We recently purchased a set of Sena SMH10 bluetooth headsets for our trip to Utah. Lynne and I had a chance to try the Scala Q2 headsets that Tankereng loaned us. We like to ride with ear plugs and when connected to the Garmin 2730 I could not get enough volume to hear the XM radio or directions with the ear plugs in using the Scala units. Also I thought the range of the intercom bike to bike was a little too short. Andy and James Morley introduced us to the Sena product and they definitely had more volume so we gave them a shot.
My impressions;
In spite of the reported internal booster the Sena headsets still didn't have enough volume to work with good ear plugs. This was solved with a boostaroo inline amplifier purchased from Radioshack for $28. http://www.boostaroo.com/store_detail.php4?id=14 These do need AA batteries but the batteries last a long time. Apparently the output signal from the Garmin 2730 is just very weak, although Lynne needed the boostaroo for her Ipod also.
The bike to bike intercom worked well with connection up to a 1/4 mile. This would allow me to talk with Lynne after I passed a vehicle and give her a traffic report ahead.
The bluetooth connection to our phones was only fair. Lynne's LG phone seemed to work as described but the connection to my Motorolla Razor just doesn't work right.
The battery life was also disappointing. Using the headset to listen to the XM radio or the Ipod apparently uses more energy and my battery would only last 7 hours after a full charge. Lynne's would go for 9 hours.
We purchased the Sena's for $300
So for the price you get a fairly good bike to bike intercom with the issues noted above. Still a long way from perfect in my mind.
My impressions;
In spite of the reported internal booster the Sena headsets still didn't have enough volume to work with good ear plugs. This was solved with a boostaroo inline amplifier purchased from Radioshack for $28. http://www.boostaroo.com/store_detail.php4?id=14 These do need AA batteries but the batteries last a long time. Apparently the output signal from the Garmin 2730 is just very weak, although Lynne needed the boostaroo for her Ipod also.
The bike to bike intercom worked well with connection up to a 1/4 mile. This would allow me to talk with Lynne after I passed a vehicle and give her a traffic report ahead.
The bluetooth connection to our phones was only fair. Lynne's LG phone seemed to work as described but the connection to my Motorolla Razor just doesn't work right.
The battery life was also disappointing. Using the headset to listen to the XM radio or the Ipod apparently uses more energy and my battery would only last 7 hours after a full charge. Lynne's would go for 9 hours.
We purchased the Sena's for $300
So for the price you get a fairly good bike to bike intercom with the issues noted above. Still a long way from perfect in my mind.
