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The thread on earplugs got me thinking, what do you guys think of headsets for cellphones?

There are some nice bluetooth ones that let you use voice dialing so you could call ahead or take a call hands free, but would they fit inside a helmet? Also is there enough room that they wouldn't end up jamming into your earcanal and deafening you if you crashed? I'm not advocating distracted driving any more than I would drunk driving http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cell ... k-drivers/ but I would like to know your opinions on the subject.

apollofrost wrote:The thread on earplugs got me thinking, what do you guys think of headsets for cellphones?

i think it's fine if you're in a cage... i don't think it has any place while you're riding a bike... 'course that's just me...

anything that distracts me from the ride is BAD

!! cellphones and motorcycles!! i'll notify the ambulence...

As a new rider, I'd PASS on the option of a headset.

Can you text message on your phone? I started to use text messaging more when I rode. Think: You don't have to take off your helmet to get the message and you can reply pretty easily as well.

I have a bracket that holds my phone where I can see that I have an incoming message. I pull over and flip open the phone to read it and can then respond.

Wait until you decide you need tunes on the road then look into getting a system that will integrate both phone and music (MP3 or XM/Sirius satellite). I'd say wait until that time.

P

sigh.....can't anybody enjoy anything anymore without the need to be connected all the time?
Can't someone just leave you a message that you can check later?

Just go out and enjoy the ride. Turn off the cell phone.

In my opinion the whole essence of motorcycling is the connection between you and the bike. Almost like meditation. Distractions of any sort like a damn cell phone would ruin the experience and not to mention increase the risk factor.

And probably at any reasonable speed the wind blast would be too much on the microphone.

apollofrost wrote: I'm not advocating distracted driving any more than I would drunk driving http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/cell ... k-drivers/ but I would like to know your opinions on the subject.

Just to be clear, I didn't mean for use while actually riding. I meant something that you could use without taking your helmet off when you pull over. My main concern is safety as safety gear has alternately saved my life and saved my face. Does anyone know if a headset would be dangerous in a crash? I remember someone mentioning how their glasses had left a nasty gash over their eyebrow after a crash (I think its their userpic).

Yes, I understand that having people call and yapping away would diminish if not ruin the experience. I hardly ever use my cellphone because I just don't like it. I have a prepaid cellphone that costs about 40cents a minute and I spend less than five dollars a month on it. By that logic I use it less than 12 minutes a month plus text messages.

If I had the headset on I would first block calls from everyone but the people I was meeting and the people I was riding with (though in most cases we could just pull over and talk face to face), anyone else would just go straight to voicemail without even a ring to inturrupt the ride. But then again... I will probably just forget the headset and pick up my messages at the next rest stop, then use the money I saved by not buying a headset towards better gear.

Now text messaging sounds pretty good (I would have never thought of that, thanks Lion_Lady)and after some checking I found out that some services (for a price) will text you weather alerts, which could be useful but I'm not sure if its just for your zipcode or if you can do it for a wider area.

I don't even know how it's possible to use a cellphone while riding, especially text messaging. You could always keep the phone on vibrate and pullover when somebody calls..?

I turn the phone to silent when riding. When I stop I check for missed calls. I don't take messages, either recorded or text. My outgoing message is, "You have reached 0624. Do not leave a message because I will not respond. Hang up now so your number will be in my missed calls list. If your number is blocked, I will not return your call."