Sena Motorcycle Dual Bluetooth Headset and Intercom System Review

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(More customer reviews)I've never owned or used an intercom on a motorcycle before now, so I have nothing to compare this with.
The unit out of the box paired easily with the second unit, my Ipod touch, and one of our two cellphones. I can not get it to pair with my Samsung PDA (which I've successfully paired with other bluetooth devices.) Unit to unit works perfectly. It also works perfectly with my older Motorola razor cellphone. It connects, and allows music playback from my Ipod touch (3g). I cannot control the Ipod with the headset though. But perhaps the Ipod bluetooth doesn't support that (?) The problem with the Ipod is that if you talk too long to your passenger over the intercom, the Ipod will pause, and you can't restart it from the headset. It's too tricky to try and restart while I'm driving, so when that happens, I have to wait until my next stop or pull over. A work around on this is to use the supplied cables and plug the Ipod into the headset. But then, you're messing with cables, and it defeats the whole Bluetooth advantage. I have read reviews on other sites that claim the Sena unit sends a command to pause the Ipod. If that's accurate, then the problem is with the Sena unit, not Apple. However, if you just speak briefly to your passenger, the music comes back on as soon as you click off with the passenger. Also, music over bluetooth will only work with one or the other headset. Your MP3 can't drive both headsets via bluetooth. I mention this, because a lot of folks don't realize this.
Operation is simple, you can leave it on VOX, which will make you and the other rider connect when you speak. Or you can deactivate VOX, and press the side button to connect, then press again when you're done.
We use these with our half helmets. I wear hearing aids, and half helmets are the only helmet I can use my hearing aids with. I sometimes ride with only 1 hearing aid. Either way, with one or both hearing aid in, there is ample volume below about 65 mph to hear fine. Over about 65 mph, the microphone picks up too much wind noise to work well. Couple that with the wind rushing in to a half helmet, and it's only that much harder to hear. Before you buy this for half helmets, read some reviews of other types of intercoms. Some have a mic that touches your throat. Perhaps that would be better in a half helmet, but I really don't know. Anyway, I don't fault Sena for the wind issues in a half helmet. Although it would be sporting of them to mention it in their ad.
Battery life seems pretty good. We set out with two fully charged headsets today. We rode 5 hours with the intercom ON the whole time, with no issues. Recharge time later wasn't long, Less than an hour. Clicking it on and off should extend the battery life.
Bottom line. Except for the Ipod issue, it operates flawlessly. It's not the hot ticket for half helmets though, at least when riding out on the interstate.

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SMH10D-01 is two headsets in one box. The SMH10 is a Bluetooth v2.1 Class 1 Stereo Headset with long-range Bluetooth Intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. With the SMH10, you can call hands-free on your Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to stereo music or voice instructions of GPS navigations by Bluetooth wirelessly, and have intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or other motorcycle riders.Thanks to the latest Bluetooth v2.1 and the advanced digital processing technology, the SMH10 offers the best sound quality for both incoming and outgoing sound in its class. Also, the easy-to-access and intuitive button operations make the SMH10 a perfect companion for motorcycles.

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Garmin zumo 665 Widescreen Motorcyle Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)After riding on a 1000 mile trip this week, here is my review of my first use of the 665 on a road trip. I ride about 20,000 miles per year and have used the Zumo 550 (my previous Garmin) for 45,000 miles the past 3 years, hence my comparison of the 665 to the 550.
Cons:
Major problem with the unit is the XM features shutting down unexpectedly. One of the reviews here experienced similar problems and was told by Garmin that the antennal cable is faulty and a new cable is being designed. I do not think the cable hardware is the issue. I believe it is the software. I experienced the same problem once before I left on the trip and was told by Garmin Tech to perform a hard reset of the unit by holding your index finger on the lower right corner as you turn the unit on until you see the message that "a reset will erase your data". You have to select "yes" or "no". Yes does reset the XM but erased all of my favorites, routes and settings. The unit reverts to the settings as it comes from the factory. Also, sometimes during this trip, I had to turn off the XM and then back on in order to reacquire the XM programming. I have the XM subscriptons for XM radio, NavWeather and NavTraffic. When XM stops, all of those are lost until a hard reset. I had to do hard resets at least 10 times on this trip-very, very inconvenient when riding a motorcycle down the road. I had bought the Zumo 665 to replace my Zumo 550 since the 665 has the Nexrad Radar display...very, very helpful when riding in the elements. The radar works fine when XM is working. When removing the until from the motorcycle mount, be sure it is off. Otherwise, you will have to hard reset to regain the XM features the next time you restart it in the motorcycle mount. Changing stations on the XM radio also stopped the XM features twice. I quit using the XM radio to listen to after the second time this occurred. Garmin has not offered a fix for these problems as of yesterday.
The XM local weather stations are far apart. On the 550, the stations were the closest aviation reporting stations. Example is riding through Louisiana local stations were Shreveport or Baton Rouge. I was closer to both Monroe and Alexandria at different times with no report. The 550 had a weather map so one could look ahead at stations all over the USA, touch one and get the weather and forecast. But, again, the 550 had no weather radar.
The unit shut itself down twice with no input.
Pressing hard on the lower right corner shuts down the unit. This corner needs touching to scroll through points of interest among other pieces of info. A light touch is required to avoid this.
The volume is lower for the XM radio relative to the 550. I can barely hear the radio at 70 mph. The 550 works well at 70 mph. I have the XM and the media player set at 100% along with the master volume set at 100%.
The text and display graphics are smaller than the 550 even though the total screen size is slightly bigger. Some of this is attributed to the amount of info on the screen that I select. I have not tried selecting less screen info yet to see if that helps. I like the info I have displayed now and hate to reduce it.
Pros:
Big pro is the Nexrad Radar when XM is working.
Lots more information such as showing lanes ahead so you can plan sooner where you need to be at intersections, especially on the freeway. Also, shows what the major overhead intersection signs display before you can see them-nice feature.
Lighter than the 550 and the shape makes it less likely to fall from your grasp when transferring it to another vehicle.
Bluetooth for touch free cell phone use. I use in the auto but not the motorcycle.
Conclusion:
Overall this unit, pricy compared to auto-only units, but waterproof and vibration proof will be acceptable once the software fix for XM is ready for upload to make that part of the unit reliable. At that point I will be ready to give the unit a 5.Follow up on July 27, 2010
Here is a follow up as of July 27, 2010. I sent this 665 back to Garmin, who then returned another to me (different serial number). First problem was the off/on switch sticks, so difficult to shut it down. It would turn on fine, but the switch would stick down in the unit.
As far as the XM goes, it worked fine one day on a 200 mile ride. The next day, it quit again with the same message-check XM antenna.
As of today, I have another RMA to return this unit for another. I am still very frustrated with unit-problems still exist.As of October 3, 2010
Garmin finally sent me an entire new until including new XM receiver and all accessories. I changed out the XM receiver and either that or the last software update seems to have cured all my previous issues. The XM subscriptions come up very quickly now, with the weather taking the longest, but never more than a couple of minutes. I'd highly recommend this motorcycle unit if you wish to have weather radar as your cruise down the road.

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Take a ride on a new route and explore the open road with the zūmo 665, a motorcycle-friendly navigator with stereo Bluetooth, XM satellite radio, weather, and traffic. Whether you’re on a weekday ride just across town or a weeklong trip to an annual rally with friends, the zūmo 665 is ready to show you the way. Plus, use the zūmo in your car and get double use out of it.

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Garmin Zumo 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)People complain about the Zumo not having a built in speaker. Well, you wouldn't be able to hear it while riding your bike it if it had one, so it's a bit of a moot point.
On a side note, I think there are some features the unit lacks that can be somewhat annoying. First, and definitely the most annoying for me, the elevation by which you view your position on a GPS determines the amount of detail you see, i.e. POI's, street names, distance of road to travel, etc. The units I have used previously (factory nav in a Honda, other Garmins and the Mio 310 to name a few) had the ability to select zoom/elevation from the main nav screen allowing you to choose your "view" of the road so to speak, at anytime. With the Zumo, you cannot change elevation/zoom from the main nav screen, you can only adjust it while in map mode searching for a destination. The second you go back to the main navigation screen you loose the elevation you chose and go back to a default level of zoom, which for me is real irritating.
Another annoying feature is the keyboard for text input does not offer a QWERTY layout. I have not had to type on an ABCDEF style keyboard since the invention on the PC. In fact, I have a Garmin IQue 3600 that's 4 years old and it has a QWERTY keyboard?
Also, the search function on the Zumo is relatively slow at times. I once waited 4+ minutes while searching for a popular restaurant. It found it eventually, but for a while I thought the unit just froze up. I happen to be sitting in my driveway so it was only a minor annoyance, but if you were parked on the roadside with cars buzzing by it would seem more like an eternity.
One other issue, the built in hard drive is pretty much full with maps right out of the box, which isn't that big of a deal with the open SD slot. The SD slot lets you slip in a SD card for expanded memory capability (MP3 storage etc.), but when loading routes from your PC (which is a great feature I'll touch on below) you must save the data directly to the units hard drive in order for the Zumo to be able to read it. Well, that's going to be an issue when the hard drive fills up from firmware updates, etc.
While I'm at it, I think the icon that marks your position on the map is annoyingly large. It makes your car or bike look the size of a lake, or some other large map detail.
On the plus side, I believe that all of the issues I mentioned are correctable via a firmware update and a few bugs are to be expected to some extent given this is the 1st generation of a new model. Although, you can also argue that with the price this thing sells for combined with the experience Garmin has building GPS devices there is really no excuse for the Zumo lacking anything.
A nice feature, which is common on Garmins top units, is that you can map out routes on your PC, load it to the Zumo (again, on the built in hard drive though not the SD card) and away you go. This comes in handy if you're in sales for example and need to hit a few clients on a particular day or if you're going to be cruising on your bike and have a bunch of places you want to stop at during the trip. Rather than having to wait and program destinations one at a time as you make your stops, you can knock them all out the night before on your PC so you're entire trip is planned before it's even begun.
Also, the Bluetooth feature is sweet and works flawlessly. Pairing the Zumo with my Blackberry was a breeze. The Zumo was able to read my address book and displayed the contacts on the phone screen so there was never a need to touch the Blackberry once paired. When in the car, the speaker worked well and people on the other end seemed to have no trouble hearing me. I disagree with the one reviewer that said the mount looked weak. I think the mount would successfully support a cinderblock on rough road.
Installing the Zumo on my ZZR1200 took me about 30 min. It takes some time to run the wires and connect to the battery. You will need to crimp connectors (that are not supplied) on the end of the wires that go to the battery. The Ram mount is real solid. The Zumo does not move once you're locked in and on the road.
Now for the justification of the 4 star rating given I beat the Zumo up quite a bit. The build quality of this thing it second to none. It is literally built like a tank. I'd bet it would outlast anyone who buys it. Again, firmware updates will likely take care of all its shortcomings over time. And last but not least, Garmin tech support is second to none. No matter who you speak to they are knowledgeable, professional and will provide answers to anything you can throw at them (and I come up with some good ones) all without making you feel like you're annoying or a technological moron.
Therefore, I don't think you can go wrong with any Garmin, if you can swallow the price of the unit.

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Born to ride, the Garmin zumo 550 brings all the power of a GPS navigator, wireless communicator, multimedia entertainer, and tour guide all into one device. And it's made just for motorcycles. Designed by bikers, zumo's motorcycle-friendly features make it easy to operate while in the saddle. From back roads to rallies, its preloaded maps and high-end navigation features give you the freedom to go where you want.
View the zumo 550 in action. You can also see a demonstration of the product's features. (Best viewed with Internet Explorer)
Made for Two Wheels The zumo is made for extreme durability; it's vibration-tested, waterproof, and built with fuel-resistant plastics to withstand the elements. It's also intuitive, with a glove-friendly touch screen with left-handed controls that make it easy to operate. There's a bright, sunlight-readable, UV-resistant display that makes it easy to view, as well as a unique motorcycle console for trip information, including a fuel gauge to warn you when its time to fill up. The display measures 3.5 inches diagonally and features 320 x 240 pixel resolution.
Measuring 4.8 x 3.9 x 1.6-inches (WxHxD) and weighing just 10.6 ounces, the zumo is small enough to carry with you while you're off the bike. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver is powered by the SiRF Star chipset, which offers extreme accuracy, even when you're riding under dense foliage or between tall buildings. The unit also features Garmin Lock -- an advanced anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location.
The zumo comes with a motorcycle mount with universal mounting hardware so you can mount it anywhere. An automobile mount is also included, and it features an integrated speaker. Garmin also provides custom caps, which are available in a variety of colors, so you can reflect your style.
Navigate the Open Road The zumo 550 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps and a hefty points of interest (POIs) database, including motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply enter a destination, and the zumo takes you there with turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names. In addition, zumo accepts customized points of interest such as school zones and safety cameras, and it also includes proximity alerts to warn of upcoming POIs. Plus, the unit is fully compatible with Garmin's Tour Guide feature, a free utility that allows you to build and upload a database of POIs that are encoded with photos and MP3 files. A rechargeable, removable lithium-ion battery that offers up to three hours of use is integrated into the zumo for trip planning or use on foot. In addition, the zumo even accepts electronic maps, making it the ultimate off-road navigator.
Hands-Free Calls and Wireless Voice Prompts With the zumo's Bluetooth wireless technology, you can talk on the phone safely without removing your gloves or helmet. Connect the device to your Bluetooth-enabled headset/helmet and cell phone to make and receive hands-free calls. You can even make phone calls to POIs through the zumo's Bluetooth interface. In addition, The zumo transmits navigation voice prompts to your headset so you can listen wirelessly.
Traffic, Weather, and Radio With optional XM subscriptions and an XM antenna, you can check the weather, move ahead of traffic and listen to the radio when you travel with the zumo. As an alternative, the zumo can receive optional TMC traffic alerts (in select cities) when used with a compatible traffic receiver. Simply press a button on the screen, and the zumo recalculates your route to avoid traffic tie-ups.
Route Planning, Sharing, and Entertainment The zumo makes it easy to plan your next trip and share routes with your riding buddies. Plan trips on your computer before you start. Search for food and fuel stops and local attractions. Then, transfer your route to your zumo and go.
At the end of the day, share your favorite places and rides with other zumo riders, and review your travels in Google Earth. SD card expansion makes it easy for storage and route sharing, and you can download routes to share with your riding buddies. You can also load MP3s onto the unit so you can enjoy music while you're riding. Plus, a JPEG picture viewer lets you share photos of your adventures with friends and family.
What's in the Box zumo 550, preloaded City Navigator NT North America, MapSource City Navigator NT DVD (full-unlock), motorcycle mount with RAM mounting hardware, automotive suction cup mount with integrated speaker, dashboard disk, carrying case, AC charger, vehicle power cable, motorcycle power cable, USB interface cable, security screwdriver, custom caps (silver and black), Garmin stickers, owner's manual on disk, and quick reference guide.

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Motorcycle Bluetooth Multi Interphone headsets 3 riders Review

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(More customer reviews)Disclaimer: It is winter here so I have only installed these in the helmets and tried the functionality. All testing was carried out at the maximum speed of my recliner.
The headset and microphone easily installed into my HJC full face helmet. The microphone is connected to a wire mike so it would also work with an open face helmet. The transmitter was smaller than I had expected and easily clipped onto the side of the helmet.
To turn the Interphone on or off you have to press the intercom button for about 10 seconds. It doesn't sound like a long time till you are holding in on the button for what seems like forever. There are two large buttons on the front and back of the transmitter. Both appear to be far enough apart and tall enough to easily operate with riding gloves on. The front "phone" button answers/hangs up the phone and on my phone would pause/resume music playback. The rear button enables/disables the intercom mode. There are two smaller buttons in the middle for volume control.
It took a few times reading through the procedure, but it was reasonably easy to bluetooth pair the Interphone with my LG Optimus android phone. Once paired, music played on the phone either through Pandora or the music player streamed automatically to the stereo headset. Volume seems to be plenty loud and the sound was much better than I expected. The sound isn't as good as earbuds, but in my opinion it was very satisfactory. When the cell was called, the music stopped and ringing could be heard in the headset. Pressing the phone button immediately answers the call. If no button is pressed, the phone will eventually auto-answer. There does not appear to be any way to ignore an incoming call. Calls can be terminated by pressing the phone button. Once the phone call ends, the music began playing again.
The units came pre-paired to each other so I can't comment on how difficult this process is. Intercom mode is entered by pressing the rear intercom button. It takes about 5 seconds for the Interphone to connect to the second Interphone and start an intercom session. The intercom mode seems to be full duplex so both mics are open the entire time in the intercom mode. Pressing the intercom button on either Interphone ends the intercom mode and returns to the phone/music monitor. The 5 or so seconds it takes to establish connection to the other Interphone is going to prevent spontaneous quick chats between the riders, but it will be MUCH easier than trying to yell between bikes while going down the road or at a stop.
The unit is also supposed to be able to use a wired headphone jack input for a GPS or standard MP3 player. This function did not work at all for me. This input has the lowest priority and it is possible that my smart phone was locking up the headphone function even when music output was paused.
Battery life is supposed to be about 8 hours. I turned on both Interphones, set them to intercom mode and set one in front of the TV speaker so that it was constantly transmitting and the other Interphone was constantly driving the headset. I left them run for ~6 hours and both head sets were still working when I stopped the test.
I am sure that other products are more refined and offer VOX/PTT functionality and automatic switching to the intercom, but for only $80 for the pair this is a fantastic deal.
I will write an update once the weather lets me pull the bike back onto the road.

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This listing is for a set of Bluetooth stereo motorcycle Intercom headsets for up to 3 bikers. This is for 2 headsets, but if you buy more then one set, you can use them together.This is a new model made by shark.Model - shklxmbt388il. The shklxmbt388il is a Bluetooth Class 1 Stereo Headset with long-range Bluetooth Intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. With the shklxmbt388il , you can call hands-free on your Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to stereo music or voice instructions of GPS navigations by Bluetooth wirelessly, and have intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or up to 2 other motorcycle riders. Thanks to the latest Bluetooth v2.1 and the advanced digital processing technology (DSP) the shklxmbt388il offers the best sound quality for both incoming and outgoing sound in its class. Also, the easy-to-access and intuitive Jog-Dial button operations make the shklxmbt688il a perfect companion for motorcycles.Use your mobile phone, SmartPhone, iPhone or MP3 player to listen wireless to Stereo music using the A2DP Bluetooth Stereo Profil support or listen to the voice instructions from your GPS navigation system such as the TomTom Rider, Garmin zumo or any other navgation system with Bluetooth support. If your iPod, MP3 Player or radio doesn't support Bluetooth, you could connect to the headset 3.5mm jack using the audio cable included in the package.Description: 3 Riders 1000M Intercom Motorcycle Bluetooth headsetsSpec: *Plastic + Rubber button, more stable structure, better waterproof performance. *1000 meters Intercom range for drivers and passengers *Up to 120km/h speed *Up to 7 hours talking time *Auto receiving cellphone calls *Fits any motorcycle helmet *Fully weather protected *Wind and noise compensating microphone with super-

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