Bluetooth comm suggestions? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Bluetooth comm suggestions?

Fuzzbuster

Fuzzbuster

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Any suggestions for a good Bluetooth comm device? Never used one before. I have done a little research but find that I get bored of reading similar articles over and over. Looking for real user feedback and advice. Willing to buy a cheap one if that is the best option or go top of the line. Really I just want one that is going to work with no problems, good battery, easy to use with gloves, can be used for music, gps, phone and communication with one other user if needed.
 
Fuzzbuster said:
Any suggestions for a good Bluetooth comm device? Never used one before. I have done a little research but find that I get bored of reading similar articles over and over. Looking for real user feedback and advice. Willing to buy a cheap one if that is the best option or go top of the line. Really I just want one that is going to work with no problems, good battery, easy to use with gloves, can be used for music, gps, phone and communication with one other user if needed.
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Well they range from less than $100 budget models to the luxury $350 stuff.

My suggestion is, if you don’t care about the latest in rider to rider communication tech and just want something for music, navigation directions and occasional phone call, spring for a $75-100 on Amazon. Typically they will supply in helmet ear phones which…probably aren’t going to impress you. So be prepared to use your own 3.5mm option if that’s a factor.
 
This thread is current and may have some useful info.

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Communicators...again

School me on a few things. All i really need is the ability to recieve phone calls. After going thru previous threads, there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between $300 units and $100 units. Do they come with helmet speakers hardwired to them? When using different speakers or buds, are...
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I’ve had a bunch before including Sena and Cardo separate units but I’ll always get the built in one for the helmet I’m wearing if it’s available. So much more streamlined and if you place the in helmet speakers properly I can hear music perfectly even with earplugs in. Proper placement of the speakers is key and I’m talking mm here.
 
In my opinion the last generation of comm units is probably all anyone will need unless they are regularly using their comm unit with many other riders, and they all use the same system, either Sena or Cardo. The latest generation primarily provides a better mesh interlinking system that works better with larger groups over larger distances using each unit as a node.

At the last generation price point you get great comms usually with up to about 5 people, and decent speakers. Going with the budget units tends to lead to a few issues. Communication is more clunky and less compatible across the big brands. And sound quality on the included speakers is usually pretty non existent. Lastly I find the large rotary wheel on the Sena much easier to use than the tiny little buttons you can't feel with gloved fingers on the cheaper units. Cardo has the rocker switch instead which works similarly well to Sena's rotary wheel.

The main difference at similar price points between Sena and Cardo are the interface, I prefer the rotary dial on the Sena, but the Cardos are more weather resistant. So if you're a fair weather rider either should do. But if you are regularly riding in the rain, I'd go Cardo.

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How do i know which unit will work with my Pan Am? Or will any of them do the same thing?
 
Wingboy said:
How do i know which unit will work with my Pan Am? Or will any of them do the same thing?
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Bluetooth is the link between the bike to the headset. Most of the modern headsets support Bluetooth version 4.1 and higher. Pan America being a brand new motorcycle is probably capable of v5.0, but is completely backwards compatible.
 
Wingboy said:
How do i know which unit will work with my Pan Am? Or will any of them do the same thing?
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I guess Pan Am uses Bluetooth? Then any of them.

But it's Harley, they always do the things weird way, so it's better to check...
 
And here’s my recent thread…

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Moto communicator

Hey all, Went for a few rides recently and although I don't mind having headphones...they're a total pain in the *** to keep in the ears during helmet on/off and I'm considering buying some type of bluetooth to at the very least play music, and possibly catch some FM stations while riding...
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jc100 said:
I’ve had a bunch before including Sena and Cardo separate units but I’ll always get the built in one for the helmet I’m wearing if it’s available. So much more streamlined and if you place the in helmet speakers properly I can hear music perfectly even with earplugs in. Proper placement of the speakers is key and I’m talking mm here.
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Very big point here that mm difference in placement means a lot.


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Really happy with my Cardo Pactalk Bold - comes with JBL speakers which are quite good for a comms unit. I listen to music non-stop while riding with earplugs and can still hear my music at a decent level - not loud but with enough volume. At higher speeds with a shorty screen it becomes harder to hear, but that is to be expected due to the much higher wind noise.

I had a Scala G9 and before that a Sena 10s and before that a Scala Q2. On all of the previous ones, I kept forgetting which buttons did what or which way to turn the jog wheel, or the sound just sucked overall. The Pactalk Bold is super easy to use and much improved sound.

This is the thread I used to make my decision: Thinking about a Sena bluetooth
 
shanekingsley said:
with earplugs and can still hear my music at a decent level - not loud but with enough volume. At higher speeds with a shorty screen it becomes harder to hear, but that is to be expected due to the much higher wind noise.
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Very similar experience I have with my Sena SRL2.
MHY said:
Also the voice commands (hands free) work very well, another feature that is very useful.
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Sena does that too.
 
Fuzzbuster said:
I’m leaning towards the Cardo. Which model did you get?
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I have the Cardo slim and like it a lot - the only issue I have with it is trying to remember which buttons do what without taking off my helmet to have a look (and even then i still have issues at times!). I hardly ever have to change things, but sometimes my shoulder or something will hit a button, and the radio will start playing. It's happened a few times, but do you think I can figure out how to turn it off without googling the instruction manual and looking at the pocket guide every single time? NOPE!

Again, really like it - I just wish the menuing system was more intuitive.

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