Comm systems are like Swiss Army knives on speed. They perform a shocking amount of tasks. All this will be listed in our product descriptions, which is why some of them read like small novels. Sorry. Here are some key features you might encounter, and what they actually mean in the real world.
Basic Functions
- Rider to passenger intercom: Ability to connect two riders on the same bike.
- Rider to rider and bike-to-bike intercom: Ability to connect riders on separate motorcycles.
- 4-way Intercom Conferencing: Ability to have an open chat with four riders at once.
- Intercom toggling: Ability to switch your intercom from one rider to another. Some devices can hold connections for up to 10 riders. Note: this does not mean you can chat with 10 riders at once. Rather, you can talk to one rider, then switch and talk to another, then another – up to ten different people.`
- Pairing: Ability for devices to connect and share information. Once a pairing is set up, the devices will remember each other, and automatically connect when they’re within range.
- Cell Phone Connectivity: Ability to make and receive mobile phone calls with your comms device. Depending on the Bluetooth profiles supported by your comm and phone, you may also be able to control and use your phone’s music, GPS, phone book, etc.
- MP3 Connectivity: Ability to stream music from your MP3 player.
- Multipoint: Ability to connect to multiple devices at once. For example, multipoint allows a rider to receive mobile phone calls while listening to an MP3 player.
- VOX (Voice operated switch): Ability to enable communication functions using your voice. These may include turning on or off the intercom, or making and receiving phone calls.
- Voice Commands: A more advanced version of the above. Voice commands allow the rider to perform specific tasks in a hands-free way. For example: “play next track,” or “call Stephen.”
- Noise cancelling: This can be done physically, with a special microphone design, or by using electronics like DSP. Either way, it helps to separate your voice from wind and traffic noise.
Special Functions
- Universal intercom: Ability for different communication systems to work together. For example, pairing a Sena with a Cardo. Note: with universal intercom, each device can be paired with only one device of a different brand. 4-way intercom is still possible through relaying techniques.
- AM/FM radio: Some devices have built-in radios. So, you can listen to music without connecting to an MP3 player or cell phone.
- Speed dial: Ability to program telephone numbers into your device. When connected to a cell phone, you’d be able to call a certain number using the comms push-buttons or voice commands.
- Signalling: Using your comms voice commands or push-button controls, you can send a simple “signal” or “beep” alert to other riders in the group.
- Music Sharing: Ability for two paired devices to play the tunes from one device’s music source. For example, rider 1 can listen to the music from his MP3 player, and relay that music to rider 2 at the same time.
- Automatic volume adjustment: The speaker volume will automatically increases as road, wind and ambient noise increases. This can normally be overridden with button or voice-activated controls.
- Individual volume control: Ability to set different volumes for different sources. For example, you can crank the music up, and turn your significant others' down (which might have consequences, of course).
- Multi-hop: Ability for devices to act as relays for one another. Thus, the intercom range increases with each added device. For example, imagine a four-rider group, each with a comm device that has a 600m range. Now, image they’re spread out like this: R1 – 600m – R2 – 600m – R3 – 600m – R4 Normally rider 1 is only within range of rider 2. But with multi-hop, R2 and R3 will relay rider 1’s signal to rider 4. So, R1 and R4 can communicate even though they’re 1.8km apart. Uclear brand is known for incorporating this technology.
- Boom-less microphone: A mic that doesn’t stick out over the rider’s mouth. Uclear is known for this – they incorporate microphones into the speakers, or use vibration mics that sit within the helmet’s liner.
- Plug-in capability: Ability to make cabled connections with the comm system. This is especially useful on motorcycles with built-in, plug-in audio systems (e.g., Goldwings). Both Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth systems can have plug-in capability. Individual cords are usually purchased separately.