Bluetooth Intercom System

[WingOEagle]

I've Looked & all I find on Intercoms is from back in 2018..

Surely Things have Changed since then?

So, Those of you that ride 2 up, or your spouse rides along side you on another bike.

What intercom headsets do you use?

I've looked @ the SENA brand (20S model) But wondering If I need to Look @ another?

Plus Pros & Cons

Could use on a Modular / Full Face /Half Helmet.

Thanks

[Zammy]

We had the WHIM module installed last year and bought the HD wireless headset for use with our 1/2 helmets, it's practically useless. The mics only come part way to your mouth and the audio is lousy, worst $ we have spent on our beloved trike since we bought it '15. Also you can't use the wired connection anymore with our full helmets with the module installed.

[hogcowboy]

I'm still back in caveman times nearly by using a CB/intercom. But I admit I'm beginning to wonder about the new generation of Sena type units with their ability to automatically pair or connect with other units, therefore giving more range. I just haven't bit the bullet. I don't really care for the unit hanging off the helmet like they do and wonder just how glove friendly they really are. I'm not even sure I could remember where the buttons are on the things. My J&M CB is right there in front of me and is extremely glove friendly. It's going to be hard to beat that but it's getting close to time I think.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I have no personal experience with these, but, I've read great reviews on the new Cardo Systems.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...ld-jbl-headset

[WingOEagle]

Thanks for Everyone's Comments.

So, Just wondering if Anyone Has Experience with the Sena or Cardo Units?

If its just my Wife & I the pairing to Multiple units wouldn't be needed but,

if there is Others in the group that I might meet then maybe...

None of the folks I normally ride with use anything other than the 1 Wire to bike. (GW model)

All the Harley Folks just Yell.

That's OK on the Short trips around local But on a Long Trip in Full Face,

I think some form of intercom would be Very useful.

[Halfnormal]

I have the Cardo 2+ unit. It allows me to talk to the wife and use the phone for music and calls. My wife and I can hear each other just fine over my loud pipes and wind noise. We are using them on full face Harley helmets. My Boom has Bluetooth but I am unable to pair the Cardo to it. From what I can find online is that HD uses a priority protocol so that you need to purchase their hardware. I can pair my Android phone to the Boom while connected to the Cardo but that is useless.

Why did I pick Cardo? My son has it so I did not do a lot of homework but I find it usable and easy to use once you understand how to work the controls. From what I have read since purchasing Cardo over Sena is that they both have their strengths and weaknesses. I did not understand that you need to have the units that will mesh with more units and thought that I would be able to communicate with my son since he had the Cardo. We both only have the 2+ so this is not an option. The battery life has been great.

That's my 2 cents.

[Marc H]

Things are evolving alot on these things and you are chasing a moving target.That said Sena offers the ability to either with a diffenr mount or an additional unit to also use your CB.You need to buy the higher end stuff say 20 and up for this ability.30 and 50 will give you mesh with the 50 being the newest.They also offer a mesh receiver to allow you to get mesh on non mesh units.The higher end models also connect to more people at once.Even though they claim to connect to other brands it severely limits range and is complicated.I hear the Cardo with the JBL speakers has the best music sound.Both have their pluses and minuses.The wife and I had Cardo Q2 Pro for years and worked good for the 2 of us and music over the phone.I have a 20s now and there is no comparison in the 2 but the 20 is about 5-7 yrs newer tech.Truthfully the only universal across all brands system for group rides at present is the CB.Old and new riders both use them.The others are growing in popularity and in time will probably pass the CB.My opinion is get a Sena with mesh capability and a freewire.The 50 is so new finding anyone with one that has used it will be tuff.The modern models can be charged while in use but the battery life is enough to get you through a days ride or more depending on your use.

[Pegasus1300]

I use the Sena SMH10 for my wife and I allows up to speak to each other listen to the same or different music or no music for one, the GPS answer phone calls, and even Bluetooth to a couple other bikers. Great unit, been using it 5 years on the Spyder

[hogcowboy]

Here's a question I've had all along with these Bluetooth devices that can connect to other units automagically. Can a Cardio connect to a Sena and vis versa or do they only connect to the same brand unit? With CB it's everyone, you just change channel if there is too much traffic. That question of connectivity of brand to brand is what has stopped me from going that route because I know they could not connect pne brand to another brand several years ago. So has that changed?

[WingOEagle]

Here's a question I've had all along with these Bluetooth devices that can connect to other units automagically. Can a Cardio connect to a Sena and vis versa or do they only connect to the same brand unit? With CB it's everyone, you just change channel if there is too much traffic. That question of connectivity of brand to brand is what has stopped me from going that route because I know they could not connect pne brand to another brand several years ago. So has that changed?

That's A Great Question & 1 I have not thought about.

The Main reason I started this is BC the Head unit on my Trike was Changed from the Harley Unit to a Sony Marine Unit. The Controls for the Most part Work but now NO Intercom or CB ability.

On a LONG few Days Trip with Full Face Helmets we need some form of Communications, Also Music & Phone abilities would be Great too.

Thanks Everyone, these Comments have been great learning, gives more research everyday.

[Halfnormal]

Here's a question I've had all along with these Bluetooth devices that can connect to other units automagically. Can a Cardio connect to a Sena and vis versa or do they only connect to the same brand unit?

See Mark H response above

[Marc H]

Here's a question I've had all along with these Bluetooth devices that can connect to other units automagically. Can a Cardio connect to a Sena and vis versa or do they only connect to the same brand unit? With CB it's everyone, you just change channel if there is too much traffic. That question of connectivity of brand to brand is what has stopped me from going that route because I know they could not connect pne brand to another brand several years ago. So has that changed?

First off I have not tried what i'm about to say.The answer to your question is yes and no.I can only speak for my understanding of Sena.To pair to another brand you have to put it in universal pairing mode and if I remember right you can only connect to one of another brand and its done in standard bluetooth mode.The range isn't as good as with other Senas.I do not know how Cardo or others handle it.I also don't know about the latest mesh units connecting in mesh mode.That is what will be needed for it to ever really take off in my opinion and with mesh in its infancy everyone has their take on whats best.Something else again its my understanding that to get these things to do what they claim the order you let tings pair in is important.I think thats a bigger pain than most of us want to deal with and thats why I have mine hooked to my CB for the group rides with the ability to talk to my wife or anybody I can pair with by bluetooth and let that be that.I think you can drop a ton of money and in 5 yrs you get to start over again.

[hogcowboy]

[QUOTE=Marc H;761952]First off I have not tried what i'm about to say.The answer to your question is yes and no.I can only speak for my understanding of Sena.To pair to another brand you have to put it in universal pairing mode and if I remember right you can only connect to one of another brand and its done in standard bluetooth mode.The range isn't as good as with other Senas.I do not know how Cardo or others handle it.I also don't know about the latest mesh units connecting in mesh mode.That is what will be needed for it to ever really take off in my opinion and with mesh in its infancy everyone has their take on whats best.Something else again its my understanding that to get these things to do what they claim the order you let tings pair in is important.I think thats a bigger pain than most of us want to deal with and thats why I have mine hooked to my CB for the group rides with the ability to talk to my wife or anybody I can pair with by bluetooth and let that be that.I think you can drop a ton of money and in 5 yrs you get to start over again.[/QUOTE]

That's my concern and the main reason I'm still a CB user. Tried and true technology.

[Marc H]

Folks keep in mind I have a 20s.They are still updating and changing things on 30s and 50s. The people to really get info from would probably be the folks at Sierra electronics since they sell both brands. I've seen what confusion can happen when the not so knowledgeable salesmen try to sell these things and it can get ugly.

[retread83]

I use the Sena SMH10 for my wife and I allows up to speak to each other listen to the same or different music or no music for one, the GPS answer phone calls, and even Bluetooth to a couple other bikers. Great unit, been using it 5 years on the Spyder

Ditto for me and wifey. Was harder to hear with half helmets,we now wear full and modular,much better.

[MickUpi]

I understand the bluetooth units connect to each other to provide communications between users. Do they also connect to my phone at the same time to get my navigation commands?

[MDO]

I understand the Bluetooth units connect to each other to provide communications between users. Do they also connect to my phone at the same time to get my navigation commands?

I ride solo, but have a Cardio Q-Solo & love it. I ride down the road listening to Rock Nation(Free) & if the Navigation is on, it interrupts the music to tell me where to turn & if someone calls, I can take it, if I want. When I left last year for the ride home, we headed up North toward Silverton & my son called & I took it & he could not believe I was going 50mph through a National park & talking, he said it sounded great.

It was around $100 from Cycle Gear & I bought my 1st. modular helmet also & they installed & paired it to my phone for free.

If you are a lone wolf & want tunes & Nav, its the way to go. The battery last about 10 hours.

I rode a long time and never even thought about it & now I love it. Here is a link to a review on Revzilla.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=035bdLP4T00

[BKtrike]

I have no personal experience with these, but, I've read great reviews on the new Cardo Systems.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...ld-jbl-headset

have one, like it.

[DOKK]

I went very simple and got the Sena SMH5 dual pack for me and the wife last year. I also purchased their extra mount kit which gave me everything I needed to mount on 4 helmets for about $250 total (Dual pack and extra mounting kit/speakers/mics). I did take advantage of a sale at J&P Cycles when I bought them. I have the wired mic and speakers mounted in our full face LS2 helmets and the boom mics on my LS2 rebel half helmet and her LS2 track 3/4 helmet. We can hear each other perfectly no matter what helmets we are wearing. I just simply move the main unit between the helmet of choice for the day. I have made and taken phone calls with both helmets and people do not realize I'm on my Trike going 70+ down the interstate or 60+ down the highway/byways. My aunt and uncle have the integrated Sena half helmets and you can't tell the difference between theirs and ours. In fact, due to their experience with theirs, they were the first ones I called with mine from the Trike. I have only ran mine dead once and that was after 5 days of riding back and forth to work (1 hour each way) and then a full Saturday and Sunday riding with my wife. It went dead on the way home on Sunday. So battery life is phenomenal.

To answer HogCowboy's question, they are very glove friendly. I can use them with my thin gloves, my thinsulate gloves and my thick heated gloves. The SMH5 only has 2 buttons and work similar to most single ear bluetooth phone headsets.

The biggest thing is to download the management app to your computer and update them first thing. This will update the firmware and, on mine, unlocked extra/updated functionality as far as bike to bike comms across manufacturers and with other Sena units as well. This will be tested when we are able to ride with my aunt uncle soon so I cannot fully speak about it yet.

The SMH5's are simple and provide simple comms between us and simple phone connection to our individual phones. It also works with Siri and Hey Google. I use Siri exclusively if I initiate a call on the Trike and Siri has never not understood who I wanted to call. I have not found a voice command that works with Siri that doesn't work with the Sena units. They were and are the best bang for the buck for simple comms in my opinion.