South Auckland Street Skills

[eldog]

Im running a pair of Sena,s pair together with pillion and bluetoothed to phone. Works great although txts are a bit of a pain as obviously you cant txt ride at same time. Also use it to listen to radio or pair with ipod. Works good for gps/maps loverly voice telling me where to g

Ta, Granda

better than the other half telling you were to go

just thinking about what brand etc - most likely Sena at present
understand about txt/phone, if its important, I can stop/rest and reply.

only the music in my head, I listen/sing too.

gps and riding with others , if they want to listen to my drivel.

going to do some research and add it to the household (bike) budget

[The End]

going to do some research and add it to the household (bike) budget

In the mean time I'd recommend checking out an app made by a user on here.

It's called RadioDrive and you can download it here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...dev.radiodrive

It reads out text messages, speed, weather updates etc. and also notifies you of missed calls and the like.

[eldog]

In the mean time I'd recommend checking out an app made by a user on here.

It's called RadioDrive and you can download it here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...dev.radiodrive

It reads out text messages, speed, weather updates etc. and also notifies you of missed calls and the like.

Thanks, Interesting, worth a look. I can see it working, but it will depend.

Although I prefer to ride by myself at night in the rain and dark (no phone ON) - silence just me, the bike and the road.

I think this will be a good addition when I have the GPS (finally setup) for those long rides when I don't know where I a going (which is most of the time )

the bike and my riding is still a work in progress (my riding will always be)

[Big Dog]

I have had my current interphone brand units for a little over 5 years.
They have been alternated as daily use items.
I have had to make a couple of repairs to them but so far have not cost me any extra money. Got 2 years problem free before first repair.

Cost $200 for 2 units. I just bought another pair 2 units for $120 delivered. Will fit these to the new helmet when I get rid of this whooping cough.

Dependable up to about 120. Beyond that the sound is distorted.

Under 120 the person calling normally thinks I am in an office.

One word of warning though listen to music or turn them right down. It still gives me the heebies when cruising through the country side and a voice suddenly pipes up "in 500m turn right" and it doesn't matter how much I expect the instruction.

Something to watch for when buying: volume control.
Not all units have. It can be very valuable to be in a position to turn it down. Especially if you have not normalised your volume levels across all your music in some way.

Buy the best units your budget allows for. Read reviews etc. Most expensive is not always best. On my budget i could have had much nicer brands but with only single device synch and no volume control. Or I could have had a cheaper unit with fm radio and a memo record but again no volume control.

Also helps if you take the time to practice operating your system with up your gear and no bike. Ie what plays music or stops it? How about making or receiving a call?
Does my phone auto answer when connected etc. Bastard things to work out while moving.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[nzspokes]

One week untill ART day.......

[eldog]

Something to watch for when buying: volume control.
Buy the best units your budget allows for. Read reviews etc.

Also helps if you take the time to practice operating your system with up your gear and no bike. Ie what plays music or stops it? How about making or receiving a call?
Does my phone auto answer when connected etc. Bastard things to work out while moving.

volume control and ease of use/reliability- got ya
used mostly for GPS and the odd group ride.

don't really need music - sound of engine is enough - yeah baby
don't want phone calls unless emergency

[Big Dog]

If you don't want the phone function there are units without the mic. Or there were in November. Search eBay for BT music helmet. The boom mike takes up more room than you would think.

I went with a full Comms because I hardly ever get calls but when I do they tend to be time critical.

At least one probably two high value contracts only came my way because I was the first candidate to answer the phone first time. A valuable asset in IT.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[nzspokes]

Whats best for just talking to your pillion?

[eldog]

If you don't want the phone function there are units without the mic. Or there were in November. Search eBay for BT music helmet. The boom mike takes up more room than you would think.

I went with a full Comms because I hardly ever get calls but when I do they tend to be time critical.

At least one probably two high value contracts only came my way because I was the first candidate to answer the phone first time. A valuable asset in IT.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Valid point. Answer the phone. quite often means for me - a job
90% of my customers know I will ring them back, they know they don't have to leave a message, I will ring them. Most the rest will either leave a message or txt. I am cool with that. I don't get to ride to work often as I need my car for work.

[eldog]

Whats best for just talking to your pillion?

trust and understanding followed by hand signals, an integrated comms system then a Bluetooth coms system.

All technical developments off the phone - require power - something to think about
no good if battery is flat

[nzspokes]

trust and understanding followed by hand signals, an integrated comms system then a Bluetooth coms system.

All technical developments off the phone - require power - something to think about
no good if battery is flat

But thats hard to ask if she feels like a coffee at the next town etc. Had been thinking hard wired with a plug in type deal but dont know what to get.

[eldog]

But thats hard to ask if she feels like a coffee at the next town etc. Had been thinking hard wired with a plug in type deal but dont know what to get.

talk via helmet contact
or
tap on shoulder, she rubs your stomach and waves hand in front of face like drinking and point down the road - like at the pub.

Its unlikely I will ever have a pillion, although I have someone in mind who lives way down south - shes perfect as a pillion....
shes keen.
I got to get much better bike skills first before I try that.

[Big Dog]

Whats best for just talking to your pillion?

I bought these. http://www.trademe.co.nz/843183718
One touch to initiate voice operated 2 way coms. From there it is VOX until you switch off or receive a call. Wired systems normally require you to thumb a remote to speak.
No phone necessary unless you want to make calls.
Works rider to rider for up to a km of line of sight or near line of sight. E.g not through mountains or concrete. Maybe through bush. At 5 years old I get 7-9 hours o listening to music on my mobile. Gets a little less if I get a few phone calls. Rated to 3'hours calls or 12 hours standby. Charges off USB.

I was thinking if I was going away for a longer trip I would chuck a twin USB mount under the seat to have a spare and the phone on charge. And or keep a power bank in the tank bag or my pocket.

This far I have only ever carried a spare unit and a power bank for my phone.

I haven't used it rider to rider or rider to pillion.


Wired systems mostly don't require their own batteries but have issues with cable hang ups, broken leads etc.
Parts for wired can be bought in most cities.
Most wireless parts are model specific and need to be source before you need them.

Wireless has less bits to fail or snag but you need to be a little more organised with charging etc.
Wireless is dependent on software, which can be a limitation if you have to much shit on your phone but means you can add apps if you want to pre map rides, trace rides, listen to music, gps, inbound text, voice announce inbound caller ID etc.
It is a bit if a trade off.

What did I mend over last 5 years.
Broke several mounts putting bags on with helmet already on.
Had to put some plastic in between the PCB and the buttons because they were a bit soft in sunlight.
At 4-1/2 years I had to get the audio jack re soldered, and battery connectors that failed while fixing them.
I'd guess both units between them have 2500+ hours of use and still work.

Best dude to ask re Comms is probably gremlin. He has all the answers but tends to favour gear not in my budget.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[nzspokes]

I bought these. http://www.trademe.co.nz/843183718
One touch to initiate voice operated 2 way coms. From there it is VOX until you switch off or receive a call. Wired systems normally require you to thumb a remote to speak.
No phone necessary unless you want to make calls.
Works rider to rider for up to a km of line of sight or near line of sight. E.g not through mountains or concrete. Maybe through bush. At 5 years old I get 7-9 hours o listening to music on my mobile. Gets a little less if I get a few phone calls. Rated to 3'hours calls or 12 hours standby. Charges off USB.

I was thinking if I was going away for a longer trip I would chuck a twin USB mount under the seat to have a spare and the phone on charge. And or keep a power bank in the tank bag or my pocket.

This far I have only ever carried a spare unit and a power bank for my phone.

I haven't used it rider to rider or rider to pillion.


Wired systems mostly don't require their own batteries but have issues with cable hang ups, broken leads etc.
Parts for wired can be bought in most cities.
Most wireless parts are model specific and need to be source before you need them.

Wireless has less bits to fail or snag but you need to be a little more organised with charging etc.
Wireless is dependent on software, which can be a limitation if you have to much shit on your phone but means you can add apps if you want to pre map rides, trace rides, listen to music, gps, inbound text, voice announce inbound caller ID etc.
It is a bit if a trade off.

What did I mend over last 5 years.
Broke several mounts putting bags on with helmet already on.
Had to put some plastic in between the PCB and the buttons because they were a bit soft in sunlight.
At 4-1/2 years I had to get the audio jack re soldered, and battery connectors that failed while fixing them.
I'd guess both units between them have 2500+ hours of use and still work.

Best dude to ask re Comms is probably gremlin. He has all the answers but tends to favour gear not in my budget.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Cool. Cheers for that. I dont want it for anything but talking to my pillion. And this will work when I get her bike finished. You can get bits ok then?

[eldog]

Cool. Cheers for that. I dont want it for anything but talking to my pillion. And this will work when I get her bike finished. You can get bits ok then?

surely you want to talk to the another rider not just your pillion or is this the one and the same (i take it once you get her bike sorted) there will be 2 bikes going for a ride.

Anyway I reckon it will be worth it if you use Big Dogs suggestions at least.
He uses it daily so it must be reliable.
If its reliable and easy to use - you will use it. Otherwise you will toss it.
Talk to Gremlin to see what the other types there are.