What Bluetooth Headsets are you using?

[Deek]

Just bought a 2013 RT with Audio. I have never used Bluetooth, but it appears I might have to find a BT headset device to use with my Nolan N43 helmet. Right now that helmet has a wired J&M headset in it....I love it and the helmet.

 

I have started doing research and it appears there are many BT headsets available, but I have not found a clear favorite. I'm read lots of negatives on the Sena model, but I also think I've seen a lot of good things about them. And many users don't say what motorcycle they are using. And apparently the BMW audio system has some issues pairing......imagine that.

 

I have heard the ONLY BT helmet headset that is fully compatible with the RT's BT audio is the BMW system, costing about $450. On all others I understand I would have to control the volume via the headset.....not perfect, but I could live with that. Prices seem to be around $400 for the J&M BT headset to much less for the Scala, Sena, N-Com, etc.

 

So what is being used for you Camhead owners? Owner feedback is worth much more to me than what I'm reading on the various manufacturer sites....

 

My needs are simple. I don't need intercom, CB radio or bike-to-bike com. I don't NEED to pair to anyting whose audio can't be heard on the RT's dash speakers. So I guess that means I only need to pair with the bike's audio BT output.

 

I'd LIKE to hear my old Garmin 28xx/BMW Nav III, but that's not a requirement. And a far lessor priority is pairing with a phone, etc.

[Downs]

Sena handsdown.

 

I've used Cardo and Chatterbox and in my experience the SENA blew them out of the water as far as ease of use, volume when using helmet speakers, and options/features.

 

Right now I'm using the earbud baseplate with no in helmet speakers so the volume thing isn't really an issue. But when I was using the in helmet speakers I could hear them though earplugs at all speeds.

[lkchris]

I've got the BMW system and I like the UK-accent woman welcoming me and saying goodbye. BUT, it can either receive my radar detector via Sena SR10 OR my BMW Navigator IV, but not both.

[Deek]

Sena handsdown.

 

I've used Cardo and Chatterbox and in my experience the SENA blew them out of the water as far as ease of use, volume when using helmet speakers, and options/features.

 

Right now I'm using the earbud baseplate with no in helmet speakers so the volume thing isn't really an issue. But when I was using the in helmet speakers I could hear them though earplugs at all speeds.

 

Are you using the BMW Audio system, like what's on the 2010+ BMW R1200RTs or the K1600GTL? That's good to hear about the Sena system. Is it the Sena 10 or 10 ? Sena has a forum and there are/were a lot of unhappy R1200RT owners using the Sena to connect.....of course, there might be thousands more who are happy with it so never got on the forum.

[Deek]

I've got the BMW system and I like the UK-accent woman welcoming me and saying goodbye. BUT, it can either receive my radar detector via Sena SR10 OR my BMW Navigator IV, but not both.

 

Which motorcycle Kent? You mention the BMW system, but your signature doesn't list a motorcycle that has that? Or did you mean the BMW Navigation system (Nav IV)? Good to hear you too are happy with the Sena.....Sounds like my Nav III then would work well with the Sena, but of course what I really want to hear is the FM radio, etc, etc on the R1200RT. I am pretty ignorant of BT, so I probabaly are asking ignorant questions. I can live without hearing the GPS, but I'd really like to have FM radio, and especially my MP3 player on those long days in the saddle.

[Danny caddyshack Noonan]

J&M requires no headset manipulation once turned on and linked. Everything works through the wingy-wangy-rollery device.

[w2ge]

SENA SMH10.. Probably hottest BT on the market now. SENA is the industry leader, producer for the military. Great support and user feedback, help. WebBikeWorld Product of the Year and RevZilla Winner.

 

CardioScala G9 also a good unit but more than $100 costlier.

 

(No, I have nothing to do with SENA.. cept' being a happy customer)

[Camhead in STL]

I've got a 2012 R1200RT with factory radio (XM). I use the Sena SMH-10D-10 dual set for both mine and my wife's lid.

 

We both use earbuds, we got the optional clamps. On my helmet (a Nolan N102, flip-face), I use the Sena SMH-A304 earbuds + boom mike clamp because I find it easier to move the boom than deal with the attached mike cable. The wife has an Arai full-face, so she uses the SMH-A303 earbud clamp with the wired-in "stick on" mic.

 

Since the BMW will only pair with one helmet (unless it's the extremely expensive BMW-only equipment), I ALSO use a Sena SM10 dual-streaming BT sender. I connected that to the "rear-speaker" plug under the front fork's y-yoke. See this post about audio plugs for more information and links.

 

There's also a newer model of the Sena coming soon that doesn't have the jog-dial and the battery pack is remote. This gives a much lower profile, but I would hate to lose the jog-dial.

 

As far as how I like them... I LOVE them. Easy to use, plenty loud, great sound quality (even before the SM-10). I do get some dropouts when passing truckers on the CB, but that's the nature of bluetooth.

[Deek]

Sena handsdown.

 

I've used Cardo and Chatterbox and in my experience the SENA blew them out of the water as far as ease of use, volume when using helmet speakers, and options/features.

 

Right now I'm using the earbud baseplate with no in helmet speakers so the volume thing isn't really an issue. But when I was using the in helmet speakers I could hear them though earplugs at all speeds.

 

Was your use with the BMW 2010 and later RT's audio system? That's my concern, I just want to be able to listen the the bike's OEM audio system in my helmet.

 

Thanks.

[lkchris]

Which motorcycle Kent? You mention the BMW system, but your signature doesn't list a motorcycle that has that? Or did you mean the BMW Navigation system (Nav IV)?

 

Nope, I mean the "receiver" that glues to my helmet and has a speaker for each ear. From BMW.

 

http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/media/pdf/communication_systems_2011_GBE.pdf

 

My battery powered Escort connected to the SR10 easily transfers between any of my bikes, always in the top of the tank bag visible through the map pocket. I've not explored mounting the NAV IV on anything but the RT yet.

[Deek]

J&M requires no headset manipulation once turned on and linked. Everything works through the wingy-wangy-rollery device.

 

Ah HA! And you have a 2012 RT, with the audio system, right? And you're using a J&M BT headset? Please reply with the model number, and where you bought it, PLEASE. It's a lot more expensive than the Sena BT headsets (etc) but if it works that'm important. Especailly since J&M has their no return policy!

 

What helmet do you use?

 

So, everyting works with the wingy-wangy-rollery device (love your term!) on the left handlebar? Including volume? I've heard NO BT headset except BMW's (helmet and BT headset $1200) will allow you to control the volume using the wheel, you have to use the volume on the BT headset itself? Oh, have you ever used an iPod/iPod Touch/iPhone with the adaptor cable?

 

Thanks a bunch - yours is the first report on the J&M headset that I've read. It's also the headset Sierra-MC Electronics recommended. And of course, it's much more expensive than others.....I recall about $400? Sure can't wait to hear which model J&M you have!

[Deek]

SENA SMH10.. Probably hottest BT on the market now. SENA is the industry leader, producer for the military. Great support and user feedback, help. WebBikeWorld Product of the Year and RevZilla Winner.

 

CardioScala G9 also a good unit but more than $100 costlier.

 

(No, I have nothing to do with SENA.. cept' being a happy customer)

 

Yeah, I have been reading all the good stuff on the Sena SMH10 lately.....however, I also keep reading that often/always? will not pair with the BMW RT motorcycle, but seems with the BMW K1600. So I really am hoping you can tell me you use your Sena with the BMW RT's audio system. I know it will work fine with phones and GPSs, but I only NEED it to work with the BMW audio system on my 2013 R1200RT. Thanks.

[Deek]

I've got a 2012 R1200RT with factory radio (XM). I use the Sena SMH-10D-10 dual set for both mine and my wife's lid.

 

We both use earbuds, we got the optional clamps. On my helmet (a Nolan N102, flip-face), I use the Sena SMH-A304 earbuds + boom mike clamp because I find it easier to move the boom than deal with the attached mike cable. The wife has an Arai full-face, so she uses the SMH-A303 earbud clamp with the wired-in "stick on" mic.

 

Since the BMW will only pair with one helmet (unless it's the extremely expensive BMW-only equipment), I ALSO use a Sena SM10 dual-streaming BT sender. I connected that to the "rear-speaker" plug under the front fork's y-yoke. See this post about audio plugs for more information and links.

 

There's also a newer model of the Sena coming soon that doesn't have the jog-dial and the battery pack is remote. This gives a much lower profile, but I would hate to lose the jog-dial.

 

As far as how I like them... I LOVE them. Easy to use, plenty loud, great sound quality (even before the SM-10). I do get some dropouts when passing truckers on the CB, but that's the nature of bluetooth.

 

Your reply is very much appreciated! So your Sena does work with the OEM BMW RT's audio system right. I don' need the intercom feature or many of the other things it offers - just want to listen to the FM/MP3 player using the wonder-wheel on the left handlebar. And I always ride solo, but I think I understand what you're saying about the "rear speaker plug" for your passenger.

 

Can you please confirm please that to increase volume, say when listening to FM audio from the bike, you control that with the volume control ON THE SENA? Not a problem, I'm just trying to understand/confirm. I have no problem using the Sena to control volume instead of the wheel-thing, I just want to understand. However, if the J&M allows the wheel to do that, it might be work another $200 or so!

[Deek]

Thanks.

[Camhead in STL]

Your reply is very much appreciated! So your Sena does work with the OEM BMW RT's audio system right. I don't need the intercom feature or many of the other things it offers - just want to listen to the FM/MP3 player using the wonder-wheel on the left handlebar. And I always ride solo, but I think I understand what you're saying about the "rear speaker plug" for your passenger.

Okay, if you're doing the straight-up one Sena SMH10, they you'll have NO trouble with the single-pairing of the BMW system. It'll pair right up.

 

Can you please confirm please that to increase volume, say when listening to FM audio from the bike, you control that with the volume control ON THE SENA? Not a problem, I'm just trying to understand/confirm. I have no problem using the Sena to control volume instead of the wheel-thing, I just want to understand. However, if the J&M allows the wheel to do that, it might be work another $200 or so!

ACTUALLY, the wonder-wheel works for everything if you're paired to the Sena. The radio acts no differently except that switching on the BlueTooth on the BMW turns off the dash-speakers. The wheel still does all the controls.

 

That said, the jog dial on the SENA will ALSO control the volume of whatever it is receiving and maintains different volume levels for all the sources it is paired with (so radio, cell phone, intercom, gps). When it switches from one source to another it automatically recalls the right volume level.

[12R12RT]

The WunderWheel will not control volume when the RT Audio is paired with the Sena. It will do everything else.

 

As far as I know, the WunderWheel volume control will only work with the BMW helmet.

 

If I am wrong, please tell me how to make the WunderWheel control the volume with the Sena.

 

Tom

[Camhead in STL]

The WunderWheel will not control volume when the RT Audio is paired with the Sena. It will do everything else.

 

As far as I know, the WunderWheel volume control will only work with the BMW helmet.

 

If I am wrong, please tell me how to make the WunderWheel control the volume with the Sena.

 

You are NOT wrong, I was... I forgot that it worked that way, since I've been running the SM10 as a dual-broadcaster... since that is hooked up to the rear-out line, I can do everything from the WunderWheel. As a bonus, if I leave the front/back fader anywhere but all-back, the dash speakers are still active (slight advance to the bluetooth sound, but nice for casual passengers).

 

Marc

[12R12RT]

... since that is hooked up to the rear-out line, I can do everything from the WunderWheel....

 

Aha! This is interesting; I will have to study it. There is a lot more I need to know about this SM10.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

[Deek]

"..ACTUALLY, the wonder-wheel works for everything if you're paired to the Sena. The radio acts no differently except that switching on the BlueTooth on the BMW turns off the dash-speakers. The wheel still does all the controls......"

 

Really? So using the BMW OEM radio on the RT, switched to BT, and using the Sena, you can control, for instance, FM volume USING THE MC'S "Volume" wheel? I thought I could use ONLY the Sena's Jog Dial or whatever to control the volume. That would be nice, althoght not required by me.

 

Which firm/software version are you using with your Sena? I have heard better things about the 4.0 than the new one, 4.1 I think?

 

I do believe I will order a Sena SMH10 today......

 

Thanks very much!

[Camhead in STL]

Really? So using the BMW OEM radio on the RT, switched to BT, and using the Sena, you can control, for instance, FM volume USING THE MC'S "Volume" wheel?

Sorry, that's only true when doing the BT broadcasting from the SM10, I've been using it that way so long I forgot the original limitations.

I thought I could use ONLY the Sena's Jog Dial or whatever to control the volume.

That is CORRECT when using the BMW radio's BT transmitter, and also why you have to turn the bass way down when using the integrated BT with something other than the BMW helmet com-system... they push the levels to "full on" in the integrated BT when paired with something else.

Which firm/software version are you using with your Sena? I have heard better things about the 4.0 than the new one, 4.1 I think?

I had been running 4.1.1, but upgraded to 4.2 last night... haven't had a ride yet with that rev. I did my Austin trip (1000 mi each way) with the 4.1.1 on both helmets and it was great.

[Deek]

Thanks for the clarification. So my understanding earlier was correct. Still, seems like an okay trade-off - The Sena SMH10 for about $150, vs the BMW helmet with BT headset for about $1000!

 

I even decided to get a new Nolan N43 helmet to install the Sena SMH10 (I'm still under the BMW helmet by about $650)....my current Nolan N43 is a terrific helmet, and I bought it a few years ago with a J&M headset pre-installed. I'd rather not have to rip out that J&M and install the Sena, so I'll keep the old Nolan as a spare/just in case....never know, I might need a wired helmet again. I also have a J&M Integratr.....so I'll have a complete wired system.....for whatever that's worth.

 

Sure appreciate your help and clarification, sir.

 

[hitch]

tried them all, SENA is the only way to go. I wear earplugs and the SENA speakers work just fine.

 

Most recently hard CARDO. It broke and I contacted the factory for repair. I was three months out of warrant. There is NO repair available. I was told to buy a new one. Buy the SENA.

[Deek]

The BMWLT forum, under the "RT" section, has a lot of good information on the Sena SMH10 operation with the BMW RT's audio system.