Intercoms

[Mick_J]

I am considering getting an intercom so my sat nav can talk to me and my wife can contact me when I'm out and about.  There are shit loads out there but I think if I stick to senna or cardo I cant go wrong, so what are your thoughts?
Also if I get one how do they all connect, do I connect them all to each other or just my phone and my phone connects to the bike or do I connect to my bike and it connects to my phone?  It's all a bit technical for me as I don't do any social media shite.  Any help or advice would be most welcome, keep the piss taking down though as I am a delicate soul. 

[Irish in Oz]

I have an HJC (Senna) intercom, and I can connect to anything via bluetooth, my main use would be via my Garmin Zumo for directions and speed things, works well but there is always the noise factor depending what speed you are going and i suppose how it is installed in your helmet.

[gsxbarmy]

Personally I'd go for the Cardo as whilst the Senna is good it can be an absolute pig to connect to other intercoms or even to some Sat Nav units.

How they all connect varies by make and model, so you'd need to read the instructions. Generally though you'll find that your Sat Nav will "manage" the connection both to the headset and to your phone.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I have the Senna unit that integrates to my Shoei GT Air II.  Connects via Bluetooth to my phone that I use for phone, music, GPS and also has a built-in FM/AM radio.

My wife has an external mount unit on her helme, a unit called Signify we bought at the Aldi, that can connect via BT to the Senna unit, so we can talk, and she can also connect to her phone for music etc. It's actually not bad at all for an Aud 80 unit.

Most work via BT and some allow multiple chain connections if riding in a group.

I think if you stick with reputable brands you won't go wrong.

[Kiwifruit]

Have had a pair of Sena slim intercoms for about 10 years now. Been ok but we only use them so I can receive instructions from the pillion seat.
Have some mates that go on group rides. They use the Cardo brand, they can all talk and listen to each other. They tell me coverage is good to around 900m

[seth]

I had a sena system for a couple of years and it worked pretty well I've since sold it on but it worked well when I had it .

[lurch]

I'm tech savvy but even I found shopping for these a little confusing. There's so much marketing palave and bold claims being made that it's difficult to sift through the bullshit.

That said - I've been using Cardo since 2009 and only updated the original units we purchased back then last year. In all that time I've had one unit fail from water ingress (replaced under warranty) and a couple of microphone socks deteriorate and fall apart.

[grog]

While back i asked about intercom/ music player/ map instructions. I bought one, speakers fit well, works perfectly. Most responses said too dangerous, too distracting etc etc.I repacked into its box, sits on a shelf in shed somewhere.Ear plugs and my thoughts, thats what i ride with. Texts can be seen on phone. Funny how opinions/advice  changes. 

[lurch]

Good point grog - no chance of me ever using one for calls and texts. I should have mentioned those functions remain untested for me.

I'm fine with intercom to the wife, GPS and also music in some scenarios though.

[KiwiCol]

I used to use one years ago, was quite a novelty really.  It would notify me of a text, then read it to me if I wanted it to (voice commands), it would also write a reply by me talking, converting into a text reply & sending it, all the while still travelling.
I recall once my boss rang me one evening, was talking to me & said where was I?  Told him I was doing about 140k's down a country road, which I was. That was quite cool. I could listen to playlists & hear satnav turns as well as intercom with other riders or passenger.

I don't use it now, still have it but I'm deaf as a post now without my aids in so it's no use to me anymore.  Don't miss it now, but it was a cool gadget when I was using it.

[grog]

Paying money to have Wifes voice in my helmet while riding, doesnt make sense to me. Thats why i ride, my time.

[Irish in Oz]

Have had a pair of Sena slim intercoms for about 10 years now. Been ok but we only use them so I can receive instructions from the pillion seat.
Have some mates that go on group rides. They use the Cardo brand, they can all talk and listen to each other. They tell me coverage is good to around 900m

I didn't go for the Cardo because I thought it wasn't worth the extra money and they are always at least a kilometre behind me.

[Batkwaka]

Most brands of Intercoms will not pair intercoms with another brand. To connect the Sena to a Cardo it's essentially a back door connection through the phone connection and the universal pairing mode.
Cheaper units from Aldi etc. work fine but can be very basic, they will allow you to listen to music and take phone calls. The sound can be a bit rubbish though.
Sena and Cardo are the better brands with good sound and mesh option if you want more than one person in the conversation.
I had a Sena unit with the 4K camera attached which was really good...until one particularly heavy rain shower killed it.
Just a note, if you are paired with another intercom and your phone, if you turn the music on it will play to whomever you connected with as well.