{"id":898,"date":"2015-03-25T08:25:25","date_gmt":"2015-03-25T16:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/?p=898"},"modified":"2015-11-10T08:32:14","modified_gmt":"2015-11-10T16:32:14","slug":"using-helmet-communicators-8-buying-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/?p=898","title":{"rendered":"Using Helmet Communicators \u2013 8 Buying Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt;\">Using Helmet Communicators \u2013 8 Buying Tips<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"904\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/?attachment_id=904\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?fit=1750%2C1119&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1750,1119\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"helmetblur\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?fit=1024%2C655&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-904\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?resize=800%2C512\" alt=\"helmetblur\" width=\"800\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?resize=1024%2C655&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?resize=300%2C192&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?resize=436%2C279&amp;ssl=1 436w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?resize=1112%2C711&amp;ssl=1 1112w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/helmetblur.jpg?w=1750&amp;ssl=1 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><em>I am a big fan of using helmet communicators<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\nHelmet communicators are fast becoming a common accessory for motorcyclists these days. I&#8217;ve been using helmet communicators with my wife and friends for many years. We really appreciate using them for long distance two-up touring rides. \u00a0We&#8217;ve discovered that we both just love talking all day! \u00a0You know\u2026it&#8217;s rare to have much relaxing time at home just to talk. But when we&#8217;re on the bike, we can enjoy talking virtually all day long! Not about news, or decisions, but about our day, the beautiful scenery, the people we met and those thoughts that only come when out on the open road. \u00a0I prefer the wireless models because I am not a fan of plugging my head into my bike while riding. \u00a0Plus, we can also use with our dirt bikes and\u00a0ATVs for bike-to-bike communications very easily. \u00a0Having comm&#8217;s just makes me feel better when I can offer quick riding advice while on the trail. You see&#8230;I grew up riding dirt bikes and Linda is fairly new to the sport.\u00a0 &#8220;Stop at the top of that hill, ok?&#8230;&#8221; Now that definitely beats climbing down that cliff to drag the bike back up the hill&#8230; Oh\u2026Linda was fine&#8230; \ud83d\ude09 \ud83d\ude09 How many times have you wanted to tell someone to &#8216;stop at the next exit&#8217;\u2026 or &#8216;hey, isn&#8217;t that a beautiful view over there!&#8217;.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><!-- Post Bottom 728x90 --> <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 728px; height: 90px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6285927694059883\" data-ad-slot=\"9507977254\"><\/ins><script>\/\/ <![CDATA[\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><em>My &#8216;ol trusty helmet communicator <\/em><\/strong><br \/>\nWas a Cardo Scala Rider dual headset\u00a0that I bought when it hit the market back in 2005. \u00a0Linda and I continually used it until this year (2015) and it was flawless. Battery life is still good for a full riding day!\u00a0 Here is a photo of my old model. The boom mic is built in and cannot be swapped or used with an internal mic. This one provided me with many years of trouble free communication bliss. And it continues to works just like new! Perfect sound, loudness, battery life, and is very rugged. I use a full-face helmet and it tucks in real nice and sleek. I plan to use it for off road riding and to share with friends.<br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/032515_1625_UsingHelmet2.jpg?w=1112\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\">I recently upgraded to a new unit so that I&#8217;d be able to connect my GoPro camera wirelessly to my helmet communicator microphone. In addition to the trick GoPro adapter, the new Sena 20S is also fully configurable via smartphone, as many of the newer models are. Configuration is simple, fast and easily doable while on the road. Bluetooth 4.0 is for talking uninterrupted and allows me to continue talking with Linda even while the GPS is trying its best to interrupt. Bluetooth 4.0 purports to help marriages\u00a0and friendships&#8230; \ud83d\ude09<br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><em>Hey pull over right over there! \u2026ok\u2026<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/032515_1625_UsingHelmet3.jpg?w=1112\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><em>Prices haven&#8217;t changed that much in 9 years<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\nBut the choices have grown. \u00a0The capabilities and features are amazing. You&#8217;ll be able to have rider to passenger intercom, bike-to-bike communications, music, smartphone configurator apps, extended talk and standby time, easy to use controls, clear sound, noise cancelling, you name it. But you still want to be selective when choosing yours.<br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt;\"><strong><em>8 Tips for choosing your trusty helmet communicator or intercom system<br \/>\n<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>1. Find one that Matches Your Style<\/strong> \u2013 See how other people are using theirs.\u00a0 Some\u00a0people use helmet communicators exclusively as a personal connection to their smartphone or GPS. Some just want to talk with their passenger while touring. Others will talk to other riders in their group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>2. Buy One that is Built into your Helmet<\/strong> \u2013 Or as a separate add-on. Personally, I like it separate so I can swap helmets easily. Some models come with multiple mounting hardware setups so you can setup more than one helmet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><!-- Post Bottom 728x90 --> <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 728px; height: 90px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6285927694059883\" data-ad-slot=\"9507977254\"><\/ins><script>\/\/ <![CDATA[\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>3. Group Riding and Bike to Bike<\/strong> \u2013 Find out what other people in your group are using. Sometimes it&#8217;s much easier and even required that everyone in your group is using the same gear. Group connections can be easy or extremely difficult, or even impossible depending on your units. If you are buying for bike-to-bike communications, then check particular distance limitations. You&#8217;ll need to stay within that limit for communications to work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>4. Think About the Controls<\/strong> \u2013 Some of the buttons are glove friendlier than others. This is really important because you don&#8217;t want to add anything to your riding experience that takes your mind off the road or is frustrating to use. Don&#8217;t forget about the volume control. Nothing worse than getting blasted in the ear while riding\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><!-- Post Bottom 728x90 --> <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 728px; height: 90px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6285927694059883\" data-ad-slot=\"9507977254\"><\/ins><script>\/\/ <![CDATA[\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>5. Ease of Configuration<\/strong> \u2013 As long as it&#8217;s easy to use\u2026 you&#8217;ll use it. So what if it can do a hundred different things? If it&#8217;s not easy to use, will you use it? If the brand includes the ability to configure via a smartphone app, it will be so easy. You may actually make use of all of those features.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>6. Buy Two<\/strong> \u2013 Most manufacturers have a reduced package price when you purchase a pair. It&#8217;s hard to communicate with just one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>7. Cell Phone Calls<\/strong> \u2013 If you&#8217;re planning to answer phone calls while riding, and I am not recommending this, make sure that you can do it easily. The other important thing to remember here is that built in noise cancelling is important for cell phone use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><!-- Post Bottom 728x90 --> <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 728px; height: 90px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6285927694059883\" data-ad-slot=\"9507977254\"><\/ins><script>\/\/ <![CDATA[\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>8. Read a Lot of Blogs<\/strong> \u2013 and find out what people like and don&#8217;t like. It&#8217;s really more of a usability thing than a technical choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\">A few popular choices are Sena, Cardo Scala Rider, Chatterbox, UClear, Schuberth (integrated), and a number of bluetooth only helmets too. \u00a0Watch\u00a0for my Sena 20S full review on www.MotoForever.com.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\">Now go and ride!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/032515_1625_UsingHelmet4.gif?w=1112\" alt=\"\" \/><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;\"><em> MOTOForever!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Using Helmet Communicators \u2013 8 Buying Tips I am a big fan of using helmet communicators Helmet communicators are fast<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":894,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[144,4,3],"tags":[159,161,162,165,166,164,158,160,163,11],"class_list":["post-898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-reviews","category-tips","tag-adventure","tag-gear","tag-how-to","tag-intercom","tag-sena","tag-sena-20s","tag-street","tag-tech","tag-technology","tag-touring"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.motoforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/032515_1625_UsingHelmet1.jpg?fit=720%2C472&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=898"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/898\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":906,"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/898\/revisions\/906"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=898"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=898"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motoforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}