Extended left arm and left arm hanging down at the elbow are among some of the weird signs bike riders use to communicate with each other when on the move. They were life-savers back in the days when talking over the many decibels of car honks, traffic noise, tires’ roar was one heck of a task. You could either drive or shout at the top of your lungs to talk to the other rider.
However, they weren’t entirely practical. Your signals could have been blocked by cars, the other motorist may not remember what the message meant or may not even recognize that you are signaling something. Backpacks were another big problem in such cases. Moreover, extending your arms isn’t safe on a busy road or a fast track. It may cost you an arm or a leg, and the other person a lot more as they can be distracted by your signals. So what to do?
Thankfully, with many other technological advancements, some people also shed light on this critical issue and came up with the ideas of a helmet communication system. Initially, as Bluetooth and later as dedicated helmet communication units, these devices came as real saviors for riders. They form secure and efficient connections between the riders at certain distances.
Today there are several manufacturers, producing and innovating, such devices to fill any possible communication gap between the riders on the track. Two of the most popular manufacturers are Cardo and Sena. Cardo launched some of the products, including the world’s first Bluetooth headset, Sena is also the top choice of enthusiasts.
Here is a list of five amazing ATV helmet communication systems that we think are the best. All of them are highly rated and among the best sellers.
Top 5 ATV Helmet Communication Systems Reviews
1. Cardo PACKTALK BOLD – Best Value For Your Money
Pros
- User-friendly application
- Complete blockage of external noise for a smooth interaction
- Can connect up to 2 to 15 riders
- Voice recognition
- Weather resistance
Cons
- You cannot talk and listen to music at the same time
- Low intercom sound quality
With Cardo PACKTALK BOLD, you do not only talk to your ride partners but also your communication device. It has the intelligence technology to recognize your commands like Siri or Alexa. This technology saves you from controlling the device with buttons or wheels that are super frustrating and risky with gloves on while on the track. So for a safe, secure, and effective communication, Cardo came up with the voice recognition element. All you have to do is say ‘hey Cardo’ or ‘hi Siri,’ and it will activate your virtual jinni in seconds.
The PACKTALK adjusts the device’s volume based on the external noise level. This feature saves you from the annoying noises in between the communication, and you do not have to wait for those disturbances to vanish before listening or speaking further. One thing it guarantees is on-spot voice transmission with good quality sound. Weather resistance is another fantastic element of the device. Be it rain, thunder, snow, or scorching sun; your device will always be there for you.
One of the most remarkable factors is the vast connectivity you get to enjoy with this device. Boarded with the Mesh Communication technology, you can enjoy the same high-quality audio signals if you are on a pillion ride or out with a group of fifteen people. Not just that, but it also offers the most extended connectivity range. You can connect with your partners as far as 1600 meters under the most optimal condition, but in practical situations, you can only reach up to 1000 meters, which is not too bad either.
With all these fantastic features, you also get some entertainment. Cardo PACKTALK BOLD manages your intercom, conversation calls, radio, and music. So if you do not have anybody to talk to, you can listen to your favorite soundtracks.
Did you know you can control the whole device and all that it carries with one mobile app? Well, now you know it. Download the Cardo Connect app and get started right away!
2. Sena 50S – Best Large Groups Of Riders
Pros
- Sena HD Speakers
- Weather-protected body
- Mesh 2.0 technology
- Connects up to 24 riders
- Comes with easy to operate Jog Dial
Cons
- A bit pricey
The Sena 50S is the latest communication device by one of the top Intercom players in the market. This one gives tough competition to the Cardo Bold. The 50S comes with high-quality HD speakers which will make your music and communication experience awesome.
Sena’s Multi-channel communication allows you to connect with up to 24 riders. With the help of the Mesh 2.0 system, you can communicate with friends over a distance of 5 miles. The mesh 2.0 finds the most efficient path to deliver your messages with the highest quality possible.
The device comes with the latest technologies available in the market including the Sena HD speakers combined with “Hey Google” voice commands which makes it easy for you to perform all the functions without taking your hands off the handlebars. It also comes with a wifi adapter which makes it very easy to get firmware updates to add new software features to the device.
Sena 50S has a sleek looking design that not only looks good but also makes it easy for you to operate the device even with your gloves on. Especially, the Jog dial design really makes the difference.
Overall, it is a great device and gives tough competition to Cardo. It is a little bit on the pricier side. But, you can’t go wrong with this one.
3. Sena 30K – For Large Groups
Pros
- Weather resistant
- Mesh 2.0 technology
- Connects upto 16 riders
- Decent Speakers
- Multi-channel Audio
Cons
- Cost is not competitive
- Not Waterproof
Sena 30K was the most popular intercom before the Sena 50S was launched. It has almost all the features that 50S has except for the Mesh 2.0 and HD speakers.
The Sena 30K gets The Mesh system that allows you to communicate with 16 riders within a radius of 5 miles with an option for an unlimited number of guests to tune in to listen to you. Multi-channel Mesh system allows you to listen to music and talk with your friends simultaneously.
Sena provides on time firmware updates for their devices and has a Sena connectivity app that makes the pairing process very easy, the speakers that come with the Sena 30K produces high quality sound but lows and mids can be bit muffled.
This also comes with “Hey Google” voice commands, making operations easy without taking your hands of the handlebars which in turn result in safer rides.
In terms of design, Sena always produces top-notch sleek looking devices, the Sena 30K is no exception.
It easily mounts on the helmet and looks stylish instead of making it look ugly, which is the case with some other intercom Units.
4. Cardo FREECOM 4+ – Best For Small Groups
Pros
- 1200 meters connectivity range
- 13 hours of battery life
- JBL speakers
- Universal mounting clip
Cons
- Does not allow you to share music
- Does not entirely cut voices
Cardo FREECOM 4+ is an excellent choice for small groups that do not need more than four-way communication. The PACKTALK series features DMC technology for more comprehensive connectivity, whereas the FREECOM 4+ series is for smaller groups. This model costs you less but offers the same excellence as the other models.
Although the numbers of connections are less on this model, the range of connectivity is still quite full. You can connect with your partners within a radius of 1200 meters, which is 200 meters more than the previous models. Another noticeable feature is the versatility of the device. Its clip can fit it on almost every helmet. This feature saves you from the trouble of buying a specific mask, especially for the device, as is the case with many other manufacturers.
With the Natural Voice Operation, the device has no trouble recognizing your voice. All you have to say is ‘Hey Cardo,’ just like addressing Siri. To make it more comfortable, Cardo has installed ways to connect to Siri and Ok Google too. So if you find ‘Hey Cardo’ uncomfortable or new, you can switch to the older and more comfortable voice commands.
Despite the lower cost, Cardo FREECOM 4+ also features JBL speakers for the perfect sound quality. They cut out all the external voices and give you loud and clear audio transmission. Since they are attached to the interior of the helmet, they are safe and do not require maintenance. To reduce the overall maintenance of the device, Cardo has made the device dustproof and waterproof. These features ensure durability and better performance, as well.
The customizable volume setup and the built-in FM, along with the 13 hours battery life, make the device an excellent value for your money. However, you might find the user manual a little confusing, but the application is quite simple and easy.
5. Cardo Freecom 1 – Best For Solo Riders
Pros
- Long battery life
- JBL speakers
- Sleek design
- Universal mount
Cons
- Voice recognition only for calls
With its super sleek design and aerodynamic structure, the Cardo Unisex Adult Freecom 1 is the perfect choice for solo riders. It has a width of about 16mm, making it one of the thinnest communication headsets. Plus, it can easily fit on almost every type of helmet, which is a significant relief.
Moreover, the device is weather-friendly, which means it stays unaffected by even the harshest weather conditions. Such a protected build enhances security as it reduces your chances of losing connection or affecting the device’s performance.
The JBL speakers offer the perfect sound quality, cutting out external noise to let you enjoy your music and call load and clear. With the customizable volume feature, you can easily adjust the voice according to the external voice level.
The Freecom 1 also features voice recognition for calls. So you can easily make or receive a call without having to take your hands off the bike’s handles. However, it does not feature advanced PACKTALK technology. So you cannot command the device for every function.
Thirteen hours of battery life is a long time for the device to survive. It ensures a smooth ride without fretting over the battery use-up. The mobile application is also quite easy, and you do not need to be much tech-savvy to understand what’s happening. The user manual, however, is still the same –horrible.
Conclusion
The Cardo and Sena are two top players in the motorcycle communication industry. Some of the best products are listed above. They are all perfect in their categories and offer a lot more efficient than other similar products.
If you move in a pack, then Sena 50S or 30K are the options to go for, they come with top of the line features and great design. The only caveats are pricing and no waterproof rating.
Here Cardo PACKTALK BOLD is the most value for money device, It allows you to connect to up to 15 riders over the distance of 5 Miles and comes with high-quality JBL speakers. The best part, It also has IP67 waterproof rating.
Freecom 4+ is an excellent option for smaller groups. Freecom 1 is a perfect choice if you are a solo rider and enjoy solidarity. It is also the most affordable choice.
