What Bike-to-Bike Comms Do You Use?

Just curious to see what the west coast guys use for B2B communication. 

I currently use the Sena 20S, and also have a FRS/GMRS handheld with wireless PTT. 

I had the Cardo G9x but upgraded to the Packtalk last year. Myself, Rogue and another rider we ride with frequently have them and we use DMC mode. Probably the best feature of these comm units is the parallel audio mode. With the addition of DMC intercom, we can have one other device active, usually a radar detector, while our comm is still connected. This has saved our bacon numerous times! The best part of using DMC is the seamless connection between units. It's changed our riding quite a bit, no longer need to rely on hand and/or foot signals, just say what the road hazard is. Also allows for last minute direction changes, such as unplanned pit stops or slight change in route.

I recently got through reading a couple reviews about the Packtalk, and they look quite good - especially with the automatic reconnection feature.  I've got the 20S and like it a lot, but wish it had the automatic reconnection capability of the Packtalk.  But it does have the wireless handlebar remote, which allows me to control the 20S and Sena Prism camera without taking my hands off the bars.  I also like the new Chatterbox X2 Slim FRS/GMRS headset which has the greatest talking distance.  I'm hoping Sena soon adds the automatic reconnection feature, which is probably the biggest feature for those who ride in groups. 

The instant connection to other PacTalk riders AND the simultaneous audio capability is a big game changer.  Right now all I have to do is turn it on and it all works exactly as expected.

So with the Packtalk - is it possible to listen to my iPhone's music via Bluetooth, Garmin GPS directions via Bluetooth, and have DMC group communication at the same time?

39 minutes ago, Rambler358

So with the Packtalk - is it possible to listen to my iPhone's music via Bluetooth, Garmin GPS directions via Bluetooth, and have DMC group communication at the same time?

Yes and no. If you link your phone to your GPS, then yes. Otherwise only one Bluetooth channel plus intercom is allowed. The latter method seems to be the way most of them work anyway, if at all, unless some of the others have changed their feature set.

I talk to myself in my helmet, then gesture incoherently to other riders.

I'm old school.  :smile:

36 minutes ago, Duc2V4

Yes and no. If you link your phone to your GPS, then yes. Otherwise only one Bluetooth channel plus intercom is allowed. The latter method seems to be the way most of them work anyway, if at all, unless some of the others have changed their feature set.

With my 20S I can have all 3 working - GPS instructions will briefly lower music or intercom, and then will resume music and intercom to normal level once GPS instruction has finished.  This is how I currently have it setup, but there are other configurations.  And the 20S with a recent firmware update supports dual A2DP streams.  Still, automatic intercom connection of the Packtalk may outweigh the other advantages of the 20S.

18 minutes ago, Rambler358

With my 20S I can have all 3 working - GPS instructions will briefly lower music or intercom, and then will resume music and intercom to normal level once GPS instruction has finished.  This is how I currently have it setup, but there are other configurations.  And the 20S with a recent firmware update supports dual A2DP streams.  Still, automatic intercom connection of the Packtalk may outweigh the other advantages of the 20S.

You can have multiple Bluetooth connections with the Cardo but not simultaneously. Unless they've updated that as well.

Who knows... if I start riding with you guys often enough, I may switch over to a Packtalk.

Autocom with kenwood 3201 on ptt

In DMC mode, isn't the mic always hot on the packtalk?  Nobody wants to hear the things I say inside my helmet, nor would I want them too, lol. 

Yes it's always on so any grunt or cuss word becomes public. LOL!

Has anyone used a Sena 10C?


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2016 at 7:14 PM, 01ragtop, August 29

In DMC mode, isn't the mic always hot on the packtalk?  Nobody wants to hear the things I say inside my helmet, nor would I want them too, lol. 

Funny, on our ride Sunday, both Doug and Lance had both made a remark or noise at different times but then I lost contact (out of range). When the words "Oh $hit" and/or a large gunt then silence, your mind starts wondering! Did something happen, "Doug?, Doug? Are you OK?" "That was a large grunt there, are you OK?!" Anyone?, anyone?, Bueller?, Bueller? All was good of course but yeah, sometimes what you mean to keep yourself doesn't always stay that way.

On the other hand when getting caught off guard by a decreasing radius turn, it's good to be able to announce it to those following you!

BrianF, 8/29/2016 at 10:00 AM

I talk to myself in my helmet, then gesture incoherently to other riders.

I'm old school. 

Same here. I gotta talk to someone that knows what I'm doing.

Most of the time nobody knows except me. :happy:

2016 at 10:25 AM, Duc2V4, August 29

You can have multiple Bluetooth connections with the Cardo but not simultaneously. Unless they've updated that as well.

So I heard Cardo came out with an update to the Packtalk a few months back called "DMC-Bridge" mode that allows the use of DMC mode with other Bluetooth headsets. Have any Packtalk users tried this yet?

Here's a YouTube video of the new feature:

Quote

DMC-Bridge Mode

1 hour ago, Rambler358

So I heard Cardo came out with an update to the Packtalk a few months back called "DMC-Bridge" mode that allows the use of DMC mode with other Bluetooth headsets. Have any Packtalk users tried this yet?

Here's a YouTube video of the new feature:

Have not tried it yet. Apart from maybe one or two other riders we have ride with consistently, we've only had the Packtalk riders connect with one another. If/when we get a chance I'll probably try it out.

8 hours ago, Duc2V4

Have not tried it yet. Apart from maybe one or two other riders we have ride with consistently, we've only had the Packtalk riders connect with one another. If/when we get a chance I'll probably try it out.

The video shows the DMC Bridge feature being used with a Sena 20S, which is what I have.  When I ride with you again I'd like to try it out.

1 minute ago, Rambler358

The video shows the DMC Bridge feature being used with a Sena 20S, which is what I have.  When I ride with you again I'd like to try it out.

One thing we found out on Sunday, using the menu system seemed to work better than trying to do the push hold buttons and guess what mode the unit is in. Not sure when I'll be riding again, my big project has now kicked in and I might be traveling soon. For sure I'll be swamped for a while. Unless they have another delay but sure, if we can ride together I'd be willing to try it. 

Well, I may not need to switch over to a Packtalk unit now.  Sena has announced their new high-end Sena 30K unit with Mesh-Networking capability.  I'm curious how it'll work with non-Sena devices though, and no word on price or release date yet.

[image: 30K-antenna.jpg]

Nice that this new device seems to work with the 20S base units. 

We use uClear 200's, but the 5th gen gear whine activates the voice wayy too often.

I've been really happy with my uClear. The boomless mic works great. I've literally had it on intercom for more than 10 hours and still had 50% of the battery remaining. 

I think for single rider or maybe up to 4 riders, the standard issue comms from any of the currents makers are fine. However going above the 4 rider connectivity, the new "mesh network" technology is where it's going and from the short time I've had the Packtalk, I'm going to say it's definitely great for multiple rider connectivity. The key is learning what you have and how to use it that makes a difference with your experience IMO. 

Rambler358, 10/4/2016 at 8:50 AM

Well, I may not need to switch over to a Packtalk unit now.  Sena has announced their new high-end Sena 30K unit with Mesh-Networking capability.  I'm curious how it'll work with non-Sena devices though, and no word on price or release date yet.

[image: 30K-antenna.jpg]

Ironically it still means that you have to buy a new comm unit. If there were firmware to change your current unit to support mesh networking, that would cool!

17 minutes ago, Duc2V4

Ironically it still means that you have to buy a new comm unit. If there were firmware to change your current unit to support mesh networking, that would cool!

Very true.  But, I can use the 30K with my handlebar remote and Prism camera.  I was seriously considering moving to the Packtalk, but now I can still keep and use my other Sena gear with the 30K.

But I guess the big question is if the different branded mesh networks will talk to on another.

I think at this point we can all agree that making different brands "talk to each other" is one of the biggest challenges.  They claim their devices can.  But in reality, we've often tried that feature and failed miserably. 

14 minutes ago, Rogue_Biker

I think at this point we can all agree that making different brands "talk to each other" is one of the biggest challenges.  They claim their devices can.  But in reality, we've often tried that feature and failed miserably. 

I've seen the different brands work together, so it can be done.  And most of the time that I saw they didn't work together was that one or both of the devices were an older model, or the process of connecting wasn't done correctly.

3 hours ago, Rogue_Biker

I think at this point we can all agree that making different brands "talk to each other" is one of the biggest challenges.  They claim their devices can.  But in reality, we've often tried that feature and failed miserably. 

It does work, as I mentioned in my post, knowing what you have and how it works is the ticket. 

What if I'm not necessarily looking for a powerful, full-featured radio, just something to communicate with my wife's head 1-18 inches away, and plays well with my iPhone? Does my second requirement dictate an expensive set?

The Sena 10s works great and they aren't too expensive now. I love the bluetooth music on the long boring ride in at the end of the day. I've even called my wife and taken care of my checkin call before arrival at the hotel. She can't even tell I'm riding.

1 hour ago, jhenley17

What if I'm not necessarily looking for a powerful, full-featured radio, just something to communicate with my wife's head 1-18 inches away, and plays well with my iPhone? Does my second requirement dictate an expensive set?

In my opinion you could get away with the least expensive set there is that supports your requirements. Like I mentioned earlier, unless you are riding in large groups and like the convenience of instant connections to those part of the group or like being able to have multiple/simultaneous BT/Comm connections, any of the offerings from any of the key players should be sufficient for your needs.

Yeah, I'm kicking myself for not grabbing the 10S dual pack someone was selling here. I'll have to shop again for lower-line stuff and probably wait for a sale.

1 hour ago, jhenley17

Yeah, I'm kicking myself for not grabbing the 10S dual pack someone was selling here. I'll have to shop again for lower-line stuff and probably wait for a sale.

I think that the Cardo entry level comms are on sale for 15% off at the moment. At least that's what I recall seeing the other day on Revzilla.com