Got bluetooths!
07-23-2013, 09:05 AM
#1
Senior Member
MotoGP
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
Got bluetooths!
So after reading the review of bandit400, I bought some amazon bt helmet intercom(s)
After some initial problems with the listing I got both units. They were listed as a pair, but I only got one unit for my $75.
After a small international incident, they shipped me my 2nd one at no cost.
THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME.
I have used hjc chatterbox brand intercom for the last 11yrs. They are good but require a wire to go from ipod to unit, and from unit to passng helmet.
I paired these two units to each other and mine to my phone, my wifes to her phone.
I installed the speakers first under the fabric then outside the fabric in the helmet. Sound quality is excellent and you can skip songs on the playlist with the jog wheel.
Also, as you are ripping along listening to Billy Idol's "hot in the city", if someone calls you you can hear the ring. If you want you can ignore it or push the phone button to answer.
I did this ONCE for experimentation purposes, but dont plan to talk & ride unless I am getting directions or something.
All controls are easy to use with gloves and its cool to be able to carry on a conversation with my wife even after she gets off the bike & goes into the store.
These are the ones I got.
So in summary. These things rock. I still have the chatterbox and will install it in spare helmets but this is my recent favorite discovery (off the find of bandit400)
After some initial problems with the listing I got both units. They were listed as a pair, but I only got one unit for my $75.
After a small international incident, they shipped me my 2nd one at no cost.
THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME.
I have used hjc chatterbox brand intercom for the last 11yrs. They are good but require a wire to go from ipod to unit, and from unit to passng helmet.
I paired these two units to each other and mine to my phone, my wifes to her phone.
I installed the speakers first under the fabric then outside the fabric in the helmet. Sound quality is excellent and you can skip songs on the playlist with the jog wheel.
Also, as you are ripping along listening to Billy Idol's "hot in the city", if someone calls you you can hear the ring. If you want you can ignore it or push the phone button to answer.
I did this ONCE for experimentation purposes, but dont plan to talk & ride unless I am getting directions or something.
All controls are easy to use with gloves and its cool to be able to carry on a conversation with my wife even after she gets off the bike & goes into the store.
These are the ones I got.
So in summary. These things rock. I still have the chatterbox and will install it in spare helmets but this is my recent favorite discovery (off the find of bandit400)
07-23-2013, 05:32 PM
#3
Seasoned tech
SuperSport
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Issaquah, WA
Posts: 576
The single review on them isn't super great at a 3 star. Did you find that you have to repair them every time you power them up as the review said? I'd love to get a set of these for the girlfriend and I as well as for my buddy. How many things can you pair to them?
07-23-2013, 05:59 PM
#4
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MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Posts: 5,072
So I'm a little bluetooth challenged. 
Bike to bike/helmet to helmet intercom doesn't require any phone service does it, and how long will the battery last? Q3, can I pipe audio from my memory card on my phone via bluetooth?
The one you linked us to is $109.99, not $75. How'd ya get it so cheap?
Sounds like a great deal! Thanks to you both (+Bandit) for sharing your experiences!
Bike to bike/helmet to helmet intercom doesn't require any phone service does it, and how long will the battery last? Q3, can I pipe audio from my memory card on my phone via bluetooth?The one you linked us to is $109.99, not $75. How'd ya get it so cheap?
Sounds like a great deal! Thanks to you both (+Bandit) for sharing your experiences!
Last edited by Wolverine; 07-23-2013 at 06:18 PM.
07-23-2013, 07:33 PM
#5
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,116
Looks like a knock-off of the SENA SMH10 http://www.senabluetooth.com/
The SMH5 can be had pretty cheap, and the UCLEAR HBC200 & Cardo Scala Rider Q3 are the main players now.
So many questions but in order of priority:
Is it USB 3?
Can it pair with a cell AND GPS at same time?
Can OS be updated online through USB or BT?
Is appears it is recharged through a standard size USB~USB cable; i.e., can it be charged / operated on the fly using a 5v/.5a power USB power converter (similar to http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P..._201744_455211) that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket?
The SMH5 can be had pretty cheap, and the UCLEAR HBC200 & Cardo Scala Rider Q3 are the main players now.
So many questions but in order of priority:
Is it USB 3?
Can it pair with a cell AND GPS at same time?
Can OS be updated online through USB or BT?
Is appears it is recharged through a standard size USB~USB cable; i.e., can it be charged / operated on the fly using a 5v/.5a power USB power converter (similar to http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P..._201744_455211) that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket?
So after reading the review of bandit400, I bought some amazon bt helmet intercom(s)
After some initial problems with the listing I got both units. They were listed as a pair, but I only got one unit for my $75.
After a small international incident, they shipped me my 2nd one at no cost.
THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME.
I have used hjc chatterbox brand intercom for the last 11yrs. They are good but require a wire to go from ipod to unit, and from unit to passng helmet.
I paired these two units to each other and mine to my phone, my wifes to her phone.
I installed the speakers first under the fabric then outside the fabric in the helmet. Sound quality is excellent and you can skip songs on the playlist with the jog wheel.
Also, as you are ripping along listening to Billy Idol's "hot in the city", if someone calls you you can hear the ring. If you want you can ignore it or push the phone button to answer.
I did this ONCE for experimentation purposes, but dont plan to talk & ride unless I am getting directions or something.
All controls are easy to use with gloves and its cool to be able to carry on a conversation with my wife even after she gets off the bike & goes into the store.
These are the ones I got. Amazon.com: 2x 1000m Motorcycle Bluetooth BT Handsfree Cell Phone Multi Helmet Biker to Biker Motorcyclists Intercom Interphone MP3 Stereo Ear Phone Microphone Headsets: Cell Phones & Accessories
So in summary. These things rock. I still have the chatterbox and will install it in spare helmets but this is my recent favorite discovery (off the find of bandit400)
After some initial problems with the listing I got both units. They were listed as a pair, but I only got one unit for my $75.
After a small international incident, they shipped me my 2nd one at no cost.
THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME.
I have used hjc chatterbox brand intercom for the last 11yrs. They are good but require a wire to go from ipod to unit, and from unit to passng helmet.
I paired these two units to each other and mine to my phone, my wifes to her phone.
I installed the speakers first under the fabric then outside the fabric in the helmet. Sound quality is excellent and you can skip songs on the playlist with the jog wheel.
Also, as you are ripping along listening to Billy Idol's "hot in the city", if someone calls you you can hear the ring. If you want you can ignore it or push the phone button to answer.
I did this ONCE for experimentation purposes, but dont plan to talk & ride unless I am getting directions or something.
All controls are easy to use with gloves and its cool to be able to carry on a conversation with my wife even after she gets off the bike & goes into the store.
These are the ones I got. Amazon.com: 2x 1000m Motorcycle Bluetooth BT Handsfree Cell Phone Multi Helmet Biker to Biker Motorcyclists Intercom Interphone MP3 Stereo Ear Phone Microphone Headsets: Cell Phones & Accessories
So in summary. These things rock. I still have the chatterbox and will install it in spare helmets but this is my recent favorite discovery (off the find of bandit400)
Last edited by skokievtr; 07-23-2013 at 07:53 PM.
07-23-2013, 07:45 PM
#6
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MotoGP
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
Doubt it is upgradeable as it is a Chinese product. I dont know if you can pair it to 2 things, but couldnt you pair each thing to it?
It has a micro usb jack which both charges it and then the speakers plug into. Really standard charger, 120v house current to usb to unit.
I do find you have to re-pair them to each other but it takes maybe 30 secs so I can live with it. I dont have to keep re-pairing it to my phone, it stays paired so maybe I am doing something wrong on the intercom end.
Yes you can pair it to your phone, I dont know how you would pair it to anything else like an ipod without a bt dongle for that.
I got them for only the $75 cuz they jerked me by labeling the sale for a "pair" of them. I complained so now they are listed for $75 for one unit but yeah you can get a pair for like 100-110. Shipping from China was very fast. I will snap some more photos soon.
It has a micro usb jack which both charges it and then the speakers plug into. Really standard charger, 120v house current to usb to unit.
I do find you have to re-pair them to each other but it takes maybe 30 secs so I can live with it. I dont have to keep re-pairing it to my phone, it stays paired so maybe I am doing something wrong on the intercom end.
Yes you can pair it to your phone, I dont know how you would pair it to anything else like an ipod without a bt dongle for that.
I got them for only the $75 cuz they jerked me by labeling the sale for a "pair" of them. I complained so now they are listed for $75 for one unit but yeah you can get a pair for like 100-110. Shipping from China was very fast. I will snap some more photos soon.
07-26-2013, 09:01 AM
#7
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 250
Yeah, after reading up on them, I'm going with the SENA SMH10... they're getting great reviews everywhere.
Funny thing is they're very cheap as a pair, but almost as much for a single!! I can get a pair for $228, but a single is $186. So I guess I'll get two pairs, and then try to sell one unit.
Funny thing is they're very cheap as a pair, but almost as much for a single!! I can get a pair for $228, but a single is $186. So I guess I'll get two pairs, and then try to sell one unit.
Last edited by FTL900; 07-30-2013 at 10:12 PM.
07-26-2013, 11:41 AM
#8
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SuperBike
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,116
Yeah, after reading up on them, I'm going with the SENA SMH10... they're getting great reviews everywhere.
Funny thing is they're very cheap as a pair, but almost as much for a single!! I can get a pair for $228, but a single is $186. So I guess I'll get two pairs, and then try to sell one unit.
Funny thing is they're very cheap as a pair, but almost as much for a single!! I can get a pair for $228, but a single is $186. So I guess I'll get two pairs, and then try to sell one unit.
07-30-2013, 05:26 PM
#11
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SuperBike
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Menifee, CA
Posts: 1,082
I'm more challenged than Wolverine! I have a 5 year old LG flip phone, I've never sent a text in my life and the only MP I own is a weapon.
I'm so old school that I just like to ride and smell the smells and see what I see and really don't care to talk to anyone on the fly! We can do that at the end of the ride over an iced tea (I don't drink when I ride either).
I know I'll take some crap but hey it's how I ride!
I'm so old school that I just like to ride and smell the smells and see what I see and really don't care to talk to anyone on the fly! We can do that at the end of the ride over an iced tea (I don't drink when I ride either).
I know I'll take some crap but hey it's how I ride!
07-30-2013, 05:59 PM
#12
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MotoGP
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
So now someone has to show me how to bluetooth my ipod mini. Do I just need one of these?
Bluetooth Adapter for Apple iPod Classic 120GB 160GB | eBay
Bluetooth Adapter for Apple iPod Classic 120GB 160GB | eBay
07-30-2013, 08:06 PM
#13
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MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Posts: 5,072
Slap a 16GB mem card in your phone and you have 2 in one!
HRCA, there's NO shame in yo game. It's all good! Hell, I carried a sony walkman when I bought my very first streetbike. My mixtape would flip sides in the middle of a song and when I listen to it today, I keep expecting to hear the pause.
We almost pulled the trigger on this set before we left on this trip (to the dragon). I expect to pick a pair up soon. Any feedback on how long the battery lasts?
HRCA, there's NO shame in yo game. It's all good! Hell, I carried a sony walkman when I bought my very first streetbike. My mixtape would flip sides in the middle of a song and when I listen to it today, I keep expecting to hear the pause.
We almost pulled the trigger on this set before we left on this trip (to the dragon). I expect to pick a pair up soon. Any feedback on how long the battery lasts?
07-30-2013, 08:36 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
bandit said like 5 hrs or more so thats as long as almost any ride.
I also saw these, which probly have the same internals as the ones I listed.
2 x BT Interphone Bluetooth motorbike Motorcycle Helmet Intercom Headset 500M | eBay
I also saw these, which probly have the same internals as the ones I listed.
2 x BT Interphone Bluetooth motorbike Motorcycle Helmet Intercom Headset 500M | eBay
02-16-2014, 03:14 PM
#15
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SuperBike
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,116
I waited till the Chicago ims and nabbed a scala rider q3 for well under msrp
Cardo nailed it and swapping speakers for ear pcs & 2 diff mic is easy + you can do almost anything within reason...and their website set up and community is by far the biggest.
A standard bt dialogue os is coming that will be backwards default for sure to cardo
Have to check it out on my new Nolan custom helmet (not using their N-Com bits) when this melts!
Cardo nailed it and swapping speakers for ear pcs & 2 diff mic is easy + you can do almost anything within reason...and their website set up and community is by far the biggest.
A standard bt dialogue os is coming that will be backwards default for sure to cardo
Have to check it out on my new Nolan custom helmet (not using their N-Com bits) when this melts!
Slap a 16GB mem card in your phone and you have 2 in one!
HRCA, there's NO shame in yo game. It's all good! Hell, I carried a sony walkman when I bought my very first streetbike. My mixtape would flip sides in the middle of a song and when I listen to it today, I keep expecting to hear the pause.
We almost pulled the trigger on this set before we left on this trip (to the dragon). I expect to pick a pair up soon. Any feedback on how long the battery lasts?
HRCA, there's NO shame in yo game. It's all good! Hell, I carried a sony walkman when I bought my very first streetbike. My mixtape would flip sides in the middle of a song and when I listen to it today, I keep expecting to hear the pause.
We almost pulled the trigger on this set before we left on this trip (to the dragon). I expect to pick a pair up soon. Any feedback on how long the battery lasts?
Last edited by skokievtr; 02-16-2014 at 03:23 PM.
02-17-2014, 08:03 AM
#16
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Rome, GA
Posts: 458
So I'm a little bluetooth challenged. Bike to bike/helmet to helmet intercom doesn't require any phone service does it, and how long will the battery last? Q3, can I pipe audio from my memory card on my phone via bluetooth?
The one you linked us to is $109.99, not $75. How'd ya get it so cheap?
Sounds like a great deal! Thanks to you both (+Bandit) for sharing your experiences!
Bike to bike/helmet to helmet intercom doesn't require any phone service does it, and how long will the battery last? Q3, can I pipe audio from my memory card on my phone via bluetooth?The one you linked us to is $109.99, not $75. How'd ya get it so cheap?
Sounds like a great deal! Thanks to you both (+Bandit) for sharing your experiences!
I have 2 of the Techno bluetooth helmets, ones mine, ones my mothers, and a friend I ride with also has one that I bought for him (I'm a diabetic and its helpful to be in communication so I can tell him if my blood sugar feels wrong and I need to stop and take a break) I have Tmobile which means I have no cell service half the time when we are out riding, the helmets connect directly together and are good for about a kilometer in range. We've gotten fairly separated before (hes a lot faster on rough terrain and when there is garbage on the road, I'm much faster in the twisties, which is scary since he rides a 929rr
) and never lost touch. Only two helmets can be in contact at a time but the third party just has to press a button when they want to talk and it will chime in my helmet and let me know to switch to the other person. Its REALLY nice to have and I cant imagine not having it now
02-22-2014, 02:07 PM
#17
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SuperSport
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Pa
Posts: 734
I'm so old school that I just like to ride and smell the smells and see what I see and really don't care to talk to anyone on the fly! We can do that at the end of the ride over an iced tea (I don't drink when I ride either).
I know I'll take some crap but hey it's how I ride!
This ^
I'm riding > I trying to get away from wife, 4 kids & the dog too.
One day, I'll go out for milk and end up in Mexico...
02-22-2014, 02:49 PM
#18
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SuperBike
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,116
For 32 years (I've been rider a lot longer) my wife has never questioned what I spend on motorcycles (unless we were broke and even then rarely) or care when or where I'd ride. Sometimes I'll say I'm going to get a Sunday paper, which meant I was heading up to cheese head land; i.e, ostensibly for the Oconomowoc News and some cheese. She just hopes I'll make her a rich widow.
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