Share is the right way to choose an intercom over specs
Talking with your touring buddies, navigating, and listening to music. Intercoms are great for mass touring as well as for solo use, but which ones are the most popular?
In this article, I've ranked the most popular intercoms for motorcycles. Here are the top 10 really popular models, based on actual sales and sales page views in the first half of 2020!
Top 10 most popular intercoms for the first half of 2020
No. 10 MIDLAND｜BT MINI
It is specialized for situations where the maximum number of people touring is two, such as solo and pillion riding. The BT-MINI, which was introduced this year, ranked 10th on the list.
The latest and most spec-laden models are nice, but paying for features you don't use is not a cosmetic solution. In that respect, this intercom seems to be popular for its discreet packaging and low price.
| Maximum distance | 200 meters. | Maximum number of calls | Two. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum talk time | Eight hours. | Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 3.0 |
| Recommended Users | I want to use it solo or in pillion riding. | ||
No. 9 CARDO｜PACKTALK BOLD JBL PACKTALK BOLD JBL
The "JBL" in the product name refers to the world-famous audio equipment manufacturer "JBL". The CALD PACKTALK BOLD JBL, which features high-quality speakers, comes in at #9. This flagship model has a maximum call capacity of 15 people. It also has a trendy app integration. Recommended for hard touring users.
| Maximum distance | 1,600m | Maximum number of calls | 15 people (up to 4 people with Bluetooth connection) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum talk time | 13 hours. | Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Recommended Users | I want to do mass touring with a large group. | ||
No. 8 CARDO｜FREECOM 4 +
Following the ninth place, the eighth-place is also the CARDO. The Freecom 4 Plus has less specs than the PACKTALK BOLD JBL with up to four people talking, but it has the features you need. It also supports Japanese voice commands, so you don't have to operate it by hand, which is a key point. "Hey! Just like "Siri" and "OK Google"!
| Maximum distance | 1,200m | Maximum number of calls | Four. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum talk time | 13 hours. | Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Recommended Users | I want to tour solo to 4 people. | ||
No. 7 MIDLAND｜BT MESH
Midland's BT MESH, which has pushed mesh communication to the forefront, a familiar feature of high-end intercoms in recent years, came in seventh place. The mesh-communication-enabled model overcomes the disadvantages of conventional intercoms, such as the cumbersome pairing process that can be completed in an instant, or the ability to resume a conversation once the connection is lost once the user returns to the communication range. If you're unhappy with the pairing, I'd recommend an intercom with mesh communication or similar features!
| Maximum distance | 1,400m | Maximum number of calls | Ten. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous talk time | 20 hours. | Bluetooth Version | - |
| Recommended Users | I want to do mass touring with a large group. | ||
No. 6 MIDLAND｜BT NEXT PRO Hi-Fi [Intercom]
The intercom is suitable for mass touring, with a maximum of 8 people on the phone and a maximum range of 1,600m. The special app allows for an unlimited number of people and distances to be called, which is also a great point for those who tour in large groups. There's also a feature that allows you to share navigation and radar audio from a single model with everyone, which might make tedious route guidance a little easier.
| Maximum distance | 1,600m | Maximum number of calls | Up to 8 people (including 4 tandem riders) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous talk time | 20 hours. | Bluetooth Version | - |
| Recommended Users | I want to do mass touring with a large group. | ||
No. 5 DAYTONA｜Motorcycle Intercom DT-KIKUDAKE
As the name suggests, this is an intercom that specializes in "just listening"! If you're a solo tourer and want to listen to your navigation system's voice and music, this would be perfect for you. In addition to the main helmet, you can also attach it to a sub-helmet for city riding. Low price with only the necessary functions. This is the best price.
| Maximum distance | 10 meters. | Maximum number of calls | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous talk time | 12 hours. | Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Recommended Users | I want to use it for town riding and solo touring. | ||
No. 4 DAYTONA｜DT-E1 Bluetooth Intercom
In recent years, Daytona's intercoms have surpassed specialty manufacturers in popularity by offering a range of features at a low price.
The fourth-ranked DT-E1 is the entry model with some of the features removed from the flagship DT-01. The noticeable difference between the two is the communication range of DT-01 is 1,000m to 800m. It also boasts features such as automatic call recovery when you're in range once a call is lost, and background music and navigation system playback, which is as good as any flagship model from the competition.
| Maximum distance | 800 meters. | Maximum number of calls | Four. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum talk time | 12 hours. | Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Recommended Users | For those who are looking for an intercom for the first time. Solo to small group mass touring |
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The clash between cost and function
Looking at the lineup so far, it's clear that a surprisingly large number of models are ranked as feature-focused. It seems that the mainstream is not high end, but a good choice of features that you use all the time.
Personally, I'd choose a share-number one brand because I like the functionality, but I want to avoid the hassle of pairing it up!
So on the next page, I'll reveal the Top 3!
