Any experience with bluetooth setups for helmets?

[ferch]

I'm considering buying a bluetooth kit for my helmet primarily to pair with my iPhone 3gs. I'm not so concerned with adding a distraction by trying to talk on the phone while riding, but would like to be able to listen to music.

Has anyone tried any units? Are there any recommendations?

[grumpy8521]

My wife and I use the Scala Rider Cardo Multiset system.  Bluetooth to the phone, excellent communication between the two headsets.  It also has a jack for MP3 or GPS voice setup.

[alikkon]

I picked up a Whistler BT3300 pair for $200 total from a recent sale.  Great set IMHO.  It's A2DP, so it will work properly with the iPhone, works well for talking to a paired passenger or the phone (when stopped it's nice to not have to pull the helmet off), and the audio quality isn't bad at all.  It's light and relatively small, though I've heard some people complain about the interface being a little strange.


Personally, I think that if you learn how to use it right, it's easy to use.  The primary complaint I've heard is that turning the channels on and off is difficult.  My method is to put the helmet on, then push the channel 1 (phone/ipod) button and listen for the tones, then press the channel 2 (passenger/intercom) and hold until you hear tones.  To turn off, remove the helmet and hold each button until the lights go solid, then release.  Then it doesn't go in to pairing mode randomly from holding buttons down too long.  It's not difficult at all, though some people appear to have problems learning how to do it.


My biggest complaint is that the microphone has caused my glasses to fog a bit more than they did with no microphone, since my breath deflects off the mic and back up inside the helmet.  If you're absolutely not going to use the phone part of it under any conditions, you could probably omit the mic and just tuck the cord up in to the helmet padding.

[djrussell]

i have a set of scala rider Q2's. my wife and i use them when we ride together. that doesn't happen so much anymore so i don't have a lot of experience using them together. (more on that later ) when we did though, they were invaluable. there are only so many ways to signal when riding.
 
i haven't used it for music at all. i guess my phone could send music to it via bluetooth. i haven't tried though. they're pretty much just for talking and the occasional phone call.
 
the only thing i'd watch out for is to make sure the mic boom is long enough to be RIGHT in front of your mouth. it won't be much good otherwise. i have an hjc cl-sp. there's a sharp contour line on each side. the unit mounts with an adhesive pad. there's also a clamp but it doesn't seem to fit my helmet. anyway, that contour forced me to mount the unit a little further aft than i would like which means i have to position the mic JUST right. i'd kill for another 1/2" of length on that thing.

[alikkon]

I don't know about other phones, but the iPhone won't transmit music to a BT 1.0 device, only phone calls.  It has to be A2DP for music.

[ferch]

Yep, those are the one's I'm looking at. I think I will go with the Parrot SK4000

[lyricalslangbang]

My wife and I are using the Scala G4's with our IPHONE 3GS and 4G.  We have had no problems and I use mine daily.  The range I would say, is ify, but fully functional.  I am 100% happy with this product.

[canadianshark74]

My wife and I use the Scala Rider G4's.  They are great.  For long trips they are invaluable.
Another friend just picked up a set, we were out riding last weekend and all 3 connected perfectly.