wireless communication on rides

[mr72]

Hey all-

Looking for the collective motorcyclists' wisdom here. Most of the time I ride, it's with my dad. I'm looking for a way for us to communicate while riding.

Not looking for bluetooth. My dad would never find a way to make it work and his phone is about a decade old. He wears a 3/4 helmet so I need something that can work for that. I have a full helmet.

Ideally I imagine some voice activated GPRS/FRS radios with wired helmet-mounted headsets would be the way to go. But I would like some specific recommendations.

Oh and BTW, I'm really NOT looking for these niche motorcycle outfits that make very expensive accessories (SENA etc.). If the entire solution for two bikes is >$100 then it's just not worth it.

Maybe something like a pair of these along with matching radios? https://www.amazon.com/Midland-AVP-1-Headset-2-Way-Radios/dp/B00008JOMD/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_107_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DN1BJ4VXWQMXBZ7CEYY1

Dunno if you can get the helmet on over the headset. Alternately there are headsets meant to install in the helmet, might work.

Other ideas? I'd like to get something going before we take our trip in a couple of weeks for a motorcycle show. It's just a pain to be out on the open road for an hour at a time without being able to at least say "hey I need to stop for gas".

[yamahonkawazuki]

if a vacant channel on cb? however price point might be an issue. id consider doubling budget to play it safe. (to do it right if at all possible.)
Aaron

[Watcher]

Bluetooth comms will work helmet to helmet, no cellphone required, and unlike radios they are duplex and don't require you to hold a button to transmit so they are better quality communicators and safer to use.

I would look for an older U-Clear HBC100 dual pack, check a nearby CycleGear if you have those.  They aren't on the website but my store had a couple of packs in the display case.  Ask the associate to transfer one in if they don't have one.  IIRC they were $120 or something, and that comes with everything you need out of the box for two helmets.

They are super easy to install, lightweight, easy to use.

[mr72]

I would look for an older U-Clear HBC100 dual pack, check a nearby CycleGear if you have those.  They aren't on the website but my store had a couple of packs in the display case.  Ask the associate to transfer one in if they don't have one.  IIRC they were $120 or something, and that comes with everything you need out of the box for two helmets.

They are super easy to install, lightweight, easy to use.

That's really good input. Will that work with a 3/4 (open face) helmet?

EDIT: OK I just looked this up. I don't think this kind of thing will work. #1 it looks like you have to stick some bulky thing on the outside of the helmet. ?? That's never going to fly. #2, it looks like the unit has to somehow be charged, while still attached to the helmet?

I guess I need to do a video review. What I really was after is a headset that is completely self-contained inside the helmet and doesn't require power. Something like a passive headset like you'd plug into a FRS radio, but with no cable dangling off, the cable disconnects from the helmet side AND the radio side. This way the thing can be kept in the helmet at all times and not distract from the use of the helmet without needing the communicator to operate, and also, and this is important, I can bring TWO radios with me when I meet my dad to go ride, and just plug one in, I deal with charging and all that.

[Watcher]

Will that work with a 3/4 (open face) helmet?

Yes.  The microphones are contained within the speakers, there's no boom or anything to install so it keeps a really clean look, as well.

It looks like you have to stick some bulky thing on the outside of the helmet?

Yes, if an approximately 1"x2"x3" unit is "bulky".

It looks like the unit has to somehow be charged, while still attached to the helmet?

The unit is the control pod and the battery, and it is attached to the side of the helmet, but it is on a quick-detach base.  You can easily pop the unit off to charge it and update the firmware or whatever.

What I really was after is a headset that is completely self-contained inside the helmet and doesn't require power. Something like a passive headset like you'd plug into a FRS radio, but with no cable dangling off, the cable disconnects from the helmet side AND the radio side. This way the thing can be kept in the helmet at all times and not distract from the use of the helmet without needing the communicator to operate, and also, and this is important, I can bring TWO radios with me when I meet my dad to go ride, and just plug one in, I deal with charging and all that.

I still think the UClear will work for you, but I misspoke.  It was the HBC100 "PLUS" I was thinking of, definitely go with this one instead of the regular HBC100. 

The unit only uses one connection (USB Mini-B style) to power and communicate with the speakers/mics, so once you unplug the speakers/mics and disconnect the unit from the helmet you can easily tuck that single cable into the rubber trim of the helmet (or behind the cheek pad) to hide/protect it while leaving the speakers/mics installed within.  Then take the control unit with you to charge and update it, when you're ready to ride just snap it onto the helmet, plug the one cable in, power it on, you're done!
The quick-detach base has two styles; an adhesive base that would make the base permanent to the side of the helmet or a clamp style base that resembles a binder-clip that can easily be attached and removed as necessary, so the helmet will look "stock" when the unit is not attached.

The units "remember" each other so once you pair them the first time they will automatically want to pair with each other once they're both powered on.  There are 3 buttons on the unit, the main button is how you would activate the intercom (IIRC it's one tap and you're talking) and the other two are a simple up and down for volume.  So even a "technophobe" can figure it out.

[Bluesmudge]

You definitely want something that is designed for motorcycle use. The #1 most important thing is the noise canceling software built into the units (unless you ride with a full face helmet on a goldwing with a extra large touring screen). #2 in my opinion would be full duplex, since this negates the need for a handlebar mounted push to talk button. You only get this with the bluetooth units.
Like Watcher said, just because the modern units use Bluetooth technology doesn't mean you need to use a phone with them. Only if you also want to also use your phone. The cheapest FRS/GMRS setup I know of is the Chatterbox X2-SLIM and that's $249 and then you still have to hit a helmet or handlebar mounted push to talk button every time you want to say something. The radio based units are also much bigger and have a mess of wires. The bluetooth units are much more self contained.

For example, on my Sena units you just put on the helmet, turn on units, and then press the big volume button to connect to the other headset. In seconds its like the other person is inside your helmet. The bluetooth units are full duplex, get 8 - 12 hours of constant use out of a charge, and are rechargeable. The units easily disconnect physically from the helmet so you can charge it away from the helmet if you prefer.

You can get a dual pack of the Sena SMH5's that I have for $186. That's $93 per rider.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sena-smh5-bluetooth-headset-dual-pack-universal-mic
I don't see how you could ever get a cobbled together CB or FRS/GMRS setup for anything close to that price. I mean, it costs at least $50 just for the cheapest CB radio that's designed for a car/truck and thats before you buy an antenna or a headset that will somehow fit under a helmet and then you have a waterproofing problem and still have the push-to-talk problem. A motorcycle is a very specific use scenario. You need something that's audible over road noise, that pics up and transmits your voice clearly even when traveling a 70 MPH, fits easily and comfortably inside a helmet, can handle being exposed to the elements for hours at a time, has the battery life for a full day of riding, and that doesn't interfere with your ability to operate the motorcycle. Ideally, its should also be an install once and forget it type thing. If you have to mess with a bunch of wires on every ride you won't want to use it. With my Sena, I just put on my helmet, press two buttons and go.

[mr72]

I don't disagree with any of that, and I definitely appreciate your inputs.

I am just like 99% sure my dad is not going to put a doohickey on his helmet all the time. He has no use for it and won't use bluetooth ordinarily. He'll just use it when I bring it along.

So I want a solution that'll be hidden completely in his helmet when not "in use".

Looks like this is roughly possible if we can find a way to tuck wires in for the system.

[Bluesmudge]

I don't know about other systems, but with the Sena, even after you remove the actual bluetooth unit and tuck the little connector cord into the lining there is still a small black plastic mounting plate on the side of the helmet. It takes two small allen bolts to remove that piece and make the helmet look 100% stock again.

[mr72]

I really appreciate you guys discussing this with me. It's made it clear that I need to wait a while before jumping on this.

In favor of a moto-specific product:

• Noise cancelation that may reduce wind noise
• Full duplex operation

In favor of GMRS radio solution:

• Much lower cost
• Can be used for other things besides motorcycling
• Less obtrusive headset when left in helmet and radio unit disconnected
• Much greater range between vehicles

I am still in favor of the GMRS solution. I mean, I could go on a trip with me on the bike and my wife in a car and we could still communicate. I could use a pair of GMRS radios all the time when off-roading in my Jeep, when we are caravaning across the large parts of Texas where there is no cell phone coverage (which we do, often, traveling to my daughter's school in College Station), or when we do one of the many outdoor activities we do where phones don't make sense (try dropping your $850 Pixel 2 in a lake...). So basically I can justify the expense of a pair of GMRS radios pretty easily, and then the motorcycle use is just a pair of $12 headsets. OTOH it's tough to justify spending up to a couple of hundred bucks on some communication devices that my dad and I may only need or use once or twice a year and are basically unused the whole rest of the time.

At this time I think I'll basically get neither. You guys have put enough doubt in my mind about the usefulness of GMRS for motorcycle communication and because of cost and very limited utility, I can't really justify the BT ones.

[Toogoofy317]

I've never found anything that isn't specifically designed for helmets do what you want. I tried for years a BT solution  that didn't cost a bomb. And that was literally just wanting to play my music. I tried out side little speakers velcroed in. Could barely hear it. For a couple of years I settled for LG tones but if I didn't get it perfect I would have ear pain 30 minutes  into my ride. Finally this time last year I snatched Motorcycle Gear's BT helmet for $100. It had been slashed by 60% because it charged by mini USB.

Not being negative but cheap and good rarely come together in the same sentence.