JW
You would still need to joggle between riders. I am not aware of any other similar system that keeps an open line between more then 2 units. As long as the first rider is pulling over I see no need for all to know what is going on until everyone stops. This is what I expect on my rides anyway. Kind of follow the leader thing.
Unless you will hook up a real CB unit to it.
Any of you guys have a guesstimate of the hours the battery will last with the intercom left on? All that I've read suggests that you should push the jog button to open the channel to communicate and then turn if off again when done. My pillion and I currently use a Collett that has a true VOX system hence no need to push a button every time one wants to communicate. I've been looking for a BT system and with the new offering (SR10 adapter) to hook up multiple devices, this just may be it. I have a Droid X, Garmin 2730/2820 & Escort 8500 that sounds like the new BT adapter they will be offering will be the hot setup. Another question that I have is does the unit have an auto mute for music when the intercom is actually being used i.e. speaking? If not, will the new SR10 offer that feature? If so, is it selective such as to have RD audio priority during a conversation, but auto mute music?
The need to select each person you want to communicate with right now would be a deal breaker for me on group rides. I can just imagine trying to coordinate a stop to fix a loose item etc... and having to select each of up to three others to confer with to prevent splitting the group up. Might have to revert to hand signals, how old school! My Collett works well with multiple bikes as all are on the same channel, but besides that one glitch, this system looks to have some really nice features. Thanks for any input.
JW
Cougar,
Thanks for the feedback. The Collett system
Collett website that I and my buddies use is an "open line" (VOX activated) between as many units as you can cram within the 900 Mhz radio range, which is about a mile LOS. We enjoy the "party line" type connection with everyone on as many a good joke is passed along on these rides as well as the occasional important call out such as, "forest rat on right, or watch that minivan on the left" which goes to everyone immediately, with no need to toggle between riders which would be pointless in that immediate need situation. Still, the Sena is interesting as it's got the BT feature and hopefully the SR10 will have the features I noted above as it would allow the user to set their priority audio inputs. Too bad Collett doesn't offer a BT duplex rider to pillion intercom as the range bike to bike on these units is pretty good.
To answer your question about battery life, I'm not sure with the mic open 100% of the time, but with music playing via bluetooth 100% of the time and the occasional phone call it lasts right at 10 hours straight. The nice thing about the Sena though is you can charge it while using it and it comes with a nice long recoiled 12v cord that you can plug in in the glove box and hook up to the helmet without too much interference.
If you did have the mic open 100% of the time though, you would not hear anything else that you connect it to. Intercom takes priority unless you are on a phone call I think. You can set up the Sena for VOX operations though, but I have not used it and don't know how it would work when trying to toggle between riders if you are riding with more than one person. On my Scala I always turned off the vox feature as a good gust of cross wind could activate it and it ended up answering a phone call or two when I did not want to.
As far as bluetooth headsets go, it's a win by far forsure if you ask me. It is still lacking some technology, and I usually ride solo and if I am riding in a group, no one I ride with has communicators anyways so the intercom function for me is mute. I use it for GPS prompts, MP3s and phone, for which it works perfectly.
YMMV
