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Best bluetooth headset for helmets?

weak_link

weak_link

Hugh Jasole
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Location
Brentwood
Moto(s)
Multistrada 1200S Touring, 1992 VRF 750f
Name
Eric
I just bought a Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Helmet com but it was doa out of the box. I had previously purchased one that seemed to work but would not pair with my phone so I returned it. Now I have a new phone I thought I'd try again and was a little bummed this unit is dead.

Is there a better option than the Sena units as I have not had a lot of luck with them. I want to be able to listen to music and make calls. What say you, Mighty Barf?
 
I cherish time on my bike. It's a viable excuse to be away from the phone and the texts and emails and Facebook and all the junk. I don't know why you'd want your phone ringing while riding! That said, I've seen some snazzy helmets with incorporated bluetooth
 
RossF4i said:
I cherish time on my bike. It's a viable excuse to be away from the phone and the texts and emails and Facebook and all the junk. I don't know why you'd want your phone ringing while riding! That said, I've seen some snazzy helmets with incorporated bluetooth
Click to expand...

The music is a big part. After 22 years of riding in silence I'm ready for some tunes (don't want to use earbuds), plus when I commute there are times when I'd like to catch up with friends or family since I'm an hour to and from work. It's a good way to take care of that stuff on the road so I don't have to cut into family time once I get home.

Anyway, reviews from experienced bluetooth helmet com system folks appreciated. :)
 
How easily can you talk on the phone while on the freeway? It seems like it would be really hard to hear each other, I probably need a better helmet though :D.
 
I'm really happy with my Sena SMH10, I mostly use it to listen to music but the phone feature works great, I can hear the person clear and they can hear me clear even at high speed. it's nice to just press the button and do a voice command and get time or to call someone or to play music.
 
The January 2013 issue of Motorcyclist did a review of 5 different models. Page 70.

They reviewed the following models...
Cardo Scala G9, Midland BT-Next, Sena SMH-10, Interphone F5 & Chatterbox X1 Slim.

Cardo Scala G9 ($289.95) Got 4 1/2 stars.
Midland BT-Next ($249.95) got 4 stars
Sena SMH-10 ($209) got 4 stars
Interphone F5 ($299.99) got 3 stars
Chatterbox X1 Slim ($349.99) got 2 stars
 
Wow That's tough I have been using my set of SMH10 for a long time and I even had to send them back because i bent a pin. then sent me a new set back. So don't give up on them they are the best sounding choice out there and they are easy to use. just giving my 2 cents.
 
m0t0_ryder said:
The January 2013 issue of Motorcyclist did a review of 5 different models. Page 70.

They reviewed the following models...
Cardo Scala G9, Midland BT-Next, Sena SMH-10, Interphone F5 & Chatterbox X1 Slim.

Cardo Scala G9 ($289.95) Got 4 1/2 stars.
Midland BT-Next ($249.95) got 4 stars
Sena SMH-10 ($209) got 4 stars
Interphone F5 ($299.99) got 3 stars
Chatterbox X1 Slim ($349.99) got 2 stars
Click to expand...

This is fantastic info, going to have to pick up a copy. Thanks!

TriumphSpeed3 said:
Wow That's tough I have been using my set of SMH10 for a long time and I even had to send them back because i bent a pin. then sent me a new set back. So don't give up on them they are the best sounding choice out there and they are easy to use. just giving my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

That's what I've been told, thanks for the info. :)
 
I have a Scala Q2 Pro. Highly recommended. Pairing can be a bit difficult at times, but 99% of my use (music and the occasional phone call–– usually outgoing to finish off directions to my friend's place, rarely incoming) is perfect.

Also, the rider/passenger communication makes riding WAY more tolerable for my girlfriend...
 
For bike-to-bike communication the current crop of Bluetooth sets aren't as good as the 49MHz Chatterbox I had 20 years ago. They are slower to connect, they don't do groups as well and the range is mediocre especially around corners. For music and phone calls it works, but for bike-to-bike they are a huge step backwards.
 
I'm a fan of my SMH10. They seem to be one of the best products on the market and have good customer service.
Bummer about it being DOA.
 
Agree - I love my SMH10 works perfectly. However, I only use it for rider communication and never have it on when riding solo.
 
I don't want to talk while riding but my phone is my office and some calls I can't miss. The radio is nice too.

Cardo's Scala Rider Solo works for me. Don't ride with others very much so talk between riders doesn't really matter to me and without that feature it doesn't cost as much. I've had mine for a couple of years and it works well.
 
I have been considering the SMH10 too but I have a pretty noisy helmet (Arai XD-3).
Wondering if the music will sound crappy specially if I need to crank up the volume to compete with the wind noise. Also, I have ears that stick out more than the average and I'm concerned about the comfort once the ear pads are installed.
 
I have a bell rs1 paired to a sena smh10 and it's one of the best units I've used. I can hear music while going 80mph easily and there still some volume left. The mic is pretty accurate too. I used the voice activated texting feature on my phone at 75mph last Friday (just to see how accurate it is). The only thing that came out wrong was high instead of i.
 
I got a pair of Sena smh10-11's a month ago, and installed it in my Shoei 1000. It's a huge plus to have music during my rides, and the easy comm between riders is cool too. It has decent range, over 1/2 mile in the deep gorge area of Palamares road. Further if no rock walls to go through.
They are real easy to use, and paired with my iPhone 3GS no prob. I run Spotify on my phone for the music. The install was fairly easy too.
The only negative I would say is the sound is a bit tinny. It makes the intercom easy to hear, but I would like a bit more bass for the music.
Overall I'm very happy with them.
 
Count me as another happy Sena SMH-10 user, I have used it for intercom on a 4 week trip, phone calls, and music and it never misses a beat and holds a charge even through the dawn-to-dusk days. My recommendation is find a helmet that has built in speaker pockets to ensure that the speakers don't press on your ears, I know most Bell models have this, even my "cheapie" Bell Vortex. I also usually switch to lower NRR rated earplugs when using the headset, something like the Surefire EP6 works well, blocks noise, and allows me to listen to the music without maxing the volume.
 
No problems at all with my SMH10. I use it for rider comms with my buddy, for music, and for the occasional phone call. Works flawlessly. I use custom-molded in-ear monitors with it, and the sound quality is excellent.
 
JPK said:
No problems at all with my SMH10. I use it for rider comms with my buddy, for music, and for the occasional phone call. Works flawlessly. I use custom-molded in-ear monitors with it, and the sound quality is excellent.
Click to expand...

You use custom-molded in-ear monitors with it? Could you explain please?
 
One of the accessories is an alternate mount that lets you use any earbuds in lieu of the speakers. I imagine he has custom earbuds attached to that accessory, at least that is the way I have always seen it done.
 
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