Rider to Passenger intercom suggestions

[BF]

It's time to get something that will allow us to talk to each other while riding. 

I don't have a clue about person to person intercoms, and I've heard of a couple of the companies such as Scala and Chatterbox, but I don't know enough about these things to know what I'm looking at. 

I'd like something simple if possible that let's us talk to each other, but maybe also with a couple of nice to have features such as hearing turn by turn from a gps, and maybe even be able to take a cell phone call.   

We wear 1/2 helmets (HJC AC-2N's) and I'd much prefer something that will work with our 1/2 helmets.....however, I'm not opposed to something that will work on a 3/4 helmet such as an HJC CS-5 or CS-5N. 

[DarkSideR]

I like, and use the Chatterbox. They are wireless, and they are a great add on to any helmet. They will work with your phone via blue tooth. I can stream music, accept an incoming phone call, listen to my gps, and chat with my passenger, all with a click of a button (but not all at the same time).

They are a couple different models to choose from. Here is a link to get you started.

http://chatterboxusa.com/

[stage]

I can highly recommend the BT Interphone found on ebay. The wife and I have used these for over three years now and they still work great! They do what you want with bluetooth. We use them rider to rider and they have a good range, they claim 500 meters. We have the older style with the antenna sticking out front that is still available for around 90 bucks. The style with the antenna that sticks up leaks when in rains so that's why you can still get the older model. We leave them on all day connected to each other and they have never ran out of battery. I can get a call, it makes and beeping sound, and whoever calls never knows I am on the bike all without touching anything. We have full helmets now but used to use them with 3/4.

[salty1]

Good morning BF!  Sena has the SMH10 that just might be what your looking for. I'm using J&M stuff because I  want a CB radio in the mix too.

http://www.senabluetooth.com/

[Valkorado]

I can highly recommend the BT Interphone found on ebay.

+1.  I have the same model.  Got my set for around $75.  These are inexpensive generic Chinese units (probably about a third the cost of some others) but they work quite well.  We can use my bluetooth smartphone and wirelessly listen to MP3s and internet radio, take phone calls, hear GPS voice, etc.  The newer model has 1000 meter range.

Here is the older model, 500 meter range.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-BT-interphone-bluetooth-motorcycle-helmet-intercom-/110845581858?pt=Intercoms_Access_Controls&hash=item19cee95a22

[BF]

I like that those will mount to a 1/2 helmet.  Keep the suggustions comming.   



Anyone have experience with the Scala Rider TeamSet Pro? 

http://www.cardosystems.com/scala-rider

[JimC]

I have the scala system, blue tooth phone (or gps) and radio, they are good, the only thing I had to get used to is making some type of sound to start the mike up before talking.
Jim

[Squealy]

Anyone have experience with the Scala Rider TeamSet Pro? 

http://www.cardosystems.com/scala-rider

Yes, and I've upgraded to a Scala Rider G4,  I LOVE it.  Jabba and I both have them and we are a bike to bike communitators..... 

[ragincajun]

I've started looking at the UClear at Cycle Gear.  Saw it in their most recent ad.
http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Accessories/Electronics/Bike-to-Bike-Communication/brand/UCLEAR/HBC100-Moto-Bluetooth-Communicator/p/42536_00000

$30 off the first unit (for $149) and get the 2nd one for just $20 which they advertise as 60% off full price.

I also just bought a 3/4 helment from Bell that has the cutout for a bluetooth unit in the helmet so that's what got me looking.

[Jess from VA]

Knowing the spouse, I never wanted her to have a direct voice hookup to my head.

This always worked for me.

saturday night live - franco	powered by Aeva

[keepinon]

Try to find a person that will let you try theirs before you buy. I just bought the Sena SMH5 dual for phone & intercom. Using it in a 3/4 helmet with shield. Above 45 mph, I can't hear it worth a damn. I do have some loss of hearing, but went by the reviews that said it was plenty loud...  guess my loud has to be bigger than theirs.  

[JC]

I'm using the Scala Q2Pro with good results. I can bluetooth to my phone and still talk with the wife. It also has an FM radio built in.

[.]

I just bought a Scala Q2Pro but haven't had a chance to test it yet. I don't see a good way to install it in a half helmet so I've put it in my full face modular helmet (which I wear on the Valk anyway until I can get the wind turbulence issues taken care of-I can't have my glasses blowing off my face on the freeway  ). My girlfriend doesn't like her full face helmet when it's warm out so I'm going to get her a 3/4 to mount her unit in. Hopefully I can test them this week.

[BobB]

We are also looking for a wireless solution in a half helmet (Scorpion EXO-100).  We have used a StarCom1 for several years but they had issues and are outmoded today.  We have gone back to using the rapping on the helmet, nodding and shouting method.   

We also have requirements that, to my knowledge, the current BlueTooth units do not provide.  My SO is deft in one ear and has trouble hearing with the small in helmet speakers.  As such, we both want to use ear buds.  The StarCom1 gave us that capability.  Has anyone seen units where only the speakers jack into the helmet set and can therefore be replaced by a set of ear buds?  The mic would have to be separate. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Try to find a person that will let you try theirs before you buy. I just bought the Sena SMH5 dual for phone & intercom. Using it in a 3/4 helmet with shield. Above 45 mph, I can't hear it worth a damn. I do have some loss of hearing, but went by the reviews that said it was plenty loud...  guess my loud has to be bigger than theirs.  

This winter I happened to find a Scala Rider G9 Powerset second hand, and because sometimes I have my wife with me and sometimes my 11-year-old daughter with me, who each have their own helmets, I bought an extra speaker/microphone kit. I have found that it makes an HUGE difference how close the speaker is to the ear for how loud it is.  My wife tells me to stop yelling when I speak loudly enough to hear myself, while my daughter can only hear me well when we're putting along through residential neighborhoods.  My wife's helmet doesn't have speaker pockets, so her speakers are touching her ears.  My daughter's helmet has speaker pockets moulded into the styrofoam, placing the speakers 1/2" - 3/4" from her ears.  I'm going to put some padding between her speakers and the helmet to bring them flush with the surrounding padding.

[Trike2Go]

I have had a Scala set up for three years. At first we rode separate bikes. Now we have a trike. This is phone compatible a radio compatible. It is voice activated therefore hands free operation. It can also be connected to other riders who cary the same radios. We have been verey happy with it.

[whitestroke]

I've got the Chatterbox XBI It's to much work for me and volume has to be turned up to high at highway speeds.  I've only used it twice, will sell for $75. free shipping.  I ended up buying custom earplugs I like my quiet time!