Bluetooth Headset

Mates got the Sena smh10 and rates it highly, not cheap tho. Check out revzilla as the do loads of tests on different gear

 

I use an Interphone F5, it connects to my Garmin, you can listen to music and connect up to for other riders. Used mine for about 3 years now with no issues.

 

Hi Jock let us know how you get on with it

 

Just as a general observation it does concern me that bikers are starting to adopt the mentality of cage drivers when it comes to technology - why would you want anything going on in your helmet other than an alert and focussed brain?

It starts off with TomTom directions and before you know it, you'll be listening to music and following that taking phone calls.

It's a slippery slope guys..........................................



descending from high horse

 

Hi BJ I wasn't having a pop at you honestly. It's just that the latest serious road injury and death stats are just out and the leading contributor to these figures is the use of mobile phone based technology - people taking call and texts etc -whilst driving.

More serious that drink and drugs related now, apparently.

 

I've had many an argument over the years about headsets in helmets. Perhaps (or despite) being a musician I won't listen to music when I'm on the bike as I'd find it too distracting.

I'm a bit of a dinosaur really and see my time on the bike as my personal escape from technology so no music, phones or bluetooth.

Can't say that many of my biking friends agree with me though...

 

I've always stayed away from these sort of things.I tried riding with an i pod in and found it far to distracting.
But after leading a group in France,trying to read the road signs and the sat nav,watching out for traffic and making sure everyone got through it did get a bit frantic at times.
After a trip in the boss's car with the sat nav talking I thought it would make life easier

 

For travelling through France all need you is a short list on paper in the top of your tank bag window, that you can glance at from time to time, such as :

"leave A20 at junc 21 - N145 to Gueret,
then D941 direction La Châtre for 25kms" etc etc etc.

I would argue that GPS systems are not really viable at all for motorbikes. The screen is too small and too low down to be easy to read (unlike in a car). I much prefer using laminated waterproof maps.

 

Although I agree that a list can be useful (if you have anywhere to put it) on main routes the sat-nav comes into its own in towns and when you have a series of small roads to navigate.

My Zumo is perfectly readable and has successfully got me through Montpellier to the obscure back street where we were renting an apartment. It also took me directly to gites and hotels in various towns across France, Switzerland and Spain (not to mention routes through some English towns).

I could go without it but it makes life so less stressful when riding in unfamiliar locations.

 

Not made up my mind about this yet - have had one in the car for years but so far resisted one on the bike as I simply haven't needed one. Off to Germany in June so thinking about it again, although this will be the third time to the same place so know the way.
Bought some German maps last time I was there "Tourenkarten fur Motorradfahrer" (touring maps for motorcycling). They are laminated and have all the points of interest marked for bikers. ie. where bikers meet on certain days, biker friendly cafes and bars etc. Hoping to manage with these - besides a sat nav doesn't look right on a Bonnie!

 

I was dismissive of them for many years until I finally gave in and bought a Garmin Quest in 2006 after getting hopelessly lost in Heidelberg looking for the hotel I had booked then doing the same in a town near the Austrian border. Trying to read a map, fight the one way system and watch for traffic and trams left me exhausted!

I have a Zumo now and although on the longer journeys it just sits there watching my speed and clocking up the miles as I don't use it for routing it's worth its weight in gold when I have to navigate towns or smaller roads.

It's also useful as a more accurate speedo and for obsessive characters like me who like to know how far they've travelled, top speed, average speed, and average moving time (sad git that I am). It'll also track where I've been when I'm in back road mode with no fixed route. And invaluable when you need to find the nearest petrol station.

I am both geek and technophobe. I don't have a smartphone or use bluetooth or apps and my digital camera is 10 years old but I love gadgets like sat-navs and hi-tech computer recording software.

Takes all sorts I guess

 

I completely agree with the value of GPS for finding your way around strange towns to locate a hotel, especially at night and in the rain. Just don't feel the need when just travelling. I sometimes find that I get lost - but find interesting places and people as a result. It's the journey not necessarily the destination that's important to me, if you follow?