Bluetooth Intercom experiences?

[SgtSlag]

We purchased a brand new Cardo Scala Q2 set several years ago, but we had issues with it straight out of the box. Currently, they work for around 20 minutes, then fail miserably, and we end up shutting them off, even though they were properly charged, reset, etc.

After spending $200 on a supposedly good system (the Scala Rider Q2 got very good reviews), I'm interested in a $70-for-two-intercoms set-up: HM-528 t7, 100 meter intercom system. We don't need fancy stuff, just a basic person-to-person, wireless intercom. Anyone with experience on these units? An Internet search came up with all of two reviews. Thanks. Cheers!

[Lucasind]

I was considering going that route also, but the wired (old style) has never given a bit of issues,works fine, thanks for the post, I think it was Bill O's saying
"if it aint broke don't fix it". I'll keep using what
I got !............tony

[SgtSlag]

We started with a wired unit. Hate the hassle of connecting/disconnecting every time we get on/off the bike. It's also fun to converse while I gas up the bike, and the wife is getting some drinks/munchies inside the gas station. Cheers!

[kjsett]

We started with a wired unit. Hate the hassle of connecting/disconnecting every time we get on/off the bike. It's also fun to converse while I gas up the bike, and the wife is getting some drinks/munchies inside the gas station. Cheers!

I bought just over a year ago a set of Sena bluetooth units for my wife and I. We used the intercom on our '01 when she rode with me, but the plug unplug was a hassle i agree.
I almost sold the bikes because of 1 to many times of her disappearing on her bike (she usually trails behind).
I couldn't take any more the not knowing if she was stretched out on the highway. The last time we were near home and I had just gotten off the freeway and made it through the light (last i saw of her was on the freeway). I rode slow and then after the next light i pulled off. She never showed. Concerned, I rode back and didn't see her. I got on the freeway and went back to the last set of ramps that were past where she was last observed and retraced her route. I stopped and tried her cell phone. Nothing...............
Finally, very concerned (i mean very very concerned) I rode home. There she was sitting out on a chair in the front. Apparently she had not brought either her keys or cell phone (after all, just a Sunday ride to an overlook south of Phoenix). I had had it, I put a 4sale sign on my bike.
Later, when I had cooled down, I looked up bluetooth units on Amazon and found that the prices had come down considerably since last I looked. I was able to outfit all 4 helmets (2 half helmets and 2 modular) for about $360.
This change alone has improved our riding experience greatly (i wasn't kidding about selling the bike). We can now travel and experience the sites together, get thru traffic "together", and know where the other is if there is an issue. Not perfect (line of sight) as distance is limited, but you hear a tin can racket effect when we start losing signal.
I have had an issue with "updates". the program can be very picky. Last time i had to get Sena support to help and I didn't have use of mine over the weekend (1st time ride with some friends and no intercom) till they got back with me. Actually, this last update has improved sound quality/quantity, so worth it (5.01).
Oh yah, she knew a "shortcut"(time is longer though) that took her up past interesting houses that cuts off before I stopped to wait (never crossed my mind she would do that).
Best thing ever was there ability to do up to 5 bikes ( i think that many). My son last memorial day rode with us on the 1st leg of a trip and we were able to visit with him as far as Fresno, CA (starting from Phoenix, AZ) where the next morning he went off to Yosemite for a music festival, and we went on our way to the coast and up to Washington state.
Just sayin that with ability to listen to the music on my phone as well as take/make phone calls, let alone the peace of mind, this has been one of the best purchases for my wife's and my traveling enjoyment. (second place would be the Cree Led worklights I just recently put on both bikes - I can pick her out from traffic in my mirrors behind me).(and 3rd the Wolo airhorn).
Thanks for Listnin,
Ken

PS. We have joked many times about wearing the helmets in Wally World just so shopping would go smoother....

[SgtSlag]

I've been tempted to pack the wired intercom, just in case... I've decided to take a chance on the 100m Bluetooth units. I found them on e-Bay, initially, but then I found the same units, for $4 less, on Amazon (no hassles with an auction, just order, pay, and wait for delivery -- free S/H, and a slightly lower price, too, which saved the $4).

I'm going to be ordering a set next week. I will post back after we've had some miles of experience with the inexpensive units. Like I said, the Cardo Scala system received good reviews, but for us, they just never worked properly, for very long. If we can get better performance, for less money, I'm all in. If not, I will be wiser, and wisdom is never free... One way, or another, you will always pay a premium for it. Cheers!

[kawman12]

I am surprised you had issues with the Scala units. We purchased the same set at the Minneapolis Bike Show in 2011 and have had no trouble with them. We have rode 8 - 10 hour days and still had good charges left in battery.

[SgtSlag]

We had problems sync'ing them, initially, and we had to contact their tech. support for help. They worked a little, but soon we had issues with them beeping, not activating (we blew into the mic's, we shouted into them, all to no avail...). We have always had issues with them. Now, after around three years, they are only partially working for 20-30 minutes, then they beep at us, never activate, and just generally annoy the out of us. We're ready to go back to the cabled, battery-powered unit, just so we can communicate on the road.

I've done some shopping on current offerings on Bluetooth intercoms. The prices have not really come down, and the features do not seem to have increased. The fact that China is offering Bluetooth intercoms for $35+, per unit, when the name brand units are still $140-$200+, per unit, suggests that the name brand companies are gouging (electronics prices should decline, over time; the real cost is in the research, not the hardware -- they want to make as much profit as possible, for the time spent in development, regardless of production costs). For the cost of two, 100 meter range, intercoms, at a paltry $69 air-mail'ed from China(!), I can afford to take the chance that they will work as well as the Scala model we currently have -- hopefully better. Time will tell. Cheers!

[NSASarge]

Deb and I have been using a wired system from MotoComm. The RiderLink ST-1 cost $189 and included everything needed. The nicest thing about it is it seems to run for days on a pair of AA batteries which you can buy at almost any fuel stop along the way. I usually replace the batteries before we go on a trip, but have never had it die en-route. I place the "Module" in my zippered waterproof pouch located in the jackets left inside breast pocket, and run my comm wire out the jackets "MP-3" lapel hole and run Debs wire down, around the inside of my jacket where it exits near my left rear pants pocket. If we need to step away from each other, she winds the wire up and sticks it in my left rear pocket. She can grab the wire whenever she returns. The module comes with a built in FM receiver and cables for a RADAR detector input, GPS input, MP-3 input and cell phone input. The system is "smart" in that it will mute comms to the passenger whenever a call is received and only the rider can communicate with the phone. It automatically mutes the RADAR, GPS and MP-3 player if a call is received. Yeah, I know, we can't communicate with others, but we are usually alone anyway. I wish I could find a BlueTooth system that can do what my wired system does, but I'm not too keen on what I'm hearing or reading so far. Guess I'll wait for a better system to come along. AND Maybe some day I can afford the KAWASAKI CB radio and all its required cables and connectors. (Est $1,000)

http://www.motocomm.com/products.php?It ... tCatID=163

[Tom(North Alabama)]

This is the pair that I purchased last fall.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-New-Motorcyc ... 5b&vxp=mtr

Don't know about the 1000m yet, but the intercom, phone, and gps all work great.
Run for at least 6 hours on a charge


I definitely agree that the units sold here in US are way over priced

[tinsailor]

I've been using the same Scala set up for about 3 years now without an issue and also use it to bluetooth to the cell phone and it's always worked great.

[hank43]

We started with a wired unit. Hate the hassle of connecting/disconnecting every time we get on/off the bike. It's also fun to converse while I gas up the bike, and the wife is getting some drinks/munchies inside the gas station. Cheers!

I bought just over a year ago a set of Sena bluetooth units for my wife and I. We used the intercom on our '01 when she rode with me, but the plug unplug was a hassle i agree.
I almost sold the bikes because of 1 to many times of her disappearing on her bike (she usually trails behind).
I couldn't take any more the not knowing if she was stretched out on the highway. The last time we were near home and I had just gotten off the freeway and made it through the light (last i saw of her was on the freeway). I rode slow and then after the next light i pulled off. She never showed. Concerned, I rode back and didn't see her. I got on the freeway and went back to the last set of ramps that were past where she was last observed and retraced her route. I stopped and tried her cell phone. Nothing...............
Finally, very concerned (i mean very very concerned) I rode home. There she was sitting out on a chair in the front. Apparently she had not brought either her keys or cell phone (after all, just a Sunday ride to an overlook south of Phoenix). I had had it, I put a 4sale sign on my bike.
Later, when I had cooled down, I looked up bluetooth units on Amazon and found that the prices had come down considerably since last I looked. I was able to outfit all 4 helmets (2 half helmets and 2 modular) for about $360.
This change alone has improved our riding experience greatly (i wasn't kidding about selling the bike). We can now travel and experience the sites together, get thru traffic "together", and know where the other is if there is an issue. Not perfect (line of sight) as distance is limited, but you hear a tin can racket effect when we start losing signal.
I have had an issue with "updates". the program can be very picky. Last time i had to get Sena support to help and I didn't have use of mine over the weekend (1st time ride with some friends and no intercom) till they got back with me. Actually, this last update has improved sound quality/quantity, so worth it (5.01).
Oh yah, she knew a "shortcut"(time is longer though) that took her up past interesting houses that cuts off before I stopped to wait (never crossed my mind she would do that).
Best thing ever was there ability to do up to 5 bikes ( i think that many). My son last memorial day rode with us on the 1st leg of a trip and we were able to visit with him as far as Fresno, CA (starting from Phoenix, AZ) where the next morning he went off to Yosemite for a music festival, and we went on our way to the coast and up to Washington state.
Just sayin that with ability to listen to the music on my phone as well as take/make phone calls, let alone the peace of mind, this has been one of the best purchases for my wife's and my traveling enjoyment. (second place would be the Cree Led worklights I just recently put on both bikes - I can pick her out from traffic in my mirrors behind me).(and 3rd the Wolo airhorn).
Thanks for Listnin,
Ken

PS. We have joked many times about wearing the helmets in Wally World just so shopping would go smoother....

Like you Ken, we purchased the SENA about 2 yrs ago, the latest update (adding "sidetone", where you can hear yourself) has improved these little jewels a 100%. Since my Sig. Other could not hear herself when speaking, she would tend to shout, causing me to holler back at her, or at least turn mine down so she wouldn't blast my ears off. They also work great with the CB, and I am thinking about adding them to my wired system, so I can pick up the weather reports...... Best accessory we have bought!

Hank43