Helmets - built in bluetooth - any good?

Jimmydoodaa · Derestricted Danger Joined: 16 Nov 2016 Karma :

Wondering if anyone here rates helmets with built in bluetooth?

Shops don't seem to rate them, and advise to add a bluetooth device to an existing helmet, which seems expensive and bulky.

I find tangling myself up in regular headphones that inevitably drop out of my ears a pain.

I'm after something to pair with my phone so I can use satnav.

Cheers

J

Beehive Bedlam · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

Considered in early headphones?

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Had 3 over the years and have been impressed, with not only being able to have some music, but also able to take calls. Even @ high speeds Wink

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Jimmydoodaa · Derestricted Danger Joined: 16 Nov 2016 Karma :

Tried in-ear phones, don't like the distraction of them falling out while I'm riding. Aslo tried velcro ones, but too big and still have the cables.

Which helmets have you tried lool?

Cheers

Beehive Bedlam · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

Jimmydoodaa · Derestricted Danger Joined: 16 Nov 2016 Karma :

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

I'd rather be able to replace failed electronics separately to helmets. Otherwise an electronic failure would mean a new helmet and damaged helmet would mean new bluetooth.

I think some of the nolan/xlite lids have fittings for Scala and sena intercoms that make them less sticky-outy.

My shark lids have had recesses in the eps liner and matching cutouts in the cheek pads that make fitting independent kits quite easy. The sharktooth kit is hard to find and overpriced but fits nicely if you don't mind shark lock-in.

Recent AGV lids like the K3SV and K5 have one piece cheekpad/neckroll inserts that don't cover the ears at all and deep cutaways in the eps liner filled with removable pads so a wide range of different speaker sizes are accommodated.

Scala intercoms hang of the bottom of the helmet and don't work so well with low-fitting helmets and jackets with large external armour.

I note that my scala q1 sounds quite tinny if i ride without earplugs. With 3M Sparkplugs (disposable earplugs) or similar the sound seems reasonably balanced. I have not tried with upmarket earplugs, i might try with my shooting earplugs or my in-ear monitor plugs for great science, but i tried riding in the latter once and found them too isolating and not particularly comfortable. They're also a lot more expensive than a midrange intercom.
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