What's the Latest Thing for In-Helmet Commo/Phone/Whatever?

[timebak]

When I bought my 2016 S10 in September, I also bought a Schuberth C3 Pro helmet, and in the box was a brochure for the Sena SC10U unit for bike-to-bike commo/phone/navigation/music/cleaning the windshield/and finding great BBQ joints. But the SC10U system is now 5 year old technology. BUT, I'd be perfectly happy with the SC10U if it's still a viable and supported product. Is there something available now that's better than the SC10U? (And I know that depends on whatever the definition of "better" may be.)

Thanks in advance,
Tim

 

[WJBertrand]

Seems like most folks have moved to some sort of bluetooth mesh communicator and away from Autocom/Starcom1 hard wired systems. The leaders in the field seem to be Cardo and Sena, the latest products are the Packtalk Bold and 50S series respectively. Which brand and model you choose might be influenced more by what your riding pals are using and your budget than anything else. I've had pretty good luck with my Packtalk, but my experience in general is that these BT systems are a bit more fiddly and glitchy than the old hardwired systems that seem to be loosing favor these days.

 

[moto.monk]

I use packtalk bold and it's a changer plus the speakers are much better. Most of my buddy's made the switch to cardo. I had my last Sean take a dumb after 6 month's.

 

[Don T]

I've been using Sena U10 for more than a year now. Works like a charm. Love the remote control on the handlebar.

Sound is not as good as with the Interphone F5MC (with pro speakers upgrade) I used previously, but still provide quality sound.
- so even if Sena U10 is a generation or two newer than the intercom it replaced, it didn't perform better...

 

[Kyle_E]

If you ride with friends, buy what they use so everything works together.

If you only want it for calls/music the cheap cardo is the way to go. If you are going to use it for rider to rider stuff the more expensive one has better connection options. I have a Sena 20s evo and would buy it again but the reviews all come down on the side of Cardo nowadays.

 

[Sierra1]

I still use the Sena 20s also. Works good enough. I don't like the fact that if you have more than two people on it, the mic goes to "open all the time".

 

[WJBertrand]

the reviews all come down on the side of Cardo nowadays.

That's what I was told by our resident expert who's used both Cardo and Sena, so our group ended up with the Cardos and their Dynamic Mesh network, which works quite well. No complaints except the variable music volume when there's a mesh connection. Riding by myself, volume remains consistent.

 

[Cycledude]

I happen to use a Sena 20s EVO, it works ok but any time you want to ride with a new rider you have to pair the headsets and if the other rider has a different brand good luck getting it to work. And then the next day someone forgot to charge the battery overnight so the headset won’t work very long, my opinion all this Bluetooth crap has way to many issues. I highly prefer the corded headset on my Goldwing but even the new 2018+ Goldwings have switched to this Bluetooth crap, I suppose in a few more years the newer units might start being less problematic.

 

[Kyle_E]

And then the next day someone forgot to charge the battery overnight ....

FYI incase you didn't know, they will work while charging. I never charge mine off the bike, I just keep USB cord that is long enough to reach from my socket to my helmet. The plug is recessed so took some trial and error finding a plug that didn't have a thick end on it. Not something you are going to plug in while rolling as you will need to take a glove off to hit that small ass socket.

 

[JJTJ2]

I have the Cardo Packtalk Slim. The main unit is on the side of your helmet and the battery is on the back. Big buttons so they are easy to find with gloves on. It works really well and was easy to set up.

 

[elricfate]

I came from a Sena to a Cardo. Packtalk Bold JBL is one of the better ones (speakers are quite good), and I would refer anyone to them. The bluetooth mesh intercom system is hard to beat and Sena still doesn't offer it.

The biggest problem is that while they say they're universal, technically speaking, they absolutely are not in practical usage. Sena and Cardo don't want to talk to each other, or really any other brand, without jumping through hoops and sacrificing a bucket of chicken to Jobu

 

[s.ga.rider]

I have the 20 evo.. It works well as long as youre riding alone or 1 other person. Trying to connect 3 is always a pain.