| Author | Message | ||
     Hdwrenchtx |
is anyone using a helmet with the built in bluetooth? i was thinking about getting something like that so I can listen to my iphone on long trips. any recommendations good/bad? | ||
| Froggy |
I got a Scala Rider Q2 unit that fits on most helmets, and I am very happy with it. It also has a microphone as it was designed for phone calls. I haven't tried it with music yet to see how it does, but for calls it works fantastic. I got it paired to a Garmin Zumo 550 GPS and a HTC Touch Pro Windows phone. | ||
| Hdwrenchtx |
is that a stereo setup? or just one ear piece with a microphone? i was thinking about one of the helmets with the built in bluetooth, but i dont know if they are any good. | ||
| Slypiranna |
Bad. We got enough cagers to deal with without 2 wheelers distracted as well. You need every sense and then those acquired and none work well herein...IMO | ||
| Hdwrenchtx |
thanks for the lecture. | ||
| Poppinsexz |
It's stereo. The wife and I both have them and they work great for calls. They can't tell your on a bike. The comms between riders works great also. The radio sucks and the Ipod plugin is not amplified, so music is kinda week at highway speeds. | ||
| Froggy |
It does have stereo speakers, but I don't think it supports A2DP which is the bluetooth over stereo, so it *may* be mono over both speakers. | ||
| Moosestang |
Am I going to be able to here it through my ear plugs?  How anyone rides without ear plugs is beyond me. | ||
| Crazyhawk99 |
I also have the Scala Q2 and love it. It does have a speaker for each ear, but I am pretty sure it isn't stereo. The sounds is ok with music, but not great. The radio doesn't just suck, it REALLY sucks! I would lean toward something removable such as the Q2 over a built in helmet system. Not only is it much cheaper, but if you have to replace your helmet (planned or unplanned), you can just switch the system to the new helmet. | ||
| Plumpton |
I have got one of these http://www.fatbiker.co.uk/2009/07/26/n-com-x-serie s-bluetooth-kit-review/ works very nicely. My pillion has a Nolan helmet with the same kit and we can chat all day long.... Music, gps, the lot.... | ||
| Jng1226 |
If you're mainly interested in listening to music, and talking on the phone is not a priority, you may want to simply consider noise-isolating earphones. There are a ton on the market such as these: http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/pd/produc tID.105432000 I have an earlier pair of these that actually came with a noise reduction rating (NRR) like hearing protectors do: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx You get the benefit of riding with earplugs (reduced wind/motor noise for hearing protection and improved concentration) with awesome stereo sound. NO Bluetooth anything will sound as good as these. I've had Motorola S9 headphones which come close but of course won't fit under a helmet. Plus you don't have to worry about keeping anything charged. They also make versions with in-line microphone for cell phone use, but it probably would sound like crap with the wind noise of a helmet. Moosestang has a good point, if I go for a long ride or will be on the highway at all I always wear earplugs. Hearing loss is cumulative and you can never natural hearing ability back. Rule of thumb is that if you have to raise your voice above a loud speaking voice to hear, you are likely in a hearing loss environment. Try talking to yourself out loud the next time you're doing 70 mph on the highway without earplugs. You'll likely have to yell to hear yourself, which means you're being subjected to over 90 dB which is causing permanent hearing damage... Jeff | ||
| Jdugger |
Best solution I've found... as good as noise reduction as any earplugs, and decent sound, too. http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx I use them with Foam inserts -- the silicon really hurt my ears. | ||
| Gas |
I guess I'm with slypiranna. I ride with bluetooth equipped friends. So far no accidents, but they worry me when I see them distracted. I listen for engine noises and other vehicles when riding, and I don't use the cell when I'm caging it either. If you feel you can multitask safely, go ahead and ride with the distractions, and good luck. I will remain unplugged. (Turn on the flamethrowers.) | ||
| Kirb |
You need something that supports A2DP in order to listen to music. My scala Q2 isn't A2DP and will only link to my Samsung Saga as a headset for phone use (works great), but not for music. The Zumo550 will play music through the mono bluetooth, but it really sucks on quality as it down converts to make it work. I plug my Q2 directly into my Zumo for music (stereo) and use the intercom and bluetooth for other things. This doesn't get away from the wires, but it sounds good at least. Later model Q2s have the wired cord for MP3 player use. I would love a quality helmet to have integrated bluetooth, but none have come close to the features of aftermarket units yet. I usually only buy Arai's, so I doubt I will see bluetooth on those any time soon. I think there is a scala unit that will support A2DP out now (or soon) which could be your answer. I never use the Q2's FM radio as it is a pain to operate, but it could be used with an FM modulator. I like my current set up. We'll see if anything new comes out in the next few years to upgrade to. Kirb | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'm with you Gas. I got a Drummer so I can hear my motor while I ride. The music I listen to is V-Twin rumble and the wind. That is me tho... Y'all enjoy the ride, however you do it. Z | ||
| Darkitekt |
I have to agree with the unconnected folks. I will fill the extra space in my brain (and there is loads of extra space) with the sounds of the bike, the road and the other stuff around me. I have no reason to believe that listening to music or taking a call will do anything other than distract me from the experience I originally got on the bike for. -Tod | ||
| Andella |
I have a Camos Bluetooth setup in my helmet. It is great. Unlike wearing headphones, the in-helmet setup allows other noises in, so it does not disrupt you from what is going on around you. It is A2DP and in full stereo. I use it with my Samsung MP3 player and cell phone with no problems at all. Nothing but good things to say about it. Battery life is excellent as well. | ||
| Hdwrenchtx |
Thanks. I'll check it out | ||
| Vtpeg |
I had an Dainese Airstream. Worked well for the phone, I don't know about music. It had the added bonus of absorbing asphalt well! | ||
| Jng1226 |
Vtpeg - I also have a Dainese Airstream, albeit not the Bluetooth one. I love the helmet, it's the quietest of all the ones I own (11 helmets including Arai Corsair, Shoei X-11, AGV GP-Tech, etc., kind of a fetish). Did you crash in it? If so, I am assuming you feel it did its job. I was loving my Dainese helmet until I just saw this independent British government testing report that rated it among the lowest performing. Check here to see if your helmet is included in the latest results: http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/results/?sort=ma nufacturer&dir=asc&manufacturer=0&type=0&rating=0& size=0&price=0 Jeff | ||
| Zac4mac |
I have a Nolan N-102C and a couple of N-100. Modulars, very light and comfy, a little noisy. The N-102C got 4 of 5 stars on the Sharp link. The N-100 was the first helmet I ever "liked" to wear. Z |
