Helmet Communication decices

emortal1333

Active member
I was wondering what kind of comm devices people are using on their helmets while riding. Assuming money is no object, I'm looking for a fully loaded comm device that is low profile.

Thanks,

Brandon

P.S. I currently have the Scala Q2 and I'm a bit unhappy with it.
 
I use the scala g4. And from my experience that's what most riders use... I was looking at SMH-10 but there's no point if there's no one to connect to
 
The scala G4 is outstanding. Terriffic range between other G4 users ( 1 mile ) and can also pair up to four riders.

Highly Recommend.
 
G4 is good - so is the cheaper Q2 - have both - pleased with both ( tho took a bit with the G4 to get the speakers correct but I have a dual layer set up for music and phone )

Keep the power port sealed. Battery life is astonishing. Tech support is superb.
 
The scala G4 is outstanding. Terriffic range between other G4 users ( 1 mile ) and can also pair up to four riders.Highly Recommend.
I have the G4 as well and love it but it definitely does not have a 1 mile range in real world application.
 
anybody use the G4 on open face helmets?...if so, any feedback would be appreciated...

I know that when my full face helmet on with the visor open doing less then highway speeds it's fine. But anything over that it's brutal (with visor open). But I imagine that if you had one of those huge windshields that blocks the wind, it would work just fine.
 
I use both Scalas open face but have an adjustable windshield.

Even with it down it's okay up to about 80-90 depending on the buffeting and wind direction.
I will cover the mike with my hand once in a while.

With the screen up it's good to 110 or so - the G4 is the better of the two.= - likely better noise cancelling circuit.

Naked bike - open face above 80 iffy but don't have one so can't say tho the windshield full down on the Burgman is pretty close to full windblast on the helmet.
 
anybody use the G4 on open face helmets?...if so, any feedback would be appreciated...
My parents have the Q2 and my dad rides with an open face. Only issues are A: he has to wear the ear flaps so theres somewhere to place the speakers and B: we hit a couple big rain storms during our trip east and his mic got waterlogged. It worked when it dried back out but it took a couple hours with a hair dryer to do so. I would love a scala but thats enough to make me think about it.
 
I too have the Scala Q2 and am also a little unhappy with it. brought it down to Pennsylvania in early July, but left it at home in August. Here's why:

1. Bluetooth is adequate and useful - but for 10 years I used to just pull over to make a call. No big deal. Made fewer calls too!
2. Voice comm is good when working - cuts on and off all by itself when stopped for gas or at other strange times.. but when it is working it's fine. However, it was the first time using these things for my buddy and me in the hills of Pennsylvania and both of us heard more than we wanted to.
fer ex: With the CB - people only hear what you choose to send - over!
With Scala, every burp, cough or grunt gets transmitted. Apparently I said a few "F" bombs and inward comments that I would never transmit. And he has a throat problem - snores like a trooper at night and is constantly clearing his throat while riding. The constant ahem.. ahem.. ahem... urgle..ahem needs a push button transmit key. We also happened to chat more on the ride down to Jersey Shore than we do over beers in the evening. In my old CB days, I never engaged in such dribble.

A serious Fault - the FM radio SUCKS in caps! Not sure why they include it. My MP3 player has a better FM than the Scala, and it I think it performs better without the Scala.

Now we were only two guys - so the Comm was ok. I can't imagine being the THIRD guy with this silly system! Like, he's SOL!

If you like a sewing circle while riding, the Scala is for you. If you want communication to remain focused on gas/pit/pee stops - stick with CB

My 2 cents - Soon to be 3 OBAMA cents American
 
Personally, I don't find it terribly convenient because no one I ride with owns one (don't use bike to bike), and almost everyone texts me (so I rarely answer calls, rarely place them because I can never hear the voice instruction from my phone). As a result, it is just sitting on my backup helmet, as I haven't seen the point in transferring it over to my new helmet. Could be useful if I ever get a more regular passenger and pick up another one, but it really wasn't worth the money IMO.
 
Personally, I don't find it terribly convenient because no one I ride with owns one (don't use bike to bike), and almost everyone texts me (so I rarely answer calls, rarely place them because I can never hear the voice instruction from my phone). As a result, it is just sitting on my backup helmet, as I haven't seen the point in transferring it over to my new helmet. Could be useful if I ever get a more regular passenger and pick up another one, but it really wasn't worth the money IMO.

Yes, it really does depend on if your riding group has the Scala as well. Most riders in my riding group all have Scalas; sometimes I'll ride with them and not connect but that's ok b/c then I connect my mp3 and phone. The flexibility of being able to pickup a call while riding is invaluable.

I have a GoPro that I purchased and used a lot at the beginning; now I hardly use it simply because I've got a ish load of video I still have yet to edit.
 
I used to have scala and it wen't bonker after a rain at a time when i needed it most(missed a very important call that cost me some money).

I switched to Sena SMH-10.
With the Vox disabled you can connect to your buddy with a push of the Jog button and then connect to the next one with another push and with the 3rd push your back to your music which is either hardwired or fed via bluetooth from iphone.
I find the button of Sena more convenient vs the scala, also the speakers are of better quality.Never ran out of battery even on the longest day ride while using BT with music, bike to bike and calls.

However the functionality of any bluetooth for phone communication depends on the phone your using to connect to it. Some phone just suck.
 
Sena SMH-10. Most easiest to use headset.

See my review on this site in the reviews sub forum and also on webbikeworld.com
 
My Scala Rider G4 fell off my helmet the fourth or fifth time I wore it. It doesn't attach very firmly to the base. I think it came off when I turned to look behind and it probably caught on to the shoulder of my leather jacket.

But it was very good while it lasted so I've ordered another one.
 
It hits my shoulder as well - think I will not use the clamp but the stick on and move it up a bit.
Very pleased with it after some fiddling.
Had to get speakers nearer to my ears to work with the Ulitimate Ears - tech support was helpful and not very happy.

Got mine for $179 from RevZilla
 
If it hits your shoulder it's probably mounted too close to the front of your helmet... OR it's time to update that jacket!
 
Neither - the Mag 8 has a wide rubber edging that keeps te clamp low on the helmet

bell_mag8_helmets.jpg


You can see the black band here even tipped.

It's not as firm a grip as my old smaller Bell and not a chance i hell it's too close to the front as it just reaches my mouth though what too close to the front has to do with it hitting the armor is beyond me.

The allen screws tend to vibrate out ( they did on the old one as well until I taped the head ) so I'm going to move it up on the helmet and put it on the permanent plate. Very pleased with the rig now. I could notch the rubber to move th clamp up higher but think the stick on is the better route.
THe Bell is very wide so the mic only just reaches around.
 
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