410001661
Member
I am looking for something that will allow me to listen to music while riding.....what does everyone use? I am using a Shoei RF-1400
Comm's in helmets
- Thread starter 410001661
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Used to use Sena, now I use Cardo.
Compatibility is spotty between vendors, so if you ride with other people with comms, you should either test/research to ensure interoperability, or just buy the same brand as them to make sure they don't talk smack about your riding behind your back during group rides...
Compatibility is spotty between vendors, so if you ride with other people with comms, you should either test/research to ensure interoperability, or just buy the same brand as them to make sure they don't talk smack about your riding behind your back during group rides...
I tried a bunch of different thing, but broke down and bought a cardo paktalk 2 years ago. Perfect.
I ride alone and listen to music and pod casts but occasionally my wife calls and she says it sounds good, and she can't tell I'm on the bike.
I also have a Shoei RF1400 and the installation was easy.
I ride alone and listen to music and pod casts but occasionally my wife calls and she says it sounds good, and she can't tell I'm on the bike.
I also have a Shoei RF1400 and the installation was easy.
In my experience, music quality via speakers embedded in the helmet will never match the quality of earbuds.
If there's a 3.5mm audio jack in your Sena (there should be), maybe try plugging a pair of IEM (In-Ear Monitors) and listen to audio through that instead of the helmet speakers.
ifiddles
Well-known member
Hubby and I used the Sena SMH5 I believe for over a decade and had no issues whatsoever...in fact, when I crashed and went flying 30 feet or so off the bike, when the paramedics arrived, my music was still playing LOL...it was great for chatting with each other and whenever I got a phone call, people couldn't tell I was out for a ride...check them out!
Same with you Cardo pack talk, main reason was it seemed to have some water proof qualities compared to Sena when doing my research.
Only my wife has a different ring tone, so it would be the only call i would answer, everything else goes to voicemail.
No interest in connecting to other ppl when riding.
Gaoler
Well-known member
Agreed, but... The problem is there are (or is it "is"..?) no such thing as ear buds you can wear for a decent length of time before they start to hurt.
'At least not enough time for me, so I wear 'em until they ache them i take 'em out for a while.
Rinse, repeat.
Relax
Well-known member
Or in my case, my helmet is so tight fitting that I can't squeeze my head through the hole without it popping out earbuds. On the rare occasions I managed to get them to stay in, they would be loose and bother me while riding because one side would usually be louder than the other.
plugfones. mentioned it a few times around here, memory foam or flanged tips. they are all day comfy.
I wanted the same thing last summer and i ride solo and i wear customed earplug but i wanted to listen to podcast and music on long boring stretches. After doing tons of research i went for the Cardo Spirit HD and i am happy with it. I will suggest to you to factor in your long term goals and if you are planning to do group rides in which case the Spirit will not be the best one and the packtalk series might be more appropriate. Note that the Spirit can communicate with only up to 2 riders max.
I used the plugfones on Evo's recommendation, and they do work well. For me, most ear plugs eventually become uncomfortable and I need to take them out.
With the paktalk I can wear Alpine earplugs which have a small passage for air to flow which makes them comfy for very long periods of time.
Aens
Well-known member
I've spent enough on reusable earplugs that I should have just got custom ones. Hopefully there is a booth this year at the shows. I wear earplugs and I have a Packtalk that I use to talk to others with. For normal street use, I'd recommend 24-30db attenuation. It seems silly to have to crank it up to max volume just to hear over the earplugs, but I can hear whats playing well and nearly no wind.
With the custom plugs, just be aware that there's a small difference depending on the audiologist and the intended use case. You need to specify helmet use or else the plugs will rub on the side of the speakers. Often times, the plugs for musicians protrude so the IEMs can fit comfortably, something helmets make no allowances for.
With the custom plugs, just be aware that there's a small difference depending on the audiologist and the intended use case. You need to specify helmet use or else the plugs will rub on the side of the speakers. Often times, the plugs for musicians protrude so the IEMs can fit comfortably, something helmets make no allowances for.
exactly ....still chasing a solid ANC solution in a BT IEM meanwhile using behind the neck BT as the IEMs are small and long battery life.
IMO Cardo and Sena are over packaged, overpriced and have lousy battery life.
I purchased this XGP device and have used it for 2 seasons, works great. I listen to music and can make and take calls.
They say battery lasts up to 30 hours. I have not tested that, but it certainly lasts much longer than any Sena or Cardo product I've had in the past.
I don't connect with other riders, so have not used that function.
I purchased this XGP device and have used it for 2 seasons, works great. I listen to music and can make and take calls.
They say battery lasts up to 30 hours. I have not tested that, but it certainly lasts much longer than any Sena or Cardo product I've had in the past.
I don't connect with other riders, so have not used that function.
I just switched from a very old and tired SENA SMH-5 to the base Cardo Spirit. Sound quality is far better than the old SMH-5, enough where I can now not just listen to music the new unit is loud enough to hear all the music and I can now hear podcasts and there is still volume left. I just use the provided speakers and wear foam earplugs in a LS2 Modular helmet. I do like I have the option to use the 3.5mm jack to use in ear speakers like plugphones if I choose too.
