Bluetooth helmet speakers

[NighthawkVTX]

I was thinking of getting a set of bluetooth speakers for my helmet. Any suggestions or stay away froms?
Thanks

[DGS65]

I'm very happy with my Sena setup!  Not only are they speaker for music and phone but I use them as a wireless intercom to a passenger or other riders.  Not cheap but I have no regrets.
I bought last years model at a big discount!

[WoodyFL]

+1 on the Sena. I have the 20S and love it!

[F6Dave]

The Sena is much better than the old Cardo Scala unit I had.  You can't go wrong with any of their headsets.  Even their bargain SMH5 works very well.  For only about $100, it has all the BT phone and music streaming features, as well as a universal intercom that connects with other brands.

[scooperhsd]

Another +1 on the Sena setup. It can also let you talk on your Bluetooth phone if you're so inclined (I only ever take calls, only short "I'll call you later" calls).

[Serk]

Sena 20s.

Only major negative I've come across is that the battery, if it fails, is not replaceable. I managed to squeak a warranty replacement of both of my units just before the warranty expired and they did eventually make good and give me an entire new set.

(Actually, if you search around, the battery IS replaceable, but it's not a simple task or for the feint of heart.)

But overall, I love mine, and would purchase them again in a heartbeat.

If you're getting it mainly for just one or two bike to bike comms and the music/phone then don't bother with the 30k, the main advantage it has over the 20s is the large mesh bike communication ability.

[robin]

Sena 20s.

Only major negative I've come across is that the battery, if it fails, is not replaceable. I managed to squeak a warranty replacement of both of my units just before the warranty expired and they did eventually make good and give me an entire new set.

(Actually, if you search around, the battery IS replaceable, but it's not a simple task or for the feint of heart.)

But overall, I love mine, and would purchase them again in a heartbeat.

If you're getting it mainly for just one or two bike to bike comms and the music/phone then don't bother with the 30k, the main advantage it has over the 20s is the large mesh bike communication ability.

Actually if you just want to talk to your passenger,phone,music you only need the Sena 10s i have them and they work great for less money than the 20's

[Avanti]

Can these be charged (20s or 30s) while they are in use?

[Serk]

Can these be charged (20s or 30s) while they are in use?

I haven't tried, it'd be kinda awkward with a cable hanging from the side of your helmet.

What I do is bring one of those portable phone recharging batteries, and at rest stops, lunch stops, fuel stops etc I pop the unit on the battery to charge up. Usually works for me, up to about a 700 mile day so far using it.

[Beardo]

Can these be charged (20s or 30s) while they are in use?

Yes. I have the 20s EVO. On a few 8+ hour days, mine has died. I carry a pocket sized battery pack in my jacket and a shorter cord to charge while still use it.

[Avanti]

Can these be charged (20s or 30s) while they are in use?

I haven't tried, it'd be kinda awkward with a cable hanging from the side of your helmet.

What I do is bring one of those portable phone recharging batteries, and at rest stops, lunch stops, fuel stops etc I pop the unit on the battery to charge up. Usually works for me, up to about a 700 mile day so far using it.

I ride and camp for a week or more at a time, so seeing a power outlet is rare.

[Avanti]

Can these be charged (20s or 30s) while they are in use?

Yes. I have the 20s EVO. On a few 8+ hour days, mine has died. I carry a pocket sized battery pack in my jacket and a shorter cord to charge while still use it.

So I would assume I can charge the Sena while ridding plugged into the proper charger running off the motorcycle system, just like I do my GPS.

[Beardo]

Can these be charged (20s or 30s) while they are in use?

Yes. I have the 20s EVO. On a few 8+ hour days, mine has died. I carry a pocket sized battery pack in my jacket and a shorter cord to charge while still use it.

So I would assume I can charge the Sena while ridding plugged into the proper charger running off the motorcycle system, just like I do my GPS.

Yeah. Although, like Serk said, just shutting it off and/or charging it at stops should get you through most days.

What I’m worried about is how my battery will perform after our 5 months of winter here in the great white north. Wasn’t sure if I should leave it plugged all winter or not. Decided to plug it in, fully charge it, then leave it for a couple weeks, then plug it in again and repeat.

[Gryphon Rider]

Are you wanting intercom functionality, or just cell phone connection?  Maybe there is a good-value system out there without intercom, which should be less money than with intercom.

Regarding charging, my Scala Rider G9s work all day on a single charge, but can't be charged while riding.  If I'm camping, I have a dual USB power port wired from my bike battery to inside my saddlebag, and charge both communicators overnight.  I suppose I could charge them this way at a lunch stop as well, if I knew my riding day was going to be extra long.  I have an inline switch to stop the small current the port uses from discharging the bike's battery when the bike isn't being ridden for a few days/weeks/months.

[Avanti]

Are you wanting intercom functionality, or just cell phone connection?  Maybe there is a good-value system out there without intercom, which should be less money than with intercom.

Regarding charging, my Scala Rider G9s work all day on a single charge, but can't be charged while riding.  If I'm camping, I have a dual USB power port wired from my bike battery to inside my saddlebag, and charge both communicators overnight.  I suppose I could charge them this way at a lunch stop as well, if I knew my riding day was going to be extra long.  I have an inline switch to stop the small current the port uses from discharging the bike's battery when the bike isn't being ridden for a few days/weeks/months.

So the amps used to charge a unite must be quite small. Do you know how many milliamps it uses? Also a charger whether in use or not uses some amps, do not want to drain a battery in the middle of nowhere. I like the middle of nowhere.

[Gryphon Rider]

Are you wanting intercom functionality, or just cell phone connection?  Maybe there is a good-value system out there without intercom, which should be less money than with intercom.

Regarding charging, my Scala Rider G9s work all day on a single charge, but can't be charged while riding.  If I'm camping, I have a dual USB power port wired from my bike battery to inside my saddlebag, and charge both communicators overnight.  I suppose I could charge them this way at a lunch stop as well, if I knew my riding day was going to be extra long.  I have an inline switch to stop the small current the port uses from discharging the bike's battery when the bike isn't being ridden for a few days/weeks/months.

So the amps used to charge a unite must be quite small. Do you know how many milliamps it uses? Also a charger whether in use or not uses some amps, do not want to drain a battery in the middle of nowhere. I like the middle of nowhere.

The charging current depends on the charger.  A typical high-current USB port puts out 2.1-2.4A @ 5V (approx. 1A @ 12V feeding it) when charging.  A standard USB port produces more like 1.2A @5V (approx. 0.5A @ 12V feeding it) when being used.  The current they use with nothing plugged into them varies from device to device.  This good-quality one uses 1.7mA @ 12V, but cheaper ones will probably use more no-load current.

[Avanti]

Are you wanting intercom functionality, or just cell phone connection?  Maybe there is a good-value system out there without intercom, which should be less money than with intercom.

Regarding charging, my Scala Rider G9s work all day on a single charge, but can't be charged while riding.  If I'm camping, I have a dual USB power port wired from my bike battery to inside my saddlebag, and charge both communicators overnight.  I suppose I could charge them this way at a lunch stop as well, if I knew my riding day was going to be extra long.  I have an inline switch to stop the small current the port uses from discharging the bike's battery when the bike isn't being ridden for a few days/weeks/months.

So the amps used to charge a unite must be quite small. Do you know how many milliamps it uses? Also a charger whether in use or not uses some amps, do not want to drain a battery in the middle of nowhere. I like the middle of nowhere.

The charging current depends on the charger.  A typical high-current USB port puts out 2.1-2.4A @ 5V (approx. 1A @ 12V feeding it) when charging.  A standard USB port produces more like 1.2A @5V (approx. 0.5A @ 12V feeding it) when being used.  The current they use with nothing plugged into them varies from device to device.  This good-quality one uses 1.7mA @ 12V, but cheaper ones will probably use more no-load current.

Thank you

[msb]

Sena 20s.

Only major negative I've come across is that the battery, if it fails, is not replaceable. I managed to squeak a warranty replacement of both of my units just before the warranty expired and they did eventually make good and give me an entire new set.

(Actually, if you search around, the battery IS replaceable, but it's not a simple task or for the feint of heart.)

But overall, I love mine, and would purchase them again in a heartbeat.

If you're getting it mainly for just one or two bike to bike comms and the music/phone then don't bother with the 30k, the main advantage it has over the 20s is the large mesh bike communication ability.

Not sure about the 20's but for my my Sena 10's it was an easy task to replace the batteries. Both of our units' batteries lost most of their life right after the warranty ran out. Found higher capacity knockoff replacements on Amazon at a low price and they came with proper connectors for straight plug & play replacement (unlike the cut and solder routine shown on you tube videos that show how to replace standard replacement batteries). Package even came with the proper Trax screw driver to pull the units apart. Took about 3 minutes per unit , and now they have longer life than when they were new.

[baldo]

Sena 20s.

Only major negative I've come across is that the battery, if it fails, is not replaceable. I managed to squeak a warranty replacement of both of my units just before the warranty expired and they did eventually make good and give me an entire new set.

(Actually, if you search around, the battery IS replaceable, but it's not a simple task or for the feint of heart.)

But overall, I love mine, and would purchase them again in a heartbeat.

If you're getting it mainly for just one or two bike to bike comms and the music/phone then don't bother with the 30k, the main advantage it has over the 20s is the large mesh bike communication ability.

Not sure about the 20's but for my my Sena 10's it was an easy task to replace the batteries. Both of our units' batteries lost most of their life right after the warranty ran out. Found higher capacity knockoff replacements on Amazon at a low price and they came with proper connectors for straight plug & play replacement (unlike the cut and solder routine shown on you tube videos that show how to replace standard replacement batteries). Package even came with the proper Trax screw driver to pull the units apart. Took about 3 minutes per unit , and now they have longer life than when they were new.

Like quite a few others here, I have a 20S and just love it. I wasn't aware of problem replacing the battery. I'll have to look into that.

I can get a solid 8 - 10 hrs a day out of it before it needs to charged. I'll have to rig up a power pack charge rig to use while riding. Good idea.....

I've never tried to figure out the FM radio function. Does anyone use it?

[WoodyFL]

Baldo,
I use the FM function all the time when riding locally. Works great!. Beats the hell out of the I/S radio.

Bob