, how do you stop your music if you wish to talk to a fellow rider if you pull up at lights for example ?

 

[frez]

I use a Cardo Scala G4 Bluetooth with speakers mounted in the helmet ear recesses. I will listen to FM radio (reception is not great), tunes on my iphone, or instructions from my TomTom navigation unit. Other than to test it out when I first got it I don't use it to take or make phone calls. I generally don't talk to other riders at lights as I use ear plugs to reduce wind noise and save my hearing, but on occasion I would simply turn it off or turn the music volume right down. My journeys are around 50:50 with and without music, as the mood takes me.

 

[True Grip]

I vote Bluetooth. I hate earbuds. Bluetooth has never been a distraction to me but has enhanced my riding pleasure. I love music in my helmet and take the occasional call, so convienent. A couple of Led Zepplin albums and you've crossed the plains. I stream from my iphone mounted in an Xgrip on my handlebars.

 

[Karson]

Just out of interest, how do you stop your music if you wish to talk to a fellow rider if you pull up at lights for example ?

Rotate the jog dial to turn the volume down, or hold the jog dial down for 1 sec to pause.

I keep this in my tail bag.

The cool thing about the Senas is that you can intercom with the other slow to adopt new tech BT headsets out there.

Other than being water resistant, not waterproof, it's leaps and bounds better than the interphone and scala I've had and long sold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[bumbutter]

Have the Nolan 104 with the N-Com B4 Plus Bluetooth. Absolutely love it, couldn't imagine not having it now.
Ron

 

[fredz43]

Just out of interest, how do you stop your music if you wish to talk to a fellow rider if you pull up at lights for example ?

I have the Cardo Scalarider G9 which has voice control. I just say "music off" and the nice lady in my G9 repeats, "music off" and it is done. I also listen to my Sirius satellite radio from time to time. It has a FM transmitter built in, so I tune one of the 6 FM stations in the G9 to the output of my sat radio. If I want to listen to that instead of the MP3 in my Zumo, I say "radio on" and the nice lady repeats "radio on" and switches to the Sirius.

 

[hojo in sc]

Another one for the Sena, and I have several friends that jumped on board as well, so when we ride, we can 'pair up'. Last month there were 4 of us riding with our Sena's, this turned out to be a GREAT ride. Plus, if need to answer the phone, no problem. I have a Zumo with XM, I love my music too!

 

[MarkM]

Get the Bluetooth. I have a Sena headset and the helmet speakers work great, right through earplugs. For riding two-up, the intercom has been a huge benefit. I also like listening to music from my Nexus phone. I've never used it with other riders, but that would be another huge benefit. It's so easy to use I turn it on pretty much every time I ride. If I had wires to mess with, I doubt I would do that.

 

[clint64]

I have a Sena and love it. I vote go for it.

 

[s-flow]

I think I might get one of these systems, for example the Sena SMH10 or the more expensive S20, does anyone knows if it fits in my
Shoei GT Air fullface helmet or are these for open or flip-up helmets?

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[Little Legs]

Dont do it!
I love to go out on my bike and forget about the unimportant things in life like phones. Its one of the only times that I feel that I can really relax, and hey if i really want to get hold of someone I can stop and ring them.

 

[RandG]

I think I might get one of these systems, for example the Sena SMH10 or the more expensive S20, does anyone knows if it fits in my
Shoei GT Air fullface helmet or are these for open or flip-up helmets?

Thanks,
Daniel

The gt air has removable pads for bluetooth speakers to fit in to does it not ?

 

[jaeger22]

I think I might get one of these systems, for example the Sena SMH10 or the more expensive S20, does anyone knows if it fits in my
Shoei GT Air fullface helmet or are these for open or flip-up helmets?

The gt air has removable pads for bluetooth speakers to fit in to does it not ?

I have a GT air and the Sena SMH10. The work very well together. And yes, removable pads for the speakers.
I have done a LOT of experimenting to get to my current solution. Music is nice and will work with almost any Sena set up. But audio books are much harder because you have to hear and understand every word to enjoy the book. I do a lot of long distance runs (on my 5th coast to coast and back now) and I really enjoy lessening to books on these long days on the road. But I need to reduce the wind noise to save what hearing I have left. So I first used Sena SMH10 with speakers and ear plugs. With the volume all the way up, I could just hear and understand the audio books over the plugs but sometimes the angle of the wind made it louder and I missed words. Music was fine. So I tried an ear plug base for the Sena and noise isolation ear buds. Better audio but not enough wind noise reduction. Just before this trip I broke down and got a set of Bose noise cancellation ear buds and plugged them. Haven! They reduce the wind and background to about what you hear in a car. You can still hear everything just not loud. And the audio is Cristal clear.
John

 

[s-flow]

The gt air has removable pads for bluetooth speakers to fit in to does it not ?

Thanks, I was a bit quick to post here. After reading the FAQ's at Sena I see fullface helmets is no problem and yes my
Shoei seems to have removable pads.
Also there is several microphone options for these systems that seems to be good.


That will probably settle it!



EDIT:
I just noticed the reply above.

Thanks lots for the additional information Jaeger22!! Sems to be valueble experiences. Ill be looking into that for sure

 

[BravoBravo]

I have the Cardo Scala Q3 system, and love it. As Dr. Sheldon Cooper said on "The Big Bang Theory," everything is better with Bluetooth!

Bruce

 

[Spider]

I've had my Sena SMH10 for several years, since it first came out, and it is terrific. I've used it in three different helmets. Until a recent 3,500 mile trip, I only used it for a cellphone connection, as I don't like any distractions when I'm on fun roads. But I just got back from a 3,500 trip with some long dull stretches and having XM radio (Zumo 665) on the boring bits was well worth it.

 

[Sckill]

I just installed dual Sena SMH10R headsets on my helmet and my fiance's helmet a week ago. We both have Shoei Neotecs. I think it has been more beneficial for my passenger than me. Now she can wear earplugs to block out wind noise and still listen to music at the same time. The intercom part is a distraction for me, but is good for her to help her stay alert and entertained on the back of the bike if we're on a long ride together. My real benefit is getting turn by turn directions from the GPS without having to look down at the screen.