Tack on question, I was also looking for communication equipment recommendations, I only have one friend who rides and he and I usually only get together once or twice a year So it hasn't been a priority for me. One question I have is if I get something different from what he has will the 2 units be able to communicate? Are they like an FRS walkie-talkie where it doesn't matter what brand you get they all talk to each other?

 

Sena units with " mesh tech"
Easiest fastest way to link all in a group.

 

Sena units with " mesh tech"
Easiest fastest way to link all in a group.

We've been using these on bike trips for the last few years and they're pretty good. The increased range (compared to bluetooth) is nice for when you have a large group or get spread out for whatever reason. Aside from communication they also are good for playing music or directions (if you have a trail GPS onto your phone).

The only con of the mesh network compared to bluetooth is that the battery consumption is greatly increased, if you're going to be riding all day I'd definitely plan to take a powerbank to charge it during lunch or any extended stops. We generally do 8+ hours of riding in a day on our bike trips and I've not run out of battery yet with just charging it at lunch.

One question I have is if I get something different from what he has will the 2 units be able to communicate? Are they like an FRS walkie-talkie where it doesn't matter what brand you get they all talk to each other?

Bluetooth connections between different brands are possible, but can be a pain to setup and is more limited in the number of users (generally you can only connect to 1 other person). Mesh is much easier to setup and can support more users. It is possible with some of the newer headset models to get multiple brands on the same mesh network, but that can also be difficult to setup.

We're mostly running various Sena models, I have a 50R and a couple of guys have the 50S. A few guys have Cardos and usually the first night we're at a location is spent messing with the helmets trying to get it setup. Sena and Cardo don't intuitively connect to the same mesh but if you connect a Sena and a Cardo via bluetooth, then the Cardo user can get brought into the Sena mesh with some restriction - though the Cardo user can hear everything transmitted over the Sena mesh, I think they can only talk to the specific Sena user to whom they're connected via bluetooth. I'm not sure if that has been addressed in newer models, as ours are all over 3 years old at this point.

If nobody in the group already has a headset, then it'll definitely be easier if you all agree to get the same brand (mixing models within a brand shouldn't be an issue).

 

We have seen the battery on mesh doesn't last as long as Bluetooth too, we use the optimate adapter that is plugged to the 2pin sae pigtail to the battery, it has a usb so you can charge the sena during breaks. Out on my own in cold temps I can play tunes all day with my sena 30 on one charge.

 

Our group got the Cardo Packtalk Bold's 3 or 4 riding seasons ago. Initially it was just two couples who got the units, now almost every person we ride with have them (12 people). They work excellent and the range is good and seeing as they can piggy back off each other everyone is always in communication. Initially we bought them to warn others of approaching riders, but i started listening to music while I ride and can still communicate when need be. The only issue we have had is one mic went bad due to water intrusion. That was my fault.

Some of the other pro's about the cardos are the ease of use with the buttons on the communicator, even with gloves you can toggle around to where you need to. The antenna works fairly well if you want to just listen to the radio. The APP is excellent. The mesh system which allows you to pair to other brand communicators works fairly well too. I would buy another one if my current one ever went bad.

Battery life is typically 6-7hrs depending on if your listening to music, volume, and temp. I normally plug mine in when we stop for a soda and rarely have an issue with them dying. My wife who does not listen to music has never had her's run out of battery.

One other note, I tried a different brand and it could have been speaker position, but the speakers in the helmet did not seem as loud as the cardo's and this was a negative. I wish I could remember the brand. The packtalk's are plenty loud even with a MX helmet at high speeds... and I am already hard of hearing at 30.

 

Thanks to all that have replied. We have not bought any yet, so please keep posting your observations and opinions on these things.

 

A friend of mine has these and swears by them. He's going on his 4th or 5th year.

Amazon.com: FreedConn FG Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset 2-6 Riders Motorbike Headset Helmet Communication System IP65 Waterproof Motorbike Intercom Using Universal Pairing Intercom with Music Sharing 2Packs : Electronics

 

Nah, all of the brands I have come across auto detect voice. These just feel much easier to set up and work every time. Can also set music and voice volumes independently, and the music volume lowers when you speak.

 

Our Cardo Packtalk Bolds have decent range. I had a set of Fodsport Bluetooth ones that weren't nearly as good. I think Dynamic Mesh tec is far better than bluetooth.