Nothing to do with tyres whatsoever, no siree Bob.

I am however interested in helmet speakers. Not headsets as I don't
need a mic, just speakers. Loud enough to be heard through ear plugs,
but cheap enough to not make me cry. Are these likely to be good
enough:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Helmet-Speakers-Headphones-UK-SELLER-HIGHLY-RATED_
W0QQitemZ120457506968QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item1c0
bd3b098&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

 

IME helmet speakers are a PITA. They take up all the space that is there
to let your ear unfold as you are putting the helmet on and so you have
to slide a finger in[1]. Unless you have them aligned to within
0.00000001 nanomicrons of your ear, the volume will be rubbish (with the
autocom ones anyway)

When I have the cash[2] I'm going to get some of those molded[3] to
your ear types. I haven't tried, but I'm sure normal in ear pieces
should be fine.

I thought listening to music would be good for long rides, but it's a
Bad Idea IMHO.

[1] fnarr
[2] sometime never at the current rate
[3] never know the correct spelling of that word

 

Is that with speakers in general, or 50mW ones like those? If the
latter,
http://www.equinoxmc.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&pro
ducts_id=32 are a lot more powerful, but about double what I want to
pay.

 

I got hold of a pair of these (could even be the same ones from the
same seller), but eventually gave up on them .They might even still be
in the attic somewhere. I found them hard to place accurately in the
helmet and uncomfortable once fitted.

Instead I got some of these.

URL:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-EP-630-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0009G6FQI

I find them quite comfortable under the helmet, and easily audible
given that they keep out much of the road and wind noise. YMMV, of
course.

 

They look pretty good actually, & for that price it's no great loss if
I hate them.

 

I tried wearing some Sennheiser CX-300 buds on the last trip abroad.
Even without the noise-cancelling feature they blocked the wind noise
pretty much perfectly. The only downside was every time I moved my head
the wires pulled tauter and tauter until the buds were being pulled
downwards out of my ears. Since my ears only have holes pointing to the
side, not downwards, that wasn't too comfortable.

 

I just want them for the SatNav. I'd never used the TomTom (PDA) on the
MV until last weekend, & it's impossible to see on a sunny day. It's
fine on the Tigs as I have it near vertical.

 

I had the same problem, but I think I've sorted it simply by routing
the wire correctly - i.e. making sure it isn't caught on the jacket
anywhere. One would have a similar problem, of course, with helmet
speakers.

 

Troo, as I want them to use with TomTom on a mobile.

 

Is the drill for the helmet or my ears?

 

I think an earpiece is essential with a satnav. As Nige and I have both
noticed the graphical display is a distraction you do not want to have
on a bike.

 

I find the verbal instructions annoying in the car, can't see it being
any different on a bike.

 

Really? So how would you know when it wanted you to turn without them?

 

Depends how you use it. Usually, I have a pretty good idea of where I want
to go. The satnav takes the place of a map, should the direction of travel
be uncertain at a junction. It's also very handy for locating fuel
stations, hotels etc.

Of course, if you are frequently using a satnav to find addresses in an
urban area then an earpiece might be useful. Not essential though, as I
tend to glance at the display, at appropriate moments, and memorise the
next couple of junctions, just like using an A-Z.

One of the worst things about satnavs is that people lose, or never
acquire, the skills of good observation and planning ahead. They change
lanes without looking or drive off a quay because that's what <insert pet
name of satnav> said to do.

 

It displays stuff on the screen.

Crazy, huh?

 

Mine shows the next turn and distance to it at the bottom of the
screen.. For this trip I'm going to be using it on the bike without
earpiece (as it's a car version, so it'll just go in the tankbag...
and that's how I plan to use it, by glancing at the next turn and how
many miles each time I change road.

Same process I use when transposing a map to a list, but without
having to faff with loads of paper.

If this doesn't work in practice I'll still have 4 red michelin maps
with me covering FR, DE & AU, CH, IT so can just go oldschool.

 

Yes, but how do you _know_ it's displaying stuff on the screen?

The answer is clear, you devote a significant proportion of your time
watching the screen to ensure you don't miss anything. I find it hard
to believe that this is less distracting than a simple voice command
before every manouevre.

 

Of course, they all do this to some extent. And on a bike I always
used the things as an aid, at best, but in a car they're a different
thing altogether. I don't mean that you should rely on them
completely, but if I'm confident of the route it'll take me it enables
me to pay more attention to other things and ensures I'm reminded at
the right time.

 

I found the memory foam stuff holding these style of earphones in place
would come loose whilst riding.

The only earphones I've found that stay in your ear whilst riding are
the Sensorcom MicroBuds. They come with a double flange silicon tip
which really is comfortable and stays in place. I bought the
multifilament eartips which work really well for me.

http://www.sensorcom.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=956&PT_ID=298

Not cheap at £30 but well worth it

 

Not that much time. I take a glance after following an instruction and
it'll tell me how far it is to the next instruction.

What annoys me with the voice instructions is the continual "bear
right" rubbish when what it really means is "go straight on, I have
nothing of worth to tell you at this time".