Wired v Bloutooth Comms.

[GuzziRick]

Firstly I apologise if this topic has been done before but I could do with a bit of advice.
I'm new to the touring world as I've had mostly sports bikes in the past and never had Comms whilst riding. I have a 2010 RT (no audio) with Garmin 590LM wired in. Im getting a new helmet next month and I'm currently leaning toward the Schubert C3Pro. I would like to able to listen to the sat nav, a radio and use my phone. I very rarely take a pillion and I'm not that bothered about bike to bike.
I know Scuberth do the SRC system but it seams to get a bit of bad press particularly the radio!
Although Bluetooth appears to be the most convenient the quality and volume are the most important thing to me as I have slight loss of hearing in both ears. My daily commute is about 11/2 hrs each way so a radio every now and then would be welcome. Any advice / thoughts would be welcome.

[David.]

Although Bluetooth appears to be the most convenient the quality and volume are the most important thing to me as I have slight loss of hearing in both ears.

Unfortunately, my wife also has hearing loss, she struggled to hear speakers mounted within the helmet.

The solution was Plugzz, http://www.plugzz.co.uk/, they make custom ear protection & can provide in ear speakers with their products.

She uses the Nanocomms system, Nanocomm - Plugzz hard wired to an Autocom for helmet to helmet comms. & listening to the sat. nav.

[guest2360]

With no audio unit on your bike, if you want radio you will need to go Bluetooth . 

[Sleuth]

Also a consideration for lack of sound is the positioning of the speakers.  Small movements will have big impact on the ability to hear properly.

The plus side of Bluetooth is the lack of wires, however you are more or less limited in the volume department (also in the battery duration.)  As the Bluetooth intercom gets older so the battery becomes depleted that much quicker.

I have a Sena SMH10, and I found it to be very easy to use, connect etc.  I have also used a Card Scala Rider G4 which I did not get on with at all.  For me, it was not easy to use and there were always problems.  It spent more time at the shop than on the helmet.  (Caveat: some users have hated Sena, and loved Scala - and vice versa.)

A long time previously I had a non-wired Autocom system, which was perfect for chatting to the boss.

There are times I wish I had a wired option, however I am very happy with the Sena, and if the time came to replace - Sena would be my first choice for review.

My opinion would be to check the local dealers of Sena, Scala Rider as well as Autocom/Starcom and see if they can give a demonstration. 

Best regards
Sleuth

[David.]

Has anyone tried or got this Bluetooth Headset from Plugzz, Bluetooth Headset - Plugzz

[Sullivj]

No, although I am in the market for a new intercom.  Going to get the Cardo Packtalk Bold.

[David.]

Just remembered that Autocom do the 'air' Bluetooth Headset, Autocom | Bluetooth & Wired Helmet Communication Headsets

Might be an option without wires dangling about and in helmet speakers which I'm used to.

Anyone tried or got this Autocom system.

[simbo]

No, although I am in the market for a new intercom.  Going to get the Cardo Packtalk Bold.

Good choice, that's what we use.

[Steve398]

When I first moved to Bluetooth after many years on wired Autocom I checked out the Autocom Air system. I read several reviews and also spoke to an Autocom technician who essentially told me to avoid it because it was a re-badged poor piece of equipment.


I therefore went onto Sena used in combination with a Tomtom and my iphone on a Honda ST1300 Pan. Great reception and transmission, it was both light, very easy to use, and fitted well in my Arai helmet. Battery life was good and I frequently used it for a full 8 hours on tour.


I then swapped the Pan for a 2018 RT complete with a fitted Garmin and the combination produced a problem. The Garmin didn’t want to connect with the Sena and would frequently drop out.
Despite Helmet City resetting the whole system it was still a pain, with the Garmin either declining to connect or dropping out if I spoke with my passenger. Bearing in mind that I didn’t have these problems with a Tomtom I swapped back to a TT and the problem disappeared.


Conclusion - For me (and I also suffer from partial hearing loss) the Sena worked beautifully, but only with a Tomtom not the Garmin. As a further indication, a Pan riding friend also has the same problem with his Garmin/Sena combination but comms between the two of us were crystal clear up to 80mph.

[David.]

My first experience with wired comms. was an Autocom Active Plus for rider to pillion helmet communication, it worked just fine.

The first sat. nav. was a Garmin Zumo 220 which used Bluetooth via an Autocom BTM-02A module but still hard wired to the helmet headset. The volume output for navigation prompts was poor. Probably a combination of both the sat. nav. and Autocom base unit.

Decided to upgrade both the sat. nav. and Autocom unit. Barrie Robson (BMW Dealer) were great, they gave a full refund of the Zumo 220 and BTM-02A against a replacement Zumo 660 and Autocom Logic base unit. I wear Plugzz hearing protection, with the Logic volume at 100% and the Zumo 660 at 70% the volume output is just fine.

Whilst the Autocom is working, spares are available and support if necessary, I'll probably stay with the hardwired system. Everything is bike powered, no messing about having to charge headset batteries or pairing Bluetooth devices.

I no longer need rider to pillion and I'm not interested in bike to bike comms. or taking phone calls on the move etc., means I don't need a mic. with the headset.