Inter bike comms - how do they work in practice?

[woodmd2]

I've been looking at some options around inter bike comms, and see favourites seem to be the Interphone F5MC, and the Sena SM10/SM20.

Would appreciate the benefit of some experience with these before I invest, in particular answering the questions below around how they behave in use.

My needs are 3-4 riders being able to communicate, close proximity so huge distance not a problem, whilst also being able to make and take mobile calls, receive GPS instructions, and listen to music. All at the same time (should I wish to do so) I believe the term is multilayer in this space, but that seems to be limited or non existent in some of the models above, if that's true, can someone tell me how it behaves in the following scenarios.
1) If you are communicating bike to bike in a group, what happens when a call comes in? does it cut in? I assume it breaks the connection to the biker comms, but will it reconnect when the call ends? or is there button pushing to reconnect to group?

2) If you are the 'bridge' between the other riders, does that mean you have used all your Bluetooth connections up and cannot then connect to a phone?

3) Can anyone recommend a setup different to the Interphone and Sena devices that seem to be popular that might meet what I'm asking or have any insight into future versions of the Sena/Interphone ones that will...

thanks,
Martin

[i1301243]

Mrs and I use Scala Riders. We can click to talk and then hang up on each other when needed. If I get a call whilst talking it rings and I can choose to answer and then hang up. I can then click to reconnect the bike to bike comms. Think of it more as a phone call without a phone.

Never ride with more than one other bike so no idea about groups.

[Cadbury]

I have a scala packtalk and a scala g9x, so can only answer for how Scala works, and it's been a while since I actually tried these, so if I remember things correctly:

1) you can set priorities as to what is more important, but yes, if you are currently in an active intercom conversation and a call comes in and you answer it it will cut your intercom. You'll have to reconnect to the intercom once your call is over (1 button push on the g9x) the scala packtalk has the option to use a new DMC mode rather than Bluetooth for intercom which is advertised as 'self healing' i believe (but haven't tried) that with the packtalk the intercom will reconnect automatically after a call. All riders in the group need the packtalk though.

2) I think it depends on the model, but largely yes. The g9x has channels a & b for intercom and channels 1 & 2 for devices. So can connect to 4 things at once, but if the bridge rider is connected to channel a & b for his riding group then he can't have channel 1 or 2 active.

3) in terms of 'multilayering' I'm only aware of the scala packtalk and the sena 20s that will accept multiple simultaneous connections, so as an example you can have the radio playing whilst talking on your intercom. The g9x only supports one thing active at a time - although you can have multiple things connected.

The main reason I went for a scala product is that they are IP rated waterproof rather than the 'water resistant' claim from sena. To me, I wanted something I could trust to get very wet and it still work. I've read people having no problem with senas in the rain though so your milage may vary of course.

[Falco]

Is it possible to connect your own head phones to the audio jack in the Scala? I have a set of noise isolating headphones I use for the bike and ideally I would like to use them with whatever system I get. If nothing else it will make using the phone as a sat nav less of a faff to set up.

[Cadbury]

[Falco]

[TaffyTDM]

Once you get over 3 riders, imho you will get more reliable comms cheaper by using pmr446 sets with helmet Mics and handlebar ptt's. Not quite as plug in and play but most shouldn't have difficulty in getting the hang of it

[Cadbury]

[alan2502]

Myself and wife have used the Interphone 4s for almost 3 yrs Works well with a Garman iPhone and the government on the pillion
Battery live is around 6 hours if in constant use

[gorillaonabik...]

I have an inter phone and it does what it says on the tin. The only issue is the little furry cover keeps falling off because gloves in lid.

It's a good device.
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FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[MCN]

I have the Schuberth SRC system in my hat. (Scala Cardo)
I only use it to satnav about the place and sometimes for the built in FM radio.
I rarely use it for the phone (but it is crystal clear when I do.)

The 'click to chat' function is limited to a shorter distance than 'proper' radio comms but it allows more babble among 'pals'.

Radio comms can be cheaper but less plug and play-able.
Greater range for when 'the others' get away from you.

Maplin sell pretty decent two-way radios 'pairs' that are quite clear and good range 2-5 miles depending on other variables.

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/motorola-t80-extreme-pmr-quad-pack-a72tl

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/helmet-speaker-and-microphone-kit-ds34m

As said, I use my SRC for satnav and music via bluetooth from the satnav, phone or iPod. The reproduction is very good HiFi.

This sort of Scottish Greats genre mainly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-X2BQioSI

SRC at £300 is expensive as you need to buy the £600 hat too.

Maplin do headsets but they are tosh.

Autocom have been into this shit for donkey's and are specialists who know wtf they are on about.
Again, not cheap but they make systems to fit in any hat.
They supply emergency services etc.
It's all military grade stuff and some of the cabling is quite hefty. but it is designed for rough service in all weathers.
https://autocom.co.uk/

Some folk consider comms on a bike extravagant but then some think horsing around a track on two wheels at 200+MPH lunacy.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[woodmd2]

Thanks all will take a look at the other suggested kit. Good to hear the A and B channel part, in that I can use one device as a bridge and still allow connection to iPhone etc.