"New BMW Owner" I want to get an intercom system !!!

[lkutz]

The Nolan N-104 helmet with B4 intercom combination should be considered.

I bought a ? Shoei Qwest Overt Helmet Hope I like it !!

 

[jstrube]

Thx John for the input.

When you said, "Make sure you use earplugs." what did you mean by that?

Larry

Wearing ear plugs while you ride is not something the MSF class teaches, nor is it mentioned in certain riding circles. Just wear foam ear plugs, or whatever you like, then put your helmet on. The speakers will more than over power the ear plugs, and you will keep your hearing safe from wind noise. Yes, you can hear cars, sirens, etc.

The alternative are in ear monitors, as long as they have a rating for isolation. Examples are the ones sold at Rallies. You can then get a different mount for your senna that this plugs into. I use these. That way, I isolate about 28 dB of wind noise & can play my music & hear conversation at a low enough volume to not damage my hearing.

 

[AZ-J]

I have Sena 10R it is wonderful and communicates with my 660 effortlessly and my iPhone through the 660.

 

[Hodadd]

I have the SMH-10 and it will NOT talk to my 2013 RT system. It will bluetooth to my Nav IV outside of the BMW cradle, but will NOT stream music or other audio, except for the turn instructions, when mounted in the cradle.

I have been using the Sena system for years on several different bikes and helmets and am really a big fan of the system and will continue to use their products, but it most annoying that it won't communicate with the built-in audio system.

 

[greenwald]

Wearing ear plugs while you ride is not something the MSF class teaches, nor is it mentioned in certain riding circles. Just wear foam ear plugs, or whatever you like, then put your helmet on. The speakers will more than over power the ear plugs, and you will keep your hearing safe from wind noise. Yes, you can hear cars, sirens, etc.

The alternative are in ear monitors, as long as they have a rating for isolation. Examples are the ones sold at Rallies. You can then get a different mount for your senna that this plugs into. I use these. That way, I isolate about 28 dB of wind noise & can play my music & hear conversation at a low enough volume to not damage my hearing.

Actually John, for several years now, wearing hearing protection has been taught in the MSF Basic Rider Course (under "Preparing to Ride").

All of your advice 'spot on.'

 

[dagear]

Scala X2 or sena 5

Found scala q2 twin pack for $120 on craigslist but see that sena is leader so was thinking of sena 5

Which senas do people have do I need the 20?

My main needs chat with other riders listen to iPhone/ music via bluetooth

 

[Tonyfr]

I hate playing the "Battery Game" myself !!!!! But you can also use it while charging....... I think I read that somewhere. Larry

I charge mine on the go when I ride over ten hours a day. My battery will only last that long because I play music for most of the ten hours that I travel. I mounted a cigarette lighter plug in the area where the tweeter for the speakers would go on the dash. I switch between charging the helmet and the Bluetooth dongle.

 

[t6pilot]

We went with the bmw comm on Schubert helmets, somewhat pricy to say the least. Advantage on the 1600 is wonder wheel works, not so sure on GSA. Added benefit to us since my wife rides her own, we can communicate up to 1/4 mile separation. I have heard very good things about Sena though and if it weren't for WW would have bought it

 

[dunc723]

I have used a Scala G4 for a few years and have been somewhat disappointed. Battery life is good (I typically get 10 hours riding time on a charge, listening to music constantly), single use is good, but intercom use has been difficult. Pairing, even a set that came together, is inconsistent, and initiating a conversation usually does not work. I attended a seminar on MC comms at the MOA Rally this year, and (while he was not terribly informative) the speaker said Sena is the way to go. A vendor confirmed that, and also advised to forget about VOX on any system and disable it - it's very unreliable. Sena makes PTT very easy, one tap on the master control and talk.

For pairing with phone and GPS, most (if not all) instructions say to pair the headset to the GPS only, and the GPS to the phone, assuming the GPS can handle phone communications. I use a iPhone 5 and Zumo 66X and that works very well.

Sena SMH-10 is significantly cheaper than Scala as well. I'll be switching to that early next year if not before (maybe it's my Christmas present?).

 

[AZ-J]

The Sena 10R is a bit more expensive than the 10, but it's worth it, it is so easy to install and get running. It is also more intercom friendly than the 10, its firmware is more advanced.

 

[jeffkruger]

I have used a Starcom (same company as Autocom now) for about 8 years. Up until the latest GPS (Zumo 665) is has performed flawlessly except for a few cables that needed replacing here and there. Plugging in isn't that big of a hassle once you get accustomed to it, and have things mounted well. I liked not having to worry about batteries.

That said, after 3 different Zumo 665's and trying every cable that Starcom makes to hook the GPS to my intercom, including the "sure to work" non-stereo cable for audio and mic, I don't have full functionality. My phone pairs quickly with my GPS, phonebook dowloads, everything works great about making calls except the person on the other end of the call can't hear me.

The phone functionality is something I have lived without for a while, but since it's supposed to work, it bugs me that it won't at times that I may like it to, like when calling a motel from the bike to make a reservation.

I think the new 20S from Sena looks pretty outstanding, and as another poster pointed out, it can be charged on the go, and you can enjoy several hours of riding not plugged in, and on shorter rides won't have to worry about plugging in at all. If you don't mind plugging in, and phone functionality isn't an absolute must, there are some advantages to a hard wired system too. There are some good choices available both ways, and no matter what anyone says, there isn't one best solution that works best for everyone. Folks just like to tout what they have chosen themselves as the be all end all.

 

[AZ-J]

I use the Sena 10R with my Zumo 660, and the cellphone BTs to the 660 so my Sena gets it.